[Federal Register: May 16, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 96)]
[Proposed Rules]               
[Page 28407-28410]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16my08-17]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

48 CFR Parts 3, 9, 12, and 52

[FAR Case 2007-006; Docket 2007-0001; Sequence 11]
RIN 9000-AK80

 
Federal Acquisition Regulation; FAR Case 2007-006, Contractor 
Compliance Program and Integrity Reporting (2nd Proposed Rule)

AGENCIES: Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration 
(GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION: Proposed rule; additional changes proposed.

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SUMMARY: The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense 
Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) are seeking comments on 
changes to the proposed rule, FAR Case 2007-006, Contractor Compliance 
Program and Integrity Reporting, published in the Federal Register at 
72 FR 64019, November 14, 2007, for which the initial comment period 
has closed, that may be included in the final rule. The Councils do not 
contemplate publishing a final or interim rule until public comments 
are received and considered on the specific changes discussed further 
in this document.

DATES: Interested parties should submit written comments to the FAR 
Secretariat on or before July 15, 2008 to be considered in the 
formulation of a final rule.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments identified by FAR case 2007-006 by any of 
the following methods:
     Regulations.gov: http://www.regulations.gov.Submit 
comments via the Federal eRulemaking portal by inputting ``FAR Case 
2007-006'' under the heading ``Comment or Submission''. Select the link 
``Send a Comment or Submission'' that corresponds with FAR Case 2007-
006. Follow the instructions provided to complete the ``Public Comment 
and submission Form''. Please include your name, company name (if any), 
and ``FAR Case 2007-006'' on your attached document.
     Fax: 202-501-4067.
     Mail: General Services Administration, Regulatory 
Secretariat (VPR), 1800 F Street, NW., Room 4041, Washington, DC 20405.
    Instructions: Please submit comments only and cite FAR case 2007-
006 in all correspondence related to this case. All comments received 
will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including 
any personal and/or business confidential information provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ernest Woodson, Procurement Analyst, 
at (202) 501-3775 for clarification of content. For information 
pertaining to status or publication schedules, contact the FAR 
Secretariat at (202) 501-4755. Please cite FAR case 2007-006.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    The Councils published FAR Case 2007-006, Contractor Compliance 
Program and Integrity Reporting, as a proposed rule in the Federal 
Register at 72 FR 64019, November 14, 2007. The proposed rule was 
published, at the request of the Department of Justice (DOJ), in order 
to--
     Require contractors to have a code of ethics and business 
conduct;
     Establish and maintain specific internal controls to 
detect and prevent improper conduct in connection with the award or 
performance of Government contracts or subcontracts; and
     Notify contracting officers without delay whenever they 
become aware of violations of Federal criminal law with regard to such 
contracts or subcontracts.
    The proposed rule was a follow-on case to FAR Case 2006-007, 
published as a final rule in the Federal Register on November 23, 2007 
(72 FR 65873).
    Thirty three respondents commented on the proposed rule. The 
Councils currently are reviewing the comments and are considering 
changes to the proposed rule.
     The public and other interested parties have expressed 
concerns about--
    [cir] The proposed exemption for contracts to be performed entirely 
outside the United States; and
    [cir] The proposed exemption for contracts for the acquisition of 
commercial items.
     In addition, the Department of Justice (DOJ) proposes to 
add a requirement for contractors to report violations of the civil 
False Claims Act, and add knowing failure to timely report such 
violations as an additional cause for debarment or suspension to FAR 
Subpart 9.4.
    Therefore, the Councils are seeking comments and recommendations 
regarding the changes to the proposed rule FAR text listed later in 
this notice. This notice includes only the sections of the proposed 
rule affected by these changes, summarized as follows:
    (1) Require inclusion of the clause FAR 52.203-13 in contracts and 
subcontracts that will be performed outside the United States (see FAR 
3.1004 and 52.203-13(d) in the initial proposed rule). This change 
would result in making the clause requirements for a contractor code of 
business ethics and conduct, business ethics awareness and compliance 
program, and internal control system applicable to contracts performed 
outside the United States.
    The exemption from the requirement to include the clause 52.203-13 
in contracts and subcontracts to be performed entirely outside the 
United States was a carry-over from the proposed and final rules under 
FAR Case 2006-007, which addressed both contractor code of business 
ethics and conduct and the use of fraud hotline posters. The final rule 
under FAR case 2006-007 relied heavily on the Defense Acquisition 
Regulations System (DFARS) coverage of contractor business ethics and 
hotline posters (see 48 CFR 203.70 and 48 CFR 252.203-7002). The DFARS 
clause on hotline posters does not apply to overseas contracts or to 
commercial items. There is no DFARS clause on contractor code of 
business ethics and conduct, just recommended guidelines. When the 
Councils added the clause at FAR 52.203-13 to contractually require a 
contractor code of business ethics and conduct, the same exemptions as 
applied to the hotline posters were perpetuated. The proposed rule 
under 2007-006, which was issued on an extremely expedited basis, did 
not propose change to the exemption for overseas contracts that was 
initiated under FAR case 2006-007. After publication of the proposed 
rule under 2007-006, DOJ and other respondents expressed concern about 
the overseas exemption.
    The Councils note that the proposed rule did not exempt contracts 
that will be performed entirely outside the United States from all the 
requirements of the proposed rule. The proposed rule--
     Applied the proposed debarment/suspension for knowing 
failure to timely disclose an overpayment on a Government contract or 
violations of Federal criminal law in connection with the award or 
performance of any

