[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 216 (Thursday, November 8, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63113-63123]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-21888]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Defense Acquisition Regulations System
48 CFR Parts 202, 212, and 225
RIN 0750-AF74
Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Waiver of
Specialty Metals Restriction for Acquisition of Commercially Available
Off-the-Shelf Items (DFARS Case 2007-D013)
AGENCY: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Department of Defense
(DoD).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: DoD has issued a final rule amending the Defense Federal
Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to waive application of 10
U.S.C. 2533b for acquisitions of commercially available off-the-shelf
(COTS) items. 10 U.S.C. 2533b, established by Section 842 of the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007, places
restrictions on the acquisition of specialty metals not melted or
produced in the United States.
DATES: Effective Date: November 8, 2007.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Amy Williams, Defense Acquisition
Regulations System, OUSD (AT&L)DPAP (DARS), IMD 3D139, 3062 Defense
Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3062. Telephone 703-602-0328; facsimile
703-602-7887. Please cite DFARS Case 2007-D013.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[[Page 63114]]
A. Background
Section 842(a) of the John Warner National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (Pub. L. 109-364) establishes a new specialty
metals domestic source restriction, which is codified at 10 U.S.C.
2533b. DoD published a proposed rule, at 72 FR 35960 on July 2, 2007,
that would allow the Department to exercise a statutory exception to
the requirements of 10 U.S.C. 2533b for COTS items, as provided for
under Section 35 of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (OFPP
Act), 41 U.S.C. 431. If a law is covered by Section 35, it must be
included on a list of laws published in the Federal Acquisition
Regulation (FAR) (or agency supplements for agency-specific laws) that
are inapplicable to COTS acquisitions unless the Administrator of the
Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) makes a written
determination that it would not be in the best interest of the United
States to exempt such contracts from the applicability of that
provision of law.
DoD consulted with the OFPP Administrator both before publication
of the proposed rule and again before proceeding with the publication
of this final rule. OFPP concluded that 10 U.S.C. 2533b is a covered
law. OFPP did not make a written determination under Section 35 finding
it not to be in the best interest of the United States to exempt COTS
contracts from the applicability of 10 U.S.C. 2533b.
The comment period on the proposed rule ended on August 1, 2007.
DoD received comments from 41 respondents. Of these respondents, 34
support the rule and 7 oppose it. A discussion of the comments is
provided below.
1. Timing of Implementation
Comments: A number of respondents requested clarification regarding
the effective date of the rule, including its application to existing
contracts.
DoD Response: The final rule is effective upon publication.
However, FAR 1.108(d) permits contracting officers, at their
discretion, to include FAR/DFARS changes in any existing contract with
appropriate consideration.
2. Legal Basis
a. General
Comments: Several respondents state that the statute is already
inapplicable to COTS items and that this rule is really just a
clarification. One respondent states that it is ``self-evident'' that
10 U.S.C. 2533b is a covered law, because it imposes ``quintessential
`government-unique' requirements'' and none of the exceptions contained
in Section 35 of the OFPP Act (41 U.S.C. 431) are applicable, as
discussed in the Federal Register preamble to the proposed rule.
DoD Response: DoD concurs that 10 U.S.C. 2533b is a ``covered law''
but that further action is required before it is inapplicable to COTS
procurements. Section 35(b) of the OFPP Act requires the Administrator
of OFPP to ``determine'' that a law is covered. Covered laws are
inapplicable only after being listed in the FAR (DFARS is part of the
FAR system). Section 35(a)(2) states that ``A provision of law that,
pursuant to paragraph (3), is properly included on a list referred to
in paragraph (1) may not be construed as being applicable to
contracts'' for the procurement of COTS items. In addition it states
``nothing in this section shall be construed to render inapplicable to
such contracts any provision of law that is not included on such
list.''
b. Impact of Reference to Section 34 of the OFPP Act
Comments: Three respondents conclude that, as a subset of
commercial items, COTS items must comply with 10 U.S.C. 2533b, because
Section (h) of 2533b makes the statute applicable to procurements of
commercial items, notwithstanding Section 34 of the OFPP Act (41 U.S.C.
430).
Another respondent reaches the opposite conclusion, stating that
Congress created a COTS-specific process under a separate section of
the OFPP Act, i.e., Section 35, pursuant to which Congress could direct
the application of a law to COTS. According to the respondent, it is a
fundamental principle of statutory construction that each provision of
a statute be given meaning and effect. The Congressional decision to
treat COTS items separately from commercial items, notwithstanding that
COTS is a subset of commercial items, must be honored.
DoD Response: DoD concurs with the respondents who conclude that
the application of 10 U.S.C. 2533b to commercial items under Section 34
does not make the provision automatically applicable to COTS. Section
35 of the OFPP Act, which expressly addresses the handling of COTS and
is the operative provision for this rulemaking, has a separate basis
than Section 34 for determining the inapplicability of laws. As a
result, some laws that are applicable to procurements of commercial
items under Section 34 may be inapplicable to procurements of COTS
items under Section 35. With respect to 10 U.S.C. 2533b, Congress could
have directed its application to COTS acquisitions by referring to
Section 35 in the law and stating that it is applicable to procurements
for COTS. However, Congress chose not to make 10 U.S.C. 2533b
automatically applicable to COTS, meaning the law must be waived if it
is a covered law under Section 35 absent a determination by the OFPP
Administrator that it would not be in the best interest of the United
States to waive its applicability.
c. OFPP Authority
Comments: Four respondents are concerned that DoD is pre-empting
OFPP authority by issuing this rule. One respondent states that DoD's
proposed rule distorts and misuses the authority provided to the
Administrator of OFPP. Other respondents state that DoD does not have
the authority to propose exemptions for COTS items. A respondent states
that this authority is vested by law in the Administrator of OFPP.
These respondents state that only the Administrator of OFPP can amend
the FAR list of inapplicable provisions as necessary.
DoD Response: Rulemaking was undertaken to comply with the
provision in Section 35 requiring the identification in regulation of
laws that are made inapplicable to COTS contracts. The rulemaking was
not intended to circumvent the OFPP Administrator's authority under
Section 35. DoD consulted with the Administrator of OFPP before
publication of the proposed rule, and consulted a second time with OFPP
before proceeding with the publication of this final rule. OFPP
reviewed the rulemaking and concluded that 10 U.S.C. 2533b is a covered
law. OFPP did not make a written determination under Section 35 that 10
U.S.C. 2533b should be applied to COTS, i.e., that it would not be in
the best interest of the United States to exempt COTS contracts from
the applicability of 10 U.S.C. 2533b.
d. Applicability of COTS Waiver to Subcontracts
i. Subcontracts not mentioned in Section 35 of the OFPP Act.
