[Federal Register: June 16, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 115)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 34277-34279]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16jn10-21]                         


[[Page 34277]]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

48 CFR Parts 10, 44, and 52

[FAC 2005-42; FAR Case 2008-007; Item V; Docket 2010-0086, Sequence 1]
RIN 9000-AL50

 
Federal Acquisition Regulation; FAR Case 2008-007, Additional 
Requirements for Market Research

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

ACTION: Interim rule with request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense 
Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) have agreed on an interim 
rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement 
Section 826 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2008 (FY08 NDAA). Section 826 established additional requirements in 
subsection (c) of 10 U.S.C. 2377. As a matter of policy, these 
requirements are extended to all executive agencies. Specifically, the 
head of the agency must conduct market research before issuing an 
indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (ID/IQ) task or delivery order 
for a noncommercial item in excess of the simplified acquisition 
threshold. In addition, a prime contractor with a contract in excess of 
$5 million for the procurement of items other than commercial items is 
required to conduct market research before making purchases that exceed 
the simplified acquisition threshold for or on behalf of the 
Government.

DATES: Effective Date: June 16, 2010.
    Applicability Date: The rule applies to any solicitations issued 
and contracts (to include any subcontracts issued under such contracts) 
awarded on or after the effective date.
    Comment Date: Interested parties should submit written comments to 
the Regulatory Secretariat on or before August 16, 2010 to be 
considered in the formulation of a final rule.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments identified by FAC 2005-42, FAR Case 2008-
007, by any of the following methods:
    * Regulations.gov: http://www.regulations.gov.
    Submit comments via the Federal eRulemaking portal by inputting 
``FAR Case 2008-007'' under the heading ``Enter Keyword or ID'' and 
selecting ``Search''. Select the link ``Submit a Comment'' that 
corresponds with ``FAR Case 2008-007''. Follow the instructions 
provided at the ``Submit a Comment'' screen. Please include your name, 
company name (if any), and ``FAR Case 2008-007'' on your attached 
document.
    * Fax: 202-501-4067.
    * Mail: General Services Administration, Regulatory Secretariat 
(MVCB), 1800 F Street, NW., Room 4041, ATTN: Hada Flowers, Washington, 
DC 20405.
    Instructions: Please submit comments only and cite FAC 2005-42, FAR 
Case 2008-007, in all correspondence related to this case. All comments 
received will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, 
including any personal and/or business confidential information 
provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Warren Blankenship, Procurement 
Analyst, at (202) 501-1900 for clarification of content. For 
information pertaining to status or publication schedules, contact the 
Regulatory Secretariat at (202) 501-4755. Please cite FAC 2005-42, FAR 
Case 2008-007.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    Section 826 of Pub. L. 110-181, the National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (FY08 NDAA), amended 10 U.S.C. 2377(c), 
``Preliminary Market Research'', to require the head of an agency to 
conduct market research appropriate to the circumstances before 
awarding a task or delivery order in excess of the simplified 
acquisition threshold. Head of the agency for purposes of section 826 
(10 U.S.C. 2377) is defined in 10 U.S.C. 2376 and means the Secretary 
of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Administrator 
of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. In addition, 
section 826 requires the head of an agency to take appropriate steps to 
ensure that any contractor of a contract in an amount in excess of $5 
million for the procurement of items other than commercial items 
engages in such market research as may be necessary to carry out the 
requirements of 10 U.S.C. 2377(b)(2) before making purchases for or on 
behalf of the DoD. The statute also imposes a requirement on the 
Secretary of Defense to develop training and market research tools to 
assist contracting officers and contractors in performing appropriate 
market research. Two continuous learning modules, CLC 030, ``Essentials 
of Interagency Acquisition/Fair Opportunity,'' and CLC 004, ``Market 
Research,'' are available at http://www.dau.mil; these provide training 
on the conduct of market research and identify market research tools.
    The Councils agree that section 826 should apply in the FAR to all 
executive agencies, consistent with Governmentwide applications being 
sought in other competition matters by the Office of Federal 
Procurement Policy (OFPP). The Councils have determined that the rule 
will be applicable to solicitations and contracts (to include any 
subcontracts issued under such contracts) awarded on or after the 
effective date of this rule.
    The requirement for agencies to perform market research is 
addressed by adding FAR 10.001(a)(2)(v). This change is captured by 
inserting language to direct the contracting officer to conduct market 
research before awarding an ID/IQ task or delivery order for 
noncommercial items in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold. 
FAR 10.001(a)(2)(vi) is amended to delete the beginning text 
(``Agencies shall conduct market research'') to bring parallel 
structure to all the items outlined under FAR 10.001(a)(2). FAR 
10.001(d) is added to direct the contracting officer to the requirement 
in FAR 44.402(a)(2) and FAR clause 52.244-6 (Alternate I) when 
requiring that a contractor perform market research in contracts in 
excess of $5 million for the procurement of items other than commercial 
items. FAR 10.002(b)(1) is amended to clarify that the contracting 
officer may use market research conducted within 18 months prior to the 
award of the ID/IQ contract or the award of any task or delivery order 
if the information is still current, accurate, and relevant. FAR 
subpart 44.3 is amended to require the review of market research 
efforts during Contractors' Purchasing Systems Reviews to determine 
that market research is being accomplished. FAR 44.400, Scope of 
subpart, is revised to reflect the addition of ``Section 826 of Public 
Law 110-181,'' which governs the changes to FAR 44.402(a)(2) and FAR 
clause 52.244-6 (Alternate I). FAR 44.402(a)(2) and FAR clause 52.244-6 
(Alternate I) are amended to satisfy 10 U.S.C. 2377(b)(2) as well as to 
reflect the requirement in 10 U.S.C. 2377(c)(4) that a contractor must 
perform market research when the contractor is acting as a purchasing 
agent for the Government with respect to a purchase that exceeds the 
simplified acquisition threshold under a contract in excess of $5 
million for the procurement of other than

