[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 219 (Wednesday, November 14, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64019-64023]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-5670]



[[Page 64019]]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

48 CFR Parts 3, 9, 42, and 52

[FAR Case 2007-006; Docket 2007-0001; Sequence 11]
RIN: 9000-AK80


Federal Acquisition Regulation; FAR Case 2007-006, Contractor 
Compliance Program and Integrity Reporting

AGENCIES:  Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration 
(GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION:  Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY:  The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense 
Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) are proposing to amend the 
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), at the request of the Department 
of Justice (DoJ), in order to require contractors to have a code of 
ethics and business conduct, establish and maintain specific internal 
controls to detect and prevent improper conduct in connection with the 
award or performance of Government contracts or subcontracts, and to 
notify contracting officers without delay whenever they become aware of 
violations of Federal criminal law with regard to such contracts or 
subcontracts.

DATES:  Interested parties should submit written comments to the FAR 
Secretariat on or before January 14, 2008 to be considered in the 
formulation of a final rule.

ADDRESSES:  Submit comments identified by FAR case 2007-006 by any of 
the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.To 
search for any document, first select under ``Step 1,'' ``Documents 
with an Open Comment Period'' and select under ``Optional Step 2,'' 
``Federal Acquisition Regulation'' as the agency of choice. Under 
``Optional Step 3,'' select ``Proposed Rules''. Under ``Optional Step 
4,'' from the drop down list, select ``Document Title'' and type the 
FAR case number ``2007-006''. Click the ``Submit'' button. Please 
include your name and company name (if any) inside the document. You 
may also search for any document by clicking on the ``Search for 
Documents'' tab at the top of the screen. Select from the agency field 
``Federal Acquisition Regulation'', and type ``2007-006'' in the 
``Document Title'' field. Select the ``Submit'' button.
     Fax: 202-501-4067.
     Mail: General Services Administration, Regulatory 
Secretariat (VIR), 1800 F Street, NW, Room 4035, ATTN: Laurieann 
Duarte, Washington, DC 20405.
    Instructions: Please submit comments only and cite FAR case 2007-
006 in all correspondence related to this case. All comments received 
will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including 
any personal and/or business confidential information provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Mr. Ernest Woodson, Procurement 
Analyst, at (202) 501-3775 for clarification of content. For 
information pertaining to status or publication schedules, contact the 
FAR Secretariat at (202) 501-4755. Please cite FAR case 2007-006.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    On May 23, 2007, the Office of Federal Procurement Policy received 
a request from the Department of Justice to open a FAR case to require 
contractors to have a code of ethics and business conduct, establish 
and maintain specific internal controls to detect and prevent improper 
conduct in connection with the award or performance of Government 
contracts or subcontracts, and to notify contracting officers without 
delay whenever they become aware of violations of Federal criminal law 
with regard to Government contracts or subcontracts.
    The Councils published a proposed rule under FAR Case 2006-007, 
Contractor Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, 72 FR 7588, February 
16, 2007. That rule proposed creation of a new Subpart 3.10 to address 
the requirements for a contractor code of ethics and business conduct, 
and an associated clause at FAR 52.203-XX. The comment period on that 
proposed rule closed on April 17, 2007, and 27 responses were received. 
It is still the intent of the Councils to issue a final rule under that 
case, based on analysis of the public comments received, except that 
the final rule will not address mandatory disclosure to the Government.
    That proposed rule covers some of the same areas requested by DoJ. 
However, several aspects of the DoJ request go beyond that proposed 
rule. The Councils therefore have decided to issue a new proposed rule 
under this FAR case 2007-006 to cover these new proposals.
    Public comments are requested on the new changes not included in 
prior FAR Case 2006-007. Comments are also requested on mandatory 
disclosure, and full cooperation, which were in FAR case 2006-007 as 
examples in the clause of an internal control system. Also note that 
some paragraphs in that rule, which were not necessary for this rule, 
were not repeated and will be part of that case's final rule (hotline 
posters).
    The new changes in this rule include:
    Compliance program as part of contractor's obligationto have ``a 
satisfactory record of integrity and business ethics''
    As requested by DoJ, the Councils propose to amend the general 
standards of responsibility at FAR 9.104-1 to add a cross reference to 
Subpart 42.15, and to add at FAR 42.1501 ``the contractor's record of 
integrity and business ethics'' as relevant information to be included 
in past performance information. FAR 42.1501 already includes the 
requirement to report the contractor's record of conforming to contract 
requirements, which will include any information that the contractor 
has not complied with the clause at FAR 52.203-XX. For contractors that 
have had prior contracts subject to these new requirements, compliance 
as reflected in past performance rating will be an element for 
consideration in assessing whether a contractor meets the standard of 
having a satisfactory record of integrity and business ethics.
    Applicability to small business concerns
    The Councils propose that clause at FAR 52.203-XX be included in 
any contract that exceeds $5 million, but that the formal ethics 
awareness program and internal control system are not required if the 
contractor is a small business concern. This directly reduces the 
burden on small business concerns.
    U.S. Sentencing Guidelines 
    The Councils propose to modify the clause at FAR 52.203-XX, 
Contractor Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, which was proposed 
under FAR Case 2006-007, to more closely match the U.S. Sentencing 
Commission Guidelines Manual, Section 8B2.1 (available at http://www.ussc.gov/). Not only DoJ requests this, but also a number of 
respondents to the proposed FAR rule 2006-007. The U.S. Sentencing 
Guidelines provide guidance on what the U.S. Sentencing Commission 
expects in the way of an effective compliance and ethics program from 
organizations convicted of a felony or Class A misdemeanor. DoJ and 
other respondents to the FAR Case 2006-007 proposed rule considered 
that that proposed rule left out important elements that are covered in 
the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and that this can

