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Federal Acquisition Regulation

FAR Case 1999-302, 64 FR 72827, December 27, 1999. Construction Industry Payment Protection Act of 1999; Proposed Rule.
SUMMARY: The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement the Construction Industry Payment Protection (CIPP) Act of 1999. The CIPP Act amends the Miller Act to provide that the amount of a payment bond must equal the total amount payable by the terms of the contract, unless the contracting officer determines that a payment bond in that amount is impractical. The proposed rule also provides enhanced payment protection for Government contracts not subject to the Miller Act. This added protection is not required by the CIPP but is considered beneficial to add consistency to the rule and to afford added protection to subcontractors and suppliers on contracts less than $100,000.00.
DATES: Interested parties should submit comments in writing on or before February 28, 2000 to be considered in the formulation of a final rule.

FAC 97-15, 64 FR 72413, December 27, 1999.(Pdf version)

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Item                Subject                                 FAR case   Analyst
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I.......  Pollution Control and Clean Air and Water.         97-033    Linfield
                                
I.......  Foreign Acquisition (Part 25 Rewrite).             97-024    Linfield
                                
III.....  Contract Bundling (Interim)......                  1997-306  De Stefano
                                                             (97-306)
IV......  Deobligation Authority...........                  99-015    Klein
V.......  Transition of the Financial Management             99-602    Nelson
               System Software Program.
                                
VI......  Document Availability............                  99-018    Moss
VII.....  SBA's 8(a) Business Development Program.           98-011    Moss
                                
VIII....  Special Simplified Procedures for                  99-304    Moss
            Purchases of Commercial Items in
            Excess of the Simplified Acquisition Threshold.
                                
IX......  Review of Award Fee Determinations                 98-017    De Stefano
           (Burnside-Ott).                    
X.......  Nondisplacement of Qualified                       99-600    O'Neill
            Workers--Commercial Items.
XI......  Technical Amendments
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Competition Under Multiple-Award Contracts; Proposed Rule, 64 FR 70157, December 15, 1999. FAR Case 1999-014.
SUMMARY: The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to clarify what contracting officers should consider when planning for multiple awards of indefinite-delivery contracts and clarify how orders should be placed against the resultant contracts.
DATES: Interested parties should submit comments in writing on or before February 14, 2000 to be considered in the formulation of a final rule.

FAC 97-14, 64 FR 36221, September 24, 1999.(Pdf version)

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 Item                         Subject                       FAR case  Analyst
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I.........  Very Small Business Concerns...............       98-013  Moss.
II........  Historically Underutilized Business Zone          97-307  Moss.
             (HUBZone) Empowerment Contracting Program.
III.......  Use of Competitive Proposals...............       99-001  DeStefano.
IV........  Javits-Wagner-O'Day Proposed Revisions.....       98-602  DeStefano.
V.........  OMB Circular A-119...............                 98-004  Moss.
VI........  Determination of Price Reasonableness and         98-300  Olson.
             Commerciality (Interim).
VII.......  Conforming Late Offer Treatment............       97-030  DeStefano.
VIII......  Evaluation of Proposals for Professional          97-038  Olson.
              Services.
IX........  Option Clause Consistency..................       98-606  DeStefano.
X.........  Compensation for Senior Executives.........       98-301  Nelson.
XI........  Interest and Other Financial Costs.........       98-006  Nelson.
XII.......  Cost-Reimbursement Architect-Engineer             97-043  O'Neill.
              Contracts.
XIII......  Conditionally Accepted Items...............       98-002  Klein.
XIV.......  Value Engineering Change Proposals/PAT.....       97-031  Klein.
XV........  Cost Accounting Standards Post-Award              98-003  Nelson.
              Notification.
XVI........  Technical Amendments...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FAR Case 99-010, 64 FR 37359, July 9, 1999. Federal Acquisition Regulation; Contractor Responsibility, Labor Relations Costs, and Costs Relating to Legal and Other Proceedings; Proposed Rule

FAC 97-13, 64 FR 36221, July 2, 1999.(Pdf version)
SUMMARY: The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (the Councils) have agreed to adopt the interim rules published in the Federal Register at 63 FR 35719, June 30, 1998; 63 FR 36120, July 1, 1998; 63 FR 52426, September 30, 1998; and 63 FR 71721, December 29, 1998, as final rules with changes. These amendments conform to a Department of Justice (DoJ) model for reform of affirmative action in Federal procurement. DoJ's proposal is designed to ensure compliance with the constitutional standards established by the Supreme Court in Adarand Constructors, Inc. v. Pena, 115 S. Ct. 2097 (1995).
DATES: Effective Date: October 1, 1999.

