[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 205 (Tuesday, October 25, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-26439]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: October 25, 1994]


_______________________________________________________________________

Part III

Department of Defense

General Services Administration

National Aeronautics and Space Administration
_______________________________________________________________________



48 CFR Parts 6, 8, 13, and 38




Federal Acquisition Regulation; Multiple Award Schedule Ordering 
Procedures; Final Rule
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

48 CFR Parts 6, 8, 13, and 38

[FAC 90-21; FAR Case 93-613]

 
Federal Acquisition Regulation; Multiple Award Schedule Ordering 
Procedures

AGENCIES: Department of Defense (DOD), General Services Administration 
(GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense 
Acquisition Regulations Council have agreed on a final rule to amend 
the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) concerning Federal Supply 
Schedules and Federal Supply Schedule contracting. These changes are a 
result of GSA's efforts to streamline and revise the Multiple Award 
Schedule Program's ordering procedures to be guiding principles. This 
regulatory action was not subject to Office of Management and Budget 
review under Executive Order 12866, dated September 30, 1993.

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 25, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Linda Klein at (202) 501-3775 in reference to this FAR case. For 
general information, contact the FAR Secretariat, Room 4037, GS 
Building, Washington, DC 20405 (202) 501-4755. Please cite FAC 90-21, 
FAR case 93-613.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    The efforts to streamline and revise Multiple Award Schedule 
ordering procedures in order to make them more susceptible to guiding 
principles will save the Government time, money, and improve the 
accessibility of commercial items to customers. With these changes, GSA 
will be able to foster a Government that works better and costs less.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The final rule does not constitute a significant FAR revision 
within the meaning of FAR 1.501 and Public Law 98-577, and publication 
for public comments is not required. Therefore, the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act does not apply. However, comments from small entities 
concerning the affected subpart will be considered in accordance with 5 
U.S.C. 610. Such comments must be submitted separately and cite 5 
U.S.C. 601, et seq. (FAC 90-21, FAR case 93-613), in correspondence.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the changes to 
the FAR do not impose recordkeeping or information collection 
requirements, or collections of information from offerors, contractors, 
or members of the public which 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 6, 8, 13, and 38

    Government procurement.

    Dated: October 20, 1994.
Albert A. Vicchiolla,
Director, Office of Federal Acquisition Policy.

Federal Acquisition Circular

    Unless otherwise specified, all Federal Acquisition Regulation 
(FAR) and other directive material contained in FAC 90-21 are effective 
October 25, 1994.

    Dated: October 19, 1994.
Eleanor R. Spector,
Director, Defense Procurement, DOD.
Ida M. Ustad,
Associate Administrator, Office of Acquisition Policy, GSA.

    Dated: October 12, 1994.
Thomas S. Luedtke,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Procurement, National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration.

    Therefore, 48 CFR Parts 6, 8, 13, and 38 are amended as set forth 
below:
    1. The authority citation for 48 CFR Parts 6, 8, 13, and 38 
continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 40 U.S.C. 486(c): 10 U.S.C. chapter 137; and 42 
U.S.C. 2473(c).

PART 6--COMPETITION REQUIREMENTS

    2. Section 6.102 is amended by revising paragraph (d)(3) to read as 
follows:


6.102  Use of competitive procedures.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (3) Use of multiple award schedules issued under the procedures 
established by the Administrator of General Services consistent with 
the requirement of 41 U.S.C. 259(b)(3)(A) for the multiple award 
schedule program of the General Services Administration is a 
competitive procedure.