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create confusion. Businesses (especially small businesses) may believe 
they have met all the compliance requirements of the U.S. Government by 
following the FAR; this will create a false sense of security. 
Therefore, this rule proposes the following changes to the clause at 
FAR 52.203-XX:
     Add definitions of ``agent,'' and ``principals.'' The 
definition of ``principals,'' is the same as the definition used at FAR 
52.209-5. This definition has the advantage that it is already included 
in the FAR, and includes all the personnel covered in the U.S. 
Sentencing Guidelines definitions of ``governing authority'' ``high-
level personnel,'' and ``substantial authority personnel.''
     Amplify the paragraph FAR 52.203-XX(b)(2) requirement to 
promote compliance with the code of business ethics.
     Provide more detail in paragraph FAR 52.203-XX(c)(1) with 
regard to the ongoing ethics and business conduct awareness and 
compliance program.
     In paragraph FAR 52.203-XX(c)(2), make all the stated 
elements of the internal control system mandatory, rather than 
guidance.
     Add a new paragraph FAR 52.203-XX(c)(2)(ii)(A) requiring 
assignment of responsibility at a sufficiently high level of the 
organization and adequate resources to ensure effectiveness of the 
business ethics awareness and compliance program and internal control 
system.
     Provide additional detail in paragraph FAR 52.203-
XX(c)(2)(ii)(C) with regard to the requirement for periodic reviews.
     Provide that disciplinary action shall be taken not only 
for improper conduct, but also for failing to take reasonable steps to 
prevent or detect improper conduct by others.
    Contractor Integrity Reporting
    The Councils propose to address the reporting of violations of 
Federal criminal law in connection with the award or performance of a 
Government contract or subcontract conduct as follows:
     Add at FAR 3.1002 a cross-reference to FAR 9.406-
2(b)(1)(v) and 9.407-2(a)(7), that contractors may be suspended and 
debarred for knowing failure to timely disclose a violation of Federal 
criminal law in connection with the award or performance of any 
Government contract performed by the contractor or a subcontract 
awarded thereunder.
     Modify the clause at FAR 52.203-XX(b)(3), which applies to 
both large and small business concerns, to require notification to the 
agency Office of the Inspector General, with a copy to the contracting 
officer, whenever the contractor has reasonable grounds to believe that 
a violation of criminal law has been committed in connection with the 
award or performance of the contract or any subcontract thereunder.
     Modify the clause at FAR 52.203-XX(c), which does not 
apply to small business concerns, to mandate that the internal control 
system of the contractor shall also include this requirement to report 
violations of Federal criminal law in connection with the award or 
performance of any Government contract performed by the contractor or a 
subcontract awarded thereunder.
    According to DoJ, the requirement for mandatory disclosure is 
necessary because few companies have actually responded to the 
invitation of DoD that they report or voluntarily disclose suspected 
instance of violations of Federal criminal law relating to the contract 
or subcontract.
    The Councils invite comment as to whether there should be any 
appropriate limitation on the reporting requirement that accomplishes 
the objectives of this rule, such as the time period during which the 
violations to be reported occurred (look back).
    Use of clause in contracts for the acquisition of commercial items 
awarded under FAR Part 12
    The Councils do not recommend application of the clause to 
contracts for the acquisition of commercial items. Requiring commercial 
contractors to comply with the rule would not be consistent with Public 
Law 103-355 that requires the acquisition of commercial items to 
resemble customarily commercial marketplace practices to the maximum 
extent practicable. Commercial practice encourages, but does not 
require, contractor codes of business ethics conduct. In particular, 
the intent of FAR Part 12 is to minimize the number of Government-
unique provisions and clauses. The policy at FAR 3.1002 of the proposed 
rule does apply to commercial contracts. All Government contractors 
must conduct themselves with the highest degree of integrity and 
honesty. However, consistent with the intent of Pub. L. 103-355 and FAR 
Part 12, the clause mandating specific requirements contractor 
compliance program and integrity reporting is not required in 
commercial contracts.
    Causes for debarment or suspension
    As requested by DoJ, the Councils propose modification of FAR 
9.406-2 and 9.407-2 to include new cause for debarment or suspension: a 
knowing failure to timely disclose an overpayment on a Government 
contract or violation of Federal criminal law in connection with the 
award or performance of any Government contract performed by the 
contractor or any subcontract thereunder.
    Clause at FAR 52.203
    Consistent with the proposed rule under FAR case 2006-007, the 
Councils propose use of the clause FAR 52.203-XX in solicitations and 
contracts expected to exceed $5 million if the performance period is 
120 days or more, except for acquisitions under FAR Part 12 or 
contracts to be performed outside the United States.
    Flowdown
    The Councils propose flowdown of the clause FAR 52.203-XX to 
subcontracts valued at over $5 million, consistent with the proposed 
rule under FAR case 2006-007. The Councils decided that the same 
rationale that supports a threshold of $5 million for prime contracts, 
is applicable to subcontracts as well. The other conditions of the 
proposed rule under FAR case 2006-007 are also still applicable, i.e., 
performance period of 120 days or more, and the subcontract is not for 
acquisition of commercial items or to be performed outside the United 
States.
    Full cooperation
    In addition, the Councils have included in the proposed rule the 
requirements that an internal control system must require full 
cooperation with any Government agencies responsible for audit, 
investigation, or corrective actions. This requirement was originally 
derived from the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement 
(DFARS) guidance at DFARS 203.7001(a)(7), with the addition of the word 
``audit'' in response to a public comment under FAR case 2006-007.
    The Councils are not including this requirement in the final rule 
to be issued under FAR case 2006-007, in order to allow further public 
comment and analysis of the relationship to waiver of the attorney-
client privilege.
    This is a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was not 
subject to review under Section 6(b) of Executive Order 12866, 
Regulatory Planning and Review, dated September 30, 1993. This rule is 
not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The changes may 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 it requires the 
contractor (including small business concerns) to notify the agency 
inspector general and the contracting