Comments: Five respondents state that Section 35 of the OFPP Act
does not authorize waiving applicability of statutes to subcontracts
for the acquisition of COTS items, because Section 35 does not
specifically mention subcontracts. By contrast, Section 34 has separate
subsections on prime contracts and subcontracts. One respondent states
that ``where Congress addressed subcontracts in Section 34 of the OFPP
Act, but failed to address subcontracts in the following section, it
[[Page 63115]]
is presumed that the omission of subcontracts from Section 35 was
intentional, and accordingly, no exemption for COTS items applies to
subcontractors.'' Another respondent cites Rodriquez v. United States:
``Where Congress includes particular language in one section of a
statute but omits it in another section in the same Act, it is
generally presumed that Congress acts intentionally and purposely in
the disparate inclusion or exclusion.''
DoD Response: DoD does not agree that Section 35 only provides for
waiver of laws at the prime contract level; nor does the Department
agree that the reference to subcontracts in Section 34 compels a
different conclusion. Clearly, Section 34 and 35 are structured
disparately. DoD contends that the reason for the specific mention of
subcontracts in Section 34 is because the standards for inapplicability
of prime contracts are different than the standards for subcontracts.
Thus, under Section 34, some laws can only be waived at the subcontract
level, not at the prime contract level. However, Section 35 makes no
such distinction between the standards for prime contracts and
subcontracts; therefore, a separate subsection was unnecessary. The
standards are as follows:
Section 34 of the OFPP Act
Prime Contracts:
[cir] When Congress passed the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act
of 1994 (FASA), it reviewed existing procurement laws, and identified
those laws that would be inapplicable to contracts for the acquisition
of commercial items. These laws were amended in FASA to state that they
are not applicable to procurements of commercial items. Those laws are
listed in the FAR in accordance with 41 U.S.C. 430(a)(1).
[cir] There is no authority to list other laws that were in
existence at the time of enactment of FASA.
[cir] 41 U.S.C. 430(a)(2) authorizes the listing of covered laws
enacted after the enactment of FASA.
Subcontracts:
[cir] Under 41 U.S.C. 430(b), there is no limitation on listing
laws that were in existence on the date of FASA enactment.
Section 35 of the OFPP Act
[cir] Under 41 U.S.C. 431(a), there is no limitation on listing
laws that were in existence on the date of enactment. Covered laws, as
determined by the Administrator of OFPP, shall be listed as
inapplicable to contracts for the acquisition of COTS items, unless the
Administrator of OFPP makes a written determination that it would not
be in the best interest of the United States to exempt such contracts
from the applicability of that provision of law. Section 35 does not
need a separate subsection on subcontracts, because the standard is the
same--if a law is covered and is made inapplicable to prime contracts,
it is also inapplicable to subcontracts. COTS items contained in an
item provided to the Government are provided under the prime contract
whether they were produced directly by the contractor or by a
subcontractor. Thus, a separate list for subcontracts is not necessary.
ii. Definition of COTS.
Comments: Five respondents state that a subcontract item that is to
be incorporated into an end product cannot be a COTS item because it is
not ``offered to the Government.'' Further, the respondents present the
argument that ``modification'' necessarily occurs to parts and
materials as they are incorporated into end items, prior to Government
acceptance, and are not, therefore, COTS items as that term is defined
at 41 U.S.C. 431.
DoD Response: DoD does not agree that the definition of COTS items
precludes application to components. A component can be offered to the
Government, without modification, as part of an end item purchased by
the Government. However, DoD does agree that commercial items purchased
at one tier that are then modified prior to incorporation in the end
item (e.g., as in the case of raw materials) are not COTS items as
defined in the statute. Items purchased by the contractor or
subcontractor that would have been COTS items if they had been
delivered to the Government without modification are not COTS items if
their form is modified for incorporation into the end item. Specialty
metals purchased for incorporation into higher-tier items cannot be
considered COTS items if the specialty metal undergoes modification.
In addition, the waiver provided in the final rule does not apply
to specialty metals purchased as end items for delivery to the
Government. DoD has included the following additional changes in the
final rule:
[cir] The inapplicability to COTS items at 212.570 has been limited
to paragraph (a)(1) of the statute (the six major programs and
components) and, therefore, does not include paragraph (a)(2)
(specialty metal acquired directly by the Government or prime
contractor for delivery to the Government as an end item).
[cir] The exception at 225.7002-2(q) excludes acquisition of
specialty metal acquired directly by the Government or prime contractor
for delivery to the Government as an end item.
3. Justification for the Waiver and Suggested Alternatives
a. Cost, Quality, and Availability
Comments:
i. General.
Two respondents view the justification used to support the waiver
as flawed, stating that ``expense'' argument is specious, having
nothing to do with the expense of domestic specialty metal, based on
the fact that there is no significant difference in price between
compliant U.S. metals and noncompliant foreign metals.
Another respondent states that there is also no valid lead time
problem relating to availability of specialty metals, which are
available as and when needed, with average lead time of less than 12
weeks during the first quarter of 2007. This respondent also states
that, since Defense requirements for titanium account for less than 25
percent of the volume of domestic production, there is more than
adequate domestic production to meet defense needs; and that U.S.-
melted metals are generally superior from a quality standpoint.
Another respondent states that two large aerospace companies have
signed long-term agreements with domestic specialty metal producers to
procure titanium metal for their respective supply chains at
predetermined prices which guarantee access to domestic titanium at
reasonable prices, alleviating any problem with availability of
specialty metals.
ii. Major programs. One respondent states that, on major programs
such as the Marine Maritime Aircraft and the Air Force Tanker
Replacement Program, prime contractors have complied, or have pledged
to comply, with domestic source requirements. It has not been
demonstrated that compliance with specialty metals have increased or
will increase the price to DoD in these highly competitive
procurements.
iii. Cost. Twenty-seven respondents, more than for any other issue
raised, expressed concern that the law increases costs, contributes to
longer lead times, and creates quality and availability problems, and
that it is either impossible, time consuming, or too burdensome to
comply with this statute in the COTS marketplace.
Most respondents state that 100 percent compliance is not cost-
effective (if even possible), particularly for items containing trace
amounts of specialty metal. One respondent states that accommodating
Government restrictions
[[Page 63116]]
requires incurring greater costs to comply with them.
Another respondent states that a compliance program alone would be
more expensive than the value of DoD sales, where DoD sales represent
2,000 vehicles out of 4 million sold annually in the United States.
Some respondents state that DoD usage of COTS hardware was very
small, perhaps 10 percent in the case of fasteners, in one example, and
that separate tracking and lower volumes predicated by unique
requirements such as is required by 10 U.S.C. 2533b, greatly increases
production costs.
[cir] One respondent states 10 U.S.C. 2533b increases the cost for
services associated with segregating compliant from noncompliant COTS
items, because it takes time to find the documentation on the origin of
the metal.
[cir] Other respondents state that a prime aerospace contractor
builds approximately 450 commercial airplanes each year compared to 15
for DoD. Therefore, production costs for the separate lot of fasteners
for military use can be as much as 500 percent more than that for
commercial fasteners, because the lower military volumes of compliant
items do not allow for optimum lot size during the manufacturing
process.
