[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 245 (Friday, December 20, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 77955-77956]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-31948]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

48 CFR Part 213

[DFARS Case 2002-D025]


Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Purchase Card 
Internal Controls

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 add policy on internal controls for 
proper use of the Governmentwide commercial purchase card.

DATES: Comments on the proposed rule should be submitted in writing to 
the address shown below on or before February 18, 2003, to be 
considered in the formation of the final rule.

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 2002-D025 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)DPAP(DAR), IMD 3C132, 3062 
Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3062; facsimile (703) 602-0350. 
Please cite DFARS Case 2002-D025.
    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

    This proposed rule revises DFARS subpart 213.3 to add policy on 
internal controls for proper use of the Governmentwide commercial 
purchase card and convenience checks. The rule implements 
recommendations made by the DoD Charge Card Task Force, in its final 
report dated June 27, 2002, to strengthen management of the purchase 
card program.
    This rule was not subject to Office of Management and Budget review 
under Executive Order 12866, dated September 30, 1993.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    DoD does not expect this rule 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 
pertains primarily to internal DoD procedures for use of the 
Governmentwide commercial purchase card and convenience checks. 
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 
2002-D025.

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.

[[Page 77956]]

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Part 213

    Government procurement.

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

    Therefore, DoD proposes to amend 48 CFR part 213 as follows:
    1. The authority citation for 48 CFR part 213 continues to read as 
follows:

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

PART 213--SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES

    2. Section 213.301 is revised to read as follows:


213.301  Governmentwide commercial purchase card.

    (1) Only formally appointed and trained cardholders are authorized 
to use the purchase card.
    (2) Do not split requirements exceeding the micro-purchase 
threshold or the cardholder's single purchase limit into several 
purchases that are less than the applicable threshold in order to use 
the purchase card (see FAR 13.003(c)).
    (3) Do not use the purchase card to issue a task or delivery order 
that exceeds the cardholder's single purchase limit.
    (4) When ordering against a Federal Supply Schedule--
    (i) Comply with the requirements of FAR 8.404 and 208.404; and
    (ii) Retain best value documentation with the cardholder's purchase 
card file.
    (5) When ordering against a blanket purchase agreement, comply with 
the requirements of FAR 13.303-5.
    (6) For each order exceeding $2,500, comply with the reporting 
requirements of subpart 204.6.
    (7) Do not issue purchase cards to contractors. Under certain 
conditions, GSA can authorize contractors to establish cards directly 
with the issuing bank. Refer contractors that ask for a card to GSA. A 
listing of GSA points of contact can be found on the Internet at: 
http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/content/ offerings--content. 
jsp?contentOID=119199& contentType=1004.
    3. Sections 213.301-70 through 213.301-72 are added to read as 
follows:


213.301-70  DoD Governmentwide commercial purchase card program 
responsibilities.

    (a) The DoD Purchase Card Program Management Office administers the 
DoD Governmentwide commercial purchase card program on behalf of the 
Director of Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy. Specific 
procedures and guidelines for the program can be found in the following 
documents:
    (1) DoD 7000.14-R, Financial Management Regulation, volume 10, 
chapter 10, section XXXX, available on the Internet at http://www.dtic.mil/comptroller/fmr.
    (2) DoD Purchase Card Concept of Operations, available on the 
Internet at http://purchasecard.saalt.army.mil/ ConOps, 
%2031%20Jul%2002.pdf.
    (b) Agency heads are responsible for ensuring that management 
controls are in place for proper use of the card. Local commanders are 
responsible for ensuring that the local purchase card program maintains 
internal controls that support proper use of the card.
    (c) The penalties for purchase card misuse or abuse by civilian or 
military members may include, but are not limited to, reprimand, 
dismissal, and/or imposition of fines or other criminal penalties.


213.301-71  Overseas use of the Governmentwide commercial purchase 
card.

    (a) ``United States,'' as used in this section, means the 50 States 
and the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the 
Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, 
American Samoa, Wake Island, Johnston Island, Canton Island, the outer 
Continental Shelf lands, and any other place subject to the 
jurisdiction of the United States (but not including leased bases).
    (b) An individual appointed in accordance with 201.603-3(b) also 
may use the Governmentwide commercial purchase card to make a purchase 
that exceeds the micro-purchase threshold but does not exceed $25,000, 
if--
    (1) The purchase--
    (i) Is made outside the United States for use outside the United 
States; and
    (ii) Is for a commercial item; but
    (iii) Is not for work to be performed by employees recruited within 
the United States;
    (iv) Is not for supplies or services originating from, or 
transported from or through, sources identified in FAR Subpart 25.7;
    (v) Is not for ball or roller bearings as end items;
    (vi) Does not require access to classified or Privacy Act 
information; and
    (vii) Does not require transportation of supplies by sea; and
    (2) The individual making the purchase--
    (i) Is authorized and trained in accordance with agency procedures;
    (ii) Complies with the requirements of FAR 8.001 in making the 
purchase; and
    (iii) Seeks maximum practicable competition for the purchase in 
accordance with FAR 13.104(b).
    (c) A contracting officer supporting a contingency operation as 
defined in 10 U.S.C. 101(a)(13) or a humanitarian or peacekeeping 
operation as defined in 10 U.S.C. 2302(8) also may use the 
Governmentwide commercial purchase card to make a purchase that exceeds 
the micro-purchase threshold but does not exceed the simplified 
acquisition threshold, if--
    (1) The supplies or services being purchased are immediately 
available;
    (2) One delivery and one payment will be made; and
    (3) The requirements of paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) of this 
subsection are met.


213.301-72  Convenience checks.

    (a) Convenience check purchases are subject to the same policies 
and responsibilities as are applicable to the Governmentwide commercial 
purchase card. See the DoD Financial Management Regulation, volume 10, 
chapter 10, section XXXX, for the procedures for convenience check 
purchases.
    (b) Use a convenience check only when--
    (1) The amount of the purchase is $2,500 or less (however, see the 
DoD Financial Management Regulation, volume 10, chapter 10, section 
XXXX, for overseas contingency use);
    (2) Use of the Governmentwide commercial purchase card is not 
feasible;
    (3) Maximum efforts have been made to find and use vendors that 
accept the Governmentwide commercial purchase card;
    (4) All alternatives to accomplish the same purpose have been 
evaluated; and
    (5) A convenience check has been determined to be the most 
advantageous method of purchase.
    (c) Write convenience checks only for the amount of the purchase.

[FR Doc. 02-31948 Filed 12-19-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-08-P