FAC 97-12, 64 FR 32739, June 17, 1999. PDF Version

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Item                              Subject                      FAR case  Analyst
-----------------------------------------------------------
I... Taxpayer Identification Numbers.                           97-003  Olson.
II.. Use of Brand Name Item Descriptions.                       96-018  Moss.
III. SBA's 8(a) Business Development Program (Interim).         98-011  Moss.
IV.. Competition Under Multiple Award Task                      98-007 DeStefano.
         and Delivery Order Contracts.                               
V.. Application of the Brooks Act.                              98-023  O'Neill.
VI. Restrictions on the Acquisition of Information Technology.  98-306  Nelson.
VI..Technical Amendments
-----------------------------------------------------------

FAR Case 99-600: Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers- Commercial Items; Proposed Rule, 64 FR 32737, June 17, 1999.
SUMMARY: The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to add the clause title, Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers, to the clause concerning Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-- Commercial Items. This addition would permit inclusion of the clause, by reference, in solicitations and contracts for commercial services, when determined appropriate by the contracting officer.
DATES: Comments should be submitted on or before August 16, 1999 to be considered in the formulation of a final rule. PDF Version

FAR Case 98-032: Relocation Costs; Proposed Rule. 64 FR 28329, May 25, 1999. SUMMARY: The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to remove the ceilings imposed on certain types of relocation costs; to remove specific references to mortgage interest differential and rental differential payments; to permit reimbursement of relocation costs on a lump-sum basis in certain situations; and to make allowable payments for spouse employment assistance and for increased employee income and Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes incident to allowable reimbursed relocation costs.
DATES: Comments should be submitted on or before July 26, 1999, to be considered in the formulation of a final rule. PDF version.

FAR Case 94-753, Travel Costs; Proposed Rule. 64 FR 27653, May 20, 1999. SUMMARY: The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to remove the limitation that costs incurred by contractor personnel for lodging, meals, and incidental expenses be considered reasonable and allowable only to the extent that they do not exceed the maximum per diem rates set forth in the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR), the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR), or the Standardized Regulations (SR).
DATES: Comments should be submitted on or before July 19, 1999 to be considered in the formulation of a final rule. PDF version

FAR Case 98-033: Pollution Control and Clean Air and Water, 64 FR 26263, May 13, 1999. SUMMARY: The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to remove Subpart 23.1, 52.223-1, and 52.223-2. Improvements that are being implemented by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will enable it to identify and provide more up- to-date information on facilities that, because of their involvement in criminal violations of the Clean Air Act (CAA) or Clean Water Act (CWA), may not be used in the performance of Government contracts. Although this amendment eliminates the certification burden on offerors and bidders, the proposed changes represent no change to longstanding Federal policy that until such time as EPA determines that the causes giving rise to criminal CAA or CWA violations have been corrected, a contracting officer must not award a contract to be performed by convicted persons at ineligible facilities. PDF Version

FAR Case 98-017: Review of Award Fee Determinations, 64 FR 24471, May 6, 1999. The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). The amendment implements rulings of the United States Court of Appeals and the United States Court of Federal Claims. The rulings are that the Contract Disputes Act applies to all disputes arising under Government contracts unless a more specific statute provides for other remedies arising from a contract dispute. PDF Version

Commerce Acquisition Regulation; Agency Protest Procedures. 64 FR 16651, April 6, 1999. Effective May 6, 1999. Commerce publishes its rules for Agency Level Protests to implement the requirements of Executive Order 12979 and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 33, Section 103, to include ``Agency Protest Procedures-Level Above the Contracting Officer.

Federal Acquisition Circular 97-11. 64 FR 10529, March 4. 1999. Pdf version.