[cir] A respondent also offers a comparison based on Air Force
testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee that a 13-cent
commercial/dual use nut that meets military conformance standards will
cost 40 times more, or $5.20, and take 48 weeks if it must be compliant
with the specialty metals restriction.
[cir] Another respondent states that it chooses to distribute only
compliant fasteners, rather than keep two inventories, because of the
cost involved and, as a result, material costs have risen between 30
and 40 percent.
iv. Quality.
One respondent expresses concern with the quality of domestic
metals. The respondent states that it currently has an order in place
with a manufacturer in which the metal has failed twice. Some material
has been found to be inconsistent. In the respondent's experience,
foreign material has always proven to be of consistently excellent
quality.
v. Lead time.
One respondent states the lead time can be one to two years for
parts manufactured from sub-standard American milled material and
claims that it is becoming delinquent on multiple orders because of
delays in material due to the inferior quality of the domestic stock of
8740 alloy steel they receive. If the respondent could use foreign
steel for DoD requirements, which does not have these inclusions, the
quality issues would decrease and the lead time would improve.
Lead times for standard aerospace fasteners can be as long as 50
weeks, according to several respondents, in addition to the raw
material lead times being experienced during the current commercial
aerospace market boom. If fasteners are ordered today, and the raw
material is on the shelf already, the respondents claim the fasteners
will be delivered in late 2008 or spring 2009, based on not having to
track the specialty metal content.
Another respondent points out that, in the near term, failure to
adopt the COTS rule will seriously impact current deliveries and
jeopardize critical acquisitions. COTS items today are almost certainly
non-compliant, or the prime contractor will be unable to document
compliance. Issuing the necessary domestic non-availability
determinations would be excessively time-consuming and burdensome.
vi. Availability.
One respondent is very concerned about the ability of DoD to
acquire the materials it needs from leading manufacturers, if DoD
attempts to impose undue burdens on COTs manufacturers.
Several respondents state that COTS producers make purchasing
decisions based on cost, quality, timely delivery, availability, and
maintaining state-of-the-art products, not on the country in which the
specialty metal contained in the components were melted. The complexity
of the global supply chain makes compliance difficult and costly.
One respondent comments that fastener manufacturers would prefer to
purchase domestic specialty metals when possible, regardless of whether
they are producing fasteners for military or commercial purposes, but
to remain competitive, they must be able to make the best business
decisions based on the commercial marketplace.
Two respondents state that many COTs manufacturers are unwilling to
change their business model to track specialty metals country of origin
to accommodate DoD. For example--
[cir] One respondent states that it consistently declines and,
absent the proposed waiver, will continue to decline to sell to DoD.
[cir] Another respondent states that it would likely have to forgo
selling to DoD, because the cost of compliance would be more expensive
than the value of the DoD sales.
[cir] Another respondent questions its ability to continue to
supply COTS items to the Government without some type of waiver.
DoD Response: While the cost of the compliant and non-compliant
specialty metal contained in COTS items might be relatively the same,
the added costs (which may be significant) to ensure that the final
COTS part or sub-assembly is compliant must also be taken into
consideration. Further, the cost of setting up dual lines (at which
point it is no longer really a COTS item), is usually prohibitive.
The titanium industry has recently expanded its capacity, so that
lead time for titanium may be less of a problem now. However, the
argument that there is no valid lead time problem with respect to the
availability of specialty metals, ignores the problem of the lead time
to obtain compliant COTS items.
DoD must comply with 10 U.S.C. 2377, which mandates that DoD
procure commercial items to the ``maximum extent practicable,'' while
DoD Directive 5000.1, The Defense Acquisition System, (E1.1.18.1)
states that the procurement or modification of commercially available
products, services, and technologies, from domestic or international
sources, is the preferred acquisition strategy and is to be considered
before any other alternative. Therefore, many COTS items are now used
routinely in every one of the ``big six'' classes of products covered
in the law. For example, a domestic non-availability determination for
lids and leads in circuit card assemblies was required to be able to
accept COTS semiconductors, transistors, diodes, etc., embedded in COTS
equipment used in DoD systems. Other COTS items of a similar nature are
commercial hardware (such as slides, hinges, knobs, dials, pointers,
etc.) and springs made of specialty metals. As a result, DoD frequently
finds itself in situations where it is impossible to accept common COTS
items embedded within equipment. The end item cannot be accepted until
DoD processes a domestic non-availability determination, or requires a
replacement for the COTS item, either of which options create lead time
problems.
As stated in the previous paragraph on lead time and in the
preamble to the proposed rule, COTS items are produced and manufactured
within a global economy, causing industry to make hundreds of decisions
in order to remain competitive, none of which take the specialty
metal's melt country of origin into account. For example, a military
truck contains an electronically
[[Page 63117]]
controlled COTS transmission. The transmission is not modified for
military use. The supplier does not know whether the specialty metal is
compliant. DoD has two alternatives:
[cir] Shut down the line to obtain compliant transmissions,
possibly from a qualifying country, which will require design changes
to integrate and additional testing and modification to the truck and
subsequent delays in delivery; or
[cir] Process and approve a domestic non-availability
determination, which will take market research and documentation. In
order for DoD to support such a determination, a contractor must work
with its suppliers at every tier to identify non-compliant parts from
among potentially hundreds of thousands of parts, determine that it
cannot find a compliant source (either because lead times are longer
than the contract permits or because sufficient quantity is not
available) and research whether and by when it can become compliant.
The Department must then conduct a validation review and develop a
report to document the determination. These efforts may entail
thousands of hours of work, at considerable cost to the taxpayer and a
significant addition in lead-time to the acquisition cycle. For
additional discussion related to the challenges associated with
processing a domestic non-availability determination, see paragraph d.
below.
The law does not require U.S. manufacturers or distributors to
change their processes or systems to meet DoD-unique restrictions.
Unless this COTS waiver is implemented, DoD will not have access to
many U.S. COTS items that contain noncompliant specialty metals. The
status quo is unacceptable if DoD is to meet its commitments to our
warfighters.
b. Traceability of Origin of the Metal
Comments: Several respondents comment that the assertion in the
preamble to the proposed rule, that tracking of compliant COTS items is
too hard, is false. Two of these respondents state that aerospace
manufacturers require manufacturers of titanium and other specialty
metal parts to deliver ``heat'' information with every part put into an
aircraft, which identifies the source of the metal, when and where it
was melted, and what alloys were used. One respondent states that ISO
Standard 16426:2002 requires fasteners with full traceability back
through all previous manufacturing operations to a given heat or cast
number of the raw material of manufacture. Another respondent states
that this traceability is the key to determining cause of failure in
post-accident safety investigations. Another respondent states that the
magnet industry is a low-volume industry, and tracking is not a burden.
Ten other respondents comment that the effort to track the source
of the specialty metal in COTS items, in order to ensure 100 percent
compliance with the law, is cost prohibitive and burdensome.
[cir] One respondent notes that DoD is the only purchaser of COTS
items that requires tracking of the country of origin for specialty
metals, and states that the processes required and the expenses
associated with tracking and documenting for each component of an end
product or item are significant.