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officer in writing whenever the contractor has reasonable grounds to 
believe that a principal, employee, agent, or subcontractor of the 
contractor has committed a violation of Federal criminal law in 
connection with the award of performance of any Government contract or 
subcontract. Although the Councils do not expect this to be a 
significant burden on small businesses, because it only impacts those 
small businesses that need to report violations of Federal criminal law 
in connection with the award or performance of a Government contract, 
the Councils have prepared an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis 
(IRFA) for public comment, that is summarized as follows:

    This Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) has been 
prepared consistent with 5 U.S.C. 603.
    The objective of the rule is to emphasize the critical 
importance of integrity in contracting and reduce the occurrence of 
improper or criminal conduct in connection with the award and 
performance of Federal contracts and subcontracts.
    The rule imposes a clause that is applicable to contracts and 
subcontracts that exceed $5 million and with a performance period 
that exceeds 120 days. The clause does not apply to--
     Acquisition of commercial items, either at the prime or 
subcontract levels.
     Contracts or subcontracts performed outside the United 
States.
    Although the clause requires all contractors to implement a code 
of business ethics, the clause requirements for a formal awareness/
training program and internal control system will not apply to small 
business concerns.
    The clause imposes a mandatory requirement to notify the agency 
Office of the Inspector General, with a copy to the contracting 
officer, whenever the contractor has reasonable grounds to believe 
that a principal, employee, agent, or subcontractor of the 
contractor has committed a violation of Federal criminal law in 
connection with the award or performance of the contract or any 
subcontract thereunder. All contractors and subcontractors subject 
to the clause are required to report such violations. In addition, 
regardless of inclusion of the clause, a new cause for debarment and 
suspension has been added, for failure to timely report any such 
known violation of Federal criminal law.
    Based on Fiscal Year 2006 data collected from the Federal 
Procurement Data System, the Councils estimate that this clause will 
apply to 1800 prime contractors per year, of which 700 companies are 
small business concerns. The clause also flows down to subcontracts 
that exceed $5 million, and we estimate that approximately 700 
additional small business concerns will meet these conditions. We 
calculate the number of small business concerns that will be 
required to submit the report of violation of Federal criminal law 
with regard to a Government contract or subcontracts as follows:
    700 contractors + 700 subcontractors = 1,400x2% = 28.
    In addition, although there is no clause required, all 
contractors will be on notice that they may be suspended or debarred 
for failure to report known violations of Federal criminal law with 
regard to a Government contract or subcontract. In Fiscal Year 2006 
there were 144,854 small business concern listed in FPDS-NG with 
unique DUNS numbers. We estimate that of the listed small business 
concerns, approximately 116,000 (80 percent) will receive contracts 
in a given fiscal year. Government small business experts guess that 
at least twice that number of small businesses (232,000) will 
receive subcontracts. However, the only small business concerns 
impacted by this cause for suspension or debarment are those small 
business concerns that are aware of violation of Federal criminal 
law with regard to their Government contracts or subcontracts. 
Subtracting out those contracts and subcontracts covered by the 
