[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 95 (Thursday, May 16, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 28785-28790]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-11399]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Defense Acquisition Regulations System

48 CFR Parts 212, 215, 225, and 252

RIN 0750-AH89


Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Only One 
Offer--Further Implementation (DFARS Case 2013-D001)

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

ACTION: Proposed rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: DoD is proposing to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition 
Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to further implement DoD policy relating 
to competitive acquisitions in which only one offer is received, 
providing additional exceptions, and further addressing requests for 
data other than certified cost or pricing data from the Canadian 
Commercial Corporation.

DATES: Comment date: Comments on the proposed rule should be submitted 
in writing to the address shown below on or before July 15, 2013, to be 
considered in the formation of a final rule.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments identified by DFARS Case 2013-D001, using 
any of the following methods:
    [cir] Regulations.gov: http://www.regulations.gov. Submit comments 
via the Federal eRulemaking portal by entering ``DFARS Case 2013-D001'' 
under the heading ``Enter keyword or ID'' and selecting ``Search.'' 
Select the link ``Submit a Comment'' that corresponds with ``DFARS Case 
2013-D001.'' Follow the instructions provided

[[Page 28786]]

at the ``Submit a Comment'' screen. Please include your name, company 
name (if any), and ``DFARS Case 2013-D001'' on your attached document.
    [cir] Email: [email protected]. Include DFARS Case 2013-D001 in the 
subject line of the message.
    [cir] Fax: 571-362-6094.
    [cir] Mail: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Attn: Ms. Amy 
Williams, 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).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Amy Williams, Defense Acquisition 
Regulations System, OUSD(AT&L)DPAP/DARS, Room 3B855, 3060 Defense 
Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3060. Telephone 571-372-6106.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    DoD is proposing to revise the DFARS to further implement policy 
with regard to acquisitions in which only one offer is received and 
requests for data other than certified cost or pricing data from the 
Canadian Commercial Corporation. This case is a follow-on to DFARS 
final rules published in the Federal Register under DFARS Case 2011-
D013, Only One Offer (77 FR 39126 on June 29, 2012), and DFARS Case 
2011-D049, Contracting with the Canadian Commercial Corporation (77 FR 
43470 on July 24, 2012).
    DFARS Case 2011-D013 was initiated to implement the initiative on 
promoting real competition that was presented by the Under Secretary of 
Defense for Acquisition, Technology & Logistics in a memorandum dated 
November 3, 2010, Implementation Directive for Better Buying Power--
Obtaining Greater Efficiency and Productivity in Defense Spending. 
DFARS Case 2011-D049 was initiated to clarify the requirements for the 
Canadian Commercial Corporation to submit data other than certified 
cost or pricing data. Because these two cases were developed in 
parallel, the interrelationship between the two cases could not be 
incorporated into either final rule. Therefore, DoD is proposing to 
revise the DFARS to further implement both rules, in particular as they 
relate to each other.

II. Applicability

    The final rule will apply to solicitations (including solicitations 
for task orders and delivery orders) issued on or after the publication 
date of the final rule.

III. Discussion

    This rule proposes the following changes:
    A. Applicability to commercial items. The rule proposes 
clarification at DFARS 212.301(f)(iv)(G), Solicitation provisions and 
contract clauses for the acquisition of commercial items, that the 
provision at DFARS 252.215-7003, Requirements for Data Other Than 
Certified Cost or Pricing Data--Canadian Commercial Corporation, or the 
clause at DFARS 252.215-7004, Requirement for Data other Than Certified 
Cost or Pricing Data--Modifications--Canadian Commercial Corporation, 
shall be used in acquisitions of commercial items when necessary to 
determine the price reasonableness of commercial items for acquisitions 
from the Canadian Commercial Corporation.

B. Exceptions

    The rule proposes two additional exceptions to the policy on only 
one offer, because the acquisition procedures used for such 
acquisitions are not compatible with the requirements for handling the 
receipt of only one offer in response to a competitive solicitation at 
DFARS 215.371-2, i.e., to promote competition through review of 
requirements, and resolicitation, allowing an additional period of at 
least 30 days for receipt of offer. The two proposed new exceptions are 
as follows:
    1. Architect-engineer services (see FAR subpart 36.6, and DFARS 
subpart 236.6).
    2. Set-asides offered to and accepted by the Small Business 
Administration (SBA) into the 8(a) Program (see FAR subpart 19.8 and 
DFARS subpart 219.8).

