[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 71 (Wednesday, April 14, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18372-18373]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-9311]


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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

48 CFR Part 1832


Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)

AGENCY: Office of Procurement, Contract Management Division, National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This rule amends the NASA Federal Acquisition Regulation 
Supplement (NFS) to specify that the clause at FAR 52.232-34, Payment 
by Electronic Funds Transfer--Other than Central Contractor 
Registration, is to be used for NASA contracts instead of the clause at 
FAR 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer--Central Contractor 
Registration. This rule also establishes that the use of a nondomestic 
EFT mechanism is authorized and provides direction as to the action 
that is to be taken when such a mechanism is used for a contract. In 
addition, this rule specifies that the payment office is to be the 
designated office for the receipt of EFT information for all NASA 
contracts.

EFFECTIVE DATE: April 14, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Joseph Le Cren, NASA Headquarters, 
Code HK, Washington, DC 20546, telephone: (202) 358-0444, email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAR EFT coverage was revised on March 4, 1999 (64 FR 10538-
10544). Included were changes to the solicitation provision and 
contract clauses coverage at FAR 32.1110. FAR 32.1110(a) requires that 
the clause at either FAR 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds 
Transfer--Central Contractor Registration, or FAR 52.232-34, Payment by 
Electronic Funds

[[Page 18373]]

Transfer--Other than Central Contractor Registration, be inserted in 
contracts depending on whether the Central Contractor Registration 
(CCR) database will be used. NASA has chosen not to use the CCR. The 
NFS rule states that the clause at FAR 52.232-34 is to be used. Another 
FAR change occurs at 32.1110(b), which states that the clause at FAR 
52.232-33 or 52.232-34 needs to clearly address the use of a 
nondomestic EFT mechanism if the agency head has authorized their use. 
The NFS rule establishes that the use of a nondomestic EFT mechanism 
has been authorized and specifies the action to be taken with the 
clause at FAR 52.232-34. Furthermore, FAR 32.1110(c) requires the 
clause at 52.232-35 be inserted in contracts if agency procedures 
permit the submission of EFT information to other than the payment 
office. The NFS rule requires that the payment office be the designated 
office for the receipt of EFT information for all NASA contracts.

Impact

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    This rule does not constitute a significant revision within the 
meaning of FAR 1.501 and Pub. L. 98-577, and publication for public 
comments is not required. However, comments from small entities 
concerning the affected NFS subpart will be considered in accordance 
with 5 U.S.C. 610. Such comments must be submitted separately and 
should cite 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the changes to 
the NFS 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 Part 1832

    Government procurement.
Tom Luedtke,
Acting Associate Administrator for Procurement.

    Accordingly, 48 CFR part 1832 is amended as follows:

PART 1832--CONTRACT FINANCING

    1. The authority citation for 48 CFR part 1832 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 2473(c)(1).

Subpart 1832.11--[Added]

    2. Subpart 1832.11 is added to read as follows:

Subpart 1832.11--Electronic Funds Transfer


1832.1110  Solicitation provision and contract clauses. (NASA 
supplements paragraphs (a), (b), and (c)).

    (a)(1) NASA does not use the Central Contractor Registration. Use 
the clause at FAR 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer--
Other than Central Contractor Registration.
    (b) In accordance with FAR 32.1106(b), the use of a nondomestic EFT 
mechanism is authorized. When a nondomestic EFT mechanism is used, the 
contracting officer shall replace the paragraph at FAR 52.232-34(c) 
with a description of the EFT mechanism that will be used for the 
contract.
    (c) The payment office shall be the designated office for receipt 
of contractor EFT information for all NASA contracts.

[FR Doc. 99-9311 Filed 4-13-99; 8:45 am]
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