[cir] Other respondents state that it is not possible or cost-
effective, and it is burdensome, to determine and monitor the country
of origin for specialty metals at every level of the supply chain,
particularly when the COTS item contains only trace quantities of
specialty metals.
[cir] One respondent states that tracing the specialty metal
content of its thousands of parts from hundreds of suppliers through
the supply chain, and through product model year changes, supplier
changes, and parts improvements would be very costly and labor
intensive. Another respondent also states that tracking requires
creation of an expensive and inefficient recordkeeping system, by prime
contractors, as well as subcontractors at all tiers, resulting in huge
increases in cost and delays in delivery of products.
[cir] Several respondents state that manufacturers sell large
quantities of fasteners to distributors not knowing, in many cases,
whether the fasteners will be used in a commercial or military
aircraft. These fasteners meet all quality and safety specifications,
but tracking the source of the metal and producing separate lots of
fasteners only for DoD orders substantially increases costs with no
value added. One respondent states that fastener manufacturers and
distributors will be forced to reconsider whether or not to continue
doing business with the Government if separate tracking and
manufacturing is required.
[cir] Another respondent states that the United States is not the
top producer of any of these specialty metals. The United States has no
active nickel mines. The United States imports far more titanium sponge
than it can produce. This respondent notes that while tracking is
required for the use of specialty metals for manufacturers selling to
DoD, there are no corresponding restrictions in the purchase of such
raw materials by specialty metals companies for melting and selling the
metal to U.S. manufacturers. In other words, specialty metals can be
purchased in unlimited quantities as ore from Russia, melted in the
United States, and resold to U.S. manufacturers, and be compliant with
the specialty metals restriction, but U.S. manufacturers cannot use or
sell items to DoD that are made from specialty metals directly from
Russia and be compliant.
DoD Response: 10 U.S.C. 2377 mandates that the DoD procure
commercial items to the ``maximum extent practicable.'' DoD Directive
5000.1 (E1.1.18.1) states that the procurement or modification of
commercially available products, services, and technologies, from
domestic or international sources, is the preferred acquisition
strategy and is to be considered before any other alternative. DoD
procures commercial items to reduce costs, speed acquisition, reduce
development risk, gain access to the most leading-edge commercial
technology, increase its ability to secure increased production, and
leverage the competition inherent in the global commercial market.
10 U.S.C. 2533b adds a unique tracking requirement to every
supplier of the ``big six'' major systems, which flows down to each
supplier within that supply chain. This same tracking requirement to
the country source of origin for specialty metal does not exist in the
commercial, global marketplace. To comply with this law, every prime
and sub-contractor must establish duplicate processes and inventories
to accommodate DoD's requirement or must trace the country source of
specialty metal for every item it produces or distributes. Even trace
amounts must be tracked unless the item is a commercially available
electronic component containing under 10 percent specialty metal. Even
if the manufacturers of a particular part state that they can track the
source of the specialty metal, the problem becomes overwhelming at the
prime level for complex items. Industry overwhelmingly concludes that
this results in increased costs and is burdensome.
According to industry sources, tracking the metal at the mill level
is not burdensome or difficult, and tracking this metal throughout the
supply chain for military-unique items can be accomplished with less
impact to industry. However, for COTS items, tracking the source of
specialty metal above the mill level items, through the manufacturers
and distributors of COTS
[[Page 63118]]
end items or components of major systems requires instituting unique,
costly, and burdensome systems and processes at each level of the
supply chain, requiring continual updating and tracking at each
supplier level as parts are updated or suppliers change. These costs
and efforts do not add value to the end item or make COTS items safer.
c. Market Clout of DoD to Enforce Compliance
Comments: Respondents offered differing views on DoD's ability to
ensure compliance. One respondent states that, even though DoD asserts
that it does not have the market power to enforce compliance, the DoD
market is a large and important market for the majority of the
companies who supply the military services. Another respondent states
that DoD does indeed ``drive the market'' for many classes of domestic
magnets.
Ten other respondents view COTS sales to DoD as small in relation
to sales in the global market. For example:
[cir] One respondent states that DoD is such a small customer in
many of these markets that suppliers simply cannot economically comply
with the regulations.
[cir] Another respondent cites the Annual Industrial Capabilities
Report to Congress, ``whereas U.S. defense spending accounts for
roughly half the world's defense spending, U.S. defense spending
accounts for only about one percent of the world IT market.''
[cir] More specifically, one respondent states that only a small
percentage of its sales are made to the U.S. Government but that the
burden of specialty metal origin tracking leads to manufacturers
sometimes foregoing such small revenue propositions of military sales
in order to avoid the enormous burden of entirely changing their
existing systems and processes. Therefore, this respondent consistently
declines, and absent the proposed waiver, will continue to decline to
sell COTS items containing specialty metals to DoD, denying DoD the
benefit of considering its product solutions.
[cir] Another respondent states that it sells 4 million vehicles in
the United States, and sales to DoD are less than 2,000 vehicles
annually. This respondent states that the compliance program would be
more expensive than the value of the DoD sales, and it would likely
have to forgo selling to DoD if this waiver is not implemented.
DoD Response: By definition, COTS items are sold in substantial
quantities in the commercial marketplace. Based on the facts presented
by the respondents, DoD requirements represent a small part of the
global sales of COTS items and DoD will in fact be deprived the
opportunity to buy many COTS items if this waiver is not implemented.
d. Use of Domestic Non-availability Determinations (DNADs)
Comments: One respondent disagrees that the DNAD process poses
difficulties, and suggests that DoD's own policy of accepting waiver
applications only from prime contractors, rather than directly from the
sub-tier supplier, contributes to the unwillingness of prime
contractors to comply with the law. The respondent also states that
five contractors have availed themselves of this reasonable waiver
process, and this should continue to grow. Another respondent disagrees
that DNAD processing adds significant lead time to the acquisition
cycle, because there is no valid lead time problem with respect to the
availability of specialty metals, which are available as and when
needed.
However, multiple respondents view the process of obtaining relief
through DNADs to be difficult, time consuming, not feasible for some
companies, and costly. One respondent adds that DoD will have to issue
DNADs for every Federal Supply Class, NAICs code, or similar
classification that may cover COTS items containing specialty metals if
there is no COTS exemption. Several respondents also note that fastener
manufacturers are dependent on prime contractors for initiating and
requesting market research, and note that DNADs can be rescinded.
DoD Response: DoD only has contractual relationships with the prime
contractor, and does not have privity of contract with sub-tier
suppliers. By dealing directly with subcontractors, DoD would take the
risk of relieving the contractors of responsibility for performing the
contract. For example, if a sub-tier supplier asked for a DNAD for
fasteners directly from DoD, rather than the prime contractor, for an
aircraft contract, and DoD agreed, but the waived fastener then failed
in flight, the prime contractor could disavow responsibility for the
failure, citing the DNAD as the document that transferred
responsibility for that part. DoD must continue to hold the prime
contractor responsible for performance and conformance of the end item,
as well as for solving its own supply chain compliance issues.
