[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 224 (Friday, November 20, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 72671-72672]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-29552]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Defense Acquisition Regulations System
48 CFR Parts 217 and 234
[Docket DARS-2015-0042]
RIN 0750-AI62
Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Extension and
Modification of Contract Authority for Advanced Component Development
and Prototype Units (DFARS Case 2015-D008)
AGENCY: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Department of Defense
(DoD).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: DoD is proposing to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition
Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement a section of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015, which amended a section
of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, to
extend and modify contract authority for advanced component development
and prototype units.
DATES: Comments on the proposed rule should be submitted in writing to
the address shown below on or before January 19, 2016, to be considered
in the formation of a final rule.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments identified by DFARS Case 2015-D008, using
any of the following methods:
[cir] Regulations.gov: http://www.regulations.gov. Submit comments
via the Federal eRulemaking portal by entering ``DFARS Case 2015-D008''
under the heading ``Enter keyword or ID'' and selecting ``Search.''
Select the link ``Submit a Comment'' that corresponds with ``DFARS Case
2015-D008.'' Follow the instructions provided at the ``Submit a
Comment'' screen. Please include your name, company name (if any), and
``DFARS Case 2015-D008'' on your attached document.
[cir] Email: [email protected]. Include DFARS Case 2015-D008 in
the subject line of the message.
[cir] Fax: 571-372-6094.
[cir] Mail: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Attn: Ms.
Janetta Brewer, OUSD(AT&L)DPAP/DARS, Room 3B941, 3060 Defense Pentagon,
Washington, DC 20301-3060.
Comments received generally will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. To
confirm receipt of your comment(s), please check www.regulations.gov,
approximately two to three days after submission to verify posting
(except allow 30 days for posting of comments submitted by mail).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Janetta Brewer, telephone: 571-
372-6104.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
DoD is proposing to revise the DFARS to implement section 811 of
the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2015
(Pub. L. 113-291). Section 811 entitled ``Extension and Modification of
Contract Authority for Advanced Component Development and Prototype
Units'' amends paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 819 of the NDAA for FY
2010 (10 U.S.C. 2302 note).
The rule proposes to amend DFARS 217.202(2) and 234.005-1(1) to add
``or initial production'' to the text. This will allow for the
inclusion of a contract line item (possibly an option) to go to initial
production without further competition. However, there is no new impact
on contract cost because section 819(b) of the NDAA for FY 2010 (which
is unchanged in 2015) continues to place a limitation on costs
associated with any contract line item (option or otherwise) for the
delivery of initial or additional items. The rule also extends this
authority at DFARS 234.005-1(2) to September 30, 2019, from September
30, 2014.
II. Executive Orders 12866 and 13563
Executive Orders (E.O.s) 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess
all costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public
health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). E.O.
13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits,
of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility.
This is not a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was not
subject to review under section 6(b) of E.O. 12866, Regulatory Planning
and Review, dated September 30, 1993. This rule is not a major rule
under 5 U.S.C. 804.
III. Regulatory Flexibility Act
DoD does not expect this rule to have a significant economic impact
on a substantial number of small entities within the meaning of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq., because the rule
primarily provides greater flexibility to DoD when contracting for
major system acquisitions. However, an initial regulatory flexibility
analysis has been performed and is summarized as follows:
The purpose of the rule is to implement section 811 of the National
Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 (Pub. L.
113-291). Section 811 entitled ``Extension and Modification of Contract
Authority for Advanced Component Development and Prototype Units''
amends paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 819 of the NDAA for FY 2010
(10 U.S.C. 2302 note).
The rule proposes to amend DFARS 217.202(2) and 234.005-1(1) to add
``or initial production'' to the text. This will allow for the
inclusion of a contract line item (possibly an option) to go to initial
production without further competition.
The rule will apply to DoD major defense acquisition program
contractors and subcontractors. Most major defense acquisition programs
are awarded to large concerns as they are of a scope too large for any
small business to perform. As such, it is not expected that this rule
will have a significant impact on a substantial number of small
entities.
The rule does not impose any additional reporting, recordkeeping,
and other compliance requirements. The rule does not duplicate,
overlap, or conflict with any other Federal rules. There are no
alternatives available that would meet the objectives of the statute.
DoD invites comments from small business concerns and other
interested
[[Page 72672]]
parties on the expected impact of this rule on small entities.
DoD will also consider comments from small entities concerning the
affected DFARS subpart in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 601. Such comments
should be submitted separately and should cite 5 U.S.C. 610 (DFARS Case
2015-D008) in correspondence.
IV. Paperwork Reduction Act
The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the rule does
not impose any information collection requirements that require the
approval of the Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. chapter
35.
List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 217 and 234
Government procurement.
Jennifer L. Hawes,
Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations System.
Therefore, 48 CFR parts 217 and 234 are proposed to be amended as
follows:
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1. The authority citation for parts 217 and 234 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 41 U.S.C. 1303 and 48 CFR chapter 1.
PART 217--SPECIAL CONTRACTING METHODS
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2. Amend section 217.202 by revising paragraph (2) to read as follows:
217.202 Use of options.
* * * * *
(2) See 234.005-1 for limitations on the use of contract options
for the provision of advanced component development, prototype, or
initial production of technology developed under the contract or the
delivery of initial or additional items.
PART 234--MAJOR SYSTEM ACQUISITION
234.005-1 [Amended]
0
3. Amend section 234.005-1--
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a. In paragraph (1) introductory text, by removing ``component
development or prototype of technology'' and adding ``component
development, prototype, or initial production of technology'' in its
place, and removing ``additional prototype items'' and adding
``additional items'' in its place; and
0
b. In paragraph (2), by removing ``September 30, 2014'' and adding
``September 30, 2019'' in its place.
[FR Doc. 2015-29552 Filed 11-19-15; 8:45 am]
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