Office of the Procurement Executive; Department of State Acquisition Regulation (DOSAR)

Federal RegisterAug 11, 1999

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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

48 CFR Parts 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, 608, 609, 610, 611, 613,

614, 615, 616, 617, 619, 622, 623, 625, 626, 628, 629, 630, 631,

632, 633, 634, 636, 637, 639, 641, 642, 643, 644, 645, 646, 647,

649, 652 and 653

[Public Notice #3025]

RIN 1400-AA71

Office of the Procurement Executive; Department of State

Acquisition Regulation (DOSAR)

AGENCY: Office of the Procurement Executive, Department of State.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This rule makes final a proposed rule published for comment on

November 30, 1998 (63 FR 65728) amending the Department of State

Acquisition Regulation (DOSAR). The final rule also contains several

miscellaneous amendments and corrections not published on November 30,

1998, as outlined below.

EFFECTIVE DATE: August 11, 1999.

[[Page 43619]]

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gladys Gines, Procurement Analyst,

Department of State, Office of the Procurement Executive, 2201 C Street

NW, Suite 603, State Annex Number 6, Washington, DC 20522-0602;

telephone (703) 516-1691; e-mail address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

On November 30, 1998 (63 FR 65728), the Department of State

proposed amendments to the DOSAR to reflect numerous miscellaneous

changes, additions, and deletions dealing with internal or

administrative matters. The proposed rule also eliminated certification

requirements that were not specifically imposed by statute, and added

one new certification required by statute and one new certification not

required by statute but justified in accordance with section 29 of

Public Law 104-106 (the Federal Acquisition Reform Act of 1996).

Finally, the proposed rule eliminated internal coverage from the

codified section of the DOSAR.

No comments were received during the public comment period, which

ended on January 29, 1999. This rule makes final the amendments, as

revised, proposed on November 30, 1998.

II. Amendments Not Contained in Proposed Rule

The final rule also contains several amendments and corrections to

the proposed rule. These amendments are the result of several changes

which have taken place during the comment period. They are as follows:

DOSAR section 604.502 is revised to conform to FAR

numbering changes made in FAC 97-9.

DOSAR section 609.406-3(a)(1) is revised to reflect

coordination through the Office of the Procurement Executive of Office

of the Inspector General investigation reports that involve possible

criminal or fraudulent activities by contractors.

DOSAR sections 614.201-6, 614.201-6-70, 615.209, and

615.209-70 are being removed. These sections contained the prescription

for the provision at 652.214-71, Authorization to Perform. The

Department has determined that this provision should be a contract

clause, since it contains requirements that the successful offeror must

adhere to following contract award, i.e., having the appropriate

licenses, permits, etc. Since it is a contract clause, the prescription

is moved to 642.271(b). The clause is renamed as ``Authorization and

Performance'', revised slightly, and renumbered as 652.242-73.

DOSAR section 617.105-1(d) is being revised to better

reflect current Administration policy as set forth in OMB Circulars A-

11 and A-34. This section contained language regarding three options to

finance cancellation costs of multiyear contracts. However, the current

policy as stated in OMB Circulars A-11 and A-34 is to allow only the

first option (cancellation costs incurred shall be paid from

appropriations originally available for the performance of the

contract). The policy is to fully fund usable segments and to obligate

cancellation costs as part of the original contract, as currently

stated in FAR 17.104(c). Therefore, DOSAR 617.105-1(d) is revised to

state that every multiyear contract must comply with FAR 17.104(c)

unless an exception is approved through the budget process in

coordination with the cognizant comptroller.

DOSAR 617.502 is removed, and a new section 617.503 is

added, as the determination and findings requirements for Economy Act

interagency agreements are now located in FAR 17.503.

DOSAR 633.214-70(c)(4), (c)(5), and (c)(6)(iii) are

revised to delete references to the Army Corps of Engineers IWR

pamphlets and the Administrative Conference of the U.S. publication on

mediation. These documents are no longer available in hard copy.

Reference to an Internet site for obtaining information on alternative

disputes resolution is provided instead.

DOSAR 633.270-1, 633.270-2, and 633.270-3 are revised to

reflect the transfer of certain appellate and review functions from the

Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals to the General Services Board

of Contract Appeals. Related reference changes are made to 633.214-

70(c) and (c)(2).

DOSAR 637.104-70 is revised to add a new paragraph (i)

describing the authority for the Bureau of Diplomatic Security to issue

personal services contracts in accordance with section 206 of Pub. L.

99-399, as amended by the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act of

1998.

DOSAR 642 is revised to correct the headings of Part 642

and Subpart 642.2. A new paragraph (b) is added to 642.271, as

discussed above.

These amendments and corrections do not affect the public, and

therefore good cause exists to publish the amendments for effect

without first soliciting public comment because prior public comment is

unnecessary. The amendments are for the purpose of implementing

internal changes and making minor corrections.

III. Regulatory Flexibility Act

The Department of State certifies that this regulation will not

have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small

entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). A

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis has, therefore, not been performed.

IV. Unfunded Mandates Act of 1995

The Unfunded Mandates Act of 1995 requires agencies to prepare

several analytical statements before proposing any rule that may result

in annual expenditures of $100 million of State, local, and Indian

tribal governments or the private sector. Since this final rule will

not result in expenditures of this magnitude, the Department certifies

that such statements are not necessary.

V. Executive Order 12866

This final rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12866 by

the Office of Management and Budget.

VI. Paperwork Reduction Act

The information collection requirements contained in this rule have

been approved under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 by OMB, and

were assigned control number 1405-0050.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, 608,

609, 610, 611, 613, 614, 615, 616, 617, 619, 622, 623, 625, 626,

628, 629, 630, 631, 632, 633, 634, 636, 637, 639, 641, 642, 643,

644, 645, 646, 647, 649, 652 and 653

Government procurement.

Accordingly, title 48, chapter 6 of the Code of Federal Regulations

is amended as follows:

1. The authority citation for 48 CFR Parts 601, 602, 603, 604, 605,

606, 608, 609, 610, 614, 616, 617, 619, 620, 622, 623, 625, 626, 628,

629, 630, 631, 632, 633, 634, 636, 637, 639, 642, 643, 645, 646, 647,

649, 652, 653 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 40 U.S.C. 486(c); 22 U.S.C. 2658.

SUBCHAPTER A--GENERAL

PART 601--DEPARTMENT OF STATE ACQUISITION REGULATION

2. Section 601.105 is redesignated as section 601.106. New sections

601.105 and 601.105-3, are added to read as follows:

[[Page 43620]]

601.105 Issuance.

601.105-3 Copies.

The DOSAR is available on CD-ROM disks through the Department's

INFOEXPRESS program, or through the Internet from A/OPE's Acquisition

Website. The Internet address is: http://www.statebuy.gov/home.htm

3. Newly designated section 601.106 is revised to read as follows:

601.106 OMB Approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act.

The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520) requires

that Federal agencies obtain approval from the Office of Management and

Budget before collecting information from ten (10) or more members of

the public. Individuals are not required to respond to information

collection unless the OMB number and burden estimate information is

provided. Accordingly, the information and recordkeeping requirements

contained in this regulation have been approved by OMB under OMB

Control Number 1405-0050. The burden estimate is 225,302 hours.

601.301 [Amended]

4. Section 601.301 is amended by redesignating paragraph (a)(1) as

paragraph (a) and by removing paragraph (a)(2) in its entirety.

601.302 [Amended]

5. Section 601.302 is amended in the first sentence of paragraph

(a) by removing the words ``and leases of real and personal property''.

601.303 [Amended]

6. Section 601.303 is amended by correcting the citation at the end

of paragraph (c) to read ``FAR 1.105-2(c)''.

601.471 [Removed]

7. Section 601.471 is removed.

8. The heading of Subpart 601.6 is revised to read as follows:

Subpart 601.6--Career Development, Contracting Authority, and

Responsibilities

601.602-3 and 601.602-3-70 [Removed]

9. Section 601.602-3, and section 601.602-3-70, are removed.

10. Section 601.603-3 is amended by adding a title to paragraph

(a); by revising the second sentence of paragraph (a); by revising

paragraph (b) in its entirety; and, by adding a new paragraph (d), to

read as follows:

601.603-3 Appointment.

(a) General. * * * The Procurement Executive appoints all DOS

contracting officers, in conformance with FAR 1.603-3, with the one

exception as noted in paragraph (b) of this section. * * *

(b) Temporary warrants. The Chief of Mission is delegated the

authority by the Procurement Executive to issue temporary contracting

officer warrants for periods up to 90 calendar days in order to cover

emergency, post-specific operational requirements (e.g., staffing gaps,

medical evacuations, extended leave, etc.). These temporary

appointments shall be executed on the Standard Form 1402, and a copy

shall be furnished to A/OPE. The warrant shall contain both a dollar

limitation of no more than $100,000 and a specific time period (not to

exceed 90 days) during which the warrant is effective.

* * * * *

(d) Personal services agreements. Individuals who may sign personal

services agreements (PSAs) are limited to the following:

(1) An individual, or class of individuals, granted authority by

the Director, PER/OE; or

(2) Individuals with contracting officer certificates of

appointment.

601.603-70 Amended

11. Section 601.603-70 is amended--

(a) By adding a period after the words ``and services'' and

removing the words ``; to sell personal property; and to lease real

property.'' in the first sentence of paragraph (a)(1) introductory

text;

(b) By adding a period after the words ``Deputy Assistant Secretary

of State for Foreign Buildings'' and removing the words ``and to the

Director for Acquisitions as the HCA.'' in paragraph (a)(2);

(c) By removing the heading ``Office of Acquisition'' and inserting

``Office of Logistics Management; Office of Acquisition Management (A/

LM/AQM)'' in its place; and by removing the words ``and Deputy Director

as the HCA'' and inserting ``or designee as the HCA'' in their place in

paragraph (a)(3);

(d) By removing the word ``and'' before the word ``construction''

and removing the word ``of'' after ``construction'' and by adding the

words ``and supplies for'' after the word ``construction'' in paragraph

(a)(7);

(e) By adding the word ``supplies,'' after the word ``subsystems,''

in paragraph (a)(8);

(f) By revising paragraph (a)(9) to read as indicated below;

(g) By removing the words ``Office of Acquisition'' and inserting

the acronym ``A/LM/AQM'' in their place in the second sentence of

paragraph (b) introductory text;

(h) By removing the words ``schedule contracts'' and inserting the

words ``existing contracts up to the maximum ordering threshold or

limitation'' in their place in paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(6); and

(i) By adding a new paragraph (b)(7), to read as follows:

601.603-70 Delegations of authority.

(a) * * *

(9) Regional Procurement Support Offices. The authority to enter

into and administer contracts for the expenditure of funds involved in

the acquisition of supplies, equipment, publications, and services on

behalf of overseas posts is delegated to each Director, Regional

Procurement Support Office (RPSO) as the HCA at the following

locations:

(i) RPSO Germany in conjunction with Embassy Bonn and Consulate

General Frankfurt;

(ii) RPSO Tokyo in conjunction with Embassy Tokyo;

(iii) RPSO Singapore in conjunction with Embassy Singapore; and,

(iv) RPSO Florida in conjunction with the Florida Regional Center.

(b) * * *

(7) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization. The

authority to enter into and administer 8(a) purchase orders and

contracts as a third party pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding

signed with the Small Business Administration.

