[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 146 (Monday, August 1, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-18288]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 1, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

48 CFR Chapter 9

 

Acquisition Regulation; Small Purchases and Small Disadvantaged 
Business

AGENCY: Department of Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department is considering a deviation from the Federal 
Acquisition Regulation to facilitate, on a test basis, the award of 
small purchases to small, disadvantaged business concerns. The 
deviation would authorize, under certain circumstances, a purchase from 
a small, disadvantaged business without securing competitive 
quotations. The deviation would not continue beyond September 30, 1995, 
unless it is determined to be beneficial.

DATES: Written comments should be submitted no later than August 31, 
1994.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be submitted to Mr. Langston at the 
address shown below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard B. Langston, Office of 
Procurement and Assistance Management (HR-521.1) Department of Energy, 
1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-8247.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 13.104 of the Federal Acquisition 
Regulation states that contracting officers shall use the small 
purchase procedure deemed most suitable, efficient, and economical in 
the circumstances of the acquisition. Section 13.106(b) provides for 
the solicitation of a reasonable number of quotations to promote 
competition to the maximum practicable extent to ensure that the 
purchase is advantageous to the Government. However, section 13.106(a) 
allows small purchases, of $2,500 or less, to be made without securing 
competitive quotations if the contracting officer determines that award 
can be made at a reasonable price. The proposed deviation would permit 
this practice for those small purchases designated for award to a 
small, disadvantaged business.
    The Department of Energy is committed to providing maximum business 
opportunities to small, disadvantaged business concerns and has 
established aggressive performance goals to reflect this commitment. 
This deviation would assist all small, disadvantaged businesses seeking 
business with the Department. The intent of this deviation is to 
streamline the small purchase process, and increase the number of small 
purchase awards, for small, disadvantaged businesses.
    This deviation, if approved, would be effective through September 
30, 1995. Should the Department wish to continue this practice beyond 
that date, it would take action to amend the Department of Energy 
Acquisition Regulation.
    To accomplish this, it is proposed that small purchases of $25,000 
or less, for which a small, disadvantaged business source is available, 
may be made using the procedures of section 13.106(a) of the Federal 
Acquisition Regulation without regard to 13.106(b) or 13.106(c), 
provided the award can be made at a reasonable price.

Public Comments

    Interested persons are invited to participate by submitting data, 
views or arguments with respect to the class deviation described in 
this notice. Three copies of written comments should be submitted to 
the address indicated in the ``FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT'' 
section of this notice. All comments received will be available for 
public inspection in the DOE Reading Room, 1E-90, Forrestal Building, 
1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, D.C. 20585, between the 
hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    All written comments received by August 31, 1994 will be carefully 
assessed and fully considered prior to approval of the class deviation. 
Any person submitting information which that person believes to be 
confidential and which may be exempt from public disclosure should 
submit one complete copy, as well as an additional copy from which the 
information claimed to be confidential has been deleted. DOE reserves 
the right to determine the confidential status of the information or 
data and to treat it according to its determination. DOE's generally 
applicable procedures for handling information, which has been 
submitted in a document and which may be exempt from public disclosure, 
are set forth in 10 CFR 1004.11.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Chapter 9

    Government procurement.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on July 21, 1994.
Richard H. Hopf,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Procurement and Assistance Management.
[FR Doc. 94-18288 Filed 7-29-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P