All exceptions are revised to state that there is no exception to the 
requirements to ensure that prices are fair and reasonable.

C. Provision and Clause Prescriptions

    1. The prescription for the provision at DFARS 252.215-7007, Notice 
of Intent to Resolicit, has been moved from DFARS 215.408 to DFARS 
215.371-6, because it does not relate to pricing.
    2. The remaining provision and clause prescriptions at 215.408 are 
re-ordered to be in numerical order of the provisions and clauses. The 
prescriptions for DFARS 252.215-7003, Requirement for Data Other Than 
Certified Cost or Pricing Data--Canadian Commercial Corporation and 
252.215-7004, Requirement for Data Other Than Certified Cost or Pricing 
Data--Modifications--Canadian Commercial Corporation, are revised 
consistent with DFARS 225.870-4(c) and relocated to DFARS 215.408(3).
    3. Approval authorities for use of 252.215-7003 and 252.215-7004 
are removed from the clause prescription and relocated to DFARS 
225.870-4.
    4. The use of DFARS 252.215-7004 in competitive solicitations is 
addressed. In competitive solicitations, if approval has been obtained 
as required at DFARS 225.870-4(c)(2)(ii), the solicitation may include 
both FAR 52.215-21, Requirements for Certified Cost or Pricing Data and 
Data Other Than Certified Cost or Pricing Data--Modifications, and 
DFARS 252.215-7004 to provide for the possibility of future 
modifications to the contract. The contracting officer shall then 
select the appropriate clause to include in the contract, depending on 
whether or not contract award is to the Canadian Commercial 
Corporation.
    5. In order to accommodate the circumstance in which a contracting 
officer may require offerors to provide data other than certified cost 
or pricing data with each offer in a competitive acquisition, the 
statement that the provision FAR 52.215-20, Requirements for Certified 
Cost or Pricing Data and Data Other Than Certified Cost or Pricing 
Data, will only take effect as specified in 252.215-7008, Only One 
Offer, has been deleted. Rather, the prescription allows use of both 
252.215-7008 and 52.215-20, if the contracting officer is requesting 
submission of data other than certified cost or pricing data with the 
offer.

D. Approval Authorities for Requesting Data From the Canadian 
Commercial Corporation

    Discussion of contracting procedures when contracting with the 
Canadian Commercial Corporation at DFARS 225.870-4 has been amplified 
with regulations relating when approval is required to request data 
from the Canadian Commercial Corporation (moved from the prescriptions 
at DFARS 215.408). The rule also proposes that no further approval is 
required to request data in competitive solicitations if--
     Data other than certified cost or pricing data are 
required from all offerors; or
     The Canadian Commercial Corporation submits the only offer 
in response to a competitive solicitation

[[Page 28787]]

that meets the thresholds at 225.870-4(2)(i)(A) or (B), applicable to 
sole source acquisitions from the Canadian Commercial Corporation.

E. ``Only One Offer'' Provision

    The rule proposes to amend the provision at DFARS 252.215-7008, 
Only One Offer, to remove the requirement to submit data requested by 
the contracting officer after receipt of only one offer in accordance 
with FAR 52.215-20. Rather, the provision incorporates the appropriate 
requirements of FAR 52.215-20 if the offeror is other than the Canadian 
Commercial Corporation and then separately addresses the requirements 
for submission of data if the sole offeror is the Canadian Commercial 
Corporation.

