[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 180 (Friday, September 17, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55987-55989]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-21014]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

48 CFR Parts 209, 217, and 246

[DFARS Case 2003-D101]


Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Quality 
Control of Aviation Critical Safety Items and Related Services

AGENCY: Department of Defense (DoD).

[[Page 55988]]


ACTION: Interim rule with request for comments.

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SUMMARY: DoD has issued an interim rule amending the Defense Federal 
Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement Section 802 of 
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004. Section 
802 requires DoD to establish a quality control policy for the 
procurement of aviation critical safety items and the modification, 
repair, and overhaul of those items.

DATES: Effective date: September 17, 2004.
    Comment date: Comments on the interim rule should be submitted to 
the address shown below on or before November 16, 2004, to be 
considered in the formation of the final rule.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by DFARS Case 2003-D101, 
using any of the following methods:
    [cir] Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    [cir] Defense Acquisition Regulations Web Site: http://emissary.acq.osd.mil/dar/dfars.nsf/pubcomm. Follow the instructions for 
submitting comments.
    [cir] E-mail: [email protected]. Include DFARS Case 2003-D101 in the 
subject line of the message.
    [cir] Fax: Primary: (703) 602-7887; Alternate: (703) 602-0350.
    [cir] Mail: Defense Acquisition Regulations Council, Attn: Ms. 
Teresa Brooks, OUSD(AT&L)DPAP(DAR), IMD 3C132, 3062 Defense Pentagon, 
Washington, DC 20301-3062.
    [cir] Hand Delivery/Courier: Defense Acquisition Regulations 
Council, Crystal Square 4, Suite 200A, 241 18th Street, Arlington, VA 
22202-3402.
    All comments received will be posted to http://emissary.acq.osd.mil/dar/dfars.nsf.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    This interim rule amends DFARS Parts 209, 217, and 246 to implement 
Section 802 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2004 (Public Law 108-136). Section 802 requires DoD to prescribe in 
regulations a quality control policy for the procurement of aviation 
critical safety items and the modification, repair, and overhaul of 
those items. This interim rule--
    [cir] Identifies the responsibilities of the head of the design 
control activity for quality control of aviation critical safety items 
and related services; and
    [cir] Specifies that DoD may enter into a contract for the 
procurement, modification, repair, or overhaul of an aviation critical 
safety item only with a source approved by the head of the design 
control activity.
    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 
primarily relates to internal DoD responsibilities for ensuring quality 
control in the procurement of aviation critical safety items and 
related services. 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 subparts in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610. Such comments should be submitted 
separately and should cite DFARS Case 2003-D101.

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.

D. Determination To Issue an Interim Rule

    A determination has been made under the authority of the Secretary 
of Defense that urgent and compelling reasons exist to publish an 
interim rule prior to affording the public an opportunity to comment. 
This interim rule implements Section 802 of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (Public Law 108-136). Section 
802 requires DoD to prescribe in regulations a quality control policy 
for the procurement of aviation critical safety items and the 
modification, repair, and overhaul of those items. Section 802 became 
effective upon enactment on November 24, 2003. Comments received in 
response to this interim rule will be considered in the formation of 
the final rule.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 209, 217, and 246

    Government procurement.

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


0
Therefore, 48 CFR parts 209, 217, and 246 are amended as follows:

0
1. The authority citation for 48 CFR parts 209, 217, and 246 continues 
to read as follows:


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

PART 209--CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS

0
2. Sections 209.270 through 209.270-4 are added to read as follows:


209.270  Aviation critical safety items.


209.270-1  Scope.

    This section--
    (a) Implements Section 802 of the National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (Public Law 108-136); and
    (b) Prescribes policy and procedures for qualification requirements 
in the procurement of aviation critical safety items and the 
modification, repair, and overhaul of those items.


209.270-2  Definitions.

    As used in this section--
    Aviation critical safety item means a part, an assembly, 
installation equipment, launch equipment, recovery equipment, or 
support equipment for an aircraft or aviation weapon system if the 
part, assembly, or equipment contains a characteristic any failure, 
malfunction, or absence of which could cause--
    (1) A catastrophic or critical failure resulting in the loss of or 
serious damage to the aircraft or weapon system;
    (2) An unacceptable risk of personal injury or loss of life; or
    (3) An uncommanded engine shutdown that jeopardizes safety.
    Design control activity means the systems command of a military 
department that is specifically responsible for ensuring the air 
worthiness of an aviation system or equipment in which an aviation 
critical safety item is to be used.


209.270-3  Policy.

    (a) The head of the contracting activity for an aviation critical 
safety item may enter into a contract for the procurement, 
modification, repair, or overhaul of such an item only with a source 
approved by the head of the design control activity.

[[Page 55989]]

    (b) The approval authorities specified in this section apply 
instead of those otherwise specified in FAR 9.202(a)(1), 9.202(c), or 
9.206-1(c), for the procurement, modification, repair, and overhaul of 
aviation critical safety items.


209.270-4  Procedures.

    For items identified as aviation critical safety items--
    (a) The head of the design control activity shall--
    (1) Approve qualification requirements in accordance with 
procedures established by the design control activity; and
    (2) Qualify and identify aviation critical safety item suppliers 
and products.
    (b) The contracting officer shall--
    (1) Ensure that the head of the design control activity has 
determined that a prospective contractor or its product meets or can 
meet the established qualification standards before the date specified 
for award of the contract;
    (2) Refer any offers received from an unapproved source to the head 
of the design control activity for approval. The head of the design 
control activity will determine whether the offeror or its product 
meets or can meet the established qualification standards before the 
date specified for award of the contract; and
    (3) Refer any requests for qualification to the design control 
activity.
    (c) See 246.407 (S-70) and 246.504 for quality assurance 
requirements.

PART 217--SPECIAL CONTRACTING METHODS

0
3. Section 217.7501 is amended in paragraph (b)(2) by adding a third 
sentence to read as follows:


217.7501  General.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (2) * * * See 209.270 for requirements applicable to replenishment 
parts for aviation critical safety items.
* * * * *

PART 246--QUALITY ASSURANCE

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4. Section 246.407 is amended by adding, after paragraph (f)(iii), a 
new paragraph (S-70) to read as follows:


246.407  Nonconforming supplies or services.

* * * * *
    (S-70) The head of the design control activity is the approval 
authority for acceptance of any nonconforming aviation critical safety 
items or nonconforming modification, repair, or overhaul of such items 
(see 209.270).

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5. Subpart 246.5 is added to read as follows:

Subpart 246.5--Acceptance

Sec.
246.504 Certificate of conformance.


246.504  Certificate of conformance.

    Before authorizing a certificate of conformance for aviation 
critical safety items, obtain the concurrence of the head of the design 
control activity (see 209.270).

[FR Doc. 04-21014 Filed 9-16-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-08-P