[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 247 (Monday, December 27, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 72445-72446]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-33434]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

48 CFR Parts 8 and 39

[FAC 97-15; FAR Case 99-602; Item V]
RIN 9000-AI57


Federal Acquisition Regulation; Transition of the Financial 
Management System Software Program

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense 
Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) agreed to amend the Federal 
Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to delete the language pertaining to the 
Financial Management Systems Software Mandatory Multiple Award Schedule 
Contracts Program because this schedule is no longer mandatory due to 
changes to OMB Circular A-127.

DATES: Effective Date: February 25, 2000.
    Applicability Date: The FAR, as amended by this rule, is applicable 
to solicitations issued on or after February 25, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The FAR Secretariat, Room 4035, GS 
Building, Washington, DC, 20405, (202) 501-4755, for information 
pertaining to status or publication schedules. For clarification of 
content, contact Ms. Linda Nelson, Procurement Analyst, at (202) 501-
1900. Please cite FAC 97-15, FAR case 99-602.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    This final rule amends the FAR to delete Subpart 8.9, Financial 
Management Systems Software Mandatory Multiple Award Schedule Contracts 
Program and to add a reference in Part 39 to OMB Circular A-127. The 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) revised OMB Circular A-127, that 
requires Federal agencies to use a single, integrated financial 
management system. Agencies now must acquire core financial management 
software that has been certified by the Joint Financial Management 
Improvement Program. The Financial Management Systems Software 
Mandatory Multiple Award Schedules has been eliminated. As of October 
1, 1999, agencies may purchase certified financial management software 
through the Information Technology (FSC Group 70) Federal Supply 
Schedule using the procedures in FAR Subpart 8.4 or award their own 
contracts.
    This rule was not subject to Office of Management and Budget review 
under Section 6(b) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and 
Review, dated September 30, 1993. This rule is not a major rule under 5 
U.S.C. 804.

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, because the rule 
merely deletes FAR coverage that is no longer necessary due to 
revisions to OMB Circular A-127, which eliminate the mandatory status 
of the Financial Management System Software Multiple Award Schedules 
Contracts Program. Accordingly, publication for public comments is not 
required. However, the Councils will consider comments from small 
entities concerning the affected FAR subparts in accordance with 5 
U.S.C. 610. Interested parties must submit such comments separately and 
should cite 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq. (FAC 97-15, FAR case 99-602), in 
correspondence.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the changes to 
the FAR do not impose information collection requirements that 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 8 and 39

    Government procurement.

    Dated: December 20, 1999.
Edward C. Loeb,
Director, Federal Acquisition Policy Division.
    Therefore, DoD, GSA, and NASA amend 48 CFR parts 8 and 39 as set 
forth below:
    1. The authority citation for 48 CFR parts 8 and 39 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).

[[Page 72446]]

PART 8--REQUIRED SOURCES OF SUPPLIES AND SERVICES

Subpart 8.9 [Removed and Reserved]

    2. Remove and reserve Subpart 8.9.

PART 39--ACQUISITION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

    3. Revise section 39.000 to read as follows:


39.000  Scope of part.

    This part prescribes acquisition policies and procedures for use in 
acquiring information technology, including financial management 
systems, consistent with other parts of this regulation, OMB Circular 
No. A-127, Financial Management Systems and OMB Circular No. A-130, 
Management of Federal Information Resources.
    4. Add paragraph (c) to section 39.101 to read as follows:


39.101   Policy.

* * * * *
    (c) Agencies must follow OMB Circular A-127, Financial Management 
Systems, when acquiring financial management systems. Agencies may 
acquire only core financial management software certified by the Joint 
Financial Management Improvement Program.
[FR Doc. 99-33434 Filed 12-23-99; 8:45 am]
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