601.670 [Removed]

12. Section 601.670 is removed.

PART 602--DEFINITIONS OF WORDS AND TERMS

13. Section 602.101-70 is amended by removing the definition of

``local procurement''; and by adding, in alphabetical order, a

definition of ``major system'' to read as follows:

602.101-70 DOSAR definitions.

* * * * *

Major system has the same definition as described in FAR 2.101;

however, the Department of State's dollar threshold as defined in

paragraph (b) is $30 million. The Under Secretary for Management is the

head of the agency for the purposes of paragraph (c).

* * * * *

PART 603--IMPROPER BUSINESS PRACTICES AND PERSONAL CONFLICTS OF

INTEREST

14. Subpart 603.1 is revised to read as follows:

Subpart 603.1--Safeguards

Sec.

603.104 Procurement integrity.

603.104-5 Disclosure, protection, and marking of contractor bid or

proposal information and source selection information.

[[Page 43621]]

603.104-10 Violations or possible violations.

Subpart 603.1--Safeguards

603.104 Procurement integrity.

603.104-5 Disclosure, protection, and marking of contractor bid or

proposal information and source selection information.

(a) The following classes of persons may be authorized to receive

contractor bid or proposal information or source selection information

by the contracting officer or head of the contracting activity, who is

the agency head's designee, when such access is necessary to the

conduct of an acquisition:

(1) Individuals involved in the selection process, such as the

Contracting Officer's Representative, technical evaluators, advisors,

consultants, and the Source Selection Official;

(2) Clerical personnel directly involved in the acquisition;

(3) Supervisors in the contracting officer's chain of command;

(4) Contracting personnel involved in reviewing or approving the

solicitation, contract, or contract modification;

(5) Individuals from offices who may be required to perform pre-

award audits, such as DCAA; and,

(6) Personnel in the following offices: Office of Small and

Disadvantaged Business Utilization (A/SDBU), Office of the Legal

Adviser, Office of Legislative Affairs, Office of the Inspector

General, Office of the Procurement Executive, the Small Business

Administration, and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs

(Department of Labor).

(c) All information which is considered proprietary or source

selection information shall be marked to prevent its unauthorized

disclosure before award. This may be performed by marking each page of

proprietary or source selection material with the statement ``Source

Selection Information--See FAR 3.104'' or ``Proprietary Information--

See FAR 3.104'', as applicable. Alternatively, this requirement may be

met by attaching Forms DS-1926, Proprietary Information (Cover Page),

and DS-1927, Source Selection Information (Cover Page), to any

proprietary and source selection information. Individuals responsible

for preparing derivative documents which reference, cite, or paraphrase

proprietary or source selection information, are responsible for

marking such documents as indicated in this paragraph. The required

marking or cover page shall be included when technical proposals are

submitted for evaluation and when an audit is requested. After award,

the procedures governing the Freedom of Information Act and related

laws/regulations shall be followed regarding release of proprietary or

source selection information.

603.104-10 Violations or possible violations.

(a)(1) The contracting officer shall report any violation or

possible violation to the head of the contracting activity after he or

she has reviewed the documentation and has concluded that there is no

impact on the acquisition.

(d)(2)(ii)(B) The Procurement Executive is the agency head's

designee for the purposes of FAR 3.104-10(d)(2)(ii)(B).

603.203 [Removed]

15. Section 603.203 is removed.

Subpart 603.3--[Removed]

16. Subpart 603.3, consisting of section 603.303, is removed.

17. Section 603.405 is added to read as follows:

603.405 Misrepresentations or violations of the Covenant Against

Contingent Fees.

(a) The contracting officer may request the Office of the Inspector

General to develop further information if the facts available are

deemed insufficient to determine whether an actual violation has

occurred. The contracting officer may also obtain the advice of the

Office of the Legal Adviser as to the legality and general propriety of

any information disclosed.

603.408 and 603.408-1 [Removed]

18. Section 603.408, and section 603.408-1, are removed.

603.670 [Removed]

19. Section 603.670 is removed.

20. Subpart 603.9 is added to read as follows:

Subpart 603.9--Whistleblower Protections for Contractor Employees

Sec.

603.905 Procedures for investigating complaints.

603.906 Remedies.

Subpart 603.9--Whistleblower Protections for Contractor Employees

603.905 Procedures for investigating complaints.

The Procurement Executive is the agency head's designee for the

purposes of FAR 3.905.

603.906 Remedies.

The Procurement Executive is the agency head's designee for the

purposes of FAR 3.906.

PART 604--ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

Subpart 604.2--[Removed]

21. Subpart 604.2, consisting of section 604.202, is removed.

Subpart 604.4--[Removed]

22. Subpart 604.4, consisting of sections 604.404 and 604.404-70,

is removed.

23. Subpart 604.5 is added to read as follows:

Subpart 604.5--Electronic Commerce in Contracting

604.502 Policy.

The Assistant Secretary of State for Administration is the agency

head for the purposes of FAR 4.502.

Subpart 604.70--[Removed]

24. Subpart 604.70, consisting of sections 604.7001 and 604.7002,

is removed.

SUBCHAPTER B--COMPETITION AND ACQUISITION PLANNING

PART 605--PUBLICIZING CONTRACT ACTIONS

605.202-70 [Amended]

25. Section 605.202-70 is amended by removing the date ``June 15,

1998'' and inserting the date ``May 19, 2001'' in its place in the last

sentence of paragraph (a).

605.207 [Removed]

26. Section 605.207 is removed.

605.303 [Amended]

27. Section 605.303 is amended by inserting a comma and by adding

the words ``upon request,'' after the word ``Affairs'' in the first

sentence of paragraph (a).

PART 606--COMPETITION REQUIREMENTS

Subpart 606.1--[Removed]

28. Subpart 606.1, consisting of sections 606.101 and 606.101-70,

is removed.

606.302-6 [Amended]

29. Section 606.302-6 is amended by removing ``E.O. 12356'' and

``Executive Order 12356'' and inserting ``Executive Order 12958'' in

its place wherever it appears in paragraphs (c)(1) introductory text

and (c)(1)(vi).

606.304 [Amended]

30. Section 606.304 is amended in paragraph (a)(2) by removing the

[[Page 43622]]

amounts ``$100,000'' and ``$1,000,000'' and inserting ``$500,000'' and

``$10,000,000'' in their place, respectively.

31. Section 606.501 is amended by revising the first sentence of

paragraph (b) to read as follows:

606.501 Requirement.

* * * * *

(b) A contracting activity competition advocate has been designated

for A/LM/AQM. * * *

32. Section 606.570 is revised to read as follows:

606.570 Solicitation provision.

The contracting officer shall insert the provision at 652.206-70,

Competition Advocate/Ombudsman, in all solicitations exceeding the

simplified acquisition threshold.

PART 608--REQUIRED SOURCES OF SUPPLIES AND SERVICES

33. Part 608, consisting of subpart 608.3 and section 608.302, is

removed.

PART 609--CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS

34. Section 609.206, and section 609.206-1, are added to read as

follows:

609.206 Acquisitions subject to qualification requirements.

609.206-1 General.

(b) The authority prescribed in FAR 9.206-1(b) is delegated,

without power of redelegation, to the head of the contracting activity.

35. Section 609.404 is amended by revising the section heading to

read as follows:

Sec. 609.404 List of parties excluded from federal procurement and

nonprocurement programs.

36. Section 609.405 is amended by revising paragraphs (d)(4)(i) and

(d)(4)(ii) to read as follows:

Sec. 609.405 Effect of listing.

* * * * *

(d) * * *

(4)(i) For procurement actions (both domestic and overseas) that do

not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, contracting officers

need not consult the ``List of Parties Excluded from Federal

Procurement and Nonprocurement Programs'' prior to award. The list

should be consulted whenever the contracting officer has reason to

believe that a proposed contractor may appear on the list.

(ii) Contracting officers at domestic contracting activities shall

review the ``List of Parties Excluded from Federal Procurement and

Nonprocurement Programs'', either in hard copy or electronic form,

prior to awarding a procurement action exceeding the simplified

acquisition threshold.

37. Section 609.406-3 is amended in paragraph (a)(1) by adding the

following two sentences to the end of the paragraph; and, in paragraph

(b)(7) by removing the number ``10'' and inserting the number ``30'' in

its place:

Sec. 609.406-3 Procedures.

(a)(1) * * * The Office of the Inspector General shall provide to

the Procurement Executive a copy of its investigation report. The

contracting officer shall provide to the Procurement Executive a copy

of his or her intended actions in response to the Office of the

Inspector General report.

* * * * *

38. Subpart 609.5 is amended by revising the heading to read as

follows:

Subpart 609.5--Organizational and Consultant Conflicts of Interests

PART 610--SPECIFICATIONS, STANDARDS, AND OTHER PURCHASE

DESCRIPTIONS

39. Part 610, consisting of sections 610.002 and 610.002-70, is

removed.

40. Part 611 is added to subchapter B to read as follows:

PART 611--DESCRIBING AGENCY NEEDS

Sec.

611.002 Policy.

611.002-70 Metric system implementation.

Subpart 611.1--Selecting and Developing Requirements Documents

611.103 Market acceptance.

Subpart 611.5--Liquidated Damages

611.502 Policy.

Authority: 40 U.S.C. 486(c); 22 U.S.C. 2658.

611.002 Policy.

611.002-70 Metric system implementation.

(a) Policy. The Metric Conversion Act of 1975, as amended by the

Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 205a, et

seq.), requires Federal agencies to establish implementing guidelines

pursuant to metric policy to adopt the metric system as the preferred

system of weights and measurements for United States trade and

commerce. This section establishes the Department of State's metric

conversion guidelines.

(b) Applicability. This section applies to all DOS acquisitions,

except to the extent that such use is impractical or is likely to cause

significant inefficiencies or loss of markets to U.S. firms.

(c) Definitions.

Dual system means the use of both traditional and metric systems.

For example, an item is designated, produced and described in inch-

pound values with soft metric values also shown for information or

comparison.

Hard metric means the use of only standard metric (SI) measurements

in specifications, standards, supplies and services.

Hybrid system means the use of both traditional and hard metric

values in specifications, standards, supplies and services.

Measurement sensitive means any item having an application or

meaning depending substantially on some measured quantity. For example,

measurement sensitive items include product or performance criteria and

standards binding on others, such as emission levels, size and weight

limitations, etc.

Metric system means the International System of Units (Le System

International d'Unites (SI)) of the International Bureau of Weights and

Measures.

Metrication means any act that increases metric system use,

including metric training and initiation or conversion of measurement

sensitive processes and systems to the metric system.

Soft metric means the result of mathematical conversion of inch-

pound measurements to metric equivalents. The physical dimensions,

however, are not changed.

Traditional system of weights and measurements means the

predominant weight and measurement system currently used in the United

States, also referred to as the ``inch-pound system.'' The traditional

system includes such commonly used units as inch, foot, yard, mile,

pint, quart, gallon, bushel, ounce (fluid and avoirdupois), pound,

degree Fahrenheit, ampere, candela, and second.

(d) Procedures. (1) DOS contracting activities shall implement the

metric system in a manner consistent with 15 U.S.C. 205a, et seq.

(2) All DOS contracting activities shall use the metric system in

acquisition consistent with security, operations, economic, technical,

logistical, training and safety requirements.

