[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 145 (Tuesday, July 29, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40464-40471]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-18603]


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INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION AGENCY

Agency for International Development

48 CFR Parts 701, 702, 703, 704, 705, 706, 708, 709, 711, 715, 716, 
717, 719, 722, 724, 725, 726, 728, 731, 732, 733, 734, 736, 749, 
750, 752, 753, and Appendices A, C, G, and H to Chapter 7

[AIDAR Notice 97-1]
RIN 0412-AA30


Miscellaneous Amendments to Acquisition Regulations

AGENCY: Agency for International Development (USAID), IDCA.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR) is being amended to 
implement the Agency's new regulation on Source, Origin, and 
Nationality; to reflect the omission of authority for the Agency's 
Disadvantaged Enterprises Program in the 1996 and 1997 Appropriations 
Acts; to remove certification requirements not approved by the Head of 
the Agency in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Reform Act of 
1996 (now known as the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996); and to incorporate 
numerous administrative changes which correct mistakes, clarify or 
simplify policies or procedures currently in the AIDAR, and bring the 
AIDAR into compliance with Agency policies. This regulatory action was 
subject to Office of Management and Budget review under Executive Order 
12866, dated September 30, 1993.

EFFECTIVE DATE: August 28, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: M/OP/P, Ms. Diane M. Howard, (703) 
875-1310.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The specific changes being made to the USAID 
Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR) in this amendment are broad in scope, 
ranging from correcting typographical errors published over the past 
several years to implementing statutory requirements such as the loss 
of the Agency's Disadvantaged Enterprises Program (DEP) and removing 
unnecessary certification requirements.

A. Source, Origin, and Nationality

    USAID published its final rule on Source, Origin, and Nationality, 
22 CFR Part 228, on October 15, 1996 (61 FR 53615, corrected at 61 FR 
54849 and 55361, and 62 FR 314). The AIDAR implements this regulation 
by revising section 702.170-15 and several sections in subpart 725.70, 
removing the clauses at 752.7004 (this number is used for a new clause 
as described in amendment 63) and 752.7017, and by adding clauses 
752.255-70 and 752.225-71.

B. Disadvantaged Enterprises Program (DEP)

    For years, USAID was required by law to ensure that at least 10% of 
its funds for development assistance or for assistance for famine 
recovery and development in Africa went to small disadvantaged business 
enterprises; however, not until FY 1990 did Congress provide the Agency 
with statutory authority to limit full and open competition solely for 
the purpose of meeting this set-aside requirement. AIDAR 706.302-71 was 
amended to implement the statutory authority. Statutory authority 
continued to be provided each year after that until FY 1996, when 
Congress did not provide the Agency with the statutory authority or 
impose the 10% ``set-aside'' requirement. Since the FY 1997 
Appropriations Act did not include the authority, either, and 
indications are that the authority is not expected to be reinstated, we 
are amending the AIDAR to restrict the use of the authority in 706.302-
71 to use other than full and open competition to award contracts to 
eligible disadvantaged business concerns (as defined in 726.7002) only 
to contracts funded from those fiscal years for which the statutory 
authority was provided. Subparts 706.302-71 and 726.70, and sections 
705.207, 706.302-5, 726.7001, 726.7003, and 726.7007 are amended 
accordingly.

C. Contractor Certification Requirements

    Section 4301 of the Clinger-Cohen Act required the removal of 
contractor and offeror certification requirements that are not: (1) 
Specifically imposed by statute, or (2) justified by the Senior 
Procurement Executive and approved by the Agency Head. On October 10, 
1996, the USAID Administrator approved the retention of the AIDAR 
certifications found at sections 715.413-2 (which is also amended to 
remove paragraph (c) since the Procurement Integrity Certification 
requirement was removed from the FAR), 752.7001, and 752.7016(c)(3) 
(other certifications required in AIDAR Appendices D and J are 
addressed in a separate Final Rule). The certifications in 752.226-
2(c)(3) and 752.7004(b)(5) are removed as described in B and A above, 
respectively (for the latter, the entire clause is removed and a new 
clause without certification requirements is added at 752.225-70). 
Section 752.7033(a) is amended to remove the physician's certification 
and

[[Page 40465]]

replace it with a ``statement of medical opinion''.