DNADs may be approved only if it is established that specialty
metals in covered items cannot be obtained in sufficient quantity,
satisfactory quality, and in the required form, as and when needed. The
justification for such a determination requires market research down to
the level of the part at which the availability occurs. The fastener
DNAD, approved in April 2007, was requested in October 2006. The
circuit card assembly DNAD, approved in January 2007, was initially
requested in June 2006. This does not include the additional time that
the prime and sub-tier suppliers needed to prepare each of these DNAD
requests. DNADs require the cooperation of every supplier between the
prime contractor and the level at which the availability problem
occurs, and experience shows that it takes at least 12-18 months to
develop the documentation, review the documentation, and obtain DNAD
approval.
The argument that there is no valid lead time problem with respect
to the availability of specialty metals is incorrect. For example, a
DNAD for lids and leads in circuit card assemblies was required to be
able to accept COTS semiconductors, transistors, diodes, etc., embedded
in COTS equipment used in DoD systems. Other COTS items of a similar
nature for which a DNAD is under consideration include cotter pins,
dowel pins, commercial hardware (such as slides, hinges, knobs, dials,
pointers, etc.), and springs made of specialty metals.
As stated above, 10 U.S.C. 2377 mandates that DoD procure
commercial items to the ``maximum extent practicable,'' while DoD
Directive 5000.1 (E1.1.18.1) states that the procurement or
modification of commercially available products, services, and
technologies, from domestic or international sources, is the preferred
acquisition strategy and is to be considered before any other
alternative. As a result, DoD frequently finds itself in situations
where it is impossible to accept common COTS items embedded within
equipment. In these cases, DoD must either issue a DNAD, obtain a
replacement, or reject the end item.
DNADs are approved at a very high level in DoD, either by the
Secretary of the military department concerned or by the Under
Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (USD
(AT&L)). DNADs require many levels of review and, at any point in the
process, further documentation or analysis can be required or requested
prior to approval. DoD takes great care to fully support each DNAD and
does not approve a DNAD casually.
Without some additional relief from the specialty metals
restriction, or unless one of the narrowly drawn exceptions in the law
applies, DoD has
[[Page 63119]]
only three alternatives when faced with delivery of a major system
embedded with any noncompliant COTS item: DoD can (1) refuse delivery
of the end item, (2) require tear down and replacement of the part, or
(3) undergo the lengthy process of researching and documenting a DNAD,
if justified. Replacement or refusal of delivery is often not practical
or prudent, leaving the DNAD process as the only resort, although time-
consuming and inefficient. The COTS exception would eliminate the need
for processing and documenting additional DNADs for COTS items.
e. Use of One-Time Waiver
Comments: Two respondents note that the one-time waiver authority
provided in 2006 is a reasonable approach to providing a non-compliant
supplier time to establish appropriate measures for compliance. These
respondents disagree that the one-time waiver authority is burdensome
for DoD and its suppliers.
DoD Response: The one-time waiver is beneficial to DoD by providing
a period under which suppliers can become compliant on parts that can
become compliant. In cases where the one-time waiver does not apply,
for example, where a COTS item was manufactured, assembled, or produced
after the date of enactment of 10 U.S.C. 2533b or where final
acceptance will not take place until after September 30, 2010, this
authority is not available. In such cases, the only recourse is a DNAD.
More importantly, it is not always easy to determine specifically when
the COTS item was manufactured, assembled, or produced, because this
inventory is not tracked the same way as unique defense parts. The one-
time waiver is not usable in those cases. For most COTS items, becoming
compliant is not an option for the manufacturer because the increased
costs would make the item non-competitive. Manufacturers will often
decline to produce a compliant product (except at unreasonably higher
prices). In those cases, DoD has no alternative but to begin the DNAD
process in order to procure the COTS item or an item containing an
unmodified COTS item.
f. De minimis Exception for Commercially Available Electronic
Components
Comments: Four respondents state that the proposed rule cannot
legitimately use computers and semiconductors as a basis for a COTS
exception, because these items are already exempt under the existing de
minimis exception for commercially available electronic components. One
respondent states that computers would also likely be exempt from
compliance under DoD's class deviation of December 6, 2007,
interpretation of a ``component'' as not including so-called ``third
tier'' items.
Another respondent states that the de minimis exception results in
a prohibitive requirement for each supplier to make a determination
about the commerciality and specialty metal content for all of the
electronic components that are included in DoD weapons systems today.
This respondent states that the circuit card assembly DNAD, approved by
USD(AT&L), has recognized the prohibitive nature of this requirement
but that, unfortunately, the list of items and parts that comprise
electronic components is long and all await additional comparable
determinations in order to ensure their continued delivery to the
warfighter.
DoD Response: The circuit card assembly DNAD was approved by
USD(AT&L) because it was apparent that compliant parts were not
available, and these parts are used widely on every weapon system,
aircraft, etc. The task of calculating percentages of specialty metals
in similar electronic parts is burdensome for sub-tier and prime
contractors alike. While the de minimis exception is beneficial,
particularly for very small amounts of specialty metals in commercial
electronic components, it will not eliminate the need for additional
DNADs for COTS items.
The contention is incorrect, that computers would not be covered
because of the interpretation that ``component'' does not include
third-tier and lower parts and assemblies. Even lower-tier parts and
assemblies of the six major categories are covered by the restrictions
of the statute, unless they are purchased separately from the major
item. For example, when buying an aircraft or a missile, all
components, parts, and assemblies are covered by the specialty metal
restriction.
g. DX Rating
Comments: One respondent states DoD has the capability to issue a
``DX'' rating under the Defense Priorities and Allocations System
(DPAS) in order to prioritize DoD orders over other customers, should
availability be a problem. Another respondent states that foreign
suppliers are not subject to this priority statute, which makes a
robust domestic industry all the more critical. Another respondent
comments that DoD has not exercised its powers under the Defense
Production Act to put its items at the head of the line in situations
where alleged shortages exist.
DoD Response: DPAS provides DoD with the ability to ensure that DoD
orders receive priority treatment from domestic industry if necessary
to meet required delivery dates. Although DoD uses ``DX'' ratings, the
standard ``DO'' rating used on DoD contracts, and flowed down through
the supply chain, provides priority delivery over unrated (commercial)
orders when necessary. (``DX ratings'' are used for a select list of
DoD programs, and provide delivery priority over other DoD programs if
necessary. The lower DO rating is sufficient to provide priority over
commercial orders.)
However, the DPAS system cannot provide any relief from the problem
that COTS items generally do not contain compliant specialty metals.
The DPAS system can require priority delivery of a COTS item. COTS
items, by definition, are procured as offered and without modification.
COTS items are non-compliant because commercial industry does not
restrict itself to using only domestically-smelted metals. The non-
compliant metals have already been incorporated into the item by the
time it is offered to DoD.