(3) The Department shall encourage industry to adopt the metric

system by acquiring commercially available metric products and services

that meet the Department's needs whenever practical.

[[Page 43623]]

Toward this end, solicitations for DOS acquisitions shall:

(i) State all measurement sensitive requirements in metric terms

whenever possible. Alternatives to hard metric are soft, dual and

hybrid metric terms. The Metric Handbook for Federal Officials

regarding the selection of proper metric units and symbols is available

from the National Technical Information Service; and

(ii) For contracts expected to exceed $500,000 contracting officers

shall return to the requirements office all specifications and

statements of work that are not expressed in some form of metric terms

unless the requirements office has prepared a justification, for the

approval of the contracting officer, for the use of non-metric

specifications or statements of work. The justification shall be in a

format as prescribed by the head of the contracting activity. Option

year prices shall be considered when computing the $500,000 threshold.

(4) Waivers are not required when ordering from Federal Supply

Schedules.

(5) Valid justifications for non-metric specifications or

statements of work include, but are not limited to:

(i) Existing specifications or standards are in inch-pound units,

unless conversion of the existing specifications or standards is

necessary or advantageous to the Government. Unnecessary retrofit of

existing systems with new metric components should be avoided if the

total cost of the retrofit, including redesign costs, exceeds $50,000;

(ii) Metric is not the accepted industry system with respect to a

business-related activity; however, soft, hybrid, or dual systems may

be used during the transition to hard metric;

(iii) The use of metric is impractical or is likely to cause

significant inefficiencies or loss of markets to U.S. firms.

(6) The contracting officer shall review and, if acceptable,

approve the waiver prior to the release of the solicitation. The waiver

shall be placed in the contract file. If the waiver is not approved,

the contracting officer shall return it to the requirements office with

an explanation for the disapproval.

(7) The in-house operating metric costs shall be identified.

Identification includes, but is not limited to, the cost of metric

aids, tools, equipment, training and increased cost to develop metric

specifications. All contracting activities and requirements offices

shall maintain a record of any costs and/or savings brought about by

metric conversion.

(8) Bulk (loose, unpacked) materials shall be specified and

purchased in metric or dual units.

(9) Measuring devices, shop and laboratory equipment shall be

purchased in metric or dual units.

(10) Shipping allowances, bills of lading and other shipping

documents shall be expressed in metric or dual units.

Subpart 611.1--Selecting and Developing Requirements Documents

611.103 Market acceptance.

(a) The head of the contracting activity is the agency head for the

purpose of FAR 11.103(a).

Subpart 611.5--Liquidated Damages

611.502 Policy.

(d) The head of the contracting activity is the agency head for the

purpose of FAR 11.502(d).

SUBCHAPTER C--CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES

41. Part 613 is revised to read as follows:

PART 613--SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES

Sec.

Subpart 613.3--Simplified Acquisition Methods

613.303 Blanket purchase agreements (BPAs).

613.303-5 Purchases under BPAs.

613.305 Imprest funds and third party drafts.

613.305-3 Conditions for use.

Authority: 40 U.S.C. 486(c); 22 U.S.C. 2658.

Subpart 613.3--Simplified Acquisition Methods

613.303 Blanket purchase agreements (BPAs).

613.303-5 Purchases under BPAs.

(c) In accordance with FAR 13.303-5(c), BPAs shall be awarded to

small businesses to the maximum extent practicable.

613.305 Imprest funds and third party drafts.

613.305-3 Conditions for use.

The Procurement Executive is the agency head's designee for the

purposes of FAR 13.305-3(a).

PART 614--SEALED BIDDING

42. Subpart 614.2 is revised to read as follows:

Subpart 614.2--Solicitation of Bids

614.201 Preparation of Invitation for Bids (IFB).

614.201-70 Use of English language.

Use of English language solicitations and contracts is mandatory

unless a deviation has been approved by the Procurement Executive in

accordance with 601.470. If any part of a contract is not written in

the English language, the contracting officer shall attach an accurate

English language translation of such part to the original and each copy

of the contract, unless the contracting officer determines such action

is infeasible.

43. Section 614.404-1 is amended by adding a new paragraph (f) to

read as follows:

614.404-1 Cancellation of invitations after opening.

* * * * *

(f) The head of the contracting activity is the agency head for the

purpose of FAR 14.404-1(f). This authority is not redelegable.

614.406, 614.406-3, and 614.406-4 [Redesignated as 614.407, 614.407-3,

and 614.407-4]

44. Sections 614.406, 614.406-3 and 614.406-4, are re-designated as

``614.407'', ``614.407-3'', and ``614.407-4'', respectively.

614.407-3 [Amended]

45. Newly designated section 614.407-3 is amended by correcting

``FAR 14.406'' to read ``FAR 14.407'' where it appears in the first

sentence; and, by correcting ``FAR 14.406-3(f)'' to read ``FAR 14.407-

3(f)'' where it appears in the second sentence.

614.407-4 [Amended]

46. Newly designated section 614.407-4 is amended by correcting

``FAR 14.406-4'' to read ``FAR 14.407-4'' where it appears in the first

sentence; and, by correcting ``FAR 14.406-4(d)'' to read ``FAR 14.407-

4(d)'' where it appears in the second sentence.

47. Part 615 is revised to read as follows:

PART 615--CONTRACTING BY NEGOTIATION

Sec.

Subpart 615.2--Solicitation and Receipt of Proposals and Information

615.204 Contract format.

615.205 Issuing solicitations.

615.205-70 Use of English language.

Subpart 615.3--Source Selection

615.303 Responsibilities.

[[Page 43624]]

Subpart 615.6--Unsolicited Proposals

615.604 Agency points of contact.

Authority: 40 U.S.C. 486(c); 22 U.S.C. 2658.

Subpart 615.2--Solicitation and Receipt of Proposals and

Information

615.204 Contract format.

(e) The Procurement Executive is the agency head's designee for the

purposes of FAR 15.204(e).

615.205 Issuing solicitations.

(a) Contracting officers shall release copies of solicitation

mailing lists in accordance with FAR 14.205-5(a). However, the list of

those firms which actually submit proposals is not releasable. Requests

for information other than solicitation mailing lists shall be handled

under the Freedom of Information Act.

615.205-70 Use of English language.

The requirements of DOSAR 614.201-70 also apply when contracting by

negotiation.

Subpart 615.3--Source Selection

615.303 Responsibilities.

(a) The Procurement Executive is the agency head for the purposes

of FAR 15.303(a).

Subpart 615.6--Unsolicited Proposals

615.604 Agency points of contact.

(a)(4) The contact points for unsolicited proposals are the heads

of the contracting activities.

PART 616--TYPES OF CONTRACTS

Subpart 616.1--[Removed]

48. Subpart 616.1, consisting of sections 616.102 and 616.102-70,

is removed.

Subpart 616.3--[Removed]

49. Subpart 616.3, consisting of sections 616.301-3 and 616.306, is

removed.

50. Section 616.505 is re-designated as section 616.506, and the

section heading is revised to read as follows:

616.506 Solicitation provisions and contract clauses.

616.505-70 [Redesignated as 616.506-70]

51. Section 616.505-70 is re-designated as section 616.506-70.

52. A new section 616.505 is added to read as follows:

616.505 Ordering.

(b)(4) The Departmental Competition Advocate is designated the task

and delivery order contract ombudsman.

Subpart 616.6--[Removed]

53. Subpart 616.6, consisting of sections 616.603 and 616.603-2, is

removed.

PART 617--SPECIAL CONTRACTING METHODS

54. Subpart 617.1 is revised to read as follows:

Sec.

Subpart 617.1--Multiyear Contracting

617.104 General.

617.105 Policy.

617.105-1 Uses.

617.108 Congressional notification.

Subpart 617.1--Multiyear Contracting

617.104 General.

(b) The Procurement Executive is the agency head for the purpose of

FAR 17.104(b).

617.105 Policy.

617.105-1 Uses.

(d) Every multiyear contract shall comply with FAR 17.104(c),

unless an exception is approved through the budget process in

coordination with the cognizant financial management office/

comptroller.

617.108 Congressional notification.

(a) The Procurement Executive is the agency head for the purposes

of FAR 17.108(a).

617.502 [Removed]

55. Section 617.502 is removed.

56. Section 617.503 is added to read as follows:

617.503 Determination and findings requirements.

The authority to make the determination prescribed in FAR 17.503 is

delegated to the head of the contracting activity.

617.504-70 [Amended]

57. Section 617.504-70 is amended in paragraph (a) by adding the

words ``or their equivalents'' after the words ``Department deputy

assistant secretaries.''

SUBCHAPTER D--SOCIOECONOMIC PROGRAMS

PART 619--SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAMS

58. Part 619 is amended by revising the heading to read as set

forth above.

59. Section 619.201 is amended in paragraph (d)(5) by removing the

word ``limitation'' and adding the words ``threshold, including

commercial items using the simplified procedures of FAR subpart 13.5,''

in its place; and, by revising paragraph (d)(18) to read as follows:

619.201 General policy.

* * * * *

(d) * * *

(18) Participating in interagency programs relating to small and

small disadvantaged business matters as authorized by the A/SDBU

Operations Director.

619.501 [Amended]

60. Section 619.501 is amended by deleting the phrase ``/Labor

Surplus Area'' from the title of the Form DS-1910.

61. Section 619.505 is amended by revising the section heading to

read as follows:

619.505 Rejecting Small Business Administration recommendations.

62. Subpart 619.7 is amended by revising the subpart heading to

read as follows:

Subpart 619.7--Subcontracting with Small Business, Small

Disadvantaged Business and Women-Owned Small Business Concerns

63. Section 619.705-3 is revised to read as follows:

619.705-3 Preparing the solicitation.

To further promote the use of small, disadvantaged, and women-owned

firms by large prime contractors, contracting officers are encouraged

to consider the adequacy of the subcontracting plans, and/or past

performance in achieving negotiated subcontract goals, as part of the

overall evaluation of the technical proposals.

64. Subpart 619.8 is revised to read as follows:

Subpart 619.8--Contracting with the Small Business Administration (The

8(a) Program)

Sec.

619.800 General.

619.801 Definitions.

619.803 Selecting acquisitions for the 8(a) program.

619.803-70 Responsibilities of the Office of Small and

Disadvantaged Business Utilization (A/SDBU).

619.803-71 Simplified procedures for 8(a) acquisitions under MOUs.

619.804 Evaluation, offering, and acceptance.

619.804-2 Agency offering.

619.804-3 SBA acceptance.

619.804-3-70 SBA acceptance under MOUs for acquisitions exceeding

$100,000.

619.805 Competitive 8(a).

619.805-2 Procedures.

619.806 Pricing the 8(a) contract.

619.808 Contract negotiation.

619.808-1 Sole source.

619.810 SBA appeals.

[[Page 43625]]

619.811 Preparing the contracts.

619.811-1 Sole source.

619.811-2 Competitive.

619.811-3 Contract clauses.

619.812 Contract administration.

Subpart 619.8--Contracting with the Small Business Administration

(The 8(a) Program)

619.800 General.

(d) Utilizing Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), the SBA has

delegated its authority to contract directly with program participants

under Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act to the Senior Procurement

Executives of various Federal contracting activities. The Department of

State has signed an MOU with SBA, effective May 6, 1998. Under the MOU,

a contract may be awarded directly to an 8(a) firm on either a sole

source or competitive basis. The SBA reserves the right to withdraw any

delegation issued as a result of an MOU; however, any such withdrawal

shall have no effect on contracts currently awarded under the MOU.

