67 FR 81 pgs. 20713-20714 - Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Foreign Military Sales Customer Involvement
Type: PRORULEVolume: 67Number: 81Pages: 20713 - 20714
Docket number: [DFARS Case 2002-D005]
FR document: [FR Doc. 02-10093 Filed 4-25-02; 8:45 am]
Agency: Defense Department
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
48 CFR Part 225
[DFARS Case 2002-D005]
Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Foreign Military Sales Customer Involvement
AGENCY:
Department of Defense (DoD).
ACTION:
Proposed rule with request for comments.
SUMMARY:
DoD is proposing to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to add policy regarding the participation of foreign military sales (FMS) customers in the development of contracts that DoD awards on their behalf. The objective is to provide FMS customers with more visibility into the contract pricing and award process.
DATES:
Comments on the proposed rule should be submitted in writing to the address shown below on or before June 25, 2002, to be considered in the formation of the final rule.
ADDRESSES:
Respondents may submit comments directly on the World Wide Web at http://emissary.acq.osd.mil/dar/dfars.nsf/pubcomm. As an alternative, respondents may e-mail comments to: dfars@acq.osd.mil. Please cite DFARS Case 2002-D005 in the subject line of e-mailed comments.
Respondents that cannot submit comments using either of the above methods may submit comments to: Defense Acquisition Regulations Council, Attn: Ms. Amy Williams, OUSD(ATL)DP(DAR), IMD 3C132, 3062 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3062; facsimile (703) 602-0350. Please cite DFARS Case 2002-D005.
At the end of the comment period, interested parties may view public comments on the World Wide Web at http://emissary.acq.osd.mil/dar/dfars.nsf.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Amy Williams, (703) 602-0328.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Background
FMS customers have requested more visibility into the preparation and pricing of contracts that DoD awards on their behalf. This proposed rule revises DFARS 225.7304 to provide for greater involvement of FMS customers in the contract award process, while protecting against unauthorized disclosure of contractor proprietary data.
This rule was not subject to Office of Management and Budget review under Executive Order 12866, dated September 30, 1993.
B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The proposed rule is not expected to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities within the meaning of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq. , because the involvement of FMS customers in contract development should have no significant effect on offerors or contractors. The rule provides for the protection of contractor proprietary data. Therefore, DoD has not performed an initial regulatory flexibility analysis. DoD invites comments from small businesses and other interested parties. DoD also will consider comments from small entities concerning the affected DFARS subpart in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610. Such comments should be submitted separately and should cite DFARS Case 2002-D005.
C. Paperwork Reduction Act
The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the rule does not impose any information collection requirements that require the approval of the Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.
List of Subjects in 48 CFR Part 225
Government procurement.
Michele P. Peterson,
Executive Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations Council.
Therefore, DoD proposes to amend 48 CFR Part 225 as follows:
1. The authority citation for 48 CFR Part 225 continues to read as follows:
Authority:
41 U.S.C. 421 and 48 CFR Chapter 1.
PART 225-FOREIGN ACQUISITION
2. Section 225.7304 is revised to read as follows:
225.7304 FMS customer involvement.
(a) FMS customers may request that a defense article or defense service be obtained from a particular contractor. In such cases, FAR 6.302-4 provides authority to contract without full and open competition. The FMS customer may also request that a subcontract be placed with a particular firm. The contracting officer shall honor such requests from the FMS customer only if the LOA or other written direction sufficiently fulfills the requirements of FAR subpart 6.3.
(b) FMS customers should be encouraged to participate with U.S. Government acquisition personnel in discussions with industry to-
(1) Develop technical specifications;
(2) Establish delivery schedules;
(3) Identify any special warranty provisions or other requirements unique to the FMS customer; and
(4) Review prices on varying alternatives, quantities, and options needed to make price-performance tradeoffs.
(c) Do not disclose to the FMS customer any data, including cost or pricing data, that is contractor proprietary unless the contractor authorizes its release.
(d) Except as provided in paragraph (e)(3) of this section, the degree of FMS customer participation in contract negotiations is left to the discretion of the contracting officer. Factors that may limit FMS customer participation include situations where-
(1) The contract includes requirements for more than one FMS customer;
(2) The contract includes unique U.S. requirements; or
(3) Contractor proprietary data is a subject of negotiations.
(e) Do not allow representatives of the FMS customer to-
(1) Direct the exclusion of certain firms from the solicitation process (They may suggest the inclusion of certain firms);
(2) Interfere with a contractor's placement of subcontracts; or
(3) Observe or participate in negotiations between the U.S. Government and the contractor involving cost or pricing data, unless a deviation is granted in accordance with subpart 201.4.
(f) Do not accept directions from the FMS customer on source selection decisions or contract terms (except that, upon timely notice, the contracting officer may attempt to obtain any special contract provisions, warranties, or other unique requirements requested by the FMS customer).
(g) Do not honor any requests by the FMS customer to reject any bid or proposal.
(h) If an FMS customer requests additional information concerning FMS contract prices, the contracting officer shall, after consultation with the contractor, provide sufficient information to demonstrate the reasonableness of the price and reasonable responses to relevant questions concerning contract price. This information-
(1) May include tailored responses, top-level pricing summaries, historical prices, or an explanation of any significant differences between the actual contract price and the estimated contract price included in the initial LOA; and
(2) May be provided orally, in writing, or by any other method acceptable to the contracting officer.
[FR Doc. 02-10093 Filed 4-25-02; 8:45 am]
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