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Item                Subject                      FAR case  Analyst
---------------------------------------------------------------------
I..........  Review of FAR Representations.       96-013  Linfield.
II.........  Very Small Business Concerns         98-013  Moss.
                        (Interim).
III........  Variation in Quantity.........       98-612  Moss.
IV.........  Electronic Funds Transfer.....       91-118  Olson.
V..........  Waiver of Cost or Pricing Data       98-302  De Stefano.
               for Subcontracts.
VI.........  Executive Order 12933,               94-610  O'Neill.
                Nondisplacement of Qualified
                Workers Under Certain Contracts.
VII......... Recruitment Costs Principle...       98-001  Nelson.
VIII........ Compensation for Senior Executives   98-301  Nelson.
                 (Interim).
IX..........  Technical Amendments.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Conforming Late Offer Treatment; Proposed Rule. FAR Case 97-030. 64 FR 4247, January 27, 1999. SUMMARY: The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to align guidance regarding receipt of late offers for commercial, sealed bid, and negotiated acquisitions.

FAC97-07 Correction 63 FR 71721, December 31, 1998.
SUMMARY: The Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration have agreed to issue an addendum to correct Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 97-07 to make amendments to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) concerning programs for small disadvantaged business (SDB) concerns. These changes are needed to provide additional time for subcontractors to become certified under rules issued by the Small Business Administration. These amendments allow contractors acting in good faith to accept the self-representation of subcontractors as to their status as small disadvantaged business concerns. It is anticipated that by July 1, 1999, a sufficient number of firms will have been certified and the changes made by this rule rescinded. After that date, solicitations will require contractors to use certified SDBs as subcontractors to take advantage of the SDB Participation Program. No other aspects of FAC 97-07 are being modified. Pdf version

FAC 97-10, 63 FR 70263, December 18, 1998.


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Item                    Subject                     FAR case         Analyst
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I...............  Historically Underutilized Business Zone         97-307  Moss.
                                    (HUBZone) Empowerment Contracting Program
                                    (Interim).
II..............  Limits for Indefinite-Quantity Contracts....     98-016  DeStefano.
III.............  Office of Federal Contract Compliance            98-607  O'Neill.
                                    Programs National Pre-Award Registry.
IV..............  Limitation on Allowability of Compensation       97-303  Nelson.
                                    for Certain Contractor Personnel.
V...............  Contractor Purchasing System Review              97-016  Klein.
                                    Exclusions.
VI..............  Contract Quality Requirements...............     96-009  Klein.
VII.............  Mandatory Government Source Inspection......     97-027  Klein.
VIII............  No-Cost Value Engineering Change Proposals..     96-011  Klein.
IX..............  Evidence of Shipment in Electronic Data          97-011  Nelson.
                                    Interchange Transactions.
X...............  Technical Amendments........................
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FAC97-10, PDF version without forms
FAC97-10, PDF version forms
FAC97-10, PDF version complete

FAR Case 96-018, Use of Brand Name Item Descriptions. 63 FR 63777, November 16, 1998. Proposed rule. SUMMARY: The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to provide for the use of brand name purchase descriptions, including ``brand name or equal,'' ``brand name--no substitute,'' and ``brand name as target''; and to add two new related solicitation provisions.Pdf version

FAC 97-09, October 30, 1998. 63 FR 58585. PDF Version

Item                  Subject                         FAR case Analyst
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I..  Taxpayer Identification Numbers (Interim).    97-003  Olson.
II.  Electronic Commerce in Federal Procurement (Interim). 97-304  Nelson.
III. Alternate Dispute Resolution--1996.        97-015  O'Neill.
IV.. Pay-As-You-Go Pension Costs.....       89-012  Olson.
V... Rehabilitation Act, Workers With Disabilities.     96-610  O'Neill.
VI.. Civil Defense Costs.............        97-036  Nelson.
VII. Costs Related to Legal/Other Proceedings.       95-020  Nelson.
VIII.Service Contracts...............      97-302  Olson.
IX.  Payment Due Dates...............      97-609  Olson.
X... Technical Amendments............