clause (700), we estimate this number as follows: (115,300 + 231,300 
= 346,600 x .5% = 1,733). We estimate a lower percentage 
than used for contracts and subcontracts that contain the clause, 
because these are lower dollar contracts and subcontracts, including 
commercial contracts, and there may be less visibility into 
violations of Federal criminal law. Because there is no contract 
clause, we estimate that only 1 percent of those contractors/ 
subcontractors that are aware of a violation of Federal criminal law 
in regard to the contractor or subcontract will voluntarily report 
such violation to the contracting officer.
    The rule requires contractors to report to the agency inspector 
general and the contracting officer of violations of Federal 
criminal law in connection with the award or performance of any 
Government contract or subcontract for contracts and subcontracts 
that exceed $5 million, excluding contracts/subcontracts to be 
performed outside the United States or awarded under FAR Part 12. 
Such a report would probably be prepared by company management, and 
would probably involve legal assistance to prepare.
    The rule does not duplicate, overlap, or conflict with any other 
Federal rules.
    The Councils adopted the following alternatives in order to 
minimize the impact on small business concerns:
     The requirement for formal training programs and 
internal control systems are inapplicable to small business 
concerns, rather than tying the requirement to a dollar threshold 
based on contract value, which might make the requirements 
applicable to some small business concerns.
     The requirement for mandatory reporting is limited to 
violations of Federal criminal law in connection with performance or 
award of a Government contract or subcontract, rather than requiring 
report of any improper conduct, even that which is not a violation 
of Federal criminal law.
    The FAR Secretariat has submitted a copy of the IRFA to the Chief 
Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration. A copy of 
the IRFA may be obtained from the FAR Secretariat. The Councils will 
consider comments from small entities concerning the affected FAR Parts 
3, 9, 42, and 52 in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610. Comments must be 
submitted separately and should cite 5 U.S.C 601, et seq. (FAR case 
2007-006), in correspondence.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act (Pub. L. 104-13) applies because the 
proposed rule contains information collection requirements. 
Accordingly, the FAR Secretariat will submit a request for approval of 
a new information collection requirement concerning OMB Number 9000-
00XX, Contractor Compliance Program and Integrity Reporting, to the 
Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.
    There will be an estimated 20 burden hours for the required 
reporting to the contracting officer of violations of Federal criminal 
law in connection with the award or performance of any Government 
contract or subcontract.
    Annual Reporting Burden:
    Public reporting burden for this collection of information is 
estimated based on review of Fiscal Year 2006 contract awards as 
entered in the Federal Procurement Data System, the Councils estimate 
that 1400 contractors per year will be subject to the new clause FAR 
52.203-XX (contracts greater than $5 million, not including contracts 
awarded under FAR Part 12). The Councils further estimate that of those 
1400 contractors, 28 (2 percent) will report violations of Federal 
criminal law with regard to performance or award of a Government 
contract or subcontract. In addition, the Councils estimate that 17 
contractors that do not have the clause at FAR 52.203-XX in the 
contract will also report such violations.
    The annual reporting burden is estimated as follows:
    Respondents: 45
    Responses per respondent: 1
    Total annual responses: 45
    Preparation hours per response: 3
    Total response burden hours: 135