D. Administrative Changes

    (1) The most pervasive administrative change to the AIDAR at this 
time is the conversion of the Agency's acronym from ``AID'' to 
``USAID'' and the Agency's name from ``Agency for International 
Development'' to ``U.S. Agency for International Development''. the 
first seven amendments and Amendment 13 below are solely to effect this 
change, which is also part of several other amendments.
    (2) In an effort to be comprehensive in implementing the simplified 
acquisitions procedures of the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act of 
1994 (FASA), when we amended the AIDAR on July 26, 1996 (AIDAR Notice 
96-1, 61 FR 39089), we included both FAR 13.101 and 13.103(b) in 
several references to the simplified acquisition threshold. FAC 90-40 
(61 FR 39185, published on the same day as the aforementioned AIDAR 
amendment) amended the FAR to delete ``interim FACNET certification'' 
(previously required in FAR 13.103(b)) and to allow all agencies to use 
$100,000 as the simplified acquisition threshold until December 31, 
1999, after which time those agencies who have not certified full 
FACNET capability will be reduced to the $50,000 threshold, in 
accordance with the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996. This FAC also moved the 
definition of ``simplified acquisition threshold'' to FAR 2.101 from 
section 13.101 (thereby rendering our AIDAR amendment inaccurate). To 
be consistent with the FAR, which doesn't include references to either 
section after most mentions of the simplified acquisition threshold, we 
are removing references to sections 13.101 and 13.103(b) when using the 
terms ``simplified acquisitions'' or ``the simplified acquisition 
threshold'' in the AIDAR.
    (3) Prior to AIDAR Notice 96-1, the heads of the various Agency 
contracting activities had authority to redelegate small purchase 
contracting authority to persons on his or her staff; reflecting the 
conversion from ``small purchases'' to ``simplified acquisitions'', 
AIDAR Notice 96-1 increased the amount of contracting authority the 
HCAs can redelegate to the simplified acquisition threshold. However, 
in view of the change in the simplified acquisition threshold resulting 
from the Clinger-Cohen Act and the fact that few of the Agency HCAs 
have exercised this particular authority, we determined that limiting 
to $50,000 the level of contracting authority that they may redelegate 
would be an equitable balance between empowering the contracting 
activities and keeping prudent controls over the Agency's contracting 
authority; section 701.601 is amended accordingly.
    (4) Because of a reorganization within the Agency, the Office of 
Administrative Services (M/AS) is no longer a contracting activity, nor 
is its Director the Metric Executive. Sections 702.170-3, 702.170-10, 
and 711.022-70 are amended to reflect this change.
    (5) Sections 704.404 and 752.204-2 are amended to replace the term 
``Limited Official Use'' with ``Sensitive But Unclassified'' in 
accordance with the State Department's revised policy found in Volume 
12 of the Foreign Affairs Manual, Chapter 540.
    (6) Section 705.002 is amended to state USAID policy to include all 
Commerce Business Daily notices and solicitations on the internet.
    (7) Section 706.302-70 was amended in AIDAR Notice 96-1 to add a 
new Agency exception to full and open competition for follow-on awards; 
however, the actual wording was ambiguous as to whether the Agency 
Competition Advocate's approval was required concurrent with the 
approvals in FAR 6.304 or was the sole approval required for the new 
exception. The AIDAR is hereby amended to clarify that the use of this 
follow-on authority is subject only to the Agency Competition 
Advocate's approval if the action is over $250,000 or for more than one 
year, and to the contracting officer's certification for all other 
cases.
    (8) Subpart 709.4 is amended to remove the Policy statement in 
709.402, since it is redundant to other regulations (the FAR and 22 
CFFR Part 208) on debarment and suspension of organizations under 
government procurement and non-procurement programs; however, we are 
adding a new section 709.403 to define the Agency's debarring and 
suspending official as the Procurement Executive.
    (9) Section 715.613-71 is being amended to clarify procedures to be 
followed prior to processing a contract using the collaborative 
assistance method for activities authorized under Title XII of the 
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
    (10) Section 752.209-70, entitled ``Requirement for Past 
Performance References'', is removed since it is redundant to FAR 
Subpart 9.1 and Agency procedures described elsewhere and is not needed 
in this Regulation.
    (11) Several clause prescriptions in Subpart 752.70 are amended to 
clarify that these clauses are not to be used for commercial item 
contracts; the specific sections are 752.245-70, 752.245-71, 752.7008, 
752.7070, 752.7015, and 752.7029. Other clauses being amended to 
clarify their prescriptions are 752.7001, which is being divided into 
two separate clauses because of the difference in the applicability of 
paragraphs (a) and (b) (the latter paragraph is now designated as 
section 752.7004), and section 752.7027, which is only to be used with 
services contracts.
    (12) Over the past few years, the Agency has instituted a new 
system of internal directives, regulations and procedures to replace 
the old ``Handbook'' system. Since the new system (the Automated 
Directives System or ADS), when completed, will be a comprehensive 
reference source for all Agency policies and procedures, we are looking 
carefully at policies and procedures located in the AIDAR to determine 
if they should continue to be located in this published regulation or 
if they should instead be located only in the ADS. Consequently, we are 
removing several Appendices to the AIDAR and will be incorporating them 
in the near future into the ADS system, with reference to the 
appropriate ADS chapter in the AIDAR as needed. Specifically, Appendix 
A (``Respective Roles of Contracting and Other Personnel in the USAID 
Procurement Process''), Appendix C (``Logistics Support Overseas to 
USAID-Direct Contractors''), Appendix G (`Approval Procedures for 
Contractor Salaries''), and Appendix H (``Response to audit 
Recommendations'') are removed and reserved. A new section 701.602-1 is 
added to state the authority of contracting officers to negotiate and 
enter into settlements with contractors for costs questioned under 
audit reports, or to issue a contracting officer's final decision, and 
to refer to the appropriate ADS Chapters for policies and procedures 
for resolving audit recommendations. References to these appendices are 
revised elsewhere in the AIDAR, and section 701.376-3 is revised to 
more accurately describe the purpose of the remaining appendices to 
Chapter 7.
    (13) Other administrative changes amend the expiration date of the 
OMB Control Number for all the information collections listed in 
701.105; add a new section 703.104-11 to clarify to whom the 
contracting officer shall forward information and documentation on 
possible procurement integrity violations; remove Subpart 703.4 
(``Contingent Fees'') to be consistent with the revisions to FAR 3.404 
resulting from FAC 90-40; remove section 704.803 because it is internal 
procedural guidance better handled