PART 8--REQUIRED SOURCES OF SUPPLIES AND SERVICES

    3. Section 8.001 is amended by revising the introductory text of 
paragraph (a); by revising paragraphs (a)(1)(iv); and (a)(2)(i) to read 
as follows:


8.001  Priorities for use of Government supply sources.

    (a) Except as required by 8.002, or as otherwise provided by law, 
agencies shall satisfy requirements for supplies and services from or 
through the sources and publications listed below in descending order 
of priority--
    (1) * * *
    (iv) Procurement lists of supplies available from the Committee for 
Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled (see subpart 
8.7);
* * * * *
    (2) Services. (i) Procurement lists of services available from the 
Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled 
(see subpart 8.7);
* * * * *

Subpart 8.4--Federal Supply Schedules

    4. In Subpart 8.4, the heading is revised as set forth above.
    5. Section 8.401 is amended by removing the last two sentences in 
paragraph (a); and by revising the last sentence in paragraph (b) to 
read as follows:


8.401  General.

* * * * *
    (b) * * * The ``Federal Supply Schedule Program Guide,'' includes a 
listing of Federal Supply Schedules and information on the use of 
schedules.


8.402  [Amended]

    6. Section 8.402 is amended by removing paragraph (a) and the 
designation of paragraph (b).


8.403 through 8.403-4  [Removed and reserved]

    7. Sections 8.403 through 8.403-4 are removed and 8.403 is 
reserved.
    8. Section 8.404 is revised to read as follows:


8.404  Using schedules.

    (a) General. When agency requirements are to be satisfied through 
the use of Federal Supply Schedules as set forth in this subpart 8.4, 
the policies and procedures of FAR part 13 do not apply. When placing 
orders under a Federal Supply Schedule, ordering activities need not 
seek further competition, synopsize the requirement, or make a separate 
determination of fair and reasonable pricing.
    (b) Optional use. (1) Ordering activities can place orders of 
$2,500 or less with any Federal Supply Schedule contractor. GSA has 
already determined the prices of items under these contracts to be fair 
and reasonable.
    (2) To reasonably ensure that a selection represents the best value 
and meets the agency's needs at the lowest overall cost, before placing 
an order of more than $2,500, an ordering activity should--
    (i) Consider reasonably available information about products 
offered under Multiple Award Schedule contracts; this standard is met 
if the ordering activity does the following:
    (A) Considers products and prices contained in any GSA MAS 
automated information system; or
    (B) If automated information is not available, reviews at least 
three (3) price lists.
    (ii) In selecting the best value item at the lowest overall cost 
(the price of the item plus administrative costs), the ordering 
activity may consider such factors as--
    (A) Special features of one item not provided by comparable items 
which are required in effective program performance;
    (B) Trade-in considerations;
    (C) Probable life of the item selected as compared with that of a 
comparable item;
    (D) Warranty conditions; and
    (E) Maintenance availability.
    (iii) Give preference to the items of small business concerns when 
two or more items at the same delivered price will meet an ordering 
activity's needs.
    (3) MAS contractors will not be required to pass on to all schedule 
users a price reduction extended only to an individual agency for a 
specific order. There may be circumstances where an ordering activity 
finds it advantageous to request a price reduction, such as where the 
ordering activity finds that a schedule product is available elsewhere 
at a lower price, or where the quantity of an individual order clearly 
indicates the potential for obtaining a reduced price.
    (4) Ordering activities should document orders of $2,500 or less by 
identifying the contractor the item was purchased from, the item 
purchased, and the amount paid. For orders over $2,500, MAS ordering 
files should be documented in accordance with internal agency 
practices. Agencies are encouraged to keep documentation to a minimum.
    (c) Mandatory use. (1) This paragraph (c) applies only to orders 
against schedule contracts with mandatory users.
    (2) In the case of mandatory schedules, ordering offices shall not:
    (i) Solicit bids, proposals, quotations, or otherwise test the 
market solely for the purpose of seeking alternative sources to Federal 
Supply Schedules; or
    (ii) Request formal or informal quotations from Federal Supply 
Schedule contractors for the purpose of price comparisons.
    (3) Schedules identify executive agencies required to use them as 
mandatory sources of supply. The single-award schedule shall be used as 
a primary source and the multiple-award schedule as a secondary source. 
Mandatory use of schedules is not a requirement if--
    (i) The schedule contractor is unable to satisfy the ordering 
office's urgent delivery requirement;
    (ii) The order is below the minimum order thresholds;
    (iii) The order is above the maximum order limitation;
    (iv) The consignee is located outside the area of geographic 
coverage stated in the schedule; or
    (v) A lower price for an identical item (i.e., same make and model) 
is available from another source.
    (4) Absence of follow-on award. Ordering offices, after any 
consultation required by the schedule, are not required to forego or 
postpone their legitimate needs pending the award or renewal of any 
schedule contract.


