[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 207 (Friday, October 25, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 65509]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-27107]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

48 CFR Part 201

[DFARS Case 2002-D021]


Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Contracting 
Officer Qualifications

AGENCY: Department of Defense (DoD).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: DoD has issued a final rule amending the Defense Federal 
Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement Section 824 of 
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002. Section 
824 revised the qualification requirements that a new entrant into the 
contracting field must meet in order to serve as a contracting officer 
with authority to award or administer contracts exceeding the 
simplified acquisition threshold.

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 25, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Susan Schneider, Defense 
Acquisition Regulations Council, OUSD (AT&L) DP (DAR), IMD 3C132, 3062 
Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3062. Telephone (703) 602-0326; 
facsimile (703) 602-0350. Please cite DFARS Case 2002-D021.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    This final rule revises DFARS 201.603-2 to implement Section 824 of 
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 (Public Law 
107-107). Section 824 amended 10 U.S.C. 1724 to revise the 
qualification requirements that a new entrant into the contracting 
field must meet in order to serve as a contracting officer with 
authority to award or administer contracts exceeding the simplified 
acquisition threshold. The revised qualifications include a requirement 
for a baccalaureate degree and 24 semester credit hours of study in a 
business-related discipline.
    This rule was not subject to Office of Management and Budget review 
under Executive Order 12866, dated September 30, 1993.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    This rule will not have a significant cost or administrative impact 
on contractors or offerors, or a significant effect beyond the internal 
operating procedures of DoD. Therefore, publication for public comment 
is not required. However, DoD will consider comments from small 
entities concerning the affected DFARS subpart in accordance with 5 
U.S.C. 610. Such comments should cite DFARS Case 2002-D021.

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 201

    Government procurement.

Michele P. Peterson,
Executive Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations Council.

    Therefore, 48 CFR part 201 is amended as follows:
    1. The authority citation for 48 CFR part 201 continues to read as 
follows:

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

PART 201--FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM

    2. Section 201.603-2 is revised to read as follows:


201.603-2  Selection.

    (1) In accordance with 10 U.S.C. 1724, in order to qualify to serve 
as a contracting officer with authority to award or administer 
contracts for amounts above the simplified acquisition threshold, a 
person must--
    (i) Have completed all contracting courses required for a 
contracting officer to serve in the grade in which the employee or 
member of the armed forces will serve;
    (ii) Have at least 2 years experience in a contracting position;
    (iii) Have--
    (A) Received a baccalaureate degree from an accredited educational 
institution; and
    (B) Completed at least 24 semester credit hours, or equivalent, of 
study from an accredited institution of higher education in any of the 
following disciplines: accounting, business finance, law, contracts, 
purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative 
methods, and organization and management; and
    (iv) Meet such additional requirements, based on the dollar value 
and complexity of the contracts awarded or administered in the 
position, as may be established by the Secretary of Defense.
    (2) The qualification requirements in paragraph (1)(iii) of this 
subsection do not apply to a DoD employee or member of the armed forces 
who--
    (i) On or before September 30, 2000, occupied--
    (A) A contracting officer position with authority to award or 
administer contracts above the simplified acquisition threshold; or
    (B) A position either as an employee in the GS-1102 occupational 
series or a member of the armed forces in an occupational specialty 
similar to the GS-1102 series;
    (ii) Is in a contingency contracting force; or
    (iii) Is an individual appointed to a 3-year developmental 
position. Information on developmental opportunities is contained in 
DoD Manual 5000.52-M, Acquisition Career Development Program.
    (3) Waivers to the requirements in paragraph (1) of this subsection 
may be authorized. Information on waivers is contained in DoD Manual 
5000.52-M.

[FR Doc. 02-27107 Filed 10-24-02; 8:45 am]
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