[[Page 40466]]

outside published regulations; remove Part 708 because there is no 
longer an excess property handbook in the Agency; amend sections 
731.205-6, 731.371, and 752.7007 to clarify the contracting officer's 
responsibility in approving salaries over the ES-6 threshold; revise 
750.711 to update the procedures for processing cases of Extraordinary 
Contractual Relief; amend sections 752.228-7 and 752.7003 to update 
reference to the appropriate audit clause in the FAR; and to update the 
office acronym in section 753.107.
    (14) Numerous errors and omissions were identified in Chapter 7 as 
published and are corrected in this rule, specifically in sections 
701.373, 709.503, 711.022-70 (now redesignated as 711.002-70), 715.613-
71, 719.271-3, 726.7005, 726.7006, 732.401, 733.270-2, 750.7101, 
750.7109-3, 752.200, 752.219-8, 752.225-9, 752.226-1, 752.226-2, 
752.226-3, 752.7027, and 752.7033.
    The changes being made by this rule are not considered 
``significant'' under FAR 1.301 or FAR 1.501, and public comments have 
not been solicited. This rule will not have an impact on a substantial 
number of small entities nor does it establish a new collection of 
information as contemplated by the Regulatory Flexibility Act and the 
Paperwork Reduction Act. Because of the nature and subject matter of 
this rule, use of the proposed rule/public comment approach was not 
considered necessary. We decided to issue as a final rule; however, we 
welcome public comment on the material covered by this rule or any 
other part of the AIDAR at anytime. Comments or questions may be 
addressed as specified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section 
of the Preamble.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 701, 702, 703, 704, 705, 706, 708, 
709, 711, 715, 716, 717, 719, 722, 724, 725, 726, 728, 731, 732, 733, 
734, 736, 749, 750, 752, and 753

    Government procurement.

    For the reasons set out in the Preamble, 48 CFR Chapter 7 is 
amended as set forth below.
    1. The authority citations in Parts 701, 702, 703, 704, 705, 706, 
708, 709, 711, 715, 716, 717, 719, 722, 724, 725, 726, 728, 731, 732, 
733, 734, 736, 749, 750, 752, and 753 continue to read as follows:

    Authority: Sec. 621, Pub. L. 87-195, 75 Stat. 445, (22 U.S.C. 
2381) as amended; E.O. 12163, Sept. 29, 1979, 44 FR 56673; 3 CFR 
1979 Comp., p. 435.

CHAPTER 7--[AMENDED]

    2. Chapter 7 is amended by revising the acronym ``AID'' wherever it 
appears to read ``USAID''
    3. Chapter 7 is amended by revising the possessive acronym ``AID's 
wherever is appears to read ``USAID's''.
    4. Chapter 7 is amended by adding ``U.S.'' in front of ``Agency for 
International Development'' wherever it appears.
    5. Chapter 7 is amended by revising ``AID/Washington'' wherever it 
appears in the following sections to read ``USAID/Washington'': 
719.270, 719.271-6, 719.271-2, 752.7002.
    6. Chapter 7 is amended by revising ``AID-direct'' wherever it 
appears in each of the following sections to read ``USAID-direct'': 
711.002-71, 728.309, 752.7002, 722.170, 728.313, 752.7003, 728.307-2, 
752.211-70.
    7. Chapter 7 is amended by revising ``AID-financed'' wherever it 
appears in each of the following sections to read ``USAID-financed'': 
725.703, 752.7004, 728.305-70, 752.7009.

PART 701--FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION SYSTEM


701.105  [Amended]

    8. The chart in paragraph (a) of section 701.105 is amended by 
revising the date ``09/30/96'' wherever it appears to read ``06/30/
97''.


701.373  [Amended]

    9. Paragraph (b) of section 701.373 is amended by revising ``69'' 
wherever it appears to read ``53''.


701.376-3  [Revised]

    10. Section 701.376-3 is revised to read as follows:


701.376-3  Appendices

    Significant procurement policies and procedures which do not 
correspond to or conveniently fit into the FAR system (described in FAR 
1.1 and this subpart) may be published as Appendices to the AIDAR. 
Appendices follow the main text of the AIDAR in a section entitled 
``Appendices to Chapter 7'' and contain the individual appendices 
identified by letter and subject title (e.g., ``Appendix D--Direct 
USAID Contracts with a U.S. Citizen or a U.S. Resident Alien for 
Personal Services Abroad'').


701.601  [Amended]

    11. Section 701.601 is amended in paragraph (a) by revising the 
parenthetical phrase ``(see 701.376-4)'' at the end of the paragraph to 
read ``, such as those found at 701.376-4 and particularly 701.603-70, 
the USAID policy regarding the direct-hire status of contracting 
officers''; and in paragraph (b) by removing the phrase ``the amount 
permitted by FAR 13.101 and 13.103(b)'' wherever it appears and 
inserting in its place ``$50,000'', by removing paragraph (b)(3), and 
by redesignating paragraphs (b)(4) and (5) as (b)(3) and (4), 
respectively.
    12. A new Section 701.602-1 is added to read as follows:


701.602-1  Authority of contracting officers in resolving audit 
recommendations.

    With the exception of termination settlements subject to part 749, 
Termination of Contracts, contracting officers shall have the authority 
to negotiate and enter into settlements with contractors for costs 
questioned under audit reports, or to issue a contracting officer's 
final decision pursuant to the disputes clause (in the event that 
questioned costs are not settled by negotiated agreement) in accordance 
with ADS Chapter 591.5.20. The negotiated settlement or final decision 
shall be final, subject only to a contractor's appeal, either under the 
provisions of the Contract Disputes Act of 1978, as amended (41 U.S.C. 
601-613), or to the courts. Policies and procedures for resolving audit 
recommendations are in accordance with ADS Chapters 591 and 592.


701.704  [Amended]

    13. Section 701.704 is amended by adding ``US'' to the beginning of 
``AID-prescribed''.

PART 702--DEFINITIONS OF WORDS AND TERMS


702.170-3  [Amended]

    14. Paragraph (a) of section 702.170-3 is amended by removing ``, 
Office of Administrative Services'' in the first sentence.