[[Page 28408]]

Government contract or subcontract, to all contracts, whether domestic 
or overseas.
     Applied the policy demanding integrity and honesty (see 
FAR 3.1002) to all contractors.
     Only exempted contracts to be performed entirely outside 
the United States from inclusion of the clause.
     Had a clause requirement for an internal control system 
which mandated an internal reporting mechanism by which employees may 
report suspected instances of improper conduct, and instructions that 
encourage employees to make such reports on any of the contractor's 
contracts or subcontracts, whether overseas or domestic.
    (2) Require inclusion of the clause at FAR 52.203-13 in contracts 
(and subcontracts) for all acquisitions of a commercial item. However, 
just like small businesses, a formal business ethics awareness and 
compliance program and internal control system are not required in 
contracts and subcontracts for the acquisition of commercial items. 
This would have the effect of applying to contracts for the acquisition 
of commercial items the requirements for--
     A written code of business ethics;
     Preventing and detecting criminal conduct; and
     Notifying, in writing, when the contractor has reasonable 
grounds to believe that violations of the civil False Claims Act or 
Federal criminal law have occurred in connection with the award or 
performance of this contract or any subcontract thereunder.
    This is in some ways more fair to contractors providing commercial 
items, because even though the clause was not included in contracts for 
the acquisition of commercial items, the contractors were still subject 
under the initial proposed rule to debarment or suspension for knowing 
failure to notify the Government of violations of Federal criminal law 
in connection with the award or performance of the contract (or 
subcontract). Now the requirement to report violations is explicitly 
stated in the contract.
    (3) Add a new cause for suspension or debarment to the current 
lists at FAR 9.407-2 and 9.406-2, respectively. For suspension, the new 
cause would be adequate evidence of a knowing failure to timely 
disclose the violation of the civil False Claims Act in connection with 
the award or performance of any Government contract, or subcontract 
thereunder. For debarment, the new cause would be a preponderance of 
the evidence of a knowing failure to timely disclose violation of the 
civil False Claims Act (31 U.S.C. 3729-3733) in connection with the 
award or performance of any Government contract, or subcontract 
thereunder. This would also be added as a required disclosure in the 
contract clause.
    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.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The changes may 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 small businesses will 
be required to notify, in writing, the agency Office of the Inspector 
General, with a copy to the contracting officer, whenever the 
contractor has reasonable grounds to believe that a principal, 
employee, agent, or subcontractor of the contractor has committed a 
violation of the civil False Claims Act or a violation of Federal 
criminal law in connection with the award or performance of this 
contract or any subcontract thereunder.
    An Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) was prepared in 
connection with the initial proposed rule. The analysis is summarized 
as follows:

    The IRFA reported that ``the clause requirements for a formal 
awareness/training program and internal control system will not 
apply to small business concerns.'' (See 72 FR 64021.) That is still 
true. Only the requirements of paragraph (b) of the clause will 
apply (to have a written code of business ethics and to notify the 
agency Office of the Inspector General in writing, with a copy to 
the contracting officer whenever the Contractor has reasonable 
grounds to believe that a principal, employee, agency, or 
subcontractor of the contractor has committed a violation of the 
False Claims Act or a violation of Federal criminal law).
    The proposed changes that affect the IRFA are as follows:
     Applies to contracts to be performed outside the United 
States.
     Applies to contracts for the acquisition of commercial 
items (except 52.203-13(c)).
     Requires reporting of violations of civil False Claims 
Act.
    The requirement in the proposed rule ``to notify the agency 
inspector general and the contracting officer in writing whenever 
the contractor has reasonable grounds to believe that a principal, 
employee, agent, or subcontractor of the contractor has committed a 
violation of Federal criminal law in connection with the award or 
performance of any Government contract or subcontract'' (72 FR 
64020) was applicable to small, as well as large, businesses. The 
IRFA estimated that approximately 1,400 prime and subcontracts with 
small businesses would include the contract clause. We estimate that 
by including small businesses that offer commercial items or that 
perform contracts outside the United States, the number of small 
businesses impacted by the clause may increase by 50%. We estimate 
that the requirement to report violations of the civil False Claims 
Act may double the number of reports. The number of small businesses 
that would actually be required by the clause to submit a report 
would then be calculated as 84 (28 x 1.5 x 2). The number of small 
entities that are not impacted by the clause requirement but would 
report alleged violations of the civil False Claims Act was 
estimated to be 17. This estimate has doubled, because of the 
addition of mandatory reporting of violations of the civil False 
Claims Act. Therefore, the total number of small businesses 
submitting a report has increased from 45 to 118 (84+34).

    The FAR Secretariat has submitted a copy of the amended IRFA to the 
Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration. A copy 
of the IRFA may be obtained from the FAR Secretariat. The Councils will 
consider comments from small entities concerning the affected FAR parts 
3, 9, 12, and 52 in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610. Comments must be 
submitted separately and should cite 5 U.S.C 601, et seq. (FAR case 
2007-006), in correspondence.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act (Pub. L. 104-13) applies because the 
proposed rule contains information collection requirements. 
Accordingly, the FAR Secretariat will submit a request for approval of 
a revised information collection requirement concerning Contractor 
Compliance Program and Integrity Reporting to the Office of Management 
and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq. The estimated reporting burden 
for a violation remains 3 hours. Based on the revised number of 
impacted contractors and retaining the other figures used in the 
initial estimate, the annual reporting burden is revised as follows:
    Respondents: 284.
    Responses per respondent: 1.
    Total annual responses: 284.
    Preparation hours per response: 3.
    Total response burden hours: 852.

Annual Reporting Burden

    Public reporting burden for this collection of information is 
estimated to average 3 hours per response, including the time for 
reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information.

[[Page 28409]]

D. Request for Comments Regarding Paperwork Burden

    Submit comments, including suggestions for reducing this burden, 
not later than June 16, 2008 to: FAR Desk Officer, OMB, Room 10102, 
NEOB, Washington, DC 20503, and a copy to the General Services 
Administration, FAR Secretariat (VPR), 1800 F Street, NW., Room 4041, 
Washington, DC 20405. Please cite OMB Control Number 9000-00XX, 
Contractor Compliance Program and Integrity Reporting, in all 
correspondence.
    Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
functions of the FAR, and will have practical utility; whether our 
estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is 
accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be 
collected; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use 
of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology.
    Requester may obtain a copy of the justification from the General 
Services Administration, FAR Secretariat (VPR), Room 4041, Washington, 
DC 20405, telephone (202) 501-4755. Please cite OMB Control Number 
9000-00XX, Contractor Compliance Program and Integrity Reporting, in 
all correspondence.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 3, 9, 12, and 52

    Government procurement.

    Dated: May 14, 2008.
Al Matera,
Director, Office of Acquisition Policy.

    Therefore, DoD, GSA, and NASA propose amending 48 CFR parts 3, 9, 
12, and 52 as set forth below:
    1. The authority citation for 48 CFR parts 3, 9, 12, and 52 
continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 40 U.S.C. 121(c); 10 U.S.C. chapter 137; and 42 
U.S.C. 2473(c).

