[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 135 (Thursday, July 15, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41093-41097]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-17140]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
48 CFR Parts 516 and 552
[GSAR Amendment 2010-03; GSAR Case 2006-G504 (Change 46) Docket 2008-
0007; Sequence 12]
RIN 3090-AI58
General Services Administration Acquisition Regulation; Rewrite
of GSAR Part 516, Types of Contracts
AGENCIES: Office of Acquisition Policy, General Services Administration
(GSA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The General Services Administration (GSA) is amending the
General Services Administration Acquisition Regulation (GSAR) to update
GSAR Part 516, Types of Contracts. GSAR part 516 has been revised to
add and/or clarify policy pertaining to requirements for types of
contracts.
DATES: Effective Date: August 16, 2010.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For clarification of content, contact
Mr. Warren J. Blankenship, Procurement Analyst, at (202) 501-1900. For
information pertaining to status or publication schedules, contact the
Regulatory Secretariat (MVCB), Room 4041, 1800 F Street, NW.,
Washington, DC, 20405, (202) 501-4755. Please cite Amendment 2010-03,
GSAR Case 2006-G504 (Change 46).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[[Page 41094]]
A. Background
The GSAM Rewrite and Project and Process
This rule is part of the GSA Acquisition Manual (GSAM) Rewrite
Project to revise the regulation in order to maintain consistency with
the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), update regulations, and
implement streamlined and innovative acquisition procedures. The GSAM
incorporates the GSAR as well as internal agency acquisition policy.
The GSA published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR)
in the Federal Register at 71 FR 7910 on February 15, 2006, with a
request for comments on the entire GSAM. As a result, six comments were
received on GSAR part 516. In addition, applicable statutes, GSA
Acquisition Letters, Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) (formerly the
Federal Supply Service (FSS)) and Public Building Service (PBS)
Acquisition Letters, and GSA delegations of authority were considered
in developing the initial draft. Prior to publication of a proposed
rule, there was extensive internal review and comment.
A proposed rule for GSAR part 516 was published in the Federal
Register at 73 FR 39275 on July 9, 2008. The public comment period for
GSAR part 516 closed on September 8, 2008. A total of 11 comments were
received by the close of the public comment period.
The proposed rule aligned GSAR part 516 to the structure of FAR
part 16; revised the prescriptions for clauses included in GSAR
516.203-4, Contract clauses; and GSAR 516.506, Solicitation Provisions
and Contract Clauses; and made changes to the title and numbering of
GSAR 516.603-3, Limitations. Additionally, the associated clauses
located in GSAR 552.216 were amended to: relocate GSAR 552.216-70,
Economic Price Adjustment--FSS Multiple Award Schedule Contracts, to
GSAR 552.238; retain and revise GSAR 552.216-71, Economic Price
Adjustment--Special Order Program Contracts, revise GSAR 552.216-72,
Placement of Orders; make minor edits to GSAR 552.216-73, Ordering
information; and include a new GSAR 552.216-74, Task-Order and
Delivery-Order Ombudsman.
The following subparts were retained:
Subpart Number Subpart Title
516.2 Fixed-Price Contracts.
516.4 Incentive Contracts.
516.5 Indefinite-Delivery
Contracts.
516.6 Time-and-Materials,
Labor-Hour, and
Letter Contracts.
In the final rule, these four subparts are retained. Additionally,
other important changes include the addition of the verbiage
``Additional'' at the beginning of the title to GSAR 516.603-70,
Limitations on the use of letter contracts for architect-engineer (A-E)
services and the addition of the verbiage ``under the PBS Design
Excellence Program'' added at the end of the title; revision of
paragraph (a) in GSAR 516.603-70 to clarify that a complete price
proposal is required prior to definitization of a contract in
accordance with FAR 52.216-25; removal of GSAR 516.603-70 from
regulatory to non-regulatory because it provides guidance to the
contracting officer; and revisions to proposed GSAR 552.216-74, Task-
Order and Delivery-Order Ombudsman, to clarify the Ombudsman's role and
responsibilities, as well as, to provide contact information.
