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AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to conform it to higher-level changes in the Code of Federal Regulation relating to annual representations and certifications.

DATES:

Effective date: September 20, 2011.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Julian Thrash, 703-602-0310.

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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

DFARS 204.1202 prescribes use of DFARS provision 252.204-7007, Alternate A, Annual Representations and Certifications, in contracts that also incorporate Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) provision 52.204-8, Annual Representations and Certifications. FAR 52.204-8 was changed to add a new paragraph (c), which lists the applicable representations and certifications in the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA). This FAR change necessitated a similar modification of DFARS 252.204-7007.

DoD published a proposed rule in the Federal Register at 75 FR 71646, on November 24, 2010, to update DFARS 204.1202 and 252.204-7007. The public comment period closed January 24, 2011. Two respondents submitted comments on the proposed rule. A discussion of the comments is provided below.

II. Discussion and Analysis

A. Applicability

Comment: A respondent recommended DFARS 252.212-7000, Offeror Representations and Certifications—Commercial Items, be retained in the list of representations and certification at 204.1202(2) that are not to be included in the solicitation when using the provision DFARS 252.204-7007, because that provision is to be used in non-commercial solicitations only. Another respondent recommended that DFARS 204.1202(2) include provisions that are applicable to solicitations, rather than those not applicable, similar to FAR 52.204-8.

Response: The first respondent is correct that DFARS provision 252.212-7000 is for commercial solicitations only and will not be included in solicitations that include DFARS 252.204-7007, because that provision is used when FAR 52.204-8 is included, and that FAR provision is not used in solicitations issued under FAR part 12 for acquisition of commercial items. However, inclusion of DFARS 252.212-7000 on the list at DFARS 204.1202(2) is not appropriate, because the list at DFARS 204.1202(2) should include only provisions that are listed in 252.204-7007, Alternate A, Annual Representations and Certifications. Therefore, the final rule does not retain 252.212-7000 on the list at 204.1202(2). Further, DFARS 204.1202(2) introductory text was amended to clarify that the listed provisions will not be included separately in the solicitation, because the appropriate representations and certifications will be covered by inclusion of DFARS 252.204-7007 in the solicitation.

Comment: A respondent recommended the representations at DFARS 252.216-7003 and DFARS 252.239-7011 be retained in the list of representations and certifications at DFARS 252.204-7007 because the Contractor is asked to make a representation about itself.

Response: DFARS 252.216-7003 will be retained in the list. DFARS 252.239-7011, however, will not be included because the clause requires contractors to make certain representations during contract performance concerning reimbursement of special construction and equipment costs. According to DFARS 239.7408-1(a), “special construction normally involves a common carrier giving a special service or facility related to the performance of the basic telecommunications service requirements.” Since these are costs that occur during contract performance, the contractor would not be able to make a proper representation prior to award.

B. Clarification

Comment: A respondent recommended modifying the second sentence of DFARS 252.204.7007(e) by removing “as indicated in (d) and (e) of this provision” and adding “as well as those in (d) above” after “posted electronically.”

Response: When using the alternate at DFARS 252.204-7007, paragraphs (d) and (e) replace paragraph (d) of FAR 52.204-8. DFARS 252.204-7007(e) provides that by submission of an offer, the offeror verifies that the FAR 52.204-8(c) representations and certifications and the DFARS 252.204-7007(d) representations and certifications are up to date in ORCA. Accordingly, the language in paragraph (e) was changed to include the statement “as indicated in FAR 52.204-8(c) and paragraph (d) of this provision.”

Comment: A respondent commented that the second to last line of 252.204-7007(e) should say “provision number” instead of “clause number.”

Response: The term “clause number” was changed to “provision number” in the second to last line of 252.204-7007(e) and in the first block of the table provided.

C. Additional Changes

DFARS 252.209-7001, Disclosure of Ownership or Control by the Government of a Terrorist Country, which was inadvertently omitted from the listing of provisions, has been added to 204.1202(2)(i) and 252.204-7007(d)(1)(i). The Alternates for 252.225-7020, Trade Agreements Certificate, and 252.225-7035, Buy American Act-Free Trade Agreements-Balance of Payments Program Certificate, were added to 252.204-7007(d)(2)(iii), and (vi), respectively.

Additionally, to further clarify applicability of the various provisions, 252.204-7007(d) was reformatted into two sections to separately list the DFARS provisions that the contracting officer may individually select if one of the provisions applies for a particular Start Printed Page 58141procurement. Additionally, the prescription for use of 252.204-7007 was reformatted to include it as a lead in to the provision rather than being a part of the provision.

III. Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

Executive Orders 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). Executive Order 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 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 certifies that this final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities within the meaning for the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq., because the rule does not impose any additional requirements on small businesses.

A proposed rule published in the Federal Register at 75 FR 73997, on November 30, 2010, invited comments from small businesses and other interested parties. No comments were received from small entities on the affected DFARS subpart with regard to small businesses.

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 204 and 252

• Government procurement

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Therefore, 48 CFR parts 204 and 252 are amended as follows:

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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 204—ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

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2. Section 204.1202 is revised to read as follows:

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When using the provision at FAR 52.204-8, Annual Representations and Certifications—

(1) Use the provision with 252.204-7007, Alternate A, Annual Representations and Certifications; and

(2) Do not include separately in the solicitation the following provisions, which are included in DFARS 252.204-7007:

(i) 252.209-7001, Disclosure of Ownership or Control by the Government of a Terrorist Country.

(ii) 252.209-7005, Reserve Officer Training Corps and Military Recruiting on Campus.

(iii) 252.209-7002, Disclosure of Ownership or Control by a Foreign Government.

(iv) 252.216-7003, Economic Price Adjustment—Wage Rates or Material Prices Controlled by a Foreign Government.

(v) 252.225-7000, Buy American Act—Balance of Payments Program Certificate.

(vi) 252.225-7020, Trade Agreements Certificate.

(vii) 252.225-7022, Trade Agreements Certificate—Inclusion of Iraqi End Products.

(viii) 252.225-7031, Secondary Arab Boycott of Israel.

(ix) 252.225-7035, Buy American Act—Free Trade Agreements—Balance of Payments Program Certificate.

(x) 252.225-7042, Authorization to Perform.

(xi) 252.229-7003, Tax Exemptions (Italy).

(xii) 252.229-7005, Tax Exemptions (Spain).

(xiii) 252.247-7022, Representation of Extent of Transportation by Sea.

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PART 252—SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

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3. Section 252.204-7007 is revised to read as follows:

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