PART 3--IMPROPER BUSINESS PRACTICES AND PERSONAL CONFLICTS OF 
INTEREST

    2. Amend section 3.1002 by adding paragraph (c) to read as follows:


3.1002  Policy.

* * * * *
    (c) A contractor may be suspended and/or debarred for knowing 
failure to timely disclose a violation of the civil False Claims Act or 
Federal criminal law in connection with the award or performance of any 
Government contract performed by the contractor or a subcontract 
awarded thereunder (see 9.406-2(b)(1)(v) and 9.407-2(a)(7)).
    3. Revise paragraph (a) of section 3.1004 to read as follows:


3.1004  Contract clauses.

* * * * *
    (a) Insert the clause at FAR 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business 
Ethics and Conduct, in solicitations and contracts if the value of the 
contract is expected to exceed $5,000,000 and the performance period is 
120 days or more.
* * * * *

PART 9--CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS

    4. Amend section 9.406-2 by revising the introductory text of 
paragraph (b)(1) and adding paragraph (b)(1)(v) to read as follows:


9.406-2  Causes for debarment.

* * * * *
    (b)(1) A contractor, based upon a preponderance of the evidence, 
for any of the following--
* * * * *
    (v) Knowing failure to timely disclose--
    (A) An overpayment on a Government contract;
    (B) Violation of the civil False Claims Act (31 U.S.C 3729-3733) in 
connection with the award or performance of any Government contract or 
subcontract; or
    (C) Violation of Federal criminal law in connection with the award 
or performance of any Government contract or subcontract.
* * * * *
    5. Amend section 9.407-2 by adding paragraph (a)(7) to read as 
follows:


9.407-2  Causes for suspension.

    (a) * * *
    (7) Knowing failure to timely disclose--
    (i) An overpayment on a Government contract;
    (ii) Violation of the civil False Claims Act (31 U.S.C 3729-3733) 
in connection with the award or performance of any Government contract 
or subcontract; or
    (iii) Violation of Federal criminal law in connection with the 
award or performance of any Government contract or subcontract.
* * * * *

PART 12--ACQUISITION OF COMMERCIAL ITEMS

    6. Amend section 12.301 by redesignating paragraph (d)(2) as (d)(3) 
and adding a new (d)(2) to read as follows:


12.301  Solicitation provisions and contract clauses for the 
acquisition of commercial items.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (2) Insert the clause at 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business 
Ethics and Conduct, as prescribed in 3.1004(a).
* * * * *

PART 52--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

    7. Amend section 52.203-13 by--
    a. Revising the date of clause;
    b. Adding paragraph (b)(3);
    c. Revising the introductory text of paragraph (c) and (c)(2)(ii);
    d. Adding paragraph (c)(2)(ii)(F); and
    e. Revising paragraph (d).


52.203-13  Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct.

* * * * *
Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct
([Insert Abbreviated Month and Year of Publication in the Federal 
Register])
* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (3) The Contractor shall notify, in writing, the agency Office 
of the Inspector General, with a copy to the Contracting Officer, 
whenever the Contractor has reasonable grounds to believe that a 
principal, employee, agent, or subcontractor of the Contractor has 
committed a violation of the civil False Claims Act or a violation 
of Federal criminal law in connection with the award or performance 
of this contract or any subcontract thereunder.
    (c) Business ethics awareness and compliance program and 
internal control system. This paragraph (c) does not apply if the 
Contractor has represented itself as a small business concern 
pursuant to the award of this contract or if 52.212-4 appears in 
this contract.
* * * * *
    (2) * * *
    (ii) At a minimum, the Contractor's internal control system 
shall provide for the following:
* * * * *
    (F) Timely reporting, in writing, to the agency Office of the 
Inspector General, with a copy to the Contracting Officer, whenever 
the Contractor has reasonable grounds to believe that a principal, 
employee, agent, or subcontractor of the Contractor has committed a 
violation of the civil False Claims Act (31 U.S.C 3729-3733) or a 
violation of Federal criminal law in connection with the award or 
performance of any Government contract performed by the Contractor 
or a subcontract thereunder.
* * * * *
    (d) Subcontracts. (1) The Contractor shall include the substance 
of this clause,

[[Page 28410]]

including this paragraph (d), in subcontracts that have a value in 
excess of $5,000,000 and a performance period of more than 120 days.
    (2) In altering this clause to identify the appropriate parties, 
all reports of violation of the civil False Claims Act or violation 
of Federal criminal law shall be directed to the agency Office of 
the Inspector General, with a copy to the Contracting Officer.

(End of clause)

[FR Doc. E8-11137 Filed 5-15-08; 8:45 am]

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