Discussion of Comments
There were six public comments received in response to the ANPR
published in the Federal Register at 71 FR 7910 on February 15, 2006. A
proposed rule was published in the Federal Register at 74 FR 4596 on
July 9, 2008. The comment period closed September 8, 2008, with 11
comments received.
Comment: One commenter noted that the rule is unnecessarily broad
in scope. It would relax requirements for the use of sinking lines that
are already in place and being used by many New England lobster
fisherman. Moreover, the proposed rule would leave no protections in
place for whales during the delay, except for the requirement to use
weak links. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has determined
that weak links alone are inadequate to prevent entanglements of
whales.
Response: The team does not concur with the commenter. This comment
had no relevance to the case therefore, no further action was
necessary.
Comment: The next commenter noted that GSA needs to remind
contracting officers under GSAR subpart 516.2 that, in order for a
contract to be procured on a firm fixed-price basis, the solicitation
must be based on reasonably definite functional or detailed
specification when the contracting officer can establish fair and
reasonable prices at the outset.
Response: The team does not concur with the commenter. The team
reviewed FAR subpart 16.2 and found that this topic was adequately
covered.
Comment: The next commenter noted that GSA should require
contracting officers to include the fixed-price basis for the
requirements (e.g., performance period, man-hours), in a solicitation/
request for quotation if it is to be awarded and reported as a fixed-
price contract. In other words, the GSAM should forbid contracting
officers from procuring or reporting the action as a fixed-price
contract award.
Response: The team does not concur with the commenter. Though the
team concurs with the intent of the comment, the comment has more to do
with coding and reporting of contract types. Thus, this is not
appropriate for this GSAR part. The use of time-and-management (T&M)/
labor-hour vs. fixed-price contracts is adequately covered in FAR
sections 16.601, 16.602, and 16.202-2, respectively.
Comment: The next commenter noted that the GSAM should prohibit GSA
contracting officers from unilaterally reducing any hours or contract
price on GSAR subpart 516.6 not-to-exceed contracts, or de-obligating
awarded funds without a bilateral supplemental agreement. It may be
more appropriate to address this in GSAR part 543, but the violations
seem to occur only on not-to-exceed (T&M/labor-hour) contracts that are
being awarded and reported by GSA contracting officers as fixed-price
contracts.
Response: The team concurs with the commenter; however, proper
placement of the referenced action should be made in GSAR Part 543,
Contract Modifications.
Comment: The next commenter noted that GSA should consider adding
the word ``Additional'' at the beginning of the GSAR 516.603-70,
Limitations on the use of letter contracts for architect-engineer (A-E)
services. This could serve as a simple reminder that there are other
``limitations'' that must be considered in accordance with FAR 16.603-
3. In particular, the vast majority of contracting officers fail to
obtain the written determination from the Head of the Contracting
Activity (HCA), or designee, that ``no other contract is suitable.''
Response: The team concurs with the commenter. The text has been
revised accordingly.
Comment: The next commenter noted that restriction placed on
contractors to submit a ``price proposal before award'' of a letter
contract, at FAR 16.603-3(c), requires contracting officers to include
in the mandated clause at FAR 52.216-25 a ``definitization schedule''
including ``(1) dates for submission of the contractor price
proposal.'' Similarly, the FAR clause 52.216-25 itself
[[Page 41095]]
includes notes to the contracting officer to insert ``dates for
submission of proposal.'' Isn't this requirement inconsistent with the
flexibilities demanded throughout the FAR, especially in FAR part 1, in
addition to the FAR 16.6 regulations?
Response: The team does not concur with the commenter. A full
proposal is required prior to definitization in accordance with FAR
52.216-25. Paragraph (a) of GSAR 516.603-70 has been revised for
clarification of this point.
Comment: The next commenter noted a concern with the prohibition
placed on contracting officers to ``not authorize the A-E to begin the
design effort before the letter contract is definitized.'' The
commenter feels that this may defeat the whole purpose of a letter
contract which, according to FAR 16.603-1, is to authorize ``the
contractor to begin immediately to perform the services. If this is so,
then the determination should support any decision to not award a
letter contract if contracting officers comply with FAR 16.603-3.
