[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 4 (Wednesday, January 7, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1050-1051]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-177]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
48 CFR Parts 1, 36, and 53
[FAC 2001-19; FAR Case 2000-608A Item I]
RIN 9000-AJ15
Federal Acquisition Regulation; New Consolidated Form for
Selection of Architect-Engineer Contractors (Delay of Effective Date)
AGENCIES: Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration
(GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
ACTION: Final rule: delay of effective date.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense
Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) have agreed to delay the
effective date of FAR Case 2000-608, New Consolidated Form for
Selection of Architect-Engineer Contractors, which was published in FAC
2001-018, in the
[[Page 1051]]
Federal Register at 68 FR 69227, December 11, 2003. The effective date
is delayed from January 12, 2004, to June 8, 2004, and there is no
longer any reference to the applicability date. Industry users have
requested that the effective date be changed to allow them more time to
prepare before the SF 330 is effective. This amendment changes the
effective date and eliminates the applicability date.
DATES: Effective Date: Effective January 7, 2004, the effective date of
FAR Case 2000-608, New Consolidated Form for Selection of Architect-
Engineer Contractors, published in the Federal Register at 68 FR 69227,
December 11, 2003, is delayed until June 8, 2004.
Applicability Date: The applicability date specified in the final
rule published in the Federal Register at 68 FR 69227, December 11,
2003, is removed from this final rule.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The FAR Secretariat, Room 4035, GS
Building, Washington, DC 20405, (202) 501-4755, for information
pertaining to status or publication schedules. For clarification of
content, contact Ms. Cecelia Davis, Procurement Analyst, at (202) 219-
0202. Please cite FAC 2001-19, FAR Case 2000-608A.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Background
An interagency ad hoc committee developed the SF 330.
It was based on the results of a joint Federal-industry survey of
the existing Standard Forms (SFs) 254, Architect-Engineer and Related
Services Questionnaire, and 255, Architect-Engineer and Related
Services Questionnaire for Specific Project, conducted by the Standing
Committee on Procurement and Contracting of the Federal Facilities
Council (FCC) in 1995 and published in 1996 as FCC Report Number 130,
entitled ``Survey on the Use of Standard Forms 254 and 255 for
Architect-Engineer Qualifications.'' The survey's purpose was to
evaluate the current use of the forms which are used for the submission
of qualifications by architect-engineer (A-E) firms interested in
Federal contracts, and to identify possible improvements which would
enable the existing forms to better serve the needs of Federal agencies
and the A-E industry. The SFs 254 and 255 have changed little since
their introduction in 1975, although the variety of A-E services has
greatly expanded and new technologies have dramatically changed the way
A-E firms do business. The report states that Federal agencies and A-E
industry overwhelmingly support a structured format for submitting A-E
qualifications, because the structured format saves time and effort and
allows efficient and consistent evaluations. It also recommends many
specific changes to the existing forms to enhance their effectiveness
and simplify their use. Both Federal and A-E industry practitioners
believe that the forms need streamlining as well as updating to
facilitate electronic usage. The objectives of the SF 330 are to merge
the SFs 254 and 255 into a single streamlined form, expand essential
information about qualifications and experience, reflect current
architect-engineer disciplines, experience types and technology,
eliminate information of marginal value, permit limitations on
submission length, and facilitate electronic usage. A proposed FAR rule
for a new Architect-Engineer Qualifications form was published in the
Federal Register at 66 FR 53314, October 19, 2001. The final rule
replaces SFs 254 and 255 with SF 330, and makes related FAR revisions
in 1.106, 36.603, 36.702, 53.236-2, 53.301-254, 53.301-255, and 53.301-
330. Use of the SF 330 becomes effective June 8, 2004. Agencies are to
continue to use SFs 254 and 255 until the SF 330 is effective.
B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act analysis was completed and addressed
in the final rule published in the Federal Register at 68 FR 69227,
December 11, 2003.
C. Paperwork Reduction Act
The Paperwork Reduction Act (Pub. L. 104-13) applies; however, this
information was provided in the final rule published in the Federal
Register at 68 FR 69227, December 11, 2003.
List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 1, 36, and 53
Government procurement.
Dated: December 30, 2003.
Laura Auletta,
Director, Acquisition Policy Division.
[FR Doc. 04-177 Filed 1-6-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-EP-P