FAC 97-08, September 30, 1998. 63 FR 52425
Reform of Affirmative Action in Federal Procurement
FAC 97-08/FAR Case 97-004C. FAC 97-06, FAR case 97-004A, Reform of Affirmative Action in Federal Procurement, published in the Federal Register at 63 FR 35719, June 30, 1998, established in the FAR a price evaluation adjustment (PEA) of up to 10 percent for small disadvantaged businesses (SDB) for acquisitions in the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Major Groups designated by the Department of Commerce. This rule amends those regulations to accommodate the use of the PEA in those Major Groups where eligibility has been determined by region.PDF File

FAR Part 25 Rewrite, September 28, 1998, 63 FR 51641
The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to rewrite guidance and clauses on foreign acquisition.
DATES: Comments should be submitted on or before November 27, 1998 to be considered in the formulation of a final rule. PDF File

FAC 97-07, 63 FR 36119, 7/1/98. Effective October1, 1998 SUMMARY: The Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration have agreed to issue Federal Acquisition Circular 97-07, as an interim rule to make amendments to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) concerning programs for small disadvantaged business (SDB) concerns. These amendments conform to a Department of Justice (DoJ) proposal to reform affirmative action in Federal procurement. DoJ's proposal is designed to ensure compliance with the constitutional standards established by the Supreme Court in Adarand Constructors, Inc. v. Pena, 115 S. Ct. 2097 (1995). This regulatory action was subject to Office of Management and Budget review under Executive Order 12866, dated September 30, 1993. This is a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804. PDF version.

FAC 97-06, 63 FR 35719, 6/30/98. SUMMARY: The Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration have agreed to issue Federal Acquisition Circular 97-06, as an interim rule to make amendments to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) concerning programs for small disadvantaged business (SDB) concerns. These amendments conform to a Department of Justice (DoJ) proposal to reform affirmative action in Federal procurement. DoJ's proposal is designed to ensure compliance with the constitutional standards established by the Supreme Court in Adarand Constructors, Inc. v. Pena, 115 S. Ct. 2097 (1995). This regulatory action was subject to Office of Management and Budget review under Executive Order 12866, dated September 30, 1993. This is a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804. PDF version.

SBA Final Rule, 12 CFR 124, 6/30/98. SUMMARY: In response to the Department of Justice's review of Federal procurement affirmative action programs and amendments to the Federal Acquisition Regulation to implement a government-wide small disadvantaged business (SDB) program, the Small Business Administration (SBA) issues this final rule establishing the procedural framework for certifying firms as SDBs and for processing protests challenging the disadvantaged status of a firm claiming to be an SDB. PDF version.

SBA Final Rule, 8(a) Business Development/Small Disadvantaged Business, 6/30/98. SUMMARY: In response to President Clinton's government-wide regulatory reform initiative, the Small Business Administration (SBA) amends both the eligibility requirements for, and contractual assistance provisions within, the SBA's 8(a) Business Development (8(a) BD) program. This final rule changes the name of the program from the Minority Small Business and Capital Ownership Development program to the 8(a) BD program to better reflect the purpose of the program. This rule streamlines the operation of the 8(a) BD program, eases certain restrictions perceived to be burdensome on Program Participants, clarifies certain eligibility requirements, and deletes obsolete regulations. PDF version.

FAC 97-05, 63 FR 34057, June 22, 1998. I Subcontract Consent; II Availability of Specifications; III Liquidated Damages; IV Limits on Fee for Cost-Plus-Incentive-Fee and Cost-Plus-Award-Fee Contracts; V Rehabilitation Act, Workers With Disabilities (Interim); VI Trade Agreements Thresholds; VII Restrictions on Purchases from Sudan; VIII Software Copyrights; IX Travel Reimbursement; X No-Cost Value Engineering Change Proposals (Interim); XI Technical Amendments; XII Availability of FAR via Internet.PDF version, without forms. PDF version with forms.

Proposed Rule-Progress Payments, pdf version. 63 FR 11073, March 5, 1998. Advance notice of proposed rulemaking and public meeting. See DOD's Cost, Pricing, and Finance Internet Office Home Page for more information.