702.170-10  [Amended]

    15. Paragraph (a)(1) of section 702.170-10 is amended by revising 
``AID/Washington'' to read ``USAID/Washington'', by removing paragraph 
(a)(1)(ii) and by redesignating paragraphs (a)(1)(iii) and (a)(1)(iv) 
as (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii), respectively.


702.170-15  [Amended]

    16. Section 702.170-15 is amended by revising ``a Free World 
Country (i.e., Geographic Code 935)'' to read ``a country included in 
Geographic Code 935 (see 22 CFR 228.3)''.
    16-A. A new subsection 702.170-17 is added reading as follows: 
702.170-17 Automated Directives System. Automated Directives System 
(``ADS'') means USAID's system of internal directives, regulations, and 
procedures.

[[Page 40467]]

References to ``ADS'' throughout this chapter 7 are references to the 
Automated Directives System. Procurement-related sections of this 
system are accessible to the general public at internet address: http:/
/www.info.usaid.gov/ftp__data/pub/handbooks/index.html. The entire ADS 
is available on the Directives Resource Compact Disk (DR-CD), which may 
be purchased from the Agency at cost by submitting a completed DR-CD 
order form. To request a fax copy of the DR-CD order form, send an e-
mail with your fax number to [email protected].

PART 703--IMPROPER BUSINESS PRACTICES AND PERSONAL CONFLICTS OF 
INTEREST

    17. A new section 703.104-11 is added to read as follows;


703.104-11  Processing violations or possible violations.

    The individual to whom the contracting officer should forward 
information and documentation as required in FAR 3.104-10 is the 
contracting officer's supervisor.


703.4  [Removed]

    18. Subpart 703.4 is removed.

PART 704--ADMINISTRATION MATTERS


704.404  [Amended]

    19. Section 704.404 is amended by revising ``Limited Official Use'' 
to read ``Sensitive But Unclassified''.


704.803  [Removed]

    20. Section 704.803 is removed and Subpart 704.8 is reserved (the 
subpart heading is retained).

PART 705--PUBLICIZING CONTRACT ACTIONS


705.002  [Amended]

    21. Section 705.002 is amended by designating the existing text as 
paragraph (a) and by adding the following paragraph (b):


705.002  Policy.

* * * * *
    (b) USAID policy is to include all Commerce Business Daily Notices 
and solicitations on the Internet.


705.207  [Amended]

    22. Section 705.207 is amended in paragraph (a) by revising ``made 
available for development assistance or for assistance for famine 
recovery and development in Africa'' to read ``referred to in section 
706.302-71(a)'', and by removing ``726.104'' in the last sentence of 
the section and inserting in its place ``726.7005''.

PART 706--COMPETITIVE REQUIREMENTS


706.302-5  [Amended]

    23. Section 706.302-5 is amended by adding ``Certain'' to the 
beginning of the first sentence.


706.302-70  [Revised]

    24. Paragraph (c)(4) of section 706.302-70 is revised to read as 
follows:


706.302-70  Impariment of foreign aid programs.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (4) Use of the authority in 706.302-70(b)(5) for proposed follow-on 
amendments in excess of one year or over $250,000 is subject to the 
approval of the Agency Competition Advocate. For all other follow-on 
amendments using this authority, the contracting officer's 
certification required in FAR 6.303-2(a)(12) will serve as approval.


706.302-71  [Amended]

    25. Section 706.302-71 is amended by removing ``(2)'' after ``in 
paragraph (a)'' in paragraph (b)(1) and by revising paragraph (a) to 
read as follows:


706.302-71  Small disadvantaged businesses.

    (a) Authority. (1) Citations: Sec. 579, Pub. L. 101-167 (Fiscal 
year (FY) 1990), Sec. 567, Pub. L. 101-513 (FY 1991), Sec. 567, Pub. L. 
102-145 (FY 1992), Sec. 562, Pub. L. 102-391 (FY 1993), Sec. 558, Pub. 
L. 103-87 (FY 1994), and Sec. 555, Pub. L. 103-306 (FY 1995).
    (2) Except to the extend otherwise determined by the Administrator, 
not less than ten percent of amounts made available through the 
appropriations cited in paragraph (a)(1) of this section for 
development assistance and for assistance for famine recovery and 
development in Africa shall be used only for activities of 
disadvantaged enterprises (as defined in 726.7002). In order to achieve 
this goal, USAID is authorized in the cited statutes to use other than 
full and open competition to award contracts to small business concerns 
owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged 
individuals (small disadvantaged businesses as defined in 726.7002), 
historically black colleges and universities, colleges and universities 
having a student body of which more than 40 percent of the students are 
Hispanic Americans, and private voluntary organizations which are 
controlled by individuals who are socially and economically 
disadvantaged, as the terms are defined in 726.7002.
* * * * *

PART 708--REQUIRED SOURCES OF SUPPLIES AND SERVICES

PART 708--[REMOVED]

    26. Part 708 is removed.

PART 708--CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS


709.402  [Removed]

    27. Section 709.402 is removed.
    28. A new section 709.403 is added to read as follows:


709.403  Definitions.

    Debarring official in USAID is the Procurement Executive.
    Suspending official in USAID is the Procurement Executive.


709.503  [Amended]

    29. The first sentence of section 709.503 is amended by revising 
``(AIDR 702.170-13(c)(4)'' to read ``((48 CFR) AIDAR 702.170-
13(c)(4))''.