IV. 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.

V. 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. However, an initial 
regulatory flexibility analysis has been performed and is summarized as 
follows:
    This rule further implements DoD policy relating to competitive 
acquisitions in which only one offer is received, providing additional 
exceptions, and further addressing requests for data other than 
certified cost or pricing data from the Canadian Commercial 
Corporation, especially relating to competitive solicitations when only 
one offer is received from the Canadian Commercial Corporation.
    The objective of the rule is to promote competition and ensure fair 
and reasonable prices by implementing DoD policy with regard to 
acquisitions when only one offer is received, including the Canadian 
Commercial Corporation.
    The legal basis is 41 U.S.C. 421 and 48 CFR Chapter 1.
    The final regulatory flexibility analysis for the final rule under 
FARS case 2011-D013, Only One Offer, was addressed in the Federal 
Register notice published in the Federal Register (77 FR 39126) on June 
29, 2012). With regard to DFARS Case 2011-D049, Contracting with the 
Canadian Commercial Corporation (77 FR 43470 on July 24, 2012), DoD 
certified that there was no 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 only 
impacted Canadian business concerns. The changes proposed in this rule 
are not expected to impact a significant number of small entities 
within the meaning of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et 
seq., because the only changes impacting domestic entities are the 
added exceptions for architect-engineer services and the 8(a) Program, 
which are more in the nature of a clarification than a change.
    Architect-engineer services are purchased under the Brooks Act. The 
final rule for Only One Offer was not made applicable to FAR part 36. 
This rule specifically clarifies that it is inapplicable.
    The final rule for Only One Offer was not made applicable to set-
asides under FAR part 19. The final rule specifically excluded small 
business set-asides and set asides under the HUBZone Program, the 
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Procurement Program, and 
the Women-Owned Small Business Program. The 8(a) Program was 
inadvertently omitted from the list of specific exclusions. In 
accordance with FAR 19.805-1, an acquisition offered to the SBA shall 
be awarded on the basis of competition limited to eligible 8(a) firms 
if two conditions are met: (1) the anticipated total value of the 
contract exceeds the thresholds at FAR 19.805-1(a)(2); and (2) there 
must be a reasonable expectation that at least two eligible and 
responsible 8(a) firms will submit offers and that award can be made at 
a fair and reasonable price.
    The proposed rule imposes no new reporting, recordkeeping, or other 
information collection requirements. The submission of certified cost 
or pricing data or data other than certified cost or pricing data is 
covered in FAR 15.4 and associated clauses in 52.215, OMB clearances 
9000-013.
    The rule does not duplicate, overlap, or conflict with any other 
Federal rules.
    There are no known significant alternatives to the rule that would 
adequately implement the DoD policy. There is no significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities.
    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 2013-D001), in 
correspondence.

VI. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The proposed rule does not impose any additional information 
collection requirements that require approval under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 35). The submission of certified cost 
or pricing data or data other than certified cost or pricing data 
required for negotiation is covered in FAR 15.4 and associated clauses 
in FAR 52.215, OMB clearance 9000-013, Cost or Pricing Data 
Requirements and Information Other Than Cost or Pricing Data, in the 
amount of 10,101,684 hours.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 212, 215, 225, and 252

    Government procurement.

Manuel Quinones,
Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations System.

    Therefore, 48 CFR parts 212, 215, 225, and 252 are proposed to be 
amended as follows:

0
1. The authority citation for 48 CFR parts 212, 215, 225, and 252 
continues to read as follows:

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

PART 212--ACQUISITION OF COMMERCIAL ITEMS

0
2. Amend section 212.301 by--
0
a. Redesignating paragraphs (f)(iv)(G) and f)(iv)(H) through (R) as 
(f)(iv)(I) and f)(iv)(K) through (U) resepctively;
0
b. Adding new paragraphs (f)(iv)(G), (H), and (J);
0
c. Revising newly designated paragraph (f)(iv)(I).
    The added and revised text reads as follows:


212.301   Solicitation provisions and contract clauses for the 
acquisition of commercial items.

* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (iv) * * *
    (G) Use the provision at 252.215-7003, Requirements for Submission 
of Data Other Than Certified Cost or

[[Page 28788]]

Pricing Data--Canadian Commercial Corporation, as prescribed at 
215.408(3)(i).
    (H) Use the clause at 252.215-7004, Requirement for Submission of 
Data other Than Certified Cost or Pricing Data--Modifications--Canadian 
Commercial Corporation, when necessary to determine the price 
reasonableness of commercial items as prescribed at 215.408((3)(ii).
    (I) Use the provisions at 252.215-7007, Notice of Intent to 
Resolicit, as prescribed at 215.408.
    (J) Use the provision 252.215-7008, Only One Offer, as prescribed 
at 215.371-6.
* * * * *

PART 215--CONTRACTING BY NEGOTIATION

0
3. Amend section 215.371-3 by--
0
a. In paragraph (a), removing ``at one level'' and adding ``at a 
level'' in its place.
0
b. In paragraph (b) introductory text, removing ``215.371-4(b)'' and 
adding ``215.371-4(a)(3)'' in its place.
0
c. In paragraph (b)(1), removing ``at one level'' and adding ``at a 
level'' in its place.
0
d. In paragraph (b)(2)(i) removing ``, in accordance with FAR provision 
52.215-20'' and removing ``FAR 15.403-1(c)'' and adding ``FAR 15.403-
1(b)'' in its place.
0
4. Revise section 215.371-4 to read as follows:


215.371-4  Exceptions.