619.801 Definitions.

National buy requirements includes all 8(a) contracts performed

outside the United States and processed by the Small Business

Administration.

619.803 Selecting acquisitions for the 8(a) program.

619.803-70 Responsibilities of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged

Business Utilization (A/SDBU).

A/SDBU shall review the capabilities of 8(a) concerns and

disseminate that information to DOS program and contracting personnel.

As necessary, A/SDBU shall obtain from the SBA or 8(a) concerns

supplemental information for DOS program and contracting personnel.

619.803-71 Simplified procedures for 8(a) acquisitions under MOUs.

Contracting activities may use the simplified acquisition

procedures of FAR part 13 and DOSAR part 613 to issue purchase orders

or contracts, not exceeding $100,000, to 8(a) participants. The

$100,000 limitation for use of FAR part 13 simplified acquisition

procedures applies to the acquisition of both commercial and non-

commercial items. The following applies to such acquisitions:

(a) Neither offering letters to, nor acceptance letters from, the

SBA are required.

(b) The contracting activity shall use the SBA's PRO-Net database

on the Internet (http://www.sba.gov) to establish that the selected

8(a) firm is a current program participant.

(c) Once an 8(a) contractor has been identified, the agency

contracting officer shall establish the price with the selected 8(a)

contractor.

(d) The contracting officer shall issue the purchase order or

contract directly to the 8(a) firm in accordance with the provisions of

FAR part 13 and DOSAR part 613. The contracting officer shall insert

FAR clause 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting, and DOSAR clause

652.219-71, Section 8(a) Direct Award, in all purchase orders and

contracts awarded under this subsection. The contracting officer's

title shall include the contracting activity, as follows: Contracting

Officer for the Department of State [insert contracting activity]. In

addition, in accordance with the MOU, A/SDBU staff who have been issued

limited contracting officer warrants for this purpose, shall sign the

purchase order or contract as a third party.

(e) The contracting officer shall forward to the SBA District

Office serving the 8(a) firm a copy of the purchase order or contract

within five days after the order is issued.

619.804 Evaluation, offering, and acceptance.

619.804-2 Agency offering.

(a) When applicable, this notification shall identify that the

offering is in accordance with the MOU identified in 619.800.

619.804-3 SBA acceptance.

619.804-3-70 SBA acceptance under MOUs for acquisitions exceeding

$100,000.

(a) The SBA's decision whether to accept the requirement shall be

transmitted to the contracting agency in writing within five working

days of receipt of the offer.

(b) The SBA may request, and the contracting agency may grant, an

extension beyond the five-day limit.

(c) SBA's acceptance letter should be faxed or e-mailed to the

offering contracting agency.

(d) If the offering contracting agency has not received an

acceptance or rejection of the offering from SBA within five days of

SBA's receipt of the offering letter, the contracting agency may assume

that the requirement has been accepted and proceed with the

acquisition.

(e) The contents of the acceptance letter shall be limited to the

eligibility of the recommended 8(a) contractor.

619.805 Competitive 8(a).

619.805-2 Procedures.

(a) 8(a) acquisitions may also be conducted using simplified

acquisition procedures (see FAR part 13). The award process is

significantly streamlined where an MOU is in place.

(c)(3) For requirements exceeding $100,000 processed under the MOU

cited in 619.800, the contracting officer shall submit the name,

address, and telephone number of the low offeror (in sealed bid

acquisitions) or the apparent successful offeror (in negotiated

acquisitions) to the SBA Business Opportunity Specialist at the field

office servicing the identified 8(a) firm. The SBA shall determine the

eligibility of the firm(s) and advise the contracting officer within

two working days of the receipt of the request. If the firm is

determined to be ineligible, the contracting officer shall submit

information on the next low offeror or next apparent successful

offeror, as applicable, to the cognizant SBA field office.

619.806 Pricing the 8(a) contract.

(a) When required by FAR subpart 15.4, the contracting officer

shall obtain certified cost or pricing data directly from the 8(a)

contractor if the contract is being awarded under the MOU cited in

619.800.

619.808 Contract negotiation.

619.808-1 Sole source.

(a) If the acquisition is conducted under an MOU cited in 619.800,

the 8(a) contractor is responsible for negotiating with the agency

within the time established by the agency. If the 8(a) contractor does

not negotiate within the established time and the agency cannot allow

additional time, the agency may, after notification and approval by

SBA, proceed with the acquisition from other sources.

(b) If the acquisition is conducted under an MOU cited in 619.800,

the agency is delegated the authority to negotiate directly with the

8(a) participant; however, if requested by the 8(a) participant, the

SBA may participate in the negotiations.

619.810 SBA appeals.

(d) The Procurement Executive is the agency head for the purposes

of FAR 19.812(d).

619.811 Preparing the contracts.

619.811-1 Sole source.

(d) If the award is to be made under an MOU cited in 619.800, the

contract to be awarded by the contracting activity to the 8(a) firm

shall be

[[Page 43626]]

prepared in accordance with the contracting activity's normal

procedures, given contract type and dollar amount, that the contracting

activity would use for a similar, non-8(a) acquisition, except for the

following:

(1) The award form shall cite 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(5) or 10 U.S.C.

2304(c)(5), as appropriate, and 15 U.S.C. 637(a) as the authority for

use of other than full and open competition.

(2) The contracting officer shall insert FAR 52.219-14, Limitations

on Subcontracting, and DOSAR 652.219-71, Section 8(a) Direct Awards.

(3) For acquisitions exceeding $100,000, the contracting activity

shall include SBA's requirement number on the award document.

(4) A single award document shall be used between the agency and

the 8(a) contractor, i.e., an SBA signature will not be required. The

title of the agency contracting officer shall include the contracting

activity, as follows: Contracting Officer for the Department of State

[insert contracting activity]. In addition, in accordance with the MOU,

A/SDBU staff who have been issued limited contracting officer warrants

for this purpose shall sign the contract as a third party. The 8(a)

contractor's signature shall be placed on the award document as the

prime contractor. The 8(a) contractor's name and address shall be

placed in the ``Awarded to'' or ``Contractor name'' block on the

appropriate form.

619.811-2 Competitive.

(a) If the award is made under the delegation of 8(a) contracting

authority, competitive contracts for 8(a) firms shall be prepared in

accordance with the same standards as 8(a) sole source contracts. See

619.811-1.

(b) If the acquisition is conducted under the MOU cited in 619.800,

the process for obtaining signatures shall be as specified in 619.811-

1(d)(4).

619.811-3 Contract clauses.

(d)(3) The contracting officer shall insert the clause at FAR

52.219-18, Notification of Competition Limited to Eligible 8(a)

Concerns, with its Alternate III (Deviation), in competitive

solicitations and contracts exceeding $100,000 when the acquisition is

processed under the MOU cited in 619.800.

(f) The contracting officer shall insert the clause at FAR 52.219-

14, Limitations on Subcontracting, and DOSAR 652.219-71, Section 8(a)

Direct Awards, in all solicitations and contracts that are processed

under the MOU cited at 619.800. The clauses at FAR 52.219-11, Special

8(a) Contract Conditions; 52.219-12, Special 8(a) Subcontract

Conditions; and, 52.219-17, Section 8(a) Award, shall not be used.

619.812 Contract administration.

(d) The head of the contracting activity is the agency head for the

purposes of FAR 19.812(d). Awards under the MOU cited in 619.800 are

subject to 15 U.S.C. 637(a)(21). These contracts contain the clause at

DOSAR 652.219-71, Section 8(a) Direct Awards, that requires the 8(a)

contractor to notify the SBA and the contracting officer when ownership

of the firm is being transferred.

PART 622--APPLICATION OF LABOR LAWS TO GOVERNMENT ACQUISITIONS

622.401 [Removed]

65. Section 622.401 is removed.

622.406-3 [Removed]

66. Section 622.406-3 is removed.

67. Section 622.803 is added to read as follows:

622.803 Responsibilities.

(c) The Procurement Executive is the agency head for the purpose of

FAR 22.803(c).

68. The heading of subpart 622.13 is revised to read as follows:

Subpart 622.13--Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era

69. The heading of subpart 622.14 is revised to read as follows:

Subpart 622.14--Employment of Workers With Disabilities

PART 623--ENVIRONMENT, CONSERVATION, OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY, AND DRUG-

FREE WORKPLACE

70. Subpart 623.4 is revised to read as follows:

Subpart 623.4--Use of Recovered Materials

Sec.

623.400 Scope of subpart.

623.404 Procedures.

Subpart 623.4--Use of Recovered Materials

623.400 Scope of subpart.

The affirmative procurement program is applicable to all domestic

acquisitions of items currently designated by an EPA guideline or by

future guidelines promulgated by EPA. The requirements of this section

are not applicable to acquisitions made and/or performed outside the

United States or its possessions.

623.404 Procedures.

(b)(2) The requirements office initiating an acquisition is

responsible for determining whether recovered materials should be

included in the specifications. Requirements offices may purchase EPA

designated items containing other than recovered materials only if one

of the exemptions listed in FAR 23.404(b)(3) applies. If the

requirements office determines to acquire EPA designated items that do

not contain recovered materials, a written justification must be

submitted to the head of the contracting activity.

(i) Contracts for the purchase of, or requiring the supply of, any

EPA designated item shall require that the item conform to the EPA

guidelines, unless an exception has been approved by the head of the

contracting activity in accordance with FAR 23.404(b)(3) and DOSAR

623.404(b)(3).

(ii) Contracting officers shall promote the fact that the

Department is seeking to buy items containing recovered materials at

pre-bid and pre-proposal conferences, when appropriate. Other means of

promotion may include a specific notice on a solicitation's cover

letter, calling attention to the requirement for recovered materials.

(iii) Contracting officers shall include FAR clause 52.223-9 to

ensure that contractors estimate, certify, and verify the amount of

recovered material used in the performance of the contract.

(iv) The effectiveness of the program shall be reviewed annually by

A/OPE. An assessment will be made to determine if greater use of

recovered materials is possible for the existing requirements or if

recovered materials are causing undue delay, lack of competition,

unreasonable prices, or an unacceptable level of performance.

(3) The head of the contracting activity is the agency head for the

purpose of FAR 23.404(b)(3).

PART 625--FOREIGN ACQUISITION

Subpart 625.9 [Removed]

71. Subpart 625.9, consisting of sections 625.901 and 625.903, is

removed.

72. Subpart 625.70 is added to read as follows:

Subpart 625.70--Arab League Boycott and Related Provisions

Sec.

625.7001 Policy.

625.7002 Solicitation provision and contract clause.

[[Page 43627]]

Subpart 625.70--Arab League Boycott and Related Provisions

625.7001 Policy.

(a) Section 565 of the Fiscal Year 94/95 Foreign Relations

Authorizations Act (Public Law 103-236) prohibits the Department of

State from entering into any contract that expends funds appropriated

to the Department of State:

(1) With a foreign person that complies with the Arab League

Boycott of Israel; or,

(2) With any foreign or United States person that discriminates in

the award of subcontracts on the basis of religion.

