[Federal Register: September 17, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 181)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 54013-54014]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17se08-31]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

48 CFR Parts 30 and 52

[FAC 2005-27; FAR Case 2006-004; Item XII; Docket 2008-0001; Sequence 
14]
RIN 9000-AK58

 
Federal Acquisition Regulation; FAR Case 2006-004, CAS 
Administration

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense 
Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) have agreed to adopt a 
proposed rule, published in the Federal Register at 71 FR 58338, 
October 3, 2006, as a final rule, with minor changes. The rule amends 
the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement revisions to the 
regulations related to the administration of the Cost Accounting 
Standards (CAS) as they pertain to contracts with foreign concerns, 
including United Kingdom (U.K.) concerns.

DATES: Effective Date: October 17, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For clarification of content, contact 
Mr. Edward Chambers, at (202) 501-3221. For information pertaining to 
status or publication schedules, contact the Regulatory Secretariat at 
(202) 501-4755. Please cite FAC 2005-27, FAR case 2006-004.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    The Councils published a proposed rule in the Federal Register at 
71 FR 58338, October 3, 2006, to maintain consistency between CAS and 
FAR in matters relating to disclosure requirements and the 
administration of CAS for contracts awarded to foreign concerns, 
including U.K. concerns.
    This proposed rule was issued in response to the Cost Accounting 
Standards Board's interim rule (70 FR 29457, May 23, 2005) (finalized 
without change at 72 FR 32546, June 13, 2007), revising the 
applicability of CAS to U.K. contracts and subcontracts.
    The Councils received no comments on the proposed rule and have 
adopted the proposed rule as a final rule with minor changes. The minor 
changes to 30.201-4(c) clarify that clause 52.230-4 need not be 
included in contracts with foreign concerns otherwise exempt from CAS 
coverage, and that foreign concerns do not include foreign governments, 
or their agents or instrumentalities.
    This is not a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was not 
subject to review under Section 6(b) of Executive Order 12866, 
Regulatory Planning and Review, dated September 30, 1993. This rule is 
not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, and 
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration certify that this 
final rule will not 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 all small businesses 
are exempt from CAS.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the changes to 
the FAR do not impose information collection requirements that require 
the approval of the Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 
3501, et seq.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 30 and 52

    Government procurement.

    Dated: September 9, 2008.
Al Matera,
Director, Office of Acquisition Policy.

0
Therefore, DoD, GSA, and NASA amend 48 CFR parts 30 and 52 as set forth 
below:
0
1. The authority citation for 48 CFR parts 30 and 52 continues to read 
as follows:

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

PART 30--COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS ADMINISTRATION

0
2. Amend section 30.201-4 by revising paragraph (c) to read as follows:


30.201-4  Contract clauses.

* * * * *
    (c) Disclosure and Consistency of Cost Accounting Practices for 
Contracts Awarded to Foreign Concerns. The contracting officer shall 
insert the clause at FAR 52.230-4, Disclosure and Consistency of Cost 
Accounting Practices for Contracts Awarded to Foreign Concerns, in 
negotiated contracts with foreign concerns, unless the contract is 
otherwise exempt from CAS (see 48 CFR 9903.201-1). Such contracts are 
subject to CAS 401 and 402 under 48 CFR 9903.201-1(b)(4)(FAR Appendix). 
Foreign concerns do not include foreign governments or their agents or 
instrumentalities.
* * * * *

PART 52--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

0
3. Amend section 52.230-4 by revising the section heading, the clause 
heading and date, and the first, second, and fourth sentences of the 
clause to read as follows.


52.230-4   Disclosure and Consistency of Cost Accounting Practices for 
Contracts Awarded to Foreign Concerns.

* * * * *
    DISCLOSURE AND CONSISTENCY OF COST ACCOUNTING PRACTICES FOR 
CONTRACTS AWARDED TO FOREIGN CONCERNS (OCT 2008).
    The Contactor agrees that it will consistently follow the cost 
accounting practices disclosed on FORM CASB DS-1, or other 
disclosure form as permitted by 48 CFR 9903.202-1(e), in estimating, 
accumulating, and reporting costs under this contract, and comply 
with the requirements of CAS 401, Consistency in Estimating, 
Accumulating, and Reporting Costs, and CAS 402, Consistency in 
Allocating Costs Incurred for the Same Purpose. In the event the 
Contractor fails to follow such practices, or

[[Page 54014]]

comply consistently with CAS 401 and 402, it agrees that the 
contract price shall be adjusted, together with interest, if such 
failure results in increased cost paid by the U.S. Government. * * * 
The Contractor agrees that the Disclosure Statement or other form 
permitted, pursuant to 48 CFR 9903.202-1(e) shall be available for 
inspection and use by authorized representatives of the United 
States Government.
    (End of clause)
[FR Doc. E8-21365 Filed 9-16-08; 8:45 am]

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