    (a) The requirements at sections 215.371-2 do not apply to--
    (1) Acquisitions at or below the simplified acquisition threshold;
    (2) Acquisitions in support of contingency, humanitarian or 
peacekeeping operations, or to facilitate defense against or recovery 
from nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological attack;
    (3) Small business set-asides under FAR subpart 19.5, set asides 
offered and accepted into the 8(a) Program under FAR subpart 19.8, or 
set-asides under the HUBZone Program (see FAR 19.1305(c)), the Service-
Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Procurement Program (see FAR 
19.1405(c)), or the Women-Owned Small Business Program (see FAR 
19.1505(d));
    (4) Acquisitions of basic or applied research or development, as 
specified in FAR 35.016(a), that use a broad agency announcement; or
    (5) Acquisitions of architect-engineer services (see FAR 36.601-2).
    (b) The applicability of an exception in paragraph (a) of this 
section does not eliminate the need for the contracting officer to seek 
maximum practicable competition and to ensure that the price is fair 
and reasonable.
0
5. Add section 215.371-6 to read as follows:


215.371-6  Solicitation provision.

    Use the provision at 252.215-7007, Notice of Intent to Resolicit, 
in competitive solicitations that will be solicited for fewer than 30 
days, unless an exception at 215.371-4 applies or the requirement is 
waived in accordance with 215.371-5.


215.403-1  [Amended]

0
6. Amend section 215.403-1 by--
0
a. In second sentence of paragraph (c)(1)(A)(1), removing ``price 
analysis.'' and adding ``price analysis; and'' in its place.
0
b. In paragraph (c)(4)(C), removing ``215.408(5)'' and adding 
``215.408(3)'' in its place.
0
7. Amend section 215.408 by--
0
a. Revising paragraph (3);
0
b. In paragraph (4)(i), removing ``215.371-4(a)(1) applies.'' and 
adding ``215.371-4(a) applies.'' in its place.
0
c. In paragraph (4)(ii), removing ``but that provision will only take 
effect as specified in 252.215-7008'' and adding ``if the contracting 
officer is requesting submission of data other than certified cost or 
pricing data with the offer'' in its place.
0
d. Removing paragraph (5).
    The revised text reads as follows:


215.408   Solicitation provisions and contract clauses.

* * * * *
    (3) When contracting with the Canadian Commercial Corporation--
    (i)(A) Use the provision at 252.215-7003, Requirement for Data 
Other Than Certified Cost or Pricing Data--Canadian Commercial 
Corporation--
    (1) In lieu of FAR 52.215-20, Requirement for Data Other Than 
Certified Cost or Pricing Data, in a solicitation for a sole source 
acquisition from the Canadian Commercial Corporation that is--
    (i) Cost-reimbursement, if the contract value is expected to exceed 
$700,000; or
    (ii) Fixed-price, if the contract value is expected to exceed $500 
million; or
    (2) In lieu of FAR 52.215-20, in a sole source acquisition from the 
Canadian Commercial Corporation that does not meet the thresholds 
specified in paragraph (3)(i)(A)(1), if approval is obtained as 
required at 225.870-4(c)(2)(ii); and
    (B) Do not use 252.225-7003 in lieu of FAR 52.215-20 in competitive 
acquisitions. The contracting officer may use FAR 52.215-20 with its 
Alternate IV, as prescribed at 15.408(l)(3), even if offers from the 
Canadian Commercial Corporation are anticipated; and
    (ii)(A) Use the clause at 252.215-7004, Requirement for Data Other 
Than Certified Cost or Pricing Data--Modifications--Canadian Commercial 
Corporation--
    (1) In a solicitation for a sole source acquisition from the 
Canadian Commercial Corporation and resultant contract that is--
    (i) Cost-reimbursement, if the contract value is expected to exceed 
$700,000; or
    (ii) Fixed-price, if the contract value is expected to exceed $500 
million;
    (2) In a solicitation for a sole source acquisition from the 
Canadian Commercial Corporation and resultant contract that does not 
meet the thresholds specified in paragraph (3)(ii)(A)(1) of this 
section, if approval is obtained as required at 225.870-4(c)(2)(ii); or
    (3)(i) In a solicitation for a competitive acquisition that 
includes FAR 52.215-21, Requirement for Data Other Than Certified Cost 
or Pricing Data--Modifications, or that meets the thresholds specified 
in paragraph (3)(ii)(A)(1) of this section.
    (ii) The contracting officer shall then select the appropriate 
clause to include in the contract (52.215-21 only if award is not to 
the Canadian Commercial Corporation; or 252.215-7004 if award is to the 
Canadian Commercial Corporation and necessary approval is obtained in 
accordance with 225.870-4(c)(2)(ii)); and
    (B) The contracting officer may specify a higher threshold in 
paragraph (b) of the clause 252.215-7004.
* * * * *

