[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 156 (Friday, August 13, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 44246]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-20930]


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OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET


OMB Circular A-127, ``Financial Management Systems''

AGENCY: Office of Management and Budget, Executive Office of the 
President.

ACTION: Final revision.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is adopting the 
interim final revision to OMB Circular A-127, ``Financial Management 
Systems,'' that changes the process for acquiring software to meet core 
financial system requirements by eliminating the restriction to only 
acquire the software and related services from the FMSS Schedule, and 
to provide for software testing that is independent of the procurement 
process. These changes will result in the revision of Sections 8d and 
9b, as well as adding a new Section 9a(3) and 9c. These changes are 
shown below.

DATES: Effective September 13, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jean Holcombe, Federal Financial 
Systems Branch, Office of Federal Financial Management, Office of 
Management and Budget, (202) 395-3993. The revisions to the Circular 
are available on the OMB Home Page at http://www.whitehouse.gov/OMB.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 1, 1999 (64 FR 35701), the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) issued an interim final revision to OMB 
Circular A-127, ``Financial Management Systems.'' The interim final 
revision made changes to Sections 8d and 9b, as well as adding a new 
Section 9a(3) and 9c to Circular A-127, in order to eliminate the 
restriction to only acquire the software and related services from the 
FMSS Schedule, and to provide for software testing that is independent 
of the procurement process. No comments were received in response to 
the interim final revision. Accordingly, OMB is adopting in final form, 
without change, the interim final revision to Circular A-127 which was 
published at 64 FR 35701 on July 1, 1999.

    Issued in Washington, DC, August 9, 1999.
Norwood J. Jackson, Jr.,
Acting Controller.

OMB Revises Circular A-127 as Follows

    1. Section 8d of the current Circular should be deleted in its 
entirety and replaced with the following:
    8d(1). Use of ``Off-the-Shelf'' Software. Agencies replacing 
software to meet core financial system requirements are required to use 
the GSA FMSS Multiple Award Schedule until its expiration on September 
30, 1999. As of October 1, 1999 agencies replacing software to meet 
core financial system requirements are no longer required to use the 
GSA FMSS Multiple Award Schedule; they must use ``off-the-shelf'' 
software that has been tested and certified through the JFMIP software 
certification process as meeting JFMIP Core Financial Management System 
Requirements. Agencies may purchase this software using the strategy 
and procurement vehicle they believe will best enable them to meet 
their needs in a timely and effective manner following the competition 
requirements associated with the procurement vehicle being used to 
conduct the acquisition.
    In addition, agencies will notify JFMIP that a core financial 
management software procurement is planned--preferably prior to, or in 
the early phases of, acquisition planning. JFMIP will electronically 
post a public message to permit interested certified system vendors to 
market agencies. The sole purpose of this message is to facilitate 
agency market research. This message is not intended to, and shall not, 
serve as an invitation for offerors to submit bids, proposals, or 
quotes.
    OMB policy pertaining to using ``off-the-shelf'' software is 
contained in OMB Circular A-130 and must be followed when replacing 
financial management systems.
    8d(2). Software Certification Testing. ``Off-the-shelf'' software 
will be tested to ensure that it meets core financial system 
requirements as defined in the Core Financial System Requirements 
document published by JFMIP. JFMIP will coordinate the testing process 
and issue software certifications. Information on the details of the 
certification testing process and its results will be available to any 
interested Federal agency for any certified software package.
    2. A new section 9a(3) is being added to the current Circular as 
follows:
    9a.(3). Notify JFMIP on Plans to Acquire Core Financial System 
Software. Agencies shall notify JFMIP on plans to acquire software 
supporting core financial system functions.
    3. Section 9b of the current Circular is revised to read as 
follows:
    9b. GSA Responsibilities. GSA is responsible for continuing to 
support existing contracts under the FMSS Schedule until their 
completion. GSA also will make procurement vehicles available to 
agencies for acquiring software which has been certified according to 
the processes in Section 8d(2).
    4. A new Section 9c is being added and will read as follows:
    9c. JFMIP Responsibilities. JFMIP will establish processes for 
testing ``off-the-shelf'' software supporting core financial system 
requirements which include:
    --Developing and administering the certification test.
    --Notifying GSA when a software package successfully completes the 
certification test.
    --Providing interested parties with information on the core 
financial system requirements and their related testing scenarios.
    --Providing interested parties with details on the results of the 
certification tests for certified software packages.
    --Posting a public notice on planned core financial system 
procurements.

[FR Doc. 99-20930 Filed 8-12-99; 8:45 am]
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