Therefore, the commenter's recommendation is to delete GSAR 516.603-70
in its entirety from the GSAM/GSAR. Alternatively, GSA should consider
incorporating oversight requirements into this section to review all
determinations that authorize letter contracts to ensure decisions are
being made appropriately. The GSA should also consider auditing all
unilateral/administrative modifications that involve any change in
funding/costs.
Response: The team does not concur with the commenter. The team
will retain GSAR 516.603-70 because it speaks to those services that
can be performed outside of the actual design effort. This section has
been revised to clarify that only those services independent of the
design effort can commence without definitization. Otherwise, the
contracting officer shall not commence the design effort until
definitization of the contract.
Comment: The next commenter noted that the proposed clause GSAR
552.216-74, Task-Order and Delivery-Order Ombudsman, allows GSA to
comply with FAR 16.505(b)(5), which requires each agency to designate
such an Ombudsman. However, the clause, as written, is imprecise and
could be confusing to contractors and GSA acquisition teams. The
commenter suggests adding the following: ``GSA has designated a Task-
Order and Delivery-Order Ombudsman who will review complaints from
contractors and ensure that they are afforded a fair opportunity for
consideration in the award of task or delivery orders under Indefinite
Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contracts, consistent with the
procedures in the contract.''
Response: The team concurs with the commenter. The text has been
revised to incorporate the commenter's suggested language for
clarification.
Comment: The next commenter noted that the proposed clause GSAR
552.216-74, Task-Order and Delivery-Order Ombudsman, is not clear, as
written, as to whether a contractor with a complaint should go through
the contracting officer to reach the Ombudsman (with a copy to the
contracting officer), or whether a contractor could do either. The
commenter suggests adding the following: ``Written complaints shall be
submitted to the Ombudsman, with a copy to the Contracting Officer.''
Response: The team concurs with the commenter. The text has been
revised to incorporate the commenter's suggested language for
clarification.
Comment: The next commenter noted that GSAR 552.216-74, Task-Order
and Delivery-Order Ombudsman, is not clear as to whether the Ombudsman,
should he or she find that fair opportunity is not being provided to a
contractor, is going to direct the contracting activity to provide fair
opportunity in the future; is going to direct that an order be
withdrawn from the firm that received it; or change the decision of the
acquisition team (if such an order has not yet been placed). Although,
this information does not need to go into the clause, the GSAR should
spell out the actual role of the Ombudsman so that acquisition teams
are aware.
Response: The team partially concurs with the commenter. The
Ombudsman's jurisdiction covers all actions as they pertain to task-
and delivery-order actions. As such, the team more appropriately
revised GSAR Subpart 516.5, Indefinite-Delivery Contracts, to add a new
section GSAR 516.505, Task-Order and Delivery-Order Ombudsman, to
outline this in paragraph (b). Additionally, since this is being
directed to contracting officers, it was added to the non-regulatory
portion of this subpart.
Comment: The next two commenters noted that the proposed clause
GSAR 552.216-74, Task-Order and Delivery-Order Ombudsman, as written,
is too broad in nature when it states ``The GSA Ombudsman will exercise
jurisdiction on any matters pertaining to ID/IQ contracts awarded by
GSA.'' The commenters recommend that the first sentence be deleted in
its entirety and that the clause sets forth who actually is designated
as Ombudsman.
Response: The team concurs with the commenter. As such, the team
has revised the clause to conform to the commenter's concerns regarding
the GSA Ombudsman's authority and to outline the exact designation of
the GSA Ombudsman, inclusive of contact information.
This is not a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was not
subject to review under Section 6(b) of Executive Order 12866,
Regulatory Planning and Review, dated September 30, 1993. This rule is
not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804.
B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The General Services Administration 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 the revisions are not considered
substantive. The revisions only update and reorganize existing
coverage.
C. Paperwork Reduction Act
The Paperwork Reduction Act does apply; however, these changes do
not impose additional information collection requirements to the
paperwork burden previously approved under OMB Numbers 3090-0243 and
3090-0248.