PART 711--DESCRIBING AGENCY NEEDS


711.022-70  [Redesignated and amended]

    30. Section 711.022-70 is amended by redesignating it as 711.002-
70; by revising ``(M/AS)'' in paragraph (b)(1) to read ``(as designated 
in ADS chapter 323)''; and by removing ``(M/AS)'' from paragraph 
(b)(3).

PART 715--CONTRACTING BY NEGOTIATION


715.415  [Amended]

    31. Section 715.413-22 amended by removing paragraph (c) 
introductory left; by removing paragraph (2) at the end of the section; 
and by revising paragraph (b) to read as follows:


715.413-2  Alternate II

* * * * *
    (b) Prior to releasing proposals outside the Government for 
evaluation, the contracting officer shall obtain a signed and dated 
copy of a certification and agreement from each NGE and EAC 
substantially as follows:
* * * * *


715.613-71  [Amended]

    32. Section 715.613-71 is amended by removing paragraphs (d) and 
(e), by redesignating paragraph (f) as paragraph (d), by revising 
``(b)(1)'' in newly-designated (d)(3)(i) to read ``(c)'', by revising 
``request for expression of interest'' and ``project'' in the second 
sentence of newly-designated (d)(4) to

[[Page 40468]]

read ``REI'' and ``activity'', respectively, and by revising paragraphs 
(a), (b), and (c) to read as follows:


715.613-71  Title XII selection procedure--collaborative assistance.

    (a) General. (48 CFR) AIDAR 706.302-70(b)(4) provides authority for 
other than full and open competition when selecting Title XII 
institutions to perform Title XII activities.
    (b) Scope of subsection. This subsection prescribes policies and 
procedures for the selection of institutions eligible under Title XII 
of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, to perform 
activities authorized under Title XII, where USAID has determined, in 
accordance with paragraph (c) of this subsection, that use of the 
collaborative assistance contracting system is appropriate. See AIDAR 
Appendix F (of this chapter)--Use of Collaborative Assistance Method 
for Title XII Activities for a more complete definition and discussion 
of the collaborative assistance method.
    (c) Determinations. The following findings and determinations must 
be made prior to initiating any contract actions under the 
collaborative assistance method:
    (1) The cognizant technical office makes a preliminary finding 
that:
    (i) An activity is authorized by Title XII; and
    (ii) Should be classed as collaborative assistance because a 
continuing collaborative relationship between USAID, the host country, 
and the contractor is required from design through completion of the 
activity, and USAID, host country, and contractor participation in a 
continuing review and evaluation of the activity is essential for its 
proper execution.
    (2) Based upon this preliminary finding, the cognizant technical 
office shall establish an evaluation panel consisting of a 
representative of the contracting officer, and any other 
representatives considered appropriate by the chairman to review the 
proposed activity for its appropriateness under the collaborative 
assistance method.
    (3) If supported by the panel's findings, the chairman will make a 
formal, written determination that the collaborative assistance method 
is the appropriate contracting method for the Title XII activity in 
question.
* * * * *

PART 719--SMALL BUSINESS AND SMALL DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS CONCERNS


719.270  [Amended]

    33. Section 719.270 is amended by removing ``[FAR 13.101 and 
13.103(b)]'' from paragraph (d) and by removing paragraph (k).


719.271-2  [Amended]

    34. Paragraph (b)(8) of section 719.271-2 is amended by removing 
``[FAR 13.101 and 13.103(b)]''.


719.271-3  [Amended]

    35. Paragraph (j) of section 719.271-3 is amended by adding ``to'' 
between the third comma and ``SDB''.


719.271-6  [Amended]

    36. Paragraph (a) introductory text of section 719.271-6 is amended 
by removing ``(FAR 13.101 and 13.103(b))'' and ``and AIDAR Appendix F'' 
is removed from paragraph (a)(3).

PART 722--APPLICATION OF LABOR LAWS TO GOVERNMENT ACQUISITION


722.805-70  [Amended]

    37. At the end of paragraph (d)(3) in section 722.805-70, remove 
``(see 704.803(a))''.

PART 725--FOREIGN ACQUISITION


725.701  [Amended]

    38. Section 725.701 is revised to read as follows:


725.701  General

    USAID's source, origin and nationality requirements for program-
funded contracts and subcontracts are established in 22 CFR part 228, 
Rules on Source, Origin and Nationality for Commodities and Services 
Financed by USAID. These policies as they apply to subcontracts and 
purchases under USAID program-funded contracts have been incorporated 
into the contract clauses referenced in 725.704 and 725.705 of this 
subpart.


725.704  [Revised]

    39. Section 725.704 is revised to read as follows:


725.704  Source, origin and nationality requirements--Contract clause.

    The clause in 752.225-70 is required in all USAID program-funded 
solicitations and in all program-funded contracts under which the 
contractor may procure goods or services.


725.705  [Revised]

    40. Section 725.705 is revised to read as follows:


725.705  Local procurement--contract clause.

    Local procurement may be undertaken in accordance with the 
provisions of 22 CFR 228.40. All contracts involving performance 
overseas shall contain the clause in 752.225-71.


725.706  [Amended]

    41. Section 725.706 paragraph (a) is revised to read as follows:


725.706  Geographic source waivers.

    (a) Authority to waive source, origin, nationality, and 
transportation services requirements is set forth in Chapters 103 and 
310 of the ADS
* * * * *

PART 726--OTHER SOCIOECONOMIC PROGRAMS


726.7001  [Amended]

    42. Section 726.7001 is amended by revising the second ``the'' in 
the first sentence to read ``certain'', and by adding ``(see section 
706.302-71(a))'' between ``acts'' and ``concerning'' in the same 
sentence.