D. Request for Comments Regarding Paperwork Burden

    Submit comments, including suggestions for reducing this burden, 
not later than January 14, 2008 to: FAR Desk Officer, OMB, Room 10102, 
NEOB, Washington, DC 20503, and a copy to the General Services 
Administration, FAR Secretariat (VIR), 1800 F Street, NW, Room 4035, 
Washington, DC 20405. Please cite OMB Control Number 9000-00XX, 
Contractor Compliance

[[Page 64022]]

Program and Integrity Reporting, in all correspondence.
    Public comments are particularly invited on: whether this 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
functions of the FAR, and will have practical utility; whether our 
estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is 
accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be 
collected; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use 
of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology.
    Requester may obtain a copy of the justification from the General 
Services Administration, FAR Secretariat (VIR), Room 4035, Washington, 
DC 20405, telephone (202) 501-4755. Please cite OMB Control Number 
9000-00XX, Contractor Compliance Program and Integrity Reporting, in 
all correspondence.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 3, 9, 42, and 52

    Government procurement.

    Dated: November 7, 2007
Al Matera,
Director, Office of Acquisition Policy.
    Therefore, DoD, GSA, and NASA propose amending 48 CFR parts 3, 9, 
42, and 52 as set forth below:
    1. The authority citation for 48 CFR parts 3, 9, 42, and 52 
continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  40 U.S.C. 121(c); 10 U.S.C. chapter 137; and 42 
U.S.C. 2473(c).

PART 3--IMPROPER BUSINESS PRACTICES AND PERSONAL CONFLICTS OF 
INTEREST

    2. Add Subpart 3.10 to read as follows:

Subpart 3.10--Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct

Sec.
3.1000 Scope of subpart.
3.1001 [Reserved]
3.1002 Policy.
3.1003 Mandatory requirements.
3.1004 Contract clauses.


3.1000  Scope of subpart.

    This subpart prescribes policies and procedures for 
theestablishment of contractor codes of business ethics and conduct.