List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 516 and 552
Government procurement.
Dated: May 6, 2010.
Rodney P. Lantier,
Acting Senior Procurement Executive, Office of Acquisition Policy,
General Services Administration.
0
Therefore, GSA amends 48 CFR parts 516 and 552 as set forth below:
0
1. The authority citation for 48 CFR parts 516 and 552 continues to
read as follows:
Authority: 40 U.S.C. 121(c).
PART 516--TYPES OF CONTRACTS
0
2. Revise section 516.203-4 to read as follows:
516.203-4 Contract clauses.
(a) Special Order Program Contracts. In multiyear solicitations and
contracts, after making the determination required by FAR 16.203-3, use
552.216-71, Economic Price Adjustment Special Order Program Contracts,
or a clause prepared as authorized in paragraph (a)(3) of this
subsection.
(1) If the contract includes one or more options to extend the term
of the contract, use the clause with its Alternate I or a clause
substantially the
[[Page 41096]]
same as 552.216-71 with its Alternate I suitably modified.
(2) In a contract requiring a minimum adjustment before the price
adjustment mechanism is effectuated, use the basic clause with
Alternate II or with Alternate I and Alternate II.
(3) If the Producer Price Index is not an appropriate indicator for
price adjustment, modify the clause to use an alternate indicator for
adjusting prices. Similarly, if other aspects of 552.216-71 are not
appropriate, use an alternate clause following established procedures.
(b) Adjustments based on cost indexes of labor or material. (1) If
the contracting officer decides to provide for adjustments based on
cost indexes of labor or material, prepare a clause that defines each
of the following elements:
(i) The type of labor and/or material subject to adjustment;
(ii) The labor rates, including any fringe benefits and/or unit
prices of materials that may be increased or decreased;
(iii) The index(es) that will be used to measure changes in price
levels and the base period or reference point from which changes will
be measured; and
(iv) The period during which the price(s) will be subject to
adjustment.
(2) The contracting director must approve use of this clause.
0
3. Revise section 516.506 to read as follows:
516.506 Solicitation provisions and contract clauses.
(a) In solicitations and contracts for Special Order Program items,
when the contract authorizes FAS and other activities to issue delivery
or task orders, insert the clause at 552.216-72, Placement of Orders.
If only FAS will issue delivery or task orders, insert the clause with
its Alternate I.
(b) In solicitations and contracts for GSA awarded ID/IQ contracts,
insert clause 552.216-74, Task-Order and Delivery-Order Ombudsman.
(c) If the clause at 552.216-72 is prescribed, insert the provision
at 552.216-73, Ordering Information, in solicitations for Special Order
Program items and in other FAS Program solicitations.
Subpart 516.6 [Removed]
0
4. Remove subpart 516.6, consisting of sections 516.603 and 516.603-3.
PART 552--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES
0
5. Amend section 552.216-71 by revising the section heading, the
introductory text, the clause heading, the date of the clause, and the
first sentence of paragraph (b); the date of Alternate I, the Alternate
I introductory text, and the introductory text of Alternate I (b); the
date of Alternate II, the Alternate II introductory text, and Alternate
II paragraph (g) to read as follows:
552.216-71 Economic Price Adjustment--Special Order Program Contracts.
As prescribed in 516.203-4(a), insert the following clause:
ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT--SPECIAL ORDER PROGRAM CONTRACTS (AUG
2010)
* * * * *
(b) During the term of the contract, the award price may be
adjusted once during each 12-month period upward or downward. However,
if an upward adjustment, a maximum of ------*------ percent shall
apply. * * *
* * * * *
Alternate I. (AUG 2010). As prescribed in 516.203-4(a)(1) and (2),
substitute the following paragraphs (b), (e), and (f) for paragraphs
(b), (e), and (f) of the basic clause:
(b) Once during each 12-month period, the contract price may be
adjusted upward or downward a maximum of ------*------ percent.
* * * * *
Alternate II. (AUG 2010). As prescribed in 516.203-4(a)(2), add the
following paragraph (g) to the basic clause.