4. Impact
a. Sufficiency of Research to Determine Impact
Comments: One respondent states that there is no factual basis upon
which DoD can determine the impact of the proposed exemption on
domestic specialty metals producers or on their continued ability to
supply specialty metals for the six covered categories of defense
articles.
Another respondent states that one of the primary purposes of its
organization is economic and policy research. The respondent has
researched and deliberated on this issue, and offers its information
for the public record, in order to be useful to policymakers. This
respondent considers the waiver to be absolutely vital to DoD's
continuing access to the commercial marketplace.
Another respondent has represented and advised numerous defense
contractors concerning 10 U.S.C. 2533b. The respondent cites DoD and
client market research performed in conjunction with Section 2533b
corrective action plans, one-time waivers, and domestic non-
availability determinations.
Additional respondents have provided detailed analysis of the
impact on certain segments of the market.
DoD Response: This rule was reviewed by the Office of the Deputy
[[Page 63120]]
Under Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy, which is tasked with
analyzing the impact of DoD policy on various segments of the
industrial base in order to meet the DoD objective of achieving and
maintaining reliable and cost-effective industrial capabilities
sufficient to meet strategic objectives. DoD believes that this rule
will positively impact the health of the defense industrial base by
allowing it to more easily and quickly procure COTS items for inclusion
in DoD systems. The rule will not have a negative impact on domestic
specialty metal producers, because it only addresses COTS items. The
amount of product domestic specialty metals producers sell to
commercial industry is based on their metal price and quality; it is
not influenced by whether DoD can or cannot buy non-compliant COTS
items, for the simple reason that producers of COTS items do not take
DoD restrictions into account when making sourcing decisions. The rule
will have no impact on the amount of domestically-produced specialty
metal sold to commercial industry.
b. Scope of the Waiver
Comments: Respondents offered mixed views. Some respondents state
that this waiver is too broad and will amount to an across-the-board
waiver of the specialty metal requirement. One respondent states that
the rule would ``gut the law and be a de facto repeal of a significant
portion of the specialty metals law.'' Another respondent objects that
the exemption would exempt all COTS items, not just those containing
small amounts of specialty metal. Another respondent states that the
rule would potentially waive all domestic specialty metals
requirements, even for weapons systems that are uniquely military in
nature. Two more respondents state that even the most complicated
military equipment is manufactured from COTS items at the lowest level
of the supply chain. One of these respondents is concerned that even
specialty metals mill products themselves could fall under the
definition of COTS items. At the mill level, military and commercial
articles of specialty metal are often interchangeable. Some of these
respondents recommend that the rule should be limited to a waiver of
only those COTS items that contain de minimis or less than some
specific percentage of specialty metals.
Other respondents believe the waiver does not provide sufficient
relief and request additional rulemaking by DoD in this area as
follows:
[cir] Waive specialty metals restrictions where the source of the
metal cannot be confirmed and the specialty metal represents a ``de
minimis'' piece of the end product to be delivered to DoD.
[cir] Waive specialty metal restrictions based on similar de
minimis requirements provided for electronic components.
[cir] Make meaningful changes in this area, including the actions
by the newly established Strategic Materials Protection Board.
DoD Response: DoD does not agree that this waiver is too broad. To
the extent that DoD can utilize COTS items, it should be able to do so
without being hampered by this DoD-unique requirement. Despite attempts
to increasingly rely on the commercial marketplace, the items that DoD
buys in the six major categories must necessarily diverge from items
sold in the commercial marketplace, in order to meet military-unique
requirements. DoD aircraft, ships, weapons systems, etc., still contain
many components that are not COTS, that have to be manufactured
specifically to fulfill military requirements. The respondents that
oppose the rule are overlooking that the COTS items must be offered to
the Government without modification.
However, the final rule contains changes that make the waiver
applicable only to end products and components in the six major
categories, not specialty metal acquired directly by the Government, or
by a contractor for delivery to the Government as the end product.
To limit the rule to only COTS items with less than a specified
percentage of specialty metals would require an unacceptable level of
research into the composition of the COTS item, to determine for each
item the percentage of specialty metal contained therein. This would
introduce delays in the process similar to those associated with doing
a domestic non-availability determination.
c. Impact on U.S. Industry and National Security
Comments: Several respondents consider the rule to constitute a
threat to U.S. industry and, therefore, a threat to national security.
The respondents state that 10 U.S.C. 2533b serves an important role in
maintaining a strong U.S. industrial base, and DoD, Congress, and
industry should partner to find a means of compliance; and that, by
this waiver, DoD is jeopardizing the availability of a future domestic
supply of defense materials.
[cir] Specialty metals. With specific regard to specialty metals,
one respondent states that exempting COTS items will reduce the demand
of domestic specialty metals in down market cycles below sustainable
levels for the specialty metals industry. Another respondent states
that uniquely military articles do not account for sufficient volume to
sustain the domestic specialty metals industry during down cycles.
[cir] Titanium. One respondent specifically addresses the titanium
industry. This respondent states that there are only four titanium
companies in the world that are capable of supplying titanium in the
quantity and quality needed by DoD. Three of those companies are U.S.
companies that are vigorously competing with the fourth company located
in Russia, which is government owned, and need not even make a profit
to survive. This respondent also cites the cyclical nature of the
titanium industry. Even though the industry is strong now, it would be
foolhardy to assume that U.S titanium producers will not in the future
be seriously harmed by opening the U.S. defense market to Russian
titanium.
[cir] High-performance magnets. One respondent is concerned about
impact on the high-performance magnet industry in particular. This
respondent states that the domestic high-performance industry depends
on the DoD market, and without it there might not be sufficient
commercial volume to sustain it. Although they admit that most high-
performance magnets are not COTS items, they are concerned that items
containing such high-performance magnets could be designated as COTS
items.
On the other hand, eighteen respondents state that this waiver will
strengthen the U.S. industrial base. For example--
[cir] This waiver is important to maintaining and broadening the
industrial base. Without this waiver, DoD's access to commercial
products and developing commercial technologies will be compromised.
[cir] This waiver will ensure that many commercial manufacturers
will have the ability to remain as a qualified domestic supplier to
DoD.
[cir] This waiver will benefit manufacturers, by augmenting their
sales, decreasing compliance costs, stabilizing U.S. manufacturing
jobs, and providing companies the satisfaction of knowing they are
contributing to the defense of our nation.
[cir] Exempting COTS items from 10 U.S.C. 2533b will help U.S.
fastener manufacturers and distributors, many of whom are small or
medium sized
[[Page 63121]]
businesses, remain a viable part of the U.S. defense supplier base.
[cir] 10 U.S.C. 2533b has caused thousands of the respondent's
parts to become less valuable or unable to be sold at all. Although the
material is bought from a foreign mill, all processing and
manufacturing occurs in the United States. On the average, the value of
the foreign material is only 15 percent of the total value of each
part.