[[Page 34278]]

commercial items. FAR 44.403, Contract clause, is revised to renumber 
the original paragraph as (a) and insert a new paragraph (b) to 
instruct contracting officers when to use FAR 52.244-6 (Alternate I).
    This is a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was 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 Councils do not expect this interim rule 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 contract dollar threshold for the application of the rule 
is in excess of $5 million. The number of small businesses receiving 
such contract awards is estimated to be statistically insignificant. 
Based on FY07 and FY08 data in the Federal Procurement Data system 
(FPDS) for task and delivery orders where the base and all options are 
over $5 million, the total number of awards to small businesses in FY07 
was 2,024 and in FY08 was 2,399. Additionally, the number of small 
businesses serving as subcontractors is also very low. Based on FY07 
and FY08 data in the FPDS for task or delivery orders where the base 
and all options fell below $5 million, the total number of awards to 
small businesses was 684,658 in FY07 and 697,029 in FY08. Since the 
FPDS does not track subcontractor data, reasonable estimates of the 
total figures were established. Therefore, of the total FY07 and FY08 
figures, it is estimated that only 20 percent of each will apply to 
subcontractors. That is representative of 136,932 for FY07 and 139,406 
for FY08.
    Therefore, an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis has not been 
performed. The Councils invite comments from small business concerns 
and other interested parties on the expected impact of this rule on 
small entities.
    The Councils will also consider comments from small entities 
concerning the existing regulations in parts affected by this rule in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610. Interested parties must submit such 
comments separately and should cite 5 U.S.C. 610 (FAC 2005-42, FAR Case 
2008-007) in all correspondence.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the changes to 
the FAR do not impose information collection requirements that require 
the approval of the Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 
chapter 35, et seq.

D. Determination to Issue an Interim Rule

    A determination has been made under the authority of the Secretary 
of Defense, the Administrator of General Services, and the 
Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration that 
urgent and compelling reasons exist to promulgate this interim rule 
without prior opportunity for public comment. This action is necessary 
because the provisions of section 826 went into effect upon enactment 
on January 28, 2008. Additionally, it will reduce the number of 
questionable decisions made due to insufficient market research on 
contracts in excess of $5 million dollars and reduce dollars spent 
unnecessarily due to the lack of market research information obtained, 
thereby further eliminating violations of the statute. This interim 
rule is applicable to solicitations issued and contracts (to include 
any subcontracts issued under such contracts) awarded on or after the 
effective date of this rule. The Councils believe that the interim rule 
in the FAR will provide contracting officers and affected prime 
contractors the relevant regulatory guidance needed when addressing the 
statutory requirements outlined in this interim rule. However, pursuant 
to Pub. L. 98-577 and FAR 1.501-3(b), the Councils will consider public 
comments received in response to this interim rule in the formation of 
the final rule.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 10, 44, and 52

    Government procurement.

    Dated: June 2, 2010.
Edward Loeb,
Acting Director, Acquisition Policy Division.