(b) This authority has continuing effect. Section 565 requires

specific language to be included in all Invitations for Bids and

Requests for Proposals with respect to a contract subject to Section

565's prohibitions.

(c) Section 565 may be waived on a country-by-country basis if such

a waiver is in the national interest and necessary to carry on

diplomatic functions and is approved by the Secretary of State or his/

her designee.

625.7002 Solicitation provision and contract clause.

Contracting officers shall include the following provision and

clause in all solicitations and contracts exceeding the simplified

acquisition threshold, unless a waiver has been granted in accordance

with DOSAR 625.7001(c):

(a) 652.225-70, Arab League Boycott of Israel; and.

(b) 652.225-71, Section 8(a) of the Export Administration Act, as

amended.

73. Part 626 is added to subchapter D to read as follows:

PART 626--OTHER SOCIOECONOMIC PROGRAMS

Subpart 626.2--Minority Business Enterprise

626.200-70 Solicitation provision.

The contracting officer shall insert the provision at 652.226-70,

Certification of Status as a Minority Business Enterprise, in all

solicitations issued by domestic contracting activities. If the

solicitation is being issued using electronic commerce, the contracting

officer shall use the provision with its Alternate I.

SUBCHAPTER E--GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS

PART 628--BONDS AND INSURANCE

74. Section 628.305 is amended by revising the second and third

sentences of paragraph (b) introductory text and adding a fourth

sentence to read as follows; and by removing paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(2),

and (b)(3):

628.305 Overseas workers' compensation and war-hazard insurance.

* * * * *

(b) * * * In countries where local nationals and/or third country

nationals will be employed to perform the contract, such countries have

been waived by the Secretary of Labor. Whenever such insurance is

required under the contract, the contracting officer shall insert the

clause at 652.228-71, Worker's Compensation Insurance (Defense Base

Act)--Services. If the contract is for construction, the contracting

officer shall insert the clause with its Alternate I.

* * * * *

75. Section 628.306 is revised to read as follows:

628.306 Insurance under fixed-price contracts.

The contracting officer shall insert the provision at 652.228-74,

Defense Base Act Insurance Rates--Limitation--Fixed-Price, in

solicitations for fixed-price or construction contracts to be performed

outside the United States by United States citizens, residents, and/or

those hired in the United States.

76. Section 628.307 is revised to read as follows:

628.307 Insurance under cost-reimbursement contracts.

The contracting officer shall insert the provision at 652.228-76,

Defense Base Act Insurance Rates--Limitation--Cost-Reimbursement,

Labor-Hour, and Time-and-Materials, in solicitations for cost-

reimbursement, labor-hour, or time-and-materials type contracts to be

performed outside the United States by United States citizens,

residents, and/or those hired in the United States.

628.307-70 [Removed]

77. Section 628.307-70 is removed.

PART 629--TAXES

78. Sections 629.402, 629.402-1 and 629.402-1-70 are added to read

as follows:

629.402 Foreign contracts.

629.402-1 Foreign fixed-price contracts.

629.402-1-70 DOSAR contract clause.

The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 652.229-71,

Personal Property Disposition at Posts Abroad, in all solicitations and

contracts performed overseas.

PART 630--COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

79. Part 630 is removed.

PART 631--CONTRACT COST PRINCIPLES AND PROCEDURES

80. Subpart 631.2 is added to read as follows:

Subpart 631.2--Contracts with Commercial Organizations

631.205 Selected costs.

631.205-6 Compensation for personal services.

(g)(3) The head of the contracting activity is the agency head's

designee for the purpose of FAR 31.205-6(g)(3).

PART 632--CONTRACT FINANCING

81. Sections 632.006, 632.006-1, 632.006-2, and 632.006-4 are added

to read as follows:

632.006 Reduction or suspension of contract payments upon finding of

fraud.

632.006-1 General.

The Procurement Executive is the agency head for the purpose of FAR

32.006-1.

632.006-2 Definitions.

Remedy coordination official means the Assistant Inspector General

for Investigations.

632.006-4 Procedures.

The Procurement Executive is the agency head for the purposes of

FAR 32.006-4.

82. Subpart 632.1 is added to read as follows:

Subpart 632.1--Non-Commercial Item Purchase Financing

632.114 Unusual contract financing.

The Procurement Executive is the agency head for the purpose of FAR

32.114.

83. Subpart 632.2 is added to read as follows:

Subpart 632.2--Commercial Item Purchase Financing

632.201 Statutory authority.

The head of the contracting activity is the agency head for the

purpose of FAR 32.201.

84. Section 632.404 is added to read as follows:

632.404 Exclusions.

(a) Total advance payments may be authorized for the items listed

in FAR 32.404(a), notwithstanding their designation as a commercial

item and

[[Page 43628]]

acquisition under FAR part 12 procedures.

85. Subpart 632.7 is revised to read as follows:

Subpart 632.7--Contract Funding

Sec.

632.702 Policy.

632.702-70 DOS policy.

632.703 Contract funding requirements.

632.703-3 Contracts crossing fiscal years.

632.705 Contract clauses.

632.705-70 DOSAR contract clause.

Subpart 632.7--Contract Funding

632.702 Policy.

632.702-70 DOS policy.

The Department's policy is to provide full funding for all

contracts, to the maximum extent practicable. FAR 32.704 and 32.705-2

provide for incremental funding of cost-reimbursement contracts. Fixed-

price, labor-hour, and time-and-materials contracts for severable

services may also be incrementally funded if full funding is not

available at the time of contract award and the contracting officer

executes a determination and findings, approved by the requirements

office, justifying the need for incremental funding due to the

unavailability of funds.

632.703 Contract funding requirements.

632.703-3 Contracts crossing fiscal years.

(b) The head of the contracting activity is the agency head for the

purpose of FAR 32.703-3(b).

632.705 Contract clauses.

632.705-70 DOSAR contract clause.

The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 652.232-72,

Limitation of Funds, in incrementally funded fixed-price, labor-hour,

and time-and-materials solicitations and contracts for severable

services.

86. Section 632.803 is amended by adding the following sentence to

the end of paragraph (b):

632.803 Policies.

(b) * * * The Directors, Regional Procurement Support Offices may

approve the assignment of claims for contracts under their

administration after obtaining legal consultation.

PART 633--PROTESTS, DISPUTES AND APPEALS

633.102 [Amended]

87. Section 633.102 is amended by removing the words ``or the

General Services Administration Board of Contract Appeals (GSBCA)''.

88. Section 633.103 is revised to read as follows:

633.103 Protests to the agency.

(d)(4) The independent review as described in FAR 33.103(d)(4)

shall be performed by the Departmental Competition Advocate.

89. Section 633.104 is revised to read as follows:

633.104 Protests to GAO.

(a) General procedures. The Office of the Assistant Legal Adviser

for Buildings and Acquisitions (L/BA) coordinates the response of the

Department of State to protests filed at the GAO. Contracting

activities shall consult L/BA for guidance before taking any actions in

response to a protest to GAO.

633.105 [Removed]

90. Section 633.105 is removed.

633.211 [Removed]

91. Section 633.211 is removed.

92. Section 633.214-70 is amended in paragraph (c) introductory

text and paragraph (c)(2) by removing the acronym ``ASBCA'' and

inserting the acronym ``GSBCA'' in its place in the second sentence and

first sentence, respectively; and, in paragraphs (c)(4), (c)(5), and

(c)(6)(iii) by deleting the last sentence of each paragraph, and by

inserting the following sentence in each paragraph in its place:

633.214-70 Alternative dispute resolution.

* * * * *

(c) * * *

(4) * * * Additional information on alternative dispute resolution

and mediation resources is available at the following address on the

Internet: http://www.adrr.com

(5) * * * Additional information on alternative dispute resolution

and mediation resources is available at the following address on the

Internet: http://www.adrr.com

(6) * * *

(iii) * * * Additional information on alternative dispute

resolution and mediation resources is available at the following

address on the Internet: http://www.adrr.com

* * * * *

633.270-1 [Amended]

93. Section 633.270-1 is amended by removing the words ``Armed

Services Board of Contract Appeals'' and inserting the words ``General

Services Board of Contract Appeals'' in their place.

633.270-2 [Amended]

94. Section 633.270-2 is amended by removing the words ``Armed

Services Board of Contract Appeals (ASBCA)'' and inserting the words

``General Services Board of Contract Appeals (GSBCA)'' in their place

in the first sentence; and, by removing the acronym ``ASBCA'' and

inserting the acronym ``GSBCA'' in its place in the second sentence.

633.270-3 [Amended]

95. Section 633.270-3 is amended by removing the acronym ``ASBCA''

and inserting the acronym ``GSBCA'' in its place at the end of the

first sentence.

SUBCHAPTER F--SPECIAL CATEGORIES OF CONTRACTING

PART 634--MAJOR SYSTEM ACQUISITION

634.001, 634.001-70, and 634.002 [Removed]

96. Sections 634.001, 634.001-70, and 634.002 are removed.

634.003 [Amended]

97. Section 634.003 is amended in paragraph (a) by removing the

second sentence.

634.005-6 [Amended]

98. Section 634.005-6 is amended by removing the period at the end

of the sentence and adding the following words to the end of the

sentence ``with power of redelegation to the Under Secretary for

Management.''

PART 636--CONSTRUCTION AND ARCHITECT-ENGINEERING CONTRACTS

99. Section 636.101-70 is amended by adding the following sentence:

636.101-70 Exception.

* * * The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Foreign Buildings

Operations is authorized to waive the provisions of the FAR.

100. Subpart 636.5 is added to read as follows:

Subpart 636.5--Contract Clauses

636.513 Accident prevention.

(a) In accordance with a class deviation approved by the

Procurement Executive, contracting officers at overseas contracting

activities shall insert DOSAR 652.236-70, Accident Prevention, in lieu

of FAR clause 52.236-13 when awarding construction contracts.

101. Section 636.602-1 is added to read as follows:

636.602-1 Selection criteria.

(b) The head of the contracting activity is the agency head's

designee for the purpose of FAR 36.602-1(b).

[[Page 43629]]

PART 637--SERVICE CONTRACTING

102. Section 637.104-70 is amended by revising the heading; by

removing the word ``and'' at the end of paragraph (g); by removing the

period and adding a semicolon and the word ``and'' to the end of

paragraph (h); and by adding a new paragraph (i) to read as follows:

637.104-70 Personal services contracts.

* * * * *

(i) For the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, section 206 of Public

Law 99-399, as amended by the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act

of 1998.

637.106 [Removed]

103. Section 637.106 is removed.

104. Section 637.110 is amended by adding the following sentence to

the end of paragraph (c):

637.110 Solicitation provisions and contract clauses.

* * * * *

(c) * * * Overseas contracting activities may add local holidays to

the list included in paragraph (a) of the clause.

105. Subpart 637.2 is added to read as follows:

Subpart 637.2--Advisory and Assistance Services

637.204 Guidelines for determining availability of personnel.

The head of the contracting activity is the agency head for the

purposes of FAR 37.204.

PART 639--ACQUISITION OF INFORMATION RESOURCES

106. Part 639, consisting of section 639.001-70, is removed.

107. Part 641 is added to subchapter F to read as follows:

PART 641--ACQUISITION OF UTILITY SERVICES

Authority: 40 U.S.C. 486(c); 22 U.S.C. 2658.

