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AGENCY:

Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Department of Defense (DoD).

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

DoD is adopting as a final rule, with minor changes, an interim rule that amended the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement exemptions from the Prompt Payment Act. The interim rule exempted military payments related to contingencies and certain payments related to emergencies and the release or threatened release of hazardous substances.

DATES:

Effective date: March 2, 2011.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Julian E. Thrash, 703-602-0310.

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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

5 CFR part 1315 exempts from Prompt Payment Act compliance payments related to emergencies (defined in the Start Printed Page 11372Disaster Relief Act of 1974, Pub. L. 93-288, as amended (42 U.S.C. 5121, et seq.); contingency operations (as defined in 10 U.S.C. 101(a)(13)); and the release/threatened release of hazardous substances (as defined in 4 U.S.C. 9606, Section 106). DoD requires the flexibility provided by 5 CFR part 1315, Exemption from the Prompt Payment Act, because of the potential for unstable environments during emergencies and contingency operations.

DoD published an interim rule in the Federal Register (75 FR 40712) on July 13, 2010, to implement the full authority granted by 5 CFR 1315.1 for payments covered by 5 CFR 1315.1(b)(2) that are either certified for payment in an operational area, or are contingent upon the receipt of necessary supporting documentation (i.e., contract, invoice, receiving report) emanating from an operational area. The public comment period closed September 13, 2010.

II. Analysis of Public Comments

One respondent provided comments on the interim rule. A discussion of the comments follows:

A. Applicability of FAR Subpart 32.9

Comment. The respondent notes that DFARS 232.901, Applicability, states that FAR subpart 32.9 does not apply when the conditions therein are listed. However, DFARS 232.908, Contract clauses, states that the appropriate FAR Prompt Payment clause prescribed at FAR 32.908 should be included in the contract in addition to DFARS 252.232-7011, Payments in Support of Emergencies and Contingency Operations. Thus, FAR 32.908 still applies when the conditions at DFARS 232.901 are met. According to the respondent, the statement that “FAR subpart 32.9, Prompt Payment, does not apply when—” needs to be qualified to state that FAR 32.908 still applies.

Response. DoD concurs and the text has been revised accordingly.

B. Inclusion of Two Payment Clauses

Comment. The respondent states that it would be less confusing if the contract just contained either DFARS 252.232-7011, Payments in Support of Emergencies and Contingency Operations, or a FAR Prompt Payment clause. According to the respondent, if the environment became more stable or less stable, the contracting officer could bilaterally modify the contract to remove one clause and add the other. The respondent states that including both clauses and notifying the contractor which one applies by contract modification is an unusual, and unnecessary, way to administer a contract.

Response. DoD does not concur as the Government requires the maximum flexibility provided by DFARS subpart 232.9, Prompt Payment, in order to operate in such austere environments as Iraq and Afghanistan. This flexibility requires the ability to move from the appropriate FAR Prompt Payment clause when normal business conditions are possible, to the clause at DFARS 252.232-7011, Payments in Support of Emergencies and Contingency Operations, when an austere environment exists. The conditions described at 232.901, Applicability, provide guidelines for when austere operations are present. Contractors that operate in potential environments that may go back and forth from stable to unstable operations are given the opportunity to price such conditions into their proposals. The Government reserves the right to structure such contracts for this flexibility, and to convert the appropriate FAR or DFARS clause for the given situation, rather than depending upon a bilateral modification, to which the contractor might not agree, and which would require negotiation of consideration. As currently stated, the contracting officer can issue a unilateral contract modification notifying the contractor which clause is active.

This final rule provides DoD the needed flexibility in limited circumstances. The head of the contracting activity shall make subsequent determinations, after consultation with the cognizant comptroller, as the operational area evolves into a more stable business environment to enable the provisions of FAR 32.9 to apply.

III. Executive Order 12866

This regulatory action was subject to review under Section 6(b) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, dated September 30, 1993. This rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804.

IV. Regulatory Flexibility Act

DoD does not expect this final rule to have a significant economic impact on small entities within the meaning of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq. However, DoD has prepared a final regulatory flexibility analysis consistent with 5 U.S.C. 604 which is summarized below. A copy of the analysis may be obtained from the point of contact.

On May 22, 2008, the DoDIG issued the results of an audit Report No. D-2008-098, entitled “Internal Controls Over Payments Made in Iraq, Kuwait, and Egypt.” The audit cited inconsistencies in FAR 32.9, DFARS 232.9, and 5 CFR in regard to compliance with the Prompt Payment Act for military contingency operations. The audit further recommended that DoD establish procedures to address contingency operations.

During emergencies and contingency operations, the operational area can be so fluid and dynamic that carrying out normal business practices can be extremely challenging. It is necessary for the Head of the Contracting Activity (HCA) to have the authority to appropriately respond to emergency and contingency operations accordingly whenever limited operational conditions exist. This includes the payment of contractors.

This final rule takes advantage of the exemption provided by OMB implementation of the Prompt Payment Act, which exempts military contingencies. This rule allows the HCA to make a determination of whether or not stable business operations exist in theater to allow the Prompt Payment Act to apply in an emergency and contingency operation. If stable conditions don't exist, then the HCA is authorized to apply the clause at 252.232-7011, Payments in Support of Emergencies and Contingency Operations. When this clause is invoked, it will be used instead of one of the payment clauses at FAR 52.232-25, 52.232-26, or 52.232-27. DFARS 232.901 will require the HCA to make subsequent determinations as the operational area evolves into a more stable environment to enable the provisions of the Prompt Payment Act to apply. It will also require the contracting officer to notify, by contract modification, each contractor that has a contract containing DFARS clause 252.232.7011, that it is no longer applicable, and the applicable FAR Prompt Payment clause in the contract applies.

No significant issues were raised by the public in response to the initial regulatory flexibility analysis.

This rule is expected to have a minimal economic impact on a relatively small number of small business entities. It is anticipated that the rule could initially be applied to contracts supporting Afghanistan. As of today, normal business operations are hindered in Afghanistan due to the uncertain environment and instability in the region. It may be impractical for U.S. forces to adequately match receipt of necessary supporting documentation (i.e., contract, invoice, and receiving Start Printed Page 11373report) in such an operational area. It is expected the HCA for Afghanistan could exempt “payments made in the theater of operations” from Prompt Payment Act interest and interest penalties.

In the preparation of the interim rule, a review of Federal Procurement Data Systems data for FY08 showed that of the 140 awards made to U.S. firms, only 21 were made to small business entities. This total represents 15 percent of all awards made during this time period. Therefore, the overall impact of the rule is not expected to have a significant aggregate economic impact on a substantial number of small entities within the meaning of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq. However, a regulatory flexibility analysis was completed because there is an economic impact to consider.

There is no reporting requirement established by this rule. There are no significant alternatives which accomplish the stated objectives. This rule will allow DoD to utilize the exemptions provided by OMB implementation of the Prompt Payment Act, which exempts military contingencies.

V. Paperwork Reduction Act

The rule does not impose any information collection requirements that require the approval of the Office of Management and Budget under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35).

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List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 212, 232, and 252

• Government procurement

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Therefore, the Defense Acquisition Regulations System confirms as final the interim rule published at 75 FR 40712, July 13, 2010, with the following changes:

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1. The authority citation for

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Authority: 41 U.S.C. 1303 and 48 CFR chapter 1.

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PART 232—CONTRACT FINANCING

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2. Section 232.901 is amended by—

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a. Revising the first sentence of paragraph (1) introductory text to read as set forth below;

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b. Amending paragraph (1)(i)(C) by removing “Section” and adding in its place “section”.

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