[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 189 (Monday, September 30, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60169-60173]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-23703]



[[Page 60169]]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

48 CFR Parts 3 and 52

[FAC 2005-70; FAR Case 2013-015; Item I; Docket 2013-0015, Sequence 1]
RIN 9000-AM56


Federal Acquisition Regulation; Pilot Program for Enhancement of 
Contractor Employee Whistleblower Protections

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

ACTION: Interim rule.

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SUMMARY: DoD, GSA, and NASA are issuing an interim rule amending the 
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement a statutory pilot 
program enhancing whistleblower protections for contractor employees.

DATES: Effective: September 30, 2013.
    Applicability: In accordance with FAR 1.108(d)(3), contracting 
officers are encouraged to include the changes in these rules in major 
modifications to contracts and orders awarded prior to the effective 
date of this interim rule.
    Comment Date: Interested parties should submit written comments to 
the Regulatory Secretariat on or before November 29, 2013 to be 
considered in the formulation of a final rule.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments identified by FAC 2005-70, FAR Case 2013-
015, by any of the following methods:
     Regulations.gov: http://www.regulations.gov. Submit 
comments via the Federal eRulemaking portal by searching ``FAR Case 
2013-015'' Select the link ``Submit a Comment'' that corresponds with 
``FAR Case 2013-015''. Follow the instructions provided at the ``Submit 
a Comment'' screen. Please include your name, company name (if any), 
and ``FAR Case 2013-015'' on your attached document.
     Fax: 202-501-4067.
     Mail: General Services Administration, Regulatory 
Secretariat (MVCB), ATTN: Ms. Flowers, 1800 F Street NW., 2nd Floor, 
Washington, DC 20405.
    Instructions: Please submit comments only and cite FAC 2005-70, FAR 
Case 2013-015, 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: Ms. Patricia Corrigan, Procurement 
Analyst, at 202-208-1963, for clarification of content. For information 
pertaining to status or publication schedules, contact the Regulatory 
Secretariat at 202-501-4755. Please cite FAC 2005-70, FAR Case 2013-
015.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    DoD, GSA, and NASA are issuing an interim rule amending the Federal 
Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement a four-year pilot program to 
enhance the existing whistleblower protections for contractor employees 
at FAR subpart 3.9. The pilot program is mandated by section 828, 
entitled ``Pilot Program for Enhancement of Contractor Employee 
Whistleblower Protections,'' of the National Defense Authorization Act 
(NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 (Pub. L. 112-239, enacted January 2, 
2013).
    Paragraph (a) of section 828 adds to title 41 a new section 4712 
that contains the elements of the pilot program, which took effect by 
operation of law on July 1, 2013, and is effective through January 1, 
2017. Paragraph (c) of section 828 suspends the pre-existing 
whistleblower protections in 41 U.S.C. 4705 ``(w)hile section 4712 of 
this title is in effect . . .'' (i.e., from July 1, 2013, through 
January 1, 2017). Accordingly, this interim rule creates a new FAR 
section 3.908 to implement section 4712. The rule leaves intact FAR 
sections 3.901 through 3.906, which implement the pre-existing 
whistleblower protections in 41 U.S.C. 4705, but suspends their 
applicability during the period when the pilot is in effect. Absent 
Congressional action, these authorities will automatically be 
reinstated when the pilot authority sunsets.
    The interim rule also clarifies that the pilot authority applies to 
title 41 agencies and is inapplicable to DoD, NASA, and the Coast 
Guard. The latter three agencies are covered by 10 U.S.C. 2409, which 
was amended by section 827 of the NDAA to impose permanent requirements 
very similar to the temporary requirements of the pilot program 
established in title 41.
    Section 4712 and its implementing regulations (1) protect 
contractor or subcontractor employees against reprisal for activities 
protected by FAR 3.908-3(a) and (2) do not change any right or remedy 
otherwise available to the employee.
    FAR 3.907, which addresses whistleblower protections under the 
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, is unaffected by this 
rule.

II. Discussion and Analysis

    FAR section 3.908, entitled ``Pilot program for enhancement of 
contractor employee whistleblower protections,'' is a self-contained 
complete implementation of the pilot program requirements in section 
828 of the NDAA for FY 2013. FAR 3.908-1 spells out exemptions from the 
pilot for DoD, NASA, and the Coast Guard, as well as elements of the 
intelligence community in accordance with the requirements in 41 U.S.C. 
4712(f)(1) and (2). FAR 3.908-2 includes the definitions of ``abuse of 
authority'' and ``Inspector General'' from paragraph (g) of 41 U.S.C. 
4712, as added by section 828.
    The specific prohibited actions that constitute reprisal and the 
entities to whom disclosing information constitutes whistleblowing as 
defined in 41 U.S.C. 4712 are similar to, but not exactly the same as, 
the current FAR contractor whistleblower coverage. These are addressed 
in the policy subsection, FAR 3.908-3. This subsection also clarifies 
what constitutes disclosure as that term is used in the law and the FAR 
coverage.
    FAR subsections 3.908-4 and -5 include procedures for filing 
complaints and procedures for the Inspector General to investigate 
complaints. This coverage reflects paragraph (b) of 41 U.S.C. 4712.
    The interim rule addresses remedies at FAR 3.908-6. The source 
material for this subsection is paragraphs (c)(1) through (3), and 
(c)(7) of 41 U.S.C. 4712. The law puts the remedies in the hands of the 
head of the agency and provides time lines for action. Under the law, 
the agency head may decide that the report of the Inspector General 
does not provide sufficient basis to conclude that the contractor 
employee has been subjected to reprisal. If, however, sufficient basis 
does exist, then the agency head must either issue an order denying 
relief or order the contractor to take one or more of the following 
actions:
    (1) Take affirmative action to abate the reprisal.
    (2) Reinstate the complainant-employee to the position that the 
person held before the reprisal, together with compensatory damages 
(including back pay), employment benefits, and other terms and 
conditions of employment that would apply to the person in that 
position if the reprisal had not been taken.

[[Page 60170]]

    (3) Pay the complainant-employee an amount equal to the aggregate 
amount of all costs and expenses (including attorneys' fees and expert 
witnesses' fees) that were reasonably incurred for, or in connection 
with, bringing the complaint regarding the reprisal. The law also 
provides that complainants, after they are deemed to have exhausted all 
administrative remedies, may bring an action at law or equity against 
the contractor.
    Paragraphs (c)(4) and (c)(5) of 41