Subpart 641.2--Acquiring Utility Services 641.201 Policy.

(d) The Procurement Executive is the agency head for the purposes

of FAR 41.201(d)(2)(i) and FAR 41.201(d)(3).

SUBCHAPTER G--CONTRACT MANAGEMENT

PART 642--CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION AND AUDIT SERVICES

108. Part 642 is amended by revising the heading to read as set

forth above.

109. The heading of subpart 642.2 is revised to read as follows:

Subpart 642.2--Contract Administration Services

110. Section 642.271 is revised to read as follows:

642.271 DOSAR contract clauses.

(a) The contracting officer shall insert a clause substantially the

same as the clause at 652.242-70, Contracting Officer's Representative,

in solicitations and contracts when appointment of a contracting

officer's representative is anticipated.

(b) The contracting officer shall insert a clause substantially the

same as the clause at 652.242-73, Authorization and Performance, in all

solicitations and contracts to be awarded and/or performed overseas.

For overseas local guard contracts, the contracting officer shall use

the clause with its Alternate I.

111. Subpart 642.7 is added to read as follows:

Subpart 642.7--Indirect Cost Rates

642.703 General.

642.703-2 Certificate of indirect costs.

(b) The head of the contracting activity is the agency head's

designee for the purpose of FAR 42.703-2(b).

PART 643--CONTRACT MODIFICATIONS

643.102-7 [Amended]

112. Section 643.102-70 is amended by removing paragraph (b) and by

removing the paragraph designation in paragraph (a).

113. Sections 643.104 and 643.104-70 are added to read as follows:

643.104 Notification of contract changes.

643.104-70 DOSAR contract clause.

The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 652.243-70,

Notices, in all solicitations and contracts exceeding the micro-

purchase threshold which are awarded and/or performed overseas.

114. Part 644 is added to subchapter G to read as follows:

PART 644--SUBCONTRACTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Authority: 40 U.S.C. 486(c); 22 U.S.C. 2658.

Subpart 644.3--Contractor's Purchasing System Reviews

644.302 Requirements.

(a) The Procurement Executive is the head of the agency for the

purpose of FAR 44.302(a).

PART 645--GOVERNMENT PROPERTY

115. Subpart 645.4 is added to read as follows:

Subpart 645.4--Contractor Use and Rental of Government Property

645.403 Rental--Use and Charges clause.

(a) The head of the contracting activity is the agency head's

designee for the purpose of FAR 45.403(a).

PART 646--QUALITY ASSURANCE

116. Part 646 is removed.

PART 647--TRANSPORTATION

117. Subpart 647.2 is added to read as follows:

Subpart 647.2--Contracts for Transportation or for Transportation-

Related Services

647.207 Solicitation provisions, contract clauses, and special

requirements.

647.207-7 Liability and insurance.

(e) The Procurement Executive has approved a class deviation for

paragraph (c) of FAR clause 52.247-23, Contractor Liability for Loss of

and/or Damage to Household Goods. The contracting officer shall

indicate that the contractor shall indemnify the owner of the goods at

a rate of $5.00 per pound (or metric equivalent in local currency)

based on the total net weight. The rate conforms with liability

calculations found in International Through Government Bills of Lading

(ITGBL).

PART 649--TERMINATION OF CONTRACTS

649.111 [Removed]

118. Section 649.111 is removed.

SUBCHAPTER H--CLAUSES AND FORMS

PART 652--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

652.203-70 [Removed]

119. Section 652.203-70 is removed.

652.203-71 [Removed]

120. Section 652.203-71 is removed.

652.204-70 [Removed]

121. Section 652.204-70 is removed.

652.204-71 [Removed]

122. Section 652.204-71 is removed.

123. Section 652.206-70 is revised to read as follows:

652.206-70 Competition Advocate/Ombudsman.

As prescribed in 606.570, insert the following provision:

[[Page 43630]]

Competition Advocate/Ombudsman (Aug 1999)

(a) The Department of State's Competition Advocate is

responsible for assisting industry in removing restrictive

requirements from Department of State solicitations and removing

barriers to full and open competition and use of commercial items.

If such a solicitation is considered competitively restrictive or

does not appear properly conducive to competition and commercial

practices, potential offerors are encouraged to first contact the

contracting officer for the respective solicitation. If concerns

remain unresolved, contact the Department of State Competition

Advocate on (703) 516-1680, by fax at (703) 875-6155, or write to:

Department of State, Competition Advocate, Office of the Procurement

Executive (A/OPE), Suite 603, SA-6, Washington, DC 20522-0602.

(b) The Department of State's Acquisition Ombudsman has been

appointed to hear concerns from potential offerors and contractors

during the preaward and postaward phases of this acquisition. The

role of the ombudsman is not to diminish the authority of the

contracting officer, the Technical Evaluation Panel or Source

Evaluation Board, or the selection official. The purpose of the

ombudsman is to facilitate the communication of concerns, issues,

disagreements, and recommendations of interested parties to the

appropriate Government personnel, and work to resolve them. When

requested and appropriate, the ombudsman will maintain strict

confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The ombudsman does

not participate in the evaluation of proposals, the source selection

process, or the adjudication of formal contract disputes. Interested

parties are invited to contact the contracting activity ombudsman,

[insert name], at [insert telephone and fax numbers]. For an

American Embassy or overseas post, refer to the numbers below for

the Department Acquisition Ombudsman. Concerns, issues,

disagreements, and recommendations which cannot be resolved at a

contracting activity level may be referred to the Department of

State Acquisition Ombudsman at (703) 516-1680, by fax at (703) 875-

6155, or write to: Department of State, Acquisition Ombudsman,

Office of the Procurement Executive (A/OPE), Suite 603, SA-6,

Washington, DC 20522-0602.

(End of provision)

652.214-70 [Removed]

124. Section 652.214-70 is removed.

652.214-71 [Removed]

125. Section 652.214-71 is removed.

126. Section 652.216-70 is amended by revising the introductory

text to read as follows:

652.216-70 Ordering--Indefinite-delivery contract.

As prescribed in 616.506-70, insert the following clause:

* * * * *

127. Section 652.216-71 is revised to read as follows:

652.216-71 Price adjustment.

As prescribed in 616.203-4, insert a clause substantially the same

as follows:

Price Adjustment (Aug 1999)

(a) The contract price may be increased or decreased in actual

costs of direct service labor which result directly from laws

enacted and effective during the term of this contract by the

[insert name of country] Government. Direct service labor costs

include only the costs of wages and direct benefits (such as social

security, health insurance, unemployment compensation insurance)

paid to or incurred for the direct benefit of personnel performing

services under one of the categories listed in Section [identify

section number] of this contract. Price adjustments will include

only changes in direct service labor costs incurred in order to

comply with the requirements of the law. No adjustment will be made

under this clause with respect to labor costs of personnel not

performing direct service labor under the categories of Section

[identify section], nor for overhead, profit, general and

administrative (G&A) costs, taxes or any other costs whatsoever.

(b) For the contracting officer to consider any request for

adjustment, the contractor shall demonstrate in writing:

(1) That the change in the law occurred during the term of this

contract and subsequent to the award date of this contract; and,

(2) That the change in the law could not have been reasonably

anticipated prior to contract award; and,

(3) How the change in the law directly affects the contractor's

costs under this contract.

(c) The contractor shall present data that clearly supports any

request for adjustment. This data shall be submitted no later than

30 calendar days after the changes in the law have been made public.

This data shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(1) The calculation of the amount of adjustment requested; and,

(2) Documentation which identifies and provides the appropriate

portions of the text of the particular law from which the request is

derived.

(d) In order to establish the change between the requested

adjusted rate and the original rate, the contractor shall support

the appropriate data and composition of the original rate and the

requested adjusted rate. This shall include details regarding

specific hourly rates paid to individual employees. For contracts

paid in U.S. dollars, the contractor's request for price adjustment

shall present data reflecting:

(1) The exchange rate in effect on the date of the contractor's

proposal that was accepted for the basic contract; and

(2) The current exchange rate and its effect on payment of

workers in local currency.

The allowable adjustment shall be limited to the extent to which

increases in direct service labor costs due to host country law

changes are not offset by exchange rate gains.

(e) Only direct cost changes mandated by enacted laws shall be

considered for adjustment under this contract. Changes for purposes

of maintaining parity of pay between employees at the minimum

mandated levels and employees already paid at levels above the newly

mandated minimums shall not be considered. Therefore, if the

contractor elects to increase payments to employees who are already

being paid at or above the mandated amounts, such increased costs

shall be borne solely by the contractor and shall not be

justification for an increase in the hourly and monthly rates under

this contract.

(f) Any request for adjustment shall be presented by signature

of an officer or general partner of the contractor having overall

responsibility for the conduct of the contractor's affairs.

(g) No adjustment shall be made to the contract price that

relates to any indirect, overhead, or fixed costs, profit or fee.

Only the changes in direct service labor wages (and any benefits

based directly on wages) shall be considered by the U.S. Government

as basis for contract price changes.

(h) No request by the contractor for an adjustment under this

clause shall be allowed if asserted after final payment has been

made under this contract.

(i) This clause shall only apply to laws enacted by the [insert

name of country] Government meeting the criterion set forth above in

paragraph (b). No adjustments shall be made due to currency

fluctuations in exchange rates.

(End of clause)

128. Section 652.219-71 is added to read as follows:

652.219-71 Section 8(a) direct awards.

As prescribed in 619.811-3(f), insert the following clause:

Section 8(a) Direct Awards (Aug 1999)

(a) This purchase order or contract is issued as a direct award

between the contracting activity and the 8(a) contractor pursuant to

the Memorandum of Understanding between the Small Business

Administration (SBA) and the Department of State (DOS). SBA retains

responsibility for 8(a) certification, 8(a) eligibility

determinations and related issues, and provides counseling and

assistance to the 8(a) contractor under the 8(a) program. The

cognizant SBA district office is: [To be completed by the

contracting officer at the time of award]

(b) The DOS contracting officer is responsible for administering

the purchase order or contract and taking any action on behalf of

the Government under the terms and conditions of the purchase order

or contract. However, the DOS contracting officer shall give advance

notice to the SBA before it issues a final notice terminating

performance, either in whole or in part, under the purchase order or

contract. The DOS contracting officer shall also coordinate with SBA

prior to processing any novation agreement. The DOS contracting

officer may assign contract administration functions to a contract

administration office.

(c) The contractor agrees:

(1) to notify the DOS contracting officer, simultaneous with its

notification to SBA (as required by SBA's 8(a) regulations), when

the

[[Page 43631]]

owner or owners upon whom 8(a) eligibility is based, plan to

relinquish ownership or control of the concern. Consistent with 15

U.S.C. 637(a)(21), transfer of ownership or control shall result in

termination of the contract for convenience, unless SBA waives the

requirement for termination prior to the actual relinquishing of

ownership and control; and,

(2) to adhere to the requirements of FAR 52.219-14, Limitations

on Subcontracting.

