[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 235 (Thursday, December 6, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63348-63349]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-30261]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

48 CFR Part 235

[DFARS Case 2001-D002]


Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Research and 
Development Streamlined Contracting Procedures

AGENCY: Department of Defense (DoD).

ACTION: Proposed rule with request for comments.

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SUMMARY: DoD is proposing to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition 
Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to eliminate the requirement for posting 
of solicitations at the research and development streamlined 
solicitation website. Instead, each contracting activity will use its 
own procedures for electronic posting of research and development 
streamlined solicitations. Contracting activities will continue to make 
synopses and solicitations available through the Governmentwide point 
of entry (FedBizOpps).

DATES: Comments on the proposed rule should be submitted in writing to 
the address shown below on or before February 4, 2002, to be considered 
in the formation of the final rule.

[[Page 63349]]


ADDRESSES: Respondents may submit comments directly on the World Wide 
Web at http://emissary.acq.osd.mil/dar/dfars.nsf/pubcomm. As an 
alternative, respondents may e-mail comments to: [email protected]. 
Please cite DFARS Case 2001-D002 in the subject line of e-mailed 
comments.
    Respondents that cannot submit comments using either of the above 
methods may submit comments to: Defense Acquisition Regulations 
Council, Attn: Ms. Angelena Moy, OUSD(AT&L)DP(DAR), IMD 3C132, 3062 
Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3062; facsimile (703) 602-0350. 
Please cite DFARS Case 2001-D002.
    At the end of the comment period, interested parties may view 
public comments on the World Wide Web at http://emissary.acq.osd.mil/dar/dfars.nsf. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Angelena Moy, (703) 602-1302.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    DFARS Subpart 235.70 contains streamlined procedures for acquiring 
research and development using a standard solicitation and contract 
format. The standard format is available on the research and 
development streamlined solicitation (RDSS) website at http://www/
rdss.osd.mil. DFARS 235.7003-2 presently requires that each 
solicitation issued in the standard format be posted at the RDSS 
website. This proposed rule eliminates the requirement for contracting 
activities to post their solicitations at the RDSS website, to permit 
each activity to use its own procedures for electronic posting of 
solicitations. However, contracting activities will continue to make 
synopses and solicitations available through the Governmentwide point 
of entry (FedBizOpps) in accordance with FAR 5.102 and 5.203.
    This rule was not subject to Office of Management and Budget review 
under Executive Order 12866, dated September 30, 1993.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The proposed rule is not expected to have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities within the meaning of 
the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq., because the rule 
does not significantly change solicitation procedures or limit public 
access to solicitation information. Therefore, DoD has not performed an 
initial regulatory flexibility analysis. DoD invites comments from 
small businesses and other interested parties. DoD also will consider 
comments from small entities concerning the affected DFARS subpart in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610. Such comments should be submitted 
separately and should cite DFARS Case 2001-D002.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the rule does 
not impose any 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 Part 235

    Government procurement.

Michele P. Peterson,
Executive Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations Council.
    Therefore, DoD proposes to amend 48 CFR part 235 as follows:
    1. The authority citation for 48 CFR part 235 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 41 U.S.C. 421 and 48 CFR Chapter 1.

PART 235--RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTING

    2. Section 235.7003-2 is revised to read as follows:


235.7003-2  RDSS process.

    (a) Synopsis. The synopsis required by FAR 5.203 must include--
    (1) The information required by FAR 5.207; and
    (2) A statement that the solicitation will be issued in the 
research and development streamlined solicitation format shown at the 
RDSS/C website.
    (b) Solicitation. 
    (1) The solicitation, to be made available consistent with the 
requirements of FAR 5.102--
    (i) Must be in the format shown at the RDSS/C website;
    (ii) Must include the applicable version number of the RDSS 
standard format; and
    (iii) Must incorporate by reference the appropriate terms and 
conditions of the RDSS standard format.
    (2) To encourage preparation of better cost proposals, consider 
allowing a delay between the due dates for technical and cost 
proposals.
[FR Doc. 01-30261 Filed 12-5-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5000-04-U