8.404-1 and 8.404-2  [Removed and reserved]

    9. Sections 8.404-1 and 8.404-2 are removed and reserved.


8.405  Ordering office responsibilities.

    10. The text of section 8.405 is removed, leaving a heading only.


8.405-1  [Reserved]

    11. Section 8.405-1 is removed and reserved.


8.405-4  [Amended]

    12. Section 8.405-4 is amended in the beginning of the introductory 
paragraph by removing ``When'' and inserting ``If''.
    13. Section 8.405-5 is amended by revising the second sentence in 
paragraph (a)(3) to read as follows:


8.405-5  Termination for default.

    (a) * * *
    (3) * * * Copies of all repurchase orders, except the copy 
furnished to the contractor or any other commercial concern, shall 
include the notation ``Repurchase against the account of ____________ 
[insert contractor's name] under Delivery Order ____________ [insert 
number] under Contract ____________ [insert number]''.
* * * * *


8.406 through 8.408  [Removed]

    14. Sections 8.406 through 8.408 are removed.

PART 13--SMALL PURCHASE AND OTHER SIMPLIFIED PURCHASE PROCEDURES


13.105  [Amended]

    15. Section 13.105 is amended in paragraph (c) by removing the 
words ``mandatory multiple-award''.


13.203-1  [Amended]

    16. Section 13.203-1 is amended in paragraph (f) by removing the 
parenthetical ``(see subpart 8.4)''.

PART 38--FEDERAL SUPPLY SCHEDULE CONTRACTING

    17. Section 38.000 is revised to read as follows:


38.000  Scope of part.

    This part prescribes policies and procedures for contracting for 
supplies and services under the Federal Supply Schedule program, which 
is directed and managed by the General Services Administration (see 
subpart 8.4, Federal Supply Schedules, for additional information). See 
part 39 for automatic data processing and telecommunications equipment 
and services coverage. The Department of Defense uses a similar system 
of schedule contracting for military items that are also not a part of 
the Federal Supply Schedule program.
    18. Section 38.101 is amended by revising the second sentence of 
paragraph (a); removing the last two sentences in paragraph (b); 
removing paragraph (d) and redesignating paragraph (e) as (d). The 
revised text reads as follows:


38.101  General.

    (a) * * * Indefinite delivery contracts (including requirements 
contracts) are awarded, using competitive procedures, to commercial 
firms to provide supplies and services at stated prices for given 
periods of time, for delivery within the 48 continguous states, 
Washington, DC, and possible Alaska, Hawaii, and overseas deliveries. * 
* *
* * * * *


38.102 through 38.102-4  [Removed]

    19. Sections 38.102 through 38.102-4 are removed.
    20. Section 38.201 is amended by revising paragraph (a) 
introductory text and paragraph (b) to read as follows:


38.201  Coordination requirements.

    (a) Subject to interagency agreements, contracting officers having 
responsibility for awarding Federal Supply Schedule contracts shall 
coordinate and obtain approval of the General Services Administration's 
Federal Supply Service (FSS) before--
* * * * *
    (b) Requests should be forwarded to the General Services 
Administration, Federal Supply Service, Office of Commodity Management 
(FC), Washington, DC 20406.


38.202 through 38.205  [Removed]

    21. Sections 38.202 through 38.205 are removed.

[FR Doc. 94-26439 Filed 10-24-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-34-M