(End of clause)

652.223-70 [Removed]

129. Section 652.223-70 is removed.

652.223-71 [Removed]

130. Section 652.223-71 is removed.

652.223-72 [Removed]

131. Section 652.223-72 is removed.

652.223-73 [Removed]

132. Section 652.223-73 is removed.

652.223-74 [Removed]

133. Section 652.223-74 is removed.

652.223-75 [Removed]

134. Section 652.223-75 is removed.

652.223-76 [Removed]

135. Section 652.223-76 is removed.

652.223-77 [Removed]

136. Section 652.223-77 is removed.

652.223-78 [Removed]

137. Section 652.223-78 is removed.

138. Section 652.225-70 is added to read as follows:

652.225-70 Arab League Boycott of Israel.

As prescribed in 625.7002(a), insert the following provision:

Arab League Boycott of Israel (Aug 1999)

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision:

Foreign person means any person other than a United States

person as defined below.

United States person means any United States resident or

national (other than an individual resident outside the United

States and employed by other than a United States person), any

domestic concern (including any permanent domestic establishment of

any foreign concern), and any foreign subsidiary or affiliate

(including any permanent foreign establishment) of any domestic

concern which is controlled in fact by such domestic concern, as

provided under the Export Administration Act of 1979, as amended.

(b) Certification. By submitting this offer, the offeror

certifies that it is not:

(1) Taking or knowingly agreeing to take any action, with

respect to the boycott of Israel by Arab League countries, which

Section 8(a) of the Export Administration Act of 1979, as amended

(50 U.S.C. 2407(a)) prohibits a United States person from taking;

or,

(2) Discriminating in the award of subcontracts on the basis of

religion.

(End of provision)

139. Section 652.225-71 is added to read as follows:

652.225-71 Section 8(a) of the Export Administration Act of 1979, as

amended.

As prescribed in 625.7002(b), insert the following clause:

Section 8(a) of the Export Administration Act of 1979, as Amended (Aug

1999)

(a) Section 8(a) of the U.S. Export Administration Act of 1979,

as amended (50 U.S.C. 2407(a)), prohibits compliance by U.S. persons

with any boycott fostered by a foreign country against a country

which is friendly to the United States and which is not itself the

object of any form of boycott pursuant to United States law or

regulation. The Boycott of Israel by Arab League countries is such a

boycott, and therefore, the following actions, if taken with intent

to comply with, further, or support the Arab League Boycott of

Israel, are prohibited activities under the Export Administration

Act:

(1) Refusing, or requiring any U.S. person to refuse to do

business with or in Israel, with any Israeli business concern, or

with any national or resident of Israel, or with any other person,

pursuant to an agreement of, or a request from or on behalf of a

boycotting country;

(2) Refusing, or requiring any U.S. person to refuse to employ

or otherwise discriminating against any person on the basis of race,

religion, sex, or national origin of that person or of any owner,

officer, director, or employee of such person;

(3) Furnishing information with respect to the race, religion,

or national origin of any U.S. person or of any owner, officer,

director, or employee of such U.S. person;

(4) Furnishing information about whether any person has, has

had, or proposes to have any business relationship (including a

relationship by way of sale, purchase, legal or commercial

representation, shipping or other transport, insurance, investment,

or supply) with or in the State of Israel, with any business concern

organized under the laws of the State of Israel, with any Israeli

national or resident, or with any person which is known or believed

to be restricted from having any business relationship with or in

Israel;

(5) Furnishing information about whether any person is a member

of, has made contributions to, or is otherwise associated with or

involved in the activities of any charitable or fraternal

organization which supports the State of Israel; and,

(6) Paying, honoring, confirming, or otherwise implementing a

letter of credit which contains any condition or requirement against

doing business with the State of Israel.

(b) Under Section 8(a), the following types of activities are

not forbidden ``compliance with the boycott,'' and are therefore

exempted from Section 8(a)'s prohibitions listed in paragraphs

(a)(1)-(6) above:

(1) Complying or agreeing to comply with requirements:

(i) Prohibiting the import of goods or services from Israel or

goods produced or services provided by any business concern

organized under the laws of Israel or by nationals or residents of

Israel; or,

(ii) Prohibiting the shipment of goods to Israel on a carrier of

Israel, or by a route other than that prescribed by the boycotting

country or the recipient of the shipment;

(2) Complying or agreeing to comply with import and shipping

document requirements with respect to the country of origin, the

name of the carrier and route of shipment, the name of the supplier

of the shipment or the name of the provider of other services,

except that no information knowingly furnished or conveyed in

response to such requirements may be stated in negative,

blacklisting, or similar exclusionary terms, other than with respect

to carriers or route of shipments as may be permitted by such

regulations in order to comply with precautionary requirements

protecting against war risks and confiscation;

(3) Complying or agreeing to comply in the normal course of

business with the unilateral and specific selection by a boycotting

country, or national or resident thereof, of carriers, insurance,

suppliers of services to be performed within the boycotting country

or specific goods which, in the normal course of business, are

identifiable by source when imported into the boycotting country;

(4) Complying or agreeing to comply with the export requirements

of the boycotting country relating to shipments or transshipments of

exports to Israel, to any business concern of or organized under the

laws of Israel, or to any national or resident of Israel;

(5) Compliance by an individual or agreement by an individual to

comply with the immigration or passport requirements of any country

with respect to such individual or any member of such individual's

family or with requests for information regarding requirements of

employment of such individual within the boycotting country; and,

(6) Compliance by a U.S. person resident in a foreign country or

agreement by such person to comply with the laws of that country

with respect to his or her activities exclusively therein, and such

regulations may contain exceptions for such resident complying with

the laws or regulations of that foreign country governing imports

into such country of trademarked, trade named, or similarly

specifically identifiable products, or components of products for

his or her own use, including the performance of contractual

services within that country, as may be defined by such regulations.

(End of clause)

140. Section 652.226-70 is added to read as follows:

652.226-70 Certification of status as a minority business enterprise.

As prescribed in 626.200-70, insert the following provision:

Certification of Status as a Minority Business Enterprise (Aug 1999)

The Bidder/Offeror/Supplier certifies that it [ ] is [ ] is

not [check one] a minority business enterprise which is defined as a

business which is at least 51 percent owned

[[Page 43632]]

by one or more minority individuals or, in the case of a publicly

owned business, at least 51 percent of its voting stock is owned by

one or more minority individuals, and whose management and daily

operations are controlled by one or more such individuals. For

purposes of this definition, minority individuals are:

[Check the applicable block]

[ ] Black Americans

[ ] Hispanic Americans

[ ] Native Americans

[ ] Asian-Pacific Americans

[ ] Other groups whose members are U.S. citizens and are found

to be disadvantaged by the Small Business Administration pursuant to

Section 8(d) of the Small Business Act, as amended (15 U.S.C.

637(d)), or the Secretary of Commerce.

(End of provision)

Alternate I (Aug 1999).

Certification of Status as a Minority Business Enterprise (Alternate

I) (Aug 1999)

(a) If you are a minority-owned business, please indicate in the

comments section of your quote/response the applicable minority

designation from those listed below. If no comments are received, it

shall be assumed that you are not a minority-owned business. This

request for information is to assist the Department collect

statistics on awards to minority-owned businesses and will not

influence the award decision.

(b) A minority business enterprise is defined as a business

which is at least 51 percent owned by one or more minority

individuals or, in the case of a publicly owned business, at least

51 percent of its voting stock is owned by one or more minority

individuals, and whose management and daily operations are

controlled by one or more such individuals. For purposes of this

definition, minority individuals are: Black Americans; Hispanic

Americans; Native Americans; Asian-Pacific Americans; and, other

groups whose members are U.S. citizens and are found to be

disadvantaged by the Small Business Administration pursuant to

Section 8(d) of the Small Business Act, as amended (15 U.S.C.

637(d)), or the Secretary of Commerce.

(End of provision)

141. Section 652.228-70 is amended by revising the introductory

text to read as follows:

652.228-70 Indemnification.

As prescribed in 628.7001(b), insert the following clause:

* * * * *

142. Section 652.228-71 is revised to read as follows:

652.228-71 Worker's compensation insurance (Defense Base Act)--

Services

As prescribed in 628.305(b), insert the following clause:

Worker's Compensation Insurance (Defense Base Act)--Services (Aug 1999)

(a) This clause supplements FAR 52.228-3.

(b) The contractor agrees to procure Defense Base Act (DBA)

insurance pursuant to the terms of the contract between the

Department of State and the Department's DBA insurance carrier

unless the contractor has a DBA self-insurance program approved by

the Department of Labor. The contractor shall submit a copy of the

Department of Labor's approval to the contracting officer upon

contract award. The current rate under the Department of State

contract is [contracting officer insert rate] of compensation for

services.

(c) Since the Department of State has obtained a waiver of DBA

coverage for contractor employees who are not citizens of, residents

of, or hired in the United States, the contractor agrees to provide

such employees with worker's compensation benefits as required by

the laws of the country in which the employees are working, or by

the laws of the employee's native country, whichever offers greater

benefits.

(d) The contractor agrees to insert a clause substantially the

same as this one in all subcontracts to which the DBA is applicable.

Subcontractors shall be required to insert a similar clause in any

of their subcontracts subject to the DBA.

(e) Should the rates for DBA insurance coverage increase or

decrease during the performance of this contract, the Department

shall modify this contract accordingly.

(f) The contractor shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the

contracting officer that the equitable adjustment as a result of the

insurance increase or decrease does not include any reserve for such

insurance. Adjustment shall not include any overhead, profit,

general and administrative expenses, etc.

(End of clause)

Alternate I (Aug 1999). If the contract is for construction, as

prescribed in 628.305 (b), substitute the last sentence of paragraph

(b) to read as follows: ``The current rate under the Department of

State contract is [contracting officer insert rate] of compensation

for construction.''

652.228-72 [Removed and reserved]

143. Section 652.228-72 is removed and reserved.

652.228-73 [Removed and reserved]

144. Section 652.228-73 is removed and reserved.

145. Section 652.228-74 is revised to read as follows:

652.228-74 Defense Base Act insurance rates--Limitation--Fixed-price.

As prescribed in 628.306, insert the following provision:

Defense Base Act Insurance Rates--Limitation--Fixed-Price (Aug 1999)

(a) The Department of State has entered into a contract with an

insurance carrier to provide DBA insurance to Department of State

contractors at a contracted rate. The rates for this insurance are

as follows:

Services @ [contracting officer insert current rate] of

compensation; or

Construction @ [contracting officer insert current rate] of

compensation.

(b) Bidders/Offerors should compute the total compensation

(direct salary plus differential, but excluding per diem, housing

allowance and other miscellaneous post allowances) to be paid to

employees who will be covered by DBA insurance and the cost of DBA

insurance in their bid/proposal using the foregoing rate, and insert

the totals in the spaces provided for the base year and each year

thereafter, if applicable. The DBA insurance cost shall be included

in the total fixed price. The DBA insurance costs shall be

reimbursed directly to the contractor.

(1) Compensation of Covered Employees: ____________________

(2) Defense Base Act Insurance Costs: ____________________

(3) Total Cost: ____________________

(c) Bidders/offerors shall include a statement as to whether or

not local nationals or third country nationals will be employed on

the resultant contract.

(End of provision)

652.228-75 [Removed and reserved]

146. Section 652.228-75 is removed and reserved.

147. Section 652.228-76 is revised to read as follows:

652.228-76 Defense Base Act insurance rates--Limitation--Cost-

reimbursement, labor-hour, and time-and-materials.

