[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 35 (Monday, February 23, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8157-8158]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-3695]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

48 CFR Part 235

[DFARS Case 2003-D058]


Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Removal of 
Obsolete Research and Development 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 delete obsolete procedures for 
research and development contracting. This proposed rule is a result of 
a transformation initiative undertaken by DoD to dramatically change 
the purpose and content of the DFARS.

DATES: Comments on the proposed rule should be submitted in writing to 
the address shown below on or before April 23, 2004, to be considered 
in the formation of the final rule.

ADDRESSES: Respondents may submit comments via the Internet 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 2003-D058 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. Teresa Brooks, OUSD (AT&L) DPAP (DAR), IMD 3C132, 
3062 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3062; facsimile (703) 602-
0350. Please cite DFARS Case 2003-D058.
    At the end of the comment period, interested parties may view 
public comments on the Internet at http://emissary.acq.osd.mil/dar/dfars.nsf.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Teresa Brooks, (703) 602-0326.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    DFARS Transformation is a major DoD initiative to dramatically 
change the purpose and content of the DFARS.

[[Page 8158]]

The objective is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the 
acquisition process, while allowing the acquisition workforce the 
flexibility to innovate. The transformed DFARS will contain only 
requirements of law, DoD-wide policies, delegations of FAR authorities, 
deviations from FAR requirements, and policies/procedures that have a 
significant effect beyond the internal operating procedures of DoD or a 
significant cost or administrative impact on contractors or offerors. 
Additional information on the DFARS Transformation initiative is 
available at http://www.acq.osd.mil/dp/dars/transf.htm.
    This proposed rule is a result of the DFARS Transformation 
initiative. The rule deletes DFARS Subpart 235.70, Research and 
Development Streamlined Contracting Procedures. This subpart contains 
procedures for acquiring research and development using a standard 
solicitation and contract format and the capabilities of the World Wide 
Web. These procedures have become obsolete, due to further advances in 
technology since their creation.
    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 
deletes text that is obsolete and no longer in use. 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 2003-D058.

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

Subpart 235.70--[Removed]

    2. Subpart 235.70 is removed.

[FR Doc. 04-3695 Filed 2-20-04; 8:45 am]
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