3.1001  [Reserved]


3.1002  Policy.

    (a) Government contractors must conduct themselves with the highest 
degree of integrity and honesty.
    (b) Contractors should have a written code of business ethics and 
conduct. To promote compliance with such a code of business ethics and 
conduct, contractors should have an employee business ethics and 
compliance training program and an internal control system that--
    (1) Are suitable to the size of the company and extent of its 
involvement in Government contracting;
    (2) Facilitate timely discovery of improper conduct in connection 
with Government contracts; and
    (3) Ensure corrective measures are promptly instituted and carried 
out.
    (c) A contractor may be suspended and/or debarred for knowing 
failure to timely disclose a violation of Federal criminal law in 
connection with the award or performance of any Government contract 
performed by the contractor or a subcontract awarded thereunder (see 
9.406-2(b)(1)(v) and 9.407-2(a)(7)).


3.1003  Mandatory requirements.

    Although the policy in section 3.1002 applies as guidance to all 
Government contractors, the contractual requirements set forth in the 
clauses at 52.203-XX, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct 
are mandatory if the contracts meet the conditions specified in the 
clause prescriptions at 3.1004.


3.1004  Contract clauses.

    Insert the clause at FAR 52.203-XX, Contractor Code of Business 
Ethics and Conduct, in solicitations and contracts if the value of the 
contract is expected to exceed $5,000,000 and the performance period is 
120 days or more, except when the contract--
    (a) Will be for the acquisition of a commercial item awarded under 
FAR Part 12; or
    (b) Will be performed entirely outside the United States.

PART 9--CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS

    3. Amend section 9.104-1 by revising paragraph (d) to read as 
follows:


9.104-1  General standards.

* * * * *
    (d) Have a satisfactory record of integrity and business ethics 
(for example, see Subpart 42.15);
* * * * *
    4. Amend section 9.406-2 by revising paragraph (b)(1) introductory 
text and adding paragraph (b)(1)(v) to read as follows:


9.406-2  Causes for debarment.

* * * * *
    (b)(1) A contractor, based upon a preponderance of the evidence, 
for any of the following--
* * * * *
    (v) Knowing failure to timely disclose--
    (A) An overpayment on a Government contract; or
    (B) Violation of Federal criminal law in connection with the award 
or performance of any Government contract or subcontract.
* * * * *
    5. Amend section 9.407-2 by redesignating paragraph (a)(7) as 
(a)(8) and adding a new paragraph (a)(7) to read as follows:


9.407-2  Causes for suspension.

    (a) * * *
    (7) Knowing failure to timely disclose--
    (i) An overpayment on a Government contract; or
    (ii) Violation of Federal criminal law in connection with the award 
or performance of any Government contract or subcontract; or
* * * * *

PART 42--CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION AND AUDIT SERVICES

    6. Amend section 42.1501 by revising the last sentence to read as 
follows:


42.1501  General.

    * * * It includes, for example, the contractor's record of 
conforming to contract requirements and to standards of good 
workmanship; the contractor's record of forecasting and controlling 
costs; the contractor's adherence to contract schedules, including the 
administrative aspects of performance; the contractor's history of 
reasonable and cooperative behavior and commitment to customer 
satisfaction; the contractor's record of integrity and business ethics, 
and generally, the contractor's business-like concern for the interest 
of the customer.

PART 52--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

     7. Add section 52.203-XX to read as follows:


52.203-XX  Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct.

    As prescribed in 3.1004, insert the following clause:
    CONTRACTOR CODE OF BUSINESS ETHICS AND CONDUCT (DATE)
    (a) Definitions. As used in this clause--
    Agent means any individual, including a director, an officer, an 
employee, or an

[[Page 64023]]