As prescribed in 628.307, insert the following provision:

Defense Base Act Insurance Rates--Limitation--Cost-Reimbursement,

Labor-Hour, and Time-and-Materials (Aug 1999)

(a) The Department of State has entered into a contract with an

insurance carrier to provide DBA insurance to Department of State

contractors at a contracted rate. In preparing the cost proposal,

the offeror shall use the following rates in computing the cost for

DBA insurance:

Services @ [contracting officer insert current rate] of

compensation (direct salary plus differential, but excluding per

diem, housing allowance, education allowance, and miscellaneous

allowances); or

Construction @ [contracting officer insert current rate] of

compensation.

(b) These rates apply to all job classifications in those

particular categories. The successful offeror shall be advised of

the name and address of the insurance broker who will process the

DBA insurance coverage.

(c) Should an offeror compute or include higher DBA insurance

rates, the rates shall be disallowed.

(d) Offerors shall include a statement as to whether or not

local nationals or third country nationals will be employed on the

resultant contract.

(End of provision)

652.228-77 [Removed]

148. Section 652.228-77 is removed.

149. Section 652.229-70 is amended by revising the introductory

text to read as follows:

[[Page 43633]]

652.229-70 Excise tax exemption statement for contractors within the

United States.

As prescribed in 629.401-70, insert the following clause:

* * * * *

150. Section 652.229-71 is added to read as follows:

652.229-71 Personal property disposition at posts abroad.

As prescribed in 629.402-1-70, insert the following clause:

Personal Property Disposition at Posts Abroad (Aug 1999)

Regulations at 22 CFR Part 136 require that U.S. Government

employees and their families do not profit personally from sales or

other transactions with persons who are not themselves entitled to

exemption from import restrictions, duties, or taxes. Should the

contractor experience importation or tax privileges in a foreign

country because of its contractual relationship to the United States

Government, the contractor shall observe the requirements of 22 CFR

Part 136 and all policies, rules, and procedures issued by the chief

of mission in that foreign country.

(End of clause)

151. Section 652.232-70 is amended by revising the clause heading

and by revising the first sentence of paragraph (c) of the clause to

read as follows:

652.232-70 Payment schedule and invoice submission--(Fixed-price)

* * * * *

Payment Schedule and Invoice Submission (Fixed-Price) (Aug 1999)

* * * * *

(c) Invoice Submission. Invoices shall be submitted in an

original and [contracting officer insert appropriate number of

copies] to the office identified in Block 10 of the SF-26, Block 23

of the SF-33, or Block 18b of the SF-1449. * * *

* * * * *

152. Section 652.232-71 is amended by revising the clause heading

and by revising the last sentence of paragraph (a) of the clause to

read as follows:

652.232-71 Voucher submission (Cost-reimbursement).

* * * * *

Voucher Submission (Cost-Reimbursement) (Aug 1999)

(a) * * * All vouchers shall be submitted to the office

identified in Block 10 of the SF-26, Block 23 of the SF-33, or Block

18b of the SF-1449.

* * * * *

153. Section 652.232-72 is added to read as follows:

652.232-72 Limitation of funds.

As prescribed in 632.705-70, insert the following clause:

Limitation of Funds (Aug 1999)

(a) Of the total price in Section B (or the ``Prices'' section),

only the amount stated on the contract award document or subsequent

modifications is now available for payment and obligated under this

contract. It is anticipated that from time to time, additional funds

will be obligated under the contract until the total price of the

contract is obligated.

(b) The Government is not obligated to pay or reimburse the

contractor more than the amount obligated pursuant to this clause.

The contractor agrees to perform the contract up to the point at

which the total amount paid and payable by the Government (including

amounts payable for subcontracts and settlement costs if this

contract is terminated for convenience) approximates but does not

exceed the total amount obligated.

(c)(1) It is contemplated that funds now obligated under this

contract will cover the work to be performed until [contracting

officer insert date].

(2) If the contractor considers the funds obligated under this

contract to be insufficient to cover the work to be performed until

that date, or another date agreed to by the parties, the contractor

shall notify the contracting officer in writing and indicate the

date on which it expects expended funds to approximate 75 percent of

the total amount obligated. The notice shall state the estimated

amount of additional funds required to continue performance through

the date specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this clause or another

date agreed to by the parties.

(3) If, after notification is provided pursuant to paragraph

(c)(2) of this clause, additional funds are not obligated, or an

earlier date than the date in paragraph (c)(1) of this clause is not

agreed to, the contractor shall not be obligated to continue

performance under this contract (including actions under the

termination clause of this contract) beyond the funds obligated for

contract performance.

(d) When additional funds are obligated from time to time for

continued performance of this contract, the contract shall be

modified to increase the funds obligated and to indicate the period

of performance for which funds are applicable. The contractor may

notify the contracting officer as provided in paragraph (c)(2) of

this clause regarding any additional funds obligated.

(e) If the contractor incurs additional costs or is delayed in

the performance of work under this contract, solely by reason of the

Government's failure to obligate additional funds in amounts

sufficient for the timely performance of this contract, an equitable

adjustment may be made to the price, or time of delivery, or both.

(f) This clause shall become inoperative upon obligation of

funds sufficient to cover the full price stated in the contract,

except for rights and obligations then existing under this clause.

(g) Nothing in this clause shall affect the Government's right

to terminate the contract for convenience or default.

(End of clause)

154. Section 652.236-70 is added to read as follows:

652.236-70 Accident prevention.

As prescribed in 636.513, insert the following clause:

Accident Prevention (Aug 1999)

(a) General. The contractor shall provide and maintain work

environments and procedures which will safeguard the public and

Government personnel, property, materials, supplies, and equipment

exposed to contractor operations and activities; avoid interruptions

of Government operations and delays in project completion dates;

and, control costs in the performance of this contract. For these

purposes, the contractor shall:

(1) Provide appropriate safety barricades, signs and signal

lights;

(2) Comply with the standards issued by any local government

authority having jurisdiction over occupational health and safety

issues; and,

(3) Ensure that any additional measures the contracting officer

determines to be reasonably necessary for this purpose are taken.

(4) [The contracting officer shall specify additional

requirements regarding safety if the work involves scaffolding or

other work at heights above 2 meters, trenches or other excavation

greater than 1 meter, earth moving equipment, electrical hazards,

work in confined spaces (limited exits, potential for oxygen less

than 19.5%, toxic or combustible atmosphere, potential for solid or

liquid engulfment, or other hazards considered to be immediately

dangerous to life or health such as water tanks, transformer vaults,

sewers, cisterns, etc.), or hazardous materials (especially those

used indoors, e.g., paints, solvents, etc.).]

(b) Records. The contractor shall maintain an accurate record of

exposure data on all accidents incident to work performed under this

contract resulting in death, traumatic injury, occupational disease,

or damage to or theft of property, materials, supplies, or

equipment. The contractor shall report this data in the manner

prescribed by the contracting officer.

(c) Subcontracts. The contractor shall be responsible for its

subcontractors' compliance with this clause.

(d) Written program. Before commencing work, the contractor

shall:

(1) Submit a written plan for implementing this clause; and,

(2) Meet with the contracting officer to discuss and develop a

mutual understanding relative to administration of the overall

safety program.

(e) Notification. The contracting officer shall notify the

contractor of any non-compliance with these requirements and the

corrective actions required. This notice, when delivered to the

contractor or the contractor's representative on site, shall be

deemed sufficient notice of the non-compliance and corrective action

required. After receiving the notice, the contractor shall

immediately take corrective action. If the contractor fails or

refuses to promptly take corrective action, the contracting officer

[[Page 43634]]

may issue an order suspending all or part of the work until

satisfactory corrective action has been taken. The contractor shall

not be entitled to any equitable adjustment of the contract price or

extension of the performance schedule on any suspension of work

order issued under this clause.

(End of clause)

652.237-71 [Amended]

155. Section 652.237-71 is amended by revising the clause date to

``(Aug 1999)''; and, in paragraph (c) of the clause by removing the

words ``Building Pass Application Unit, Room 309, State Annex Number 1,

Columbia Plaza., 2401 E Street, NW, Washington, DC'' and inserting the

words ``Building Pass Application Unit, Room B266, Department of State,

2201 C Street, NW, Washington, DC'' in their place.

652.237-72 [Amended]

156. Section 652.237-72 is amended by revising the clause date to

``(Aug 1999)''; and, in paragraph (a) of the clause by removing the

words ``Presidents' Day'' from the list of designated holidays and

inserting the words ``Washington's Birthday'' in their place.

652.242-70 [Amended]

157. Section 652.242-70 is amended by revising the clause date to

``(Aug 1999)''; and by deleting the parenthetical ``[insert name of

COR]'' in paragraph (b) of the clause and inserting the words ``[insert

job title of COR]'' in their place.

158. Section 652.242-71 is amended by revising the introductory

text to read as follows:

652.242-71 Notice of shipments.

As prescribed in 642.1406-2-70(a), insert the following clause:

* * * * *

159. Section 652.242-72 is amended by revising the introductory

text to read as follows:

652.242-72 Shipping instructions.

As prescribed in 642.1406-2-70(b), insert the following clause:

* * * * *

160. Section 652.242-73 is added to read as follows:

652.242-73 Authorization and performance.

As prescribed in 642.271(b), insert a clause substantially the same

as follows:

Authorization and Performance (Aug 1999)

(a) The contractor warrants the following:

(1) That is has obtained authorization to operate and do

business in the country or countries in which this contract will be

performed;

(2) That is has obtained all necessary licenses and permits

required to perform this contract; and,

(3) That it shall comply fully with all laws, decrees, labor

standards, and regulations of said country or countries during the

performance of this contract.

(b) If the party actually performing the work will be a

subcontractor or joint venture partner, then such subcontractor or

joint venture partner agrees to the requirements of paragraph (a) of

this clause.

(End of clause)

Alternate I (Aug 1999). If the contract is for overseas local guard

services, as prescribed in 642.271(b), substitute the following

paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) for paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of the

basic clause:

``(a)(1) That it has obtained authorization to operate and do

business in the country or countries in which this contract will be

performed, or will obtain such authorization before performance of

this contract begins;

``(a)(2) That it has obtained all necessary licenses and permits

required to perform this contract, or will obtain such licenses and

permits before performance of this contract begins;''

161. Section 652.243-70 is added to read as follows:

652.243-70 Notices.

As prescribed in 643.104-70, insert the following clause:

Notices (Aug 1999)

Any notice or request relating to this contract given by either

party to the other shall be in writing. Said notice or request shall

be mailed or delivered by hand to the other party at the address

provided in the schedule of the contract. All modifications to the

contract must be made in writing by the contracting officer.

(End of clause)

652.246-70 [Removed]

162. Section 652.246-70 is removed.

PART 653--FORMS

653.213-70 [Removed]

163. Section 653.213-70 is removed.

164. Section 653.219 is amended by revising the section heading to

read as follows:

653.219 Small business programs.

165. Section 653.219-70 is revised to read as follows:

653.219-70 DOS form DS-1910, Small Business Agency Review--Actions

Above the Simplified Acquisition Threshold.

As prescribed in 619.501(c), DS-1910 is prescribed for use in

documenting set-aside decisions.

Dated: August 3, 1999.

Lloyd W. Pratsch,

Procurement Executive.

[FR Doc. 99-20556 Filed 8-10-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4710-05-P

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.

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