0
Therefore, DoD, GSA, and NASA amend 48 CFR parts 10, 44, and 52 as set 
forth below:
0
1. The authority citation for 48 CFR parts 10, 44, 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 10--MARKET RESEARCH

0
2. Amend section 10.001 by--
0
a. Removing from paragraph (a)(2)(iv) ``and''
0
b. Redesignating paragraph (a)(2)(v) as paragraph (a)(2)(vi) and adding 
a new paragraph (a)(2)(v);
0
c. Revising newly redesignated paragraph (a)(2)(vi); and
0
d. Adding a new paragraph (d).
    The revised and added text to read as follows:


10.001  Policy.

    (a) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (v) Before awarding a task or delivery order under an indefinite-
delivery-indefinite-quantity (ID/IQ) contract (e.g., GWACs, MACs) for a 
noncommercial item in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold 
(10 U.S.C. 2377(c)); and
    (vi) On an ongoing basis, take advantage (to the maximum extent 
practicable) of commercially available market research methods in order 
to effectively identify the capabilities of small businesses and new 
entrants into Federal contracting that are available in the marketplace 
for meeting the requirements of the agency in furtherance of--
    (A) A contingency operation or defense against or recovery from 
nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological attack; and
    (B) Disaster relief to include debris removal, distribution of 
supplies, reconstruction, and other disaster or emergency relief 
activities. (See 26.205).
* * * * *
    (d) See 44.402(a)(2) and 52.244-6 (Alternate I) for the requirement 
for a prime contractor to perform market research in contracts in 
excess of $5 million for the procurement of items other than commercial 
items.

0
3. Amend section 10.002 by revising paragraph (b)(1) introductory text 
to read as follows:


  10.002 Procedures.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (1) The extent of market research will vary, depending on such 
factors as urgency, estimated dollar value, complexity, and past 
experience. The contracting officer may use market research conducted 
within 18 months before the award of any task or delivery order if the 
information is still current, accurate, and relevant. Market research 
involves obtaining information specific to the item being acquired and 
should include--
* * * * *

PART 44--SUBCONTRACTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

0
4. Amend section 44.303 by redesignating paragraphs (a) through (i) as 
paragraphs (b) through (j), respectively, and adding a new paragraph 
(a) to read as follows:

[[Page 34279]]

44.303  Extent of review.

* * * * *
    (a) The results of market research accomplished;
* * * * *
0
5. Revise section 44.400 to read as follows:


44.400  Scope of subpart.

    This subpart prescribes the policies limiting the contract clauses 
a contractor may be required to apply to any subcontractors that are 
furnishing commercial items or commercial components in accordance with 
Section 8002(b)(2) of Public Law 103-355 and Section 826 of Public Law 
110-181 (10 U.S.C. 2377(c)).
0
6. Amend section 44.402 by redesignating paragraphs (b) and (c) as 
paragraphs (c) and (d), respectively, and adding a new paragraph (b) to 
read as follows:


44.402  Policy requirements.

* * * * *
    (b) Under a contract that is over $5 million for the procurement of 
items other than commercial items, and under which the contractor is 
acting as a purchasing agent for the Government with respect to a 
purchase that exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, the 
contractor shall, to the maximum extent practicable, conduct market 
research to determine--
    (1) If commercial items or, to the extent commercial items suitable 
to meet the agency's needs are not available, nondevelopmental items 
are available that--
    (i) Meet the agency's requirements;
    (ii) Could be modified to meet the agency's requirements; or
    (iii) Could meet the agency's requirements if those requirements 
were modified to a reasonable extent; and
    (2) The extent to which commercial items or nondevelopmental items 
could be incorporated at the component level.
* * * * *
0
7. Revise section 44.403 to read as follows:


44.403  Contract clause.

    (a) The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.244-6, 
Subcontracts for Commercial Items, in solicitations and contracts other 
than those for commercial items.
    (b) The contracting officer shall use the clause with its Alternate 
I when the acquisition value is in excess of $5 million.

PART 52--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

0
8. Amend section 52.244-6 by revising the introductory text and adding 
Alternate I to read as follows:


52.244-6  Subcontracts for Commercial Items.

    As prescribed in 44.403(a), insert the following clause:
* * * * *
    Alternate I (JUN 2010). As prescribed in 44.403(b), the Contracting 
Officer shall substitute the following paragraph (d) for paragraph (d) 
of the base clause, and add the following paragraph (e):
    (d) The Contractor shall include the terms of this clause, 
including this paragraph (d), but not including paragraph (e), in 
subcontracts awarded under this contract.
    (e) To the maximum extent practicable, when the Contractor acts as 
a purchasing agent for the Government with respect to a purchase that 
exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, the Contractor shall 
conduct market research (10 U.S.C. 2377(c)) to--
    (i) Determine if commercial items or, to the extent commercial 
items suitable to meet the agency's needs are not available, 
nondevelopmental items are available that--
    (A) Meet the agency's requirements;
    (B) Could be modified to meet the agency's requirements; or
    (C) Could meet the agency's requirements if those requirements were 
modified to a reasonable extent; and
    (ii) Determine the extent to which commercial items or 
nondevelopmental items could be incorporated at the component level.

[FR Doc. 2010-14213 Filed 6-15-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-EP-S