(g) No price adjustment will be made unless the percentage change
in the PPI is at least ------*------ percent.
The Contracting Officer should insert a lower percent than the
maximum percentage stated in paragraph (b) of the clause.
0
6. Amend section 552.216-72 by--
0
a. Revising the introductory text, the date of the clause, and
paragraphs (c) and (g);
0
b. Revising the date of Alternate I, the Alternate I introductory text,
and the first sentence of Alternate I paragraph (a);
0
c. Removing from Alternate I paragraphs (c) and (d) the word ``FSS''
and adding ``FAS'' in its place; and
0
d. Removing Alternates II, III, and IV.
0
The revised text reads as follows:
552.216-72 Placement of Orders.
As prescribed in 516.506(a), insert the following clause:
PLACEMENT OF ORDERS (AUG 2010)
* * * * *
(c) If the Contractor agrees, General Services Administration's
Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) will place all orders by EDI using
computer-to-computer EDI. If computer-to-computer EDI is not possible,
FAS will use an alternative EDI method allowing the Contractor to
receive orders by facsimile transmission. Subject to the Contractor's
agreement, other agencies may place orders by EDI.
* * * * *
(g) The basic content and format of the TPA will be provided by:
General Services Administration, Office of the Chief Information
Officer (QI), 2100 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202, Telephone: (703)
605-9444.
Alternate I. (AUG 2010). As prescribed in 516.506(a), substitute
the following paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) for paragraphs (a),
(b), (c), and (d) of the basic clause:
(a) All delivery orders (orders) under this contract will be placed
by the General Services Administration's Federal Acquisition Service
(FAS). * * *
* * * * *
0
7. Amend section 552.216-73 by--
0
a. Revising the introductory paragraph and the date of the clause;
0
b. Removing from paragraph (a) ``Federal Supply Service (FSS)'' and
adding ``Federal Acquisition Service (FAS)'' in its place;
0
c. Adding paragraph (e);
0
d. Removing from Alternate I ``516.506(e)'' and adding ``516.506(c)''
in its place; and
0
e. Removing Alternate II.
0
The revised and added text reads as follows:
552.216-73 Ordering Information.
As prescribed in 516.506(c), insert the following provision:
ORDERING INFORMATION (AUG 2010)
* * * * *
(e) Offerors marketing through dealers are requested to indicate
below whether those dealers will be participating in the proposed
contract.
Yes ( ) No ( )
If ``yes'' is checked, ordering information to be inserted above
shall reflect that in addition to offeror's name, address, and
facsimile transmission telephone number, orders can be addressed to the
offeror's name, c/o nearest local dealer. In this event, two copies of
a list of participating dealers shall accompany this offer, and shall
also be included in Contractor's Federal Supply Schedule pricelist.
* * * * *
0
8. Add section 552.216-74 to read as follows:
552.216-74 Task-Order and Delivery-Order Ombudsman.
As prescribed in 516.506(b), insert the following clause:
[[Page 41097]]
TASK-ORDER AND DELIVERY-ORDER OMBUDSMAN (AUG 2010)
GSA has designated a Task-Order and Delivery-Order Ombudsman who
will review complaints from contractors and ensure that they are
afforded a fair opportunity for consideration in the award of task or
delivery orders under Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ)
contracts, consistent with the procedures in the contract. Written
complaints shall be submitted to the Ombudsman, with a copy to the
Contracting Officer.
In the case that the contractor is not satisfied with the
resolution of the complaint by the GSA Task-Order and Delivery-Order
Ombudsman, the contractor may follow the procedures outlined in subpart
33.1.
The GSA Ombudsman is the Director, Office of Acquisition Integrity
located at: General Services Administration (GSA), Office of
Governmentwide Policy (OGP), Office of Acquisition Policy (MV),
Acquisition Integrity Division (MVA), 1800 F Street, NW., Room 4014,
Washington, D.C. 20405, Telephone: (202) 219-3454, Fax: (202) 219-3615,
E-mail:[email protected].
[FR Doc. 2010-17140 Filed 7-14-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-61-S