Some respondents provide specific arguments that the proposed
waiver will not negatively impact the specialty metals industry to the
extent that the respondents opposing the rule claim. Eighty percent of
all aerospace fasteners are COTS items, of which only ten percent is
supplied to DoD. One respondent states that--
[cir] Total sales worldwide for aerospace fasteners was
approximately $2.4 billion in 2006.
[cir] The U.S. aerospace fastener market totaled $1.6 billion in
sales.
[cir] DoD's portion was approximately $550 million for defense
contracts. Of that $550 million, approximately $330-385 million (60-70
percent) were dual-use fasteners that would qualify as COTS items, and
the remaining $165-220 million (30-40 percent) were military unique.
[cir] The alloy steel fasteners industry estimates that $150
million were made of alloy steel (of the $550 million in 2006 defense
fastener sales).
[cir] Since sales figures are estimated to be about twice the
manufacturing cost, approximately $75 million would be for the
manufacturing cost.
[cir] Most industry analysts suggest an 8 percent raw material/
manufacturing cost ratio for alloy steel fasteners, which would equate
to $6 million in alloy steel costs. Therefore, even if all alloy steel
military aerospace fasteners were considered to be COTS items, and if
all of the alloy steel contained in the fasteners shifted from U.S.
sources to foreign sources, the maximum impact would be $6 million.
[cir] Likewise, the titanium/nickel-based fasteners industry
estimates that $400 million of the fasteners were made of titanium/
nickel base.
[cir] Approximately $200 million would be manufacturing costs.
[cir] Using an average 22.5 percent raw material cost/manufacturing
cost ratio, $45 million would be titanium/nickel costs. Therefore, even
if all titanium/nickel-based military aerospace fasteners were
considered COTS items (which is unlikely), the maximum impact on the
specialty metals industry would be approximately $45 million annually,
if all the titanium contained in the fasteners shifted from U.S.
sources to foreign sources.
Another respondent provides another approach to assessing impact.
This waiver is not primarily to allow currently compliant COTS items to
begin using non-compliant specialty metals. The respondent states that
the core reality is that COTS items are not Section 2533b-compliant
now, and almost certainly will not be in the future. Up until the
codification of the new 10 U.S.C. 2533b, the Government could withhold
payment for components containing noncompliant specialty metals. 10
U.S.C. 2533b no longer permits this. Therefore, this waiver provides a
solution that permits DoD to accept needed defense articles that would
otherwise be non-compliant.
Those respondents who are concerned with negative impact on the
specialty metal or magnet industry see that negative impact as a threat
to national security. For example--
[cir] One respondent states that 10 U.S.C. 2533b plays an important
role in ensuring our national security.
[cir] Another respondent states that if domestic specialty metals
are not used in COTS items, it is far less likely that COTS items
critical to defense procurement will be manufactured in the United
States. Thus, potential availability issues extend not only to
specialty metals themselves, but to every item made from specialty
metals in DoD's supply chain.
[cir] A third respondent states that the fact that critical parts
that the United States loses its ability to produce were COTS items
will be of little comfort as the United States' security becomes
vulnerable through its dependency on foreign sources or, even worse,
when in a time of crisis, foreign sources become unavailable and the
United States cannot produce needed military aircraft, missiles,
spacecraft, ships, tanks, weapons, and ammunition.
[cir] Another respondent states that certain items containing high-
performance magnets may be considered COTS, but it is a threat to
national security to outsource production of these high-performance
magnet components to foreign suppliers.
Aside from the arguments that the impact will not be as negative as
the specialty metals and high-performance magnets industry predict,
most of the supporters of the proposed rule are concerned that failure
to provide this waiver of 10 U.S.C. 2533b will have a negative impact
on national security because, if the COTS waiver is not implemented,
DoD will be unable to buy needed COTS items. For example--
[cir] One respondent supports the waiver because ``it is essential
that we provide our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines the best
equipment possible.''
[cir] Another respondent cites the DoD Annual Industrial
Capabilities report to Congress in February 2006, stating that DoD
relies on commercial information technology because it is the most
current and advanced available.
[cir] One respondent strongly believes that waiving the
restrictions on COTS will help DoD in acquiring the products that it
needs and will perhaps save lives, especially in time of war.
DoD Response: DoD believes this rule promotes national security. It
is restricted to addressing the application of 10 U.S.C. 2533b to COTS
items; the rule does not in any way alter requirements to purchase
compliant non-COTS items. The rule simply allows DoD to purchase those
needed COTS items that are already non-compliant.
The amount of product domestic specialty metals producers sell to
commercial industry is based on their metal price and quality; it is
not influenced by whether DoD can or cannot buy non-compliant COTS
items for the simple reason that producers of COTS items do not take
DoD restrictions into account when making sourcing decisions. This rule
will have no impact on the amount of domestically-produced specialty
metal sold to commercial industry, and thus will have no negative
impact on the viability of domestic specialty metal producers or
national security.
The current restriction against buying non-compliant COTS items
harms national security by impeding the promotion of a healthy defense
industrial base, frustrating attempts to foster defense trade and
industrial cooperation with friends and allies, and directly and
negatively impacting DoD's ability to supply the warfighter. To comply
with the limitations imposed by 10 U.S.C. 2533b, the defense suppliers
are forced to deviate from making sound business decisions in sourcing
and production, with corresponding lost opportunities for efficiency
and effectiveness. Furthermore, it is not possible to procure needed
COTS items in compliant form, and this directly and negatively impacts
DoD's ability to support the warfighter.
Domestic specialty metal producers are financially outperforming
most other sectors of the defense industry. Further, there is no danger
of the United States losing the capabilities of its domestic specialty
metals industry. In the unlikely event that, for whatever reason,
[[Page 63122]]
action needs to be taken in the future to protect the domestic
specialty metals industry for national security reasons, DoD would be
able to use its existing authority under 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(3) and
implementing DFARS provisions to restrict procurements of specialty
metals to domestic sources.
One respondent is concerned about impact on high-performance
magnets. However, as stated by that respondent, most high-performance
magnets are not COTS items. Furthermore, the applications that demand
high-performance magnets usually have military-specific performance
requirements, so they would not typically be COTS either.
d. Precedent
Comments: Most of the respondents that oppose the rule are
concerned with the precedent that this rule will set.
[cir] Several respondents state that DoD's rule inappropriately
accommodates the prime contractor's unwillingness to change their
existing processes, inventory systems, or facilities.
[cir] Other respondents are concerned about the precedent of this
rule as it relates to the Berry Amendment and other products covered by
10 U.S.C. 2533a. One respondent states that it is inappropriate for DoD
to consider the COTS exemption for specialty metals without taking into
account the broader implications of such a precedent.
One respondent considers that this waiver sets a good precedent,
enhancing genuine and meaningful compliance with 10 U.S.C. 2533b. This
respondent states that those who argue that DoD should just insist that
COTS items become compliant are ignoring reality. If followed, this
would seriously undermine overall compliance efforts and invite
skepticism that DoD is serious about compliance.
