[Federal Register: July 7, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 128)]
[Notices]               
[Page 32223-32224]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07jy09-118]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

 
Class Deviation From Federal Acquisition Regulation 32.905 
Electronic Submission of Invoices

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This is to notify interested parties of a class deviation to 
the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) regarding the submission of 
electronic invoices for payment. VA intends to deviate from FAR 32.905 
in order to add an interim clause to the VA Acquisition Regulation 
(VAAR).
    The electronic invoicing clause allows vendors to voluntarily 
submit invoices electronically which will improve the accuracy and 
efficiency of payment processing. This service will apply to all 
Government contracts managed by VA's Financial Services Center in 
Austin, Texas. A proposed and final rule to make this service mandatory 
will be published in the Federal Register in the coming months.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marcia Rodrigues, Procurement Analyst, 
Office of Acquisition and Logistics, (001AL-P1A), Department of 
Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420. 
Telephone: (202) 461-6864 (This is not a toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The authority for the electronic invoicing 
clause is the E-Government Act of 2002. The interim clause will allow 
VA to comply with the findings, purposes, and responsibilities of the 
Act. The interim clause gives contractors a choice to submit for 
invoice payment in electronic form using one of three transmission 
methods: (1) Electronic Invoice Presentment and Payment System; (2) 
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) X.12

[[Page 32224]]

electronic data interchange (EDI) formats; and (3) Other electronic 
form as specified by the contract administration office and the 
designated agency office.

VA Acquisition Regulation Solicitation Provision and Contract Clause 
(October 2008)

Subpart 832.10--Electronic Invoicing Requirements

832.1001 Contract Clause for Electronic Submission of Payment Requests
    In all solicitations and contracts in which the VA Financial 
Services Center (FSC) in Austin, Texas is the financial office 
administering the invoicing and payments, the contracting officer shall 
insert the clause found at 852.273-76, Electronic Invoice Submission.
852.273-76 Electronic Invoice Submission (Interim--October 2008)
    As prescribed in 832.1001, insert the following clause:

    (a) To improve the timeliness of payments and lower overall 
administrative costs, VA strongly encourages contractors to submit 
invoices using its electronic invoicing system. At present, 
electronic submission is voluntary and any nominal registration fees 
will be the responsibility of the contractor. VA intends to mandate 
electronic invoice submission, subject to completion of the federal 
rulemaking process. At present, VA is using a 3rd party agent to 
contact contractors regarding this service. During the voluntary 
period, contractors interested in registering for the electronic 
system should contact the VA's Financial Services Center at http://
www.fsc.va.gov/einvoice.asp.

    Approved: June 29, 2009.
John R. Gingrich,
Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. E9-15862 Filed 7-6-09; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 8320-01-P