PART 225--FOREIGN ACQUISITION

0
8. Amend section 225.870-4 by--
0
a. Revising paragraph (c)(2).
0
b. In paragraph (c)(3), removing ``215.408(5)(i)'' and adding 
``215.408(3)(i)'' in its place.
    The revision reads as follows:


25.870-4  Contracting procedures.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (2) The Canadian Commercial Corporation is not exempt from the 
requirement to submit data other than certified cost or pricing data, 
as defined in FAR 2.101. In accordance with FAR 15.403-3(a)(1)(ii), the 
contracting officer shall require submission of data other than 
certified cost or pricing data from the offeror, to the extent 
necessary to determine a fair and reasonable price.

[[Page 28789]]

    (i) No further approval is required to request data other than 
certified cost or pricing data from the Canadian Commercial Corporation 
in the following circumstances:
    (A) In a solicitation for a sole source acquisitions that is--
    (1) Cost-reimbursement, if the contract value is expected to exceed 
$700,000; or
    (2) Fixed-price, if the contract value is expected to exceed $500 
million.
    (B) If the Canadian Commercial Corporation submits the only offer 
in response to a competitive solicitation that meets the thresholds 
specified in paragraph (c)(2)(i)(A) of this section.
    (C) For modifications that exceed $150,000 in contracts that meet 
the criteria in paragraph (c)(2)(i)(A) or (B) of this section.
    (D) In competitive solicitations in which data other than certified 
cost or pricing data are required from all offerors.
    (ii) In any circumstances other than those specified in paragraph 
(c)(2)(i) of this section, the contracting officer shall only require 
data other than certified cost or pricing data from the Canadian 
Commercial Corporation if the head of the contracting activity, or 
designee no lower than two levels above the contracting officer, 
determines that data other than certified cost or pricing data are 
needed (or in the case of modifications that it is reasonably certain 
that data other than certified cost or pricing data will be needed) in 
order to determine that the price is fair and reasonable) (see FAR 
15.403-3(a).
* * * * *

PART 252--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES


252.215.7003  [Amended]

0
9. Amend section 252.215-7003 by, in the introductory text, removing 
``As prescribed at 215.408(5)(i),'' and adding ``As prescribed at 
215.408(3)(i),'' in its place.
0
10. Amend section 252.215-7004 by--
0
a. In the introductory text, removing ``As prescribed at 
215.408(5)(ii),'' and adding ``As prescribed at 215.408(3)(ii),'' in 
its place.
0
b. Removing the clause date of ``(JUL 2012)'' and adding ``(DATE)'' in 
its place.
0
c. In paragraph (b) introductory text, removing ``the simplified 
acquisition threshold'' and adding ``$150,000'' in its place.
0
d. Adding introductory text after the clause date and before paragraph 
(a) to read as follows:


252.215.7004  Requirement for Submission of Data Other Than Certified 
Cost or Pricing Data--Modifications--Canadian Commercial Corporation.

* * * * *
    This clause, in lieu of FAR 52.215-21, applies only if award is to 
the Canadian Commercial Corporation.
* * * * *


252.215-7007  [Amended]

0
11. Amend section 252.215-7007 by, in the introductory text, removing 
``As prescribed at 215.408(3),'' and adding ``As prescribed at 215.371-
6,'' in its place.


252.215-7008  

0
12. Revise section 252.215-7008 to read as follows:


252.215-7008   Only one offer.