726.7003  [Amended]

    43. Section 726.7003 is amended by revising ``for development 
assistance and for famine recovery and development in Africa'' in the 
introductory paragraph to read ``from the appropriations cited in 
section 706.302-71(a)(1)'', and in paragraph (c) by revising ``subpart 
726.3'' to read ``section 726.7007''.


726.7005  [Amended]

    44. Section 726.7005 is amended by revising ``726.301'' in the 
first sentence to read ``726.7007'' and by revising ``726.301(b)'' in 
the last sentence to read ``726.7007''.


726.7006  [Amended]

    45. Section 726.7006 is amended by revising ``726.101'' in the 
first sentence of paragraph (a) to read ``726.7002''.


726.7007  [Amended]

    46. In section 726.7007, paragraph (a) is amended by revising 
``726.101'' to read ``726.7002'' and by revising ``for development 
assistance or for assistance for famine recovery and development in 
Africa'' to read ``from the appropriations cited in section 706.302-
71(a)(1)''; paragraph (b) is amended by revising ``726.104'' to read 
``716.7005''.

PART 731--CONTRACT COST PRINCIPLES AND PROCEDURES


731.205-6  [Amended]

    47. Section 731.205-6 is amended by revising the parenthetical 
sentence in paragraph (d) to read ``The Contracting Officer shall only 
provide such approval after internal Agency procedures for review/
approval of salaries in excess of the ES-6 rate have been followed.''

[[Page 40469]]

731.371  [Amended]

    48. Paragraph (b)(1) of section 731.371 is amended by removing the 
second sentence and inserting in its place ``The Contracting Officer 
shall only provide such approval after internal Agency procedures for 
review/approval of salaries in excess of the ES-6 rate have been 
followed.''

PART 732--CONTRACT FINANCING


732.401  [Amended]

    49. Paragraph (a) of section 732.401 is amended by revising ``May 
12, 1955'' to read ``May 12, 1965''.

PART 733--PROTESTS, DISPUTES AND APPEALS


733.270-2  [Amended]

    50. Section 733.270-2 is amended by removing the ``s'' at the end 
of the word ``furnishings'' in the second sentence of paragraph (e).

PART 750--EXTRAORDINARY CONTRACTUAL ACTIONS


750.7101  [Amended]

    51. Paragraph (a) of section 750.7101 is amended by capitalizing 
``agency'' in ``International Development Cooperation agency Delegation 
of Authority'' in the middle of the first sentence.


750.7109-3  [Amended]

    52. Section 750.7109-3 is amended by revising ``dsecribed'' to read 
``described''.


750.7110  [Amended]

    53. Section 750.7110 and subsections 750.7110-1 through 750.7110-5 
are revised as follows:


750.7110  Processing cases.


750.7110-1  Investigation.

    The Evaluation Division of the Office of Procurement (M/OP/E) shall 
be responsible for assuring that the case prepared by the cognizant 
contracting officer makes a thorough investigation of all facts and 
issues relevant to each situation. Facts and evidence shall be obtained 
from contractor and Government personnel and shall include signed 
statements of material facts within the knowledge of the individuals 
where documentary evidence is lacking and audits where considered 
necessary to establish financial or cost related facts. The 
investigation shall establish the facts essential to meet the standards 
for deciding the particular case and shall address the limitations upon 
exercise of the Procurement Executive's authority to approve the 
request.


750.7110-2  Office of General Counsel coordination.

    Prior to the submission of a case to the Procurement Executive 
recommending extraordinary contractual relief, the claim shall be fully 
developed by the cognizant contracting officer and concurrences or 
comments shall be obtained from the Office of General Counsel for the 
proposed relief to be granted. Such concurrences or comments shall be 
incorporated in or accompany the action memorandum submitted for 
consideration to the Procurement Executive in accordance with 750.7110-
3.


750.7110-3  Submission of cases to the Procurement Executive.

    Cases to be submitted for consideration by the Procurement 
Executive shall be prepared and forwarded by the cognizant contracting 
officer through M/OP/E to the Procurement Executive by means of an 
action memorandum. M/OP/E will review the action memorandum for 
accuracy and completeness. The action memorandum shall provide for 
approval or disapproval by the Procurement Executive of the disposition 
recommended by the contracting officer. The action memorandum shall 
address:
    (a) The nature of the case;
    (b) The basis for authority to act under section 750.7101;
    (c) The findings of fact essential to the case (see 750.7109-3) 
arranged chronologically with cross references to supporting 
enclosures;
    (d) The conclusions drawn from applying the standards for deciding 
cases, as set forth in 750.7106, to the findings of fact;
    (e) Compliance with the limitations upon exercise of authority, as 
set forth in section 750.7107 (for informal commitments, include 
statements addressing each of the limitations in paragraph (d) of 
750.7107):
    (f) Concurrences or comments obtained from the Office of General 
Counsel;
    (g) Verification of funds availability and the contracting 
officer's determination of cost/price reasonableness when the 
disposition recommended requires payment to a contractor;
    (h) The disposition recommended and, if contractual action is 
recommended with respect to cases falling within Section 4 of the 
Executive Order, the opinion of the contracting officer that such 
action is necessary to protect the foreign policy interest of the 
United States; and
    (i) The action memorandum shall enclose all evidentiary materials, 
including the reports and comments of all cognizant Government or other 
officials, and a copy of the contractor's request. The action 
memorandum should provide the following information related to the 
contractor's request, as applicable:
    (1) Date of request;
    (2) Date request received by USAID:
    (3) Contract number;
    (4) Contractor's name and address;
    (5) Name, address, and phone number of contractor's representative;
    (6) Name, office symbol, and phone number of cognizant contracting 
officer;
    (7) Amount of request.