DoD Response: Consistent with Section 35 of the OFPP Act, this
rulemaking is designed to facilitate access to the commercial
marketplace by waiving application of a Government-unique requirement
where the OFPP Administrator has not determined that its application to
COTS is in the best interest of the Government. There is no requirement
or law that compels a U.S. COTS manufacturer or COTS distributor to
change its competitive process or systems to meet DoD-unique
restrictions. The law only requires DoD to ensure that the specialty
metals in items it buys are compliant. A U.S. COTS manufacturer that
decides not to make its COTS products compliant is not breaking the
law.
The theoretical possibility of a future waiver of 10 U.S.C. 2533a
is an issue outside the scope of this case. No such action has been
proposed.
e. Level the Playing Field With Qualifying Countries
Comments: Four respondents state that the proposed COTS exemption,
if adopted, would narrow the loophole that provides exemption to end
products or components from qualifying countries.
[cir] The same regulations that restrict the American companies
provide a loophole to foreign competitors.
[cir] This puts U.S. companies, both large and small, at a
significant competitive disadvantage compared to manufacturers from
qualifying countries.
[cir] The proposed exemption would lessen the disadvantage
currently plaguing companies providing parts and services to DoD.
[cir] Because of this exemption for manufacturers in countries that
have certain types of defense-related agreements with the United
States, implementation of 10 U.S.C. 2533b, absent promulgation of the
proposed rule as a final rule, would actually serve to undermine the
goal of creating a strong industrial base. If a U.S. manufacturer
cannot comply with the specialty metal requirements, DoD has the option
to buy the product from a qualifying country instead.
DoD Response: DoD concurs with the statements of these respondents.
5. Pending Legislation
Comment: One respondent considers it inappropriate and inefficient
for DoD to consider this rule while legislative action is pending.
DoD Response: This rule implements a section of the Fiscal Year
2007 Defense Authorization Act, an enacted law. If any new legislation
is enacted, DoD will take the necessary steps to implement it.
6. Recommended Changes to the Rule
Several respondents who support the rule suggested revisions.
a. Definition of ``COTS Item''
Comment: One respondent is concerned that the requirement for ``no
modification'' is unfair when applied to vastly different items such as
a computer or GPS or a fastener. Another respondent requests a more
definitive meaning of ``substantial quantities.''
DoD Response: The definition of ``COTS item'' used in the rule is
consistent with 41 U.S.C. 431(c). The term ``substantial'' is used as a
modifier throughout the FAR, and its interpretation must be on a case-
by-case basis.
b. Use of the Term ``Waiver''
Comment: One respondent suggests that DoD should change the title
of the case from ``Waiver of Specialty Metals Restrictions * * *'' to
``Inapplicability of Specialty Metals Restrictions * * *''. The
rationale for this change is that the sole purpose of this rule is to
satisfy the administrative requirement of paragraph (a) of Section 35,
to list laws inapplicable to the procurement of COTS items. The
respondent states that this rule does not constitute a waiver.
DoD Response: DoD does not agree to change the title of the case.
DoD considers ``waiver'' to be an appropriate term because of the
discretionary aspects of determining whether a law is covered and
whether it is in the best interest not to exempt its application to
COTS. DoD notes that the title of a DFARS case is not relevant once the
rule is incorporated into the regulations.
c. Introductory Statement at DFARS 212.570
Comment: One respondent recommends that DFARS 212.570 should
include the same introductory statement as does FAR 12.503 and DFARS
212.503.
DoD Response: DFARS 212.570 does not include the same introductory
statement as FAR 12.503 and DFARS 212.503, because there is currently
only one law on the list. If additional laws are added to the list, an
introductory statement will be included in DFARS 212.570.
d. Location of Definition of ``COTS Items''
Comment: One respondent is concerned because the only definition of
COTS items is at 212.570, referring contracting officers to 41 U.S.C.
431(c) for the definition of COTS items. This does not provide the
needed definition to contractors and subcontractors. Nor is there a
source provided for definition of ``COTS item'' when the term is used
in the proposed exceptions at 225.7002-2.
DoD Response: Since publication of this DFARS final rule precedes
publication of the FAR final rule under FAR Case 2000-305, which will
incorporate the definition of ``COTS item'' in the FAR, DoD has added
the statutory definition of ``COTS item'' at DFARS 202.101, which makes
it applicable to clauses as well as text throughout the DFARS.
This rule was not subject to Office of Management and Budget review
under
[[Page 63123]]
Executive Order 12866, dated September 30, 1993.
B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
DoD certifies 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 manufacturers of COTS items generally have not changed their
manufacturing and purchasing practices based on DoD regulations. The
burden generally falls on the Government to forego purchase of the item
or to process a domestic nonavailability determination requested by the
prime contractor. So far, only large contractors have had the resources
to request a domestic nonavailability determination. If there is any
impact of this rule, it should be beneficial, because small businesses
providing COTS items, many of whom are subcontractors, will not have
to--
[cir] Rely on the prime contractor to request a domestic
nonavailability determination from the Government; or
[cir] Face the decision whether to cease doing business with the
Government or set up systems to track and segregate all DoD parts that
contain specialty metals.
C. Paperwork Reduction Act
The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply, because this rule
contains no 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 202, 212, and 225
Government procurement.
Michele P. Peterson,
Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations System.
0
Therefore, 48 CFR parts 202, 212, and 225 are amended as follows:
0
1. The authority citation for 48 CFR parts 202, 212, and 225 continues
to read as follows:
Authority: 41 U.S.C. 421 and 48 CFR Chapter 1.
PART 202--DEFINITIONS OF WORDS AND TERMS
0
2. Section 202.101 is amended by adding the definition ``Commercially
available off-the-shelf item'' to read as follows:
202.101 Definitions.
Commercially available off-the-shelf item--
(1) Means any item of supply that is--
(i) A commercial item (as defined in FAR 2.101);
(ii) Sold in substantial quantities in the commercial marketplace;
and
(iii) Offered to the Government, without modification, in the same
form in which it is sold in the commercial marketplace; and
(2) Does not include bulk cargo, as defined in Section 3 of the
Shipping Act of 1984 (46 U.S.C. App. 1702), such as agricultural
products and petroleum products.
* * * * *
PART 212--ACQUISITION OF COMMERCIAL ITEMS
0
3. Section 212.570 is added to read as follows:
212.570 Applicability of certain laws to contracts and subcontracts
for the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.
Paragraph (a)(1) of 10 U.S.C. 2533b, Requirement to buy strategic
materials critical to national security from American sources, is not
applicable to contracts and subcontracts for the acquisition of
commercially available off-the-shelf items.
PART 225--FOREIGN ACQUISITION
0
4. Section 225.7002-2 is amended by adding paragraph (q) to read as
follows:
225.7002-2 Exceptions.
* * * * *
(q) Acquisitions of commercially available off-the-shelf items
containing specialty metals. This exception does not apply when the
specialty metal (e.g., raw stock) is acquired directly by the
Government or by a prime contractor for delivery to the Government as
the end item.
[FR Doc. E7-21888 Filed 11-7-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-08-P