[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 12 (Thursday, January 19, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 2682-2683]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-990]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Defense Acquisition Regulations System

48 CFR Part 242

[DFARS Case 2011-D054]
RIN 0750-AH52


Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; DoD Voucher 
Processing

AGENCY: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Department of Defense 
(DoD).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: DoD is proposing to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition 
Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to update DoD's voucher processing 
procedures and better accommodate the use of Wide Area WorkFlow to 
process vouchers.

DATES: Comments on the proposed rule should be submitted in writing to 
the address shown below on or before March 19, 2012, to be considered 
in the formation of the final rule.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by DFARS Case 2011-D054, 
using any of the following methods:
    Regulations.gov: http://www.regulations.gov.
    Submit comments via the Federal eRulemaking portal by inserting 
``DFARS Case 2011-D054'' under the heading ``Enter keyword or ID'' and 
selecting ``Search.'' Select the link ``Submit a Comment'' that 
corresponds with ``DFARS Case 2011-D054.'' Follow the instructions 
provided at the ``Submit a Comment'' screen. Please include your name, 
company name (if any), and ``DFARS Case 2011-D054'' on your attached 
document. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    Email: [email protected]. Include DFARS Case 2011-D054 in the subject 
line of the message.
    Fax: (703) 602-0350.
    Mail: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Attn: Mr. Mark 
Gomersall, OUSD (AT&L) DPAP (DARS), Room 3B855, 3060 Defense Pentagon, 
Washington, DC 20301-3060.
    Comments received generally will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. To 
confirm receipt of your comment(s), please check www.regulations.gov 
approximately two to three days after submission to verify posting 
(except allow 30 days for posting of comments submitted by mail).

[[Page 2683]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mark Gomersall, (703) 602-0302.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    This rule proposes to revise requirements for approving interim 
vouchers. Interim vouchers that are selected using sampling 
methodologies will be reviewed and approved by the contract auditors 
for provisional payment and sent to the disbursing office after a pre-
payment review. Interim vouchers not selected for a pre-payment review 
will be considered to be provisionally approved and will be sent 
directly to the disbursing office. All provisionally approved interim 
vouchers are subject to a later audit of actual costs incurred.

II. Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

    Executive Orders (E.O.s) 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess 
all costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public 
health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). E.O. 
13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, 
of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility. 
This is not a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was not 
subject to review under section 6(b) of E.O. 12866, Regulatory Planning 
and Review, dated September 30, 1993. This rule is not a major rule 
under 5 U.S.C. 804.

III. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    DoD has prepared an initial regulatory flexibility analysis 
consistent with 5 U.S.C. 603. A copy of the analysis may be obtained 
from the point of contact specified herein. The analysis is summarized 
as follows:
    The objective of the rule is to revise requirements for approving 
interim vouchers. DoD does not expect this proposed 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 this rule merely updates DoD's internal voucher 
processing procedures and better accommodates the use of Wide Area 
WorkFlow to process vouchers.
    There are no projected reporting or recordkeeping requirements 
associated with this rule. The rule does not duplicate, overlap, or 
conflict with any other Federal rules. No known significant 
alternatives to the rule have been identified.
    At this time, DoD is unable to estimate the number of small 
entities to which this rule will apply. Therefore, DoD invites comments 
from small business concerns and other interested parties on the 
expected impact of this rule on small entities.
    DoD will also consider comments from small entities concerning the 
existing regulations in subparts affected by this rule in accordance 
with 5 U.S.C. 610. Interested parties must submit such comments 
separately and should cite 5 U.S.C. 610 (DFARS Case 2011-D054) in 
correspondence.

IV. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The rule does not contain any information collection requirements 
that require the approval of the Office of Management and Budget under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35).

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Part 242

    Government procurement.

Ynette R. Shelkin,
Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations System.

    Therefore, 48 CFR part 242 is proposed for amendment as follows:

PART 242--CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION AND AUDIT SERVICES

    1. The authority citation for 48 CFR part 242 is revised to read as 
follows:

    Authority:  41 U.S.C. 1303 and 48 CFR chapter 1.

    2. In Sec.  242.803 revise paragraph (b)(i) to read as follows:


242.803  Disallowing costs after incurrence.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (i) The contract auditor is the authorized representative of the 
contracting officer for--
    (A) Receiving vouchers from contractors and approving interim 
vouchers when directed by the terms of the contract;
    (B) Approving interim vouchers that were selected using DCAA 
sampling methodologies for provisional payment and sending them to the 
disbursing office after a pre-payment review. Interim vouchers not 
selected for a pre-payment review will be considered to be 
provisionally approved and will be sent directly to the disbursing 
office. All provisionally approved interim vouchers are subject to a 
later audit of actual costs incurred;
    (C) Reviewing completion/final vouchers and sending them to the 
administrative contracting officer; and
    (D) Issuing DCAA Forms 1, Notice of Contract Costs Suspended and/or 
Disapproved, to deduct costs where allowability is questionable.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2012-990 Filed 1-18-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P