[Federal Register: December 27, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 247)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 72447-72448]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27de99-30]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
48 CFR Part 13
[FAC 97-15; FAR Case 99-304; Item VIII]
RIN 9000-AI59
Federal Acquisition Regulation; Special Simplified Procedures for
Purchases of Commercial Items in Excess of the Simplified Acquisition
Threshold
AGENCIES: Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration
(GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense
Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) have agreed on a final rule
amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement Section
806 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000
(Pub. L. 106-65). Section 806 extends the test of the special
simplified procedures for purchases of commercial items greater than
the simplified acquisition threshold, but not exceeding $5,000,000,
until January 1, 2002.
DATES: Effective Date: December 27, 1999.
Applicability Date: The FAR, as amended by this rule, is applicable
to solicitations issued on or after December 27, 1999.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The FAR Secretariat, Room 4035, GS
Building, Washington, DC, 20405, (202) 501-4755, for information
pertaining to status or publication schedules. For clarification of
content, contact Ms. Victoria Moss, Procurement Analyst, at (202) 501-
4764. Please cite FAC 97-15, FAR case 99-304.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Background
This final rule amends FAR Subpart 13.5 to implement Section 806 of
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 (Pub. L.
106-65). Section 806 amends Section 4202(e) of the Clinger-Cohen Act of
1996 (Divisions D and E of Pub. L. 104-106; 110 Stat. 654; 10 U.S.C.
2304 note) to extend, through January 1, 2002, the expiration of the
test of special simplified procedures for purchases of commercial items
greater than the
[[Page 72448]]
simplified acquisition threshold, but not exceeding $5,000,000. This
rule also makes plain language editorial revisions.
This rule was not subject to Office of Management and Budget 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.
B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The final rule does not constitute a significant FAR revision
within the meaning of FAR 1.501 and Public Law 98-577, and publication
for public comments is not required. However, the Councils will
consider comments from small entities concerning the affected FAR
subpart in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610. Interested parties must submit
such comments separately and should cite 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq. (FAC 97-
15, FAR case 99-304), in correspondence.
C. Paperwork Reduction Act
The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the changes to
the FAR do not impose information collection requirements that require
the approval of the Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C.
3501, et seq.
List of Subjects in 48 CFR Part 13
Government procurement.
Dated: December 20, 1999.
Edward C. Loeb,
Director, Federal Acquisition Policy Division.
Therefore, DoD, GSA, and NASA amend 48 CFR part 13 as set forth
below:
PART 13--SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES
1. The authority citation for 48 CFR part 13 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 40 U.S.C. 486(c); 10 U.S.C. chapter 137; and 42
U.S.C. 2473(c).
2. Amend section 13.500 in paragraph (b) by removing ``shall'' and
adding ``must'' in its place; and by revising paragraph (d) to read as
follows:
13.500 General.
* * * * *
(d) The authority to issue solicitations under this subpart expires
on January 1, 2002. Contracting officers may award contracts after the
expiration of this authority for solicitations issued before the
expiration of the authority.
3. Amend section 13.501 in the introductory text of paragraphs
(a)(1) and (b) by removing ``shall'' and adding ``must'' in their
place; and by revising paragraph (a)(2)(ii) to read as follows:
13.501 Special documentation requirements.
(a) * * *
(2) * * *
(ii) For a proposed contract exceeding $500,000, the competition
advocate for the procuring activity, designated pursuant to 6.501, or
an official described in 6.304(a)(3) or (a)(4) must approve the
justification and approval. This authority is not delegable.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 99-33437 Filed 12-23-99; 8:45 am]
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