 750.7110-4  Processing by Procurement Executive.

    When the action memorandum has been determined to be as accurate 
and complete as possible and has been prepared in accordance with this 
subpart, M/OP/E will forward the action memorandum to the Procurement 
Executive. The Procurement Executive will sign and date the action 
memorandum indicating approval or disapproval of the disposition 
recommended by the contracting officer.


750.7110-5  Contract files.

    The fully executed action memorandum indicating approval/
disapproval and a copy of the contractual document implementing any 
approval contractual action shall be placed in the contract file.

PART 752--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES


752.200  [Amended]

    54. The first sentence of section 752.200 is corrected by adding an 
``s'' to the end of ``contract''.


752.204-2  [Amended]

    55. Section 752.204-2 is amended by revising ``Volume 5, Foreign 
Affairs Manual, Chapter 900'' to read ``Volume 12, Foreign Affairs 
Manual, Chapter 540'', and by revising ``Limited Official use'' 
wherever it appears to read ``Sensitive But Unclassified''.


752.209-70  [Removed]

    56. Section 752.209-70 is removed.


752.219-8  [Amended]

    57. Section 752.219-8 is amended by revising ``FAR 19.7008(a)'' in 
the second sentence to read ``FAR 19.708(a)'', by removing ``in FAR 
13.000'' in the introductory text of the clause after ``simplified 
acquisition threshold'', and by removing the quotation mark at the end 
of the section.

[[Page 40470]]

752.225-9  [Amended]

    58. Section 752.225-9 is amended by revising ``subpart'' at the end 
of the first sentence to read ``chapter'', and by revising ``752.7004'' 
to read ``752.225-70'' in the last sentence.
    59. New section 752.225-70 is added as follows:


752.225-70  Source, origin and nationality requirements.

    The following clause is required as prescribed in 725.704.

Source, Origin and Nationality Requirements (May 1997)

    (a) Except as may be specifically approved by the Contracting 
Officer, all commodities (e.g., equipment, materials, vehicles, 
supplies) and services (including commodity transportation services) 
which will be financed under this contract with U.S. dollars shall 
be procured in accordance with the requirements in 22 CFR part 228, 
``Rules on Source, Origin and Nationality for Commodities and 
Services Financed by USAID.'' The authorized source for procurement 
is Geographic Code 000 unless otherwise specified in the schedule of 
this contract. Guidance on eligibility of specific goods or services 
may be obtained from the Contracting Officer.
    (b) Ineligible goods and services. The Contractor shall not 
procure any of the following goods or services under this contract:
    (1) Military equipment,
    (2) Surveillance equipment,
    (3) Commodities and services for support of police and other law 
enforcement activities,
    (4) Abortion equipment and services,
    (5) Luxury goods and gambling equipment, or
    (6) Weather modification equipment.
    (c) Restricted goods. The Contractor shall not procure any of 
the following goods or services without the prior written approval 
of the Contracting Officer:
    (1) Agricultural commodities,
    (2) Motor vehicles,
    (3) Pharmaceuticals and contraceptive items,
    (4) Pesticides,
    (5) Fertilizer,
    (6) Used equipment, or
    (7) U.S. government-owned excess property.
    If USAID determines that the Contractor has procured any of 
these specific restricted goods under this contract without the 
prior written authorization of the Contracting Officer, and has 
received payment for such purposes, the Contractor agrees to refund 
to USAID the entire amount of the purchase.

    60. New Section 752.225-71 is added to read as follows:


752.225-71  Local procurement.

    For use in any USAID contract involving performance overseas.

Local Procurement (May 1997)

    (a) Local procurement involves the use of appropriated funds to 
finance the procurement of goods and services supplied by local 
businesses, dealers or producers, with payment normally being in the 
currency of the cooperating country.
    (b) All locally-financed procurements must be covered by source/
origin and nationality waivers as set forth in subpart F of 22 CFR 
part 238 except as provided for in 22 CFR 228.40, Local procurement.


752.226-1  [Amended]

    61. Section 752.226-1 is amended by revising ``726.201'' in the 
introductory paragraph to read ``726.7006(a)''.


752.226-2  [Amended]

    62.Section 752.226-2 is amended by revising ``726.301'' in the 
introductory paragraph to read ``726.7007'', by revising the date of 
the clause ``(April 1991)'' to read ``(April 1997)'', and by removing 
the second sentence of paragraph (c)(3).


752.226-3  [Amended]

    63. Section 752.226-3 is amended by revising ``726.302'' in the 
introductory paragraph to read ``726.7008''.


752.228-7  [Amended]

    64. Section 752.228-7 is amended by revising the last sentence to 
read as follows:


752.228-7  Insurance--liability to third persons.

* * * * *
    (  ) Insurance on private automobiles. * * * Copies of such 
insurance policies shall be preserved and made available as part of the 
Contractor's records which are required to be preserved and made 
available by the ``Audit and Records--Negotiation'' clause of this 
contract.


752.245-70  [Amended]

    65. Section 752.245-70 is amended by adding'', except for those for 
commercial items,'' between ``contracts'' and ``must'' in the 
introductory paragraph, by revising ``AID-Contractor'' to read ``USAID-
Contractor'' in item B.2.b. in the form entitled ``Annual Report of 
Government Property in Contractor's Custody'', and by revising ``or'' 
to read ``for'' in the second attestation in the paragraph entitled 
``Property Inventory Verifications''.


