[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 48, Volume 5] [Revised as of October 1, 2006] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 48CFR811.602] [Page 170] TITLE 48--FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM CHAPTER 8--DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PART 811_DESCRIBING AGENCY NEEDS--Table of Contents Subpart 811.6_Priorities and Allocations Sec. 811.602 General. (a) Priorities and allocations of critical materials are controlled by the Department of Commerce. Essentially, such priorities and allocations are restricted to projects having a direct connection with supporting current defense needs. The Department of Veterans Affairs is not authorized to assign a priority rating to its purchase orders or contracts involving the acquisition or use of critical materials. (b) In those instances where it has been technically established that it is not feasible to use a substitute material, the Department of Commerce has agreed to assist us in obtaining critical materials for maintenance and repair projects. They will also, where possible, render assistance in connection with the purchase of new items, which may be in short supply because of their use in connection with the defense effort. (c) Contracting officers having problems in acquiring critical materials will ascertain all the facts necessary to enable the Department of Commerce to render assistance to the Department of Veterans Affairs in acquiring these materials. The contracting officer will submit a request for assistance containing the following information to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition and Materiel Management (90): (1) A description of the maintenance and repair project or the new item, whichever is applicable; (2) The critical material and the amount required; (3) The contractor's sources of supply, including any addresses. If the source is other than the manufacturer or producer, also list the name and address of the manufacturer or producer; (4) The Department of Veterans Affairs contract or purchase order number; (5) The contractor's purchase order number, if known, and the delivery time requirement as stated in the solicitation or offer; (6) The additional time the contractor claims will be necessary to effect delivery if priority assistance is not provided; (7) The nature and extent of the emergency that will be generated at the station, e.g., (i) damage to the physical plant, (ii) impairment of the patient care program, (iii) creation of safety hazards, and (iv) any other pertinent condition that will result because of failure to secure assistance in obtaining the critical materials; and (8) If applicable, a statement that the item required is for use in a construction contract which was authorized by the Chief Facilities Management Officer, Office of Facilities Management, to be awarded and administered by the facility contracting officer.