    As prescribed at 215.408(4), use the following provision:

ONLY ONE OFFER (DATE)

    (a) After initial submission of offers, the Offeror agrees to 
submit any subsequently requested additional cost or pricing data if 
the Contracting Officer notifies the Offeror that--
    (1) Only one offer was received; and
    (2) Additional cost or pricing data is required in order to 
determine whether the price is fair and reasonable or to comply with 
the statutory requirement for certified cost or pricing data (10 
U.S.C. 2306a and FAR 15.403-3).
    (b) Requirement for submission of additional cost or pricing 
data. Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this provision, the 
Offeror shall submit additional cost or pricing data as follows:
    (1) If the Contracting Officer notifies the Offeror that 
additional cost or pricing data are required in accordance with 
paragraph (a) of this clause, the data shall be certified unless an 
exception applies (FAR 15.403-1(b)).
    (2) Exceptions from certified cost or pricing data. In lieu of 
submitting certified cost or pricing data, the Offeror may submit a 
written request for exception by submitting the information 
described in the following paragraphs. The Contracting Officer may 
require additional supporting information, but only to the extent 
necessary to determine whether an exception should be granted, and 
whether the price is fair and reasonable.
    (i) Identification of the law or regulation establishing the 
price offered. If the price is controlled under law by periodic 
rulings, reviews, or similar actions of a governmental body, attach 
a copy of the controlling document, unless it was previously 
submitted to the contracting office.
    (ii) Commercial item exception. For a commercial item exception, 
the Offeror shall submit, at a minimum, information on prices at 
which the same item or similar items have previously been sold in 
the commercial market that is adequate for evaluating the 
reasonableness of the price for this acquisition. Such information 
may include--
    (A) For catalog items, a copy of or identification of the 
catalog and its date, or the appropriate pages for the offered 
items, or a statement that the catalog is on file in the buying 
office to which the proposal is being submitted. Provide a copy or 
describe current discount policies and price lists (published or 
unpublished), e.g., wholesale, original equipment manufacturer, or 
reseller. Also explain the basis of each offered price and its 
relationship to the established catalog price, including how the 
proposed price relates to the price of recent sales in quantities 
similar to the proposed quantities;
    (B) For market-priced items, the source and date or period of 
the market quotation or other basis for market price, the base 
amount, and applicable discounts. In addition, describe the nature 
of the market; or
    (C) For items included on an active Federal Supply Service 
Multiple Award Schedule contract, proof that an exception has been 
granted for the schedule item.
    (3) The Offeror grants the Contracting Officer or an authorized 
representative the right to examine, at any time before award, 
books, records, documents, or other directly pertinent records to 
verify any request for an exception under this provision, and the 
reasonableness of price. For items priced using catalog or market 
prices, or law or regulation, access does not extend to cost or 
profit information or other data relevant solely to the Offeror's 
determination of the prices to be offered in the catalog or 
marketplace.
    (4) Requirements for certified cost or pricing data. If the 
Offeror is not granted an exception from the requirement to submit 
certified cost or pricing data, the following applies:
    (i) The Offeror shall prepare and submit certified cost or 
pricing data and supporting attachments in accordance with the 
instructions contained in Table 15-2 of FAR 15.408, which is 
incorporated by reference with the same force and effect as though 
it were inserted here in full text. The instructions in Table 15-2 
are incorporated as a mandatory format to be used, unless the 
Contracting Officer and the Offeror agree to a different format.
    (ii) As soon as practicable after agreement on price, but before 
contract award (except for unpriced actions such as letter 
contracts), the offeror shall submit a Certificate of Current Cost 
or Pricing Data, as prescribed by FAR 15.406-2.
    (c) If the Offeror is the Canadian Commercial Corporation, 
certified cost or pricing data are not required. If the Contracting 
Officer notifies the Canadian Commercial Corporation that additional 
data other than certified cost or pricing data are required in 
accordance with 225.870-4(c), the Canadian Commercial Corporation 
shall obtain and provide the following:
    (1) Profit rate or fee (as applicable).
    (2) Analysis provided by Public Works and Government Services 
Canada to the Canadian Commercial Corporation to determine a fair 
and reasonable price (comparable to the analysis required at FAR 
15.404-1).
    (3) Data other than certified cost or pricing data necessary to 
permit a determination by the U.S. Contracting Officer that the

[[Page 28790]]

proposed price is fair and reasonable [U.S. Contracting Officer to 
provide description of the data required in accordance with FAR 
15.403-3(a)(1) with the notification].
    (4) As specified in FAR 15.403-3(a)(4), an offeror who does not 
comply with a requirement to submit data that the U.S. Contracting 
Officer has deemed necessary to determine price reasonableness or 
cost realism is ineligible for award unless the head of the 
contracting activity determines that it is in the best interest of 
the Government to make the award to that offeror.
    (d) If negotiations are conducted, the negotiated price should 
not exceed the offered price.


(End of provision)

[FR Doc. 2013-11399 Filed 5-15-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P