752.245-71  [Amended]

    66. The introductory text of section 752.245-71 is revised to read 
as follows:


752.245-71  Title to and care of property.

    The following clause shall be included in all non-commercial 
contracts when the contractor will acquire property under the contract 
for use overseas and the property will be titled to the Cooperating 
Country.
* * * * *


752.7001  [Revised]

    67. Section 752.7001 is revised to read as follows:
    752.7001  Biographical data.
    The following clause is to be included in all USAID cost 
reimbursement contracts.

Biographical Data (May 1997)

    The Contractor agrees to furnish to the Contracting Officer and 
AID Form 1420-17, ``Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet'', 
biographical information on the following individuals to be employed 
in the performance of the contract: (1) All individuals to be sent 
outside of the United States, or (2) any employees designated as 
``key personnel''. Biographical data in the form usually maintained 
by the Contractor on the other individuals employed under the 
contract shall be available for review by USAID at the Contractor's 
headquarters. A supply of AID Form 1420-17 will be provided with 
this contract. The Contractor may reproduce additional copies as 
necessary.


752.7004  [Revised]

    68. Section 752.7004 is revised to read as follows.


752.7004  Emergency locator information.

    The following clause is required to be included in all contracts 
requiring travel overseas.

Emergency Locator Information (May 1997)

    The Contractor agrees to provide the following information to 
the Mission Administrative Officer on or before the arrival in the 
host country of every contract employee or dependent:
    (1) The individual's full name, home address, and telephone 
number.
    (2) The name and number of the contract, and whether the 
individual is an employee or dependent.
    (3) The contractor's name, home office address, and telephone 
number, including any after-hours emergency number(s), and the name 
of the contractor's home office staff member having administrative 
responsibility for the contract.
    (4) The name, address, and telephone number(s) of each 
individual's next of kin.
    (5) Any special instructions pertaining to emergency situations 
such as power of attorney designees or alternate contact persons.


752.7007  [Amended]

    69. Section 752.7007 is amended by adding ``, as prescribed in 
731.205-6(d) or 731.371(b), as applicable'' after ``Contracting 
Officer'' in paragraph (b).


752.7008  [Amended]

    70. The introductory paragraph in section 752.7008 is amended by 
adding ``non-commercial'' before the word ``contracts''.


752.7010  [Amended]

    71. The introductory paragraph in section 752.7010 is amended by 
adding

[[Page 40471]]

``non-commercial'' before the word ``contracts''.


752.7015  [Amended]

    72. Section 752.7015 is amended by revising the introductory 
paragraph, the clause heading, paragraph (a)(2), and paragraph (a)(4) 
of the clause to read as follows:


752.7015  Use of pouch facilities.

    For use in all USAID non-commercial contracts exceeding the 
simplified acquisition threshold and involving performance overseas.

Use of Pouch Facilities (April 1996)

    (a) * * *
    (2) U.S. citizen employees of U.S. contractors are authorized 
use of the pouch for personal mail up to a maximum of one pound per 
shipment (but see paragraph (a)(3) of this clause).
* * * * *
    (4) Official mail as authorized by paragraph (a)(1) of this 
clause should be addressed as follows: Individual or Organization 
name, followed by the symbol ``C'', city Name of Post, U.S. Agency 
for International Development, Washington, DC 20523-0001.
* * * * *


752.7017  [Removed]

    73. Section 752.7017 is removed and reserved.


752.7027  [Amended]

    74. Section 752.7027 is amended by adding ``services'' before the 
word ``contracts'' in the first sentence of the introductory paragraph 
and by revising ``or'' to read ``of'' in the heading of paragraph (c) 
of the clause.


752.7029  [Amended]

    75. Section 752.7029 is amended by adding ``non-commercial'' before 
the word ``contracts'' in the introductory paragraph.


752.7033  [Amended]

    76. Section 752.7033 is amended by revising ``, and assigned 
Control No. 0412-0356'' in the second sentence of paragraph (b) to read 
``(see 701.105(a))'', and by revising the clause heading and paragraph 
(a) to read as follows:


752.7033  Physical Fitness.

* * * * *

Physical Fitness (May 1997)

* * * * *
    (a) Assignments of less than 60 days in the Cooperating Country. 
The contractor shall require employees being assigned to the 
Cooperating Country for less than 60 days to be examined by a 
licensed doctor of medicine. The contractor shall require the doctor 
to provide to the contractor a written statement that in his/her 
medical opinion, the employee is physically qualified to engage in 
the type of activity for which he/she is employed and the employee 
is physically able to reside in the country to which he/she is 
assigned. Under a cost reimbursement contract, if the contractor has 
no written statement of medical opinion on file prior to the 
departure for the Cooperating Country of any employee and such 
employee is unable to perform the type of activity for which he/she 
is employed or cannot complete his/her tour of duty because of any 
physical disability (other than physical disability arising from an 
accident while employed under this contract), the contractor shall 
be responsible for returning the disabled employee to his/her point 
of hire and providing a replacement at no additional cost to the 
Government. In addition, in the case of a cost reimbursement 
contract, the contractor shall not be entitled to reimbursement for 
any additional costs attributable to delays or other circumstances 
caused by the employee's inability to complete his/her tour of duty.
* * * * *

PART 753--FORMS


753.107  [Amended]

    77. Section 753.107 is amended by revising ``M/AS/PP/PP'' to read 
``M/AS/ISS''.
    78. Chapter 7 is amended by removing Appendices A, C, G, and H and 
reserving each.

    Dated: May 13, 1997.
Marcus L. Stevenson,
Procurement Executive.
[FR Doc. 97-18603 Filed 7-28-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6116-01-M