FAC 97-04, February 23, 1998, pdf version I . Use of Data Universal Numbering System as the Primary Contractor Identification .. Final Rule [FAR Case 95-307] Moss. II . Federal Compliance With Right-To-Know Laws and Pollution Prevention Requirements .. Final Rule [FAR Case 92-054B] Linfield. III . Review of Procurement Integrity Clauses .. Final Rule [FAR Case 97-601] Linfield. IV . Certificate of Competency .. Final Rule [FAR Case 96-002] Moss. V . Applicability of Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) Coverage .. Final Rule [FAR Case 97-020] Nelson. VI . OMB Circular No. A133 .. Final Rule [FAR Case 97-029] Olson. VII. SIC Code and Size Standard Appeals .. Final Rule [FAR Case 97-026] Moss. VIII. Small Business Competitiveness Demonstration Program .. Final Rule [FAR Case 97-305] Moss. IX . Special Disabled and Vietnam Era Veterans .. Final Rule [FAR Case 95-602] ONeill. X . Treatment of Caribbean Basin Country End Products .. Final Rule [FAR Case 97-039] Linfield. XI . Administrative Changes to Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) Applicability .. Final Rule [FAR Case 97-025] Nelson. XII. Changes in Contract Administration and Audit Cognizance .. Final Rule [FAR Case 95-022] Klein. XIII. Limitation on Allowability of Compensation for Certain Contractor Personnel (Interim) .. Interim Rule [FAR Case 97-303] Nelson. XIV . Transfer of Assets Following a Business Combination . .. Final Rule [FAR Case 96-006] Nelson. XV . Modular Contracting .. Final Rule [FAR Case 96-605] Nelson. XVI . Technical Amendments ..

FAC 97-03, December 9, 1997. Item I--Part 30 Deviations Final Rule (FAR Case 97-014); Item II--Information Technology Management Reform Act of 1996 Interim Rule (FAR Case 96-319); Item III--Final Overhead Settlement Final Rule (FAR Case 95-017); Item IV--Reorganization of FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures Final Rule (FAR Case 94-772); Item V--Reporting Trade Sanction Exemptions Final Rule (FAR Case 97-021); Item VI--New Mexico Gross Receipts and Compensating Tax Final Rule (FAR Case 97- 018); Item VII--Compensation of Certain Contractor Personnel Interim Rule (FAR Case 96- 325); Item VIII--Independent Research and Development/Bid and Proposal Costs for Fiscal Year 1996 and Beyond Final Rule (FAR Case 95-032); Item IX--Travel Reimbursement Interim Rule (FAR Case 97-007); Item X--Protests to GAO Final Rule (FAR Case 97-009); Item XI--Novation and Related Agreements Final Rule (FAR Case 95-034); Item XII--Commercial Bills of Lading, Small Package Shipments Final Rule (FAR Case 97-017); Item XIII--Standard Form 1406, Preaward Survey of Prospective Contractor--Quality Assurance Final Rule (FAR Case 96-022); Item XIV--Technical Amendments. This document makes technical corrections to FAR 1.201-1, 19.811-1, and 42.203. Standard Forms 33, 1435, 1436, and 1437 are reissued to reflect changes to internal references as a result of the rewrite of FAR part 15. Standard Form 279 is reissued to provide accounting for purchases under the commercial test. Unless otherwise specified, all Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and other directive material contained in FAC 97-03 is effective February 9, 1998, except for Items VI, IX, and XIV, which are effective December 9, 1997. Pdf version with forms.   Pdf version without forms.

Alternative Dispute Resolution-1996 FAR Case 97-015, October 27, 1997. Proposed rule to implement the Administrative Disputes Resolution Act of 1996 and Section 4321(a)(7) of the Clinger-Cohen Act. Pdf Version

Federal Acquisition Circular 97-02. September 30, 1997 Final rule for FAR Part 15 rewrite. Effective for all solicitations issued on or after October 10, 1997, However, agencies may delay implementation until January 1, 1998, at which time it becomes mandatory. Pdf Version

Federal Acquisition Circular 97-01, August 22, 1997 Interiem and final rules for Business Process Innovation, FASA and the Walsh-Healey Public Contracts Act, Irrevocable Letters of Credit and Alternatives to Miller Act Bonds, Automatic Data Processing Equipment Leasing Costs, Environmentally Sound Products, New FAR Certifications, Service Contracting, ADP/Telecommunications Federal Supply Schedules, Certificate of Competency (Interim), Economically Disadvantaged Individuals, Minority Small Business and Capital Ownership, Executive Order Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers Under Certain Contracts (Interim), Designation of Hong Kong, Foreign Differential Pay, Local Government Lobbying Costs, Independent Government Estimates--Construction, Year 2000 Compliance, and Modification of Existing Contracts under FASA and FARA.Pdf version

FAR Proposed Rule-Reform of Affirmative Action in Federal Procurement, May 9, 1997. PDF Version

FAR Proposed Rule-Empowerment Contracting, April 18, 1997.PDF version

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