independent contractor, authorized to act on behalf of the 
organization.
    Principals means officers, directors, owners, partners, and, 
persons having primary management or supervisory responsibilities 
within a business entity (e.g., general manager; plant manager; head 
of a subsidiary, division, or business segment, and similar 
positions).
    United States means the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and 
outlying areas.
    (b) Code of business ethics and conduct. (1) Within 30 days 
after contract award, unless the contracting officer establishes a 
longer time period, the Contractor shall--
    (i) Have a written code of business ethics and conduct; and
    (ii) Provide a copy of the code to each employee engaged in 
performance of the contract.
    (2) The Contractor shall--
    (i) Exercise due diligence to prevent and detect criminal 
conduct; and
    (ii) Otherwise promote an organizational culture that encourages 
ethical conduct and a commitment to compliance with the law.
    (3) The Contractor shall notify, in writing, the agency Office 
of the Inspector General, with a copy to the Contracting Officer, 
whenever the Contractor has reasonable grounds to believe that a 
principal, employee, agent, or subcontractor of the Contractor has 
committed a violation of Federal criminal law in connection with the 
award or performance of this contract or any subcontract thereunder.
    (c) Business ethics awareness and compliance program and 
internal control system for other than small businesses. This 
paragraph (c) does not apply if the Contractor has represented 
itself as a small business concern pursuant to the award of this 
contract. The Contractor shall establish the following within 90 
days after contract award, unless the contracting officer 
establishes a longer time period--
    (1) An ongoing business ethics and conduct awareness and 
compliance program. (i) This program shall include reasonable steps 
to communicate periodically and in a practical manner the 
Contractor's standards and procedures and other aspects of the 
Contractor's business ethics awareness and compliance program and 
internal control system, by conducting effective training programs 
and otherwise disseminating information appropriate to an 
individual's respective roles and responsibilities.
    (ii) The training conducted under this program shall be provided 
to the Contractor's principals and employees, and as appropriate, 
the Contractor's agents and subcontractors.
    (2) An internal control system.
    (i) The Contractor's internal control system shall--
    (A) Establish standards and procedures to facilitate timely 
discovery of improper conduct in connection with Government 
contracts; and
    (B) Ensure corrective measures are promptly instituted and 
carried out.
    (ii) At a minimum, the Contractor's internal control system 
shall provide for the following:
    (A) Assignment of responsibility at a sufficiently high level of 
the organization and adequate resources to ensure effectiveness of 
the business ethics awareness and compliance program and internal 
control system.
    (B) Reasonable efforts not to include within the organization 
principals whom due diligence would have exposed as having engaged 
in conduct that is illegal or otherwise in conflict with the 
Contractor's code of business ethics and conduct.
    (C) Periodic reviews of company business practices, procedures, 
policies, and internal controls for compliance with the Contractor's 
code of business ethics and conduct and the special requirements of 
Government contracting, including--
    (1) Monitoring and auditing to detect criminal conduct;
    (2) Periodic evaluation of the effectiveness of the 
organization's business ethics awareness and compliance program and 
internal control system, especially if criminal conduct has been 
detected; and
    (3) Periodic assessment of the risk of criminal conduct, with 
appropriate steps to design, implement, or modify the business 
ethics awareness and compliance program and the internal control 
system as necessary to reduce the risk of criminal conduct 
identified through this process.
    (D) An internal reporting mechanism, such as a hotline, which 
allows for anonymity or confidentiality, by which employees may 
report suspected instances of improper conduct, and instructions 
that encourage employees to make such reports.
    (E) Disciplinary action for improper conduct or for failing to 
take reasonable steps to prevent or detect improper conduct.
    (F) Timely reporting, in writing, to the agency Office of the 
Inspector General, with a copy to the Contracting Officer, whenever 
the Contractor has reasonable grounds to believe that a principal, 
employee, agent, or subcontractor of the Contractor has committed a 
violation of Federal criminal law in connection with the award or 
performance of any Government contract performed by the Contractor 
or a subcontract thereunder; and
    (G) Full cooperation with any Government agencies responsible 
for audit, investigation, or corrective actions.
    (d) Subcontracts. (1) The Contractor shall include the substance 
of this clause, including this paragraph (d), in subcontracts that 
have a value in excess of $5,000,000 and a performance period of 
more than 120 days, except when the subcontract--
    (i) Is for the acquisition of a commercial item; or
    (ii) Is performed outside the United States.
    (2) In altering this clause to identify the appropriate parties, 
all reports of violation of Federal criminal law shall be directed 
to the agency Office of the Inspector General, with a copy to the 
Contracting Officer.
    (End of clause)
[FR Doc. 07-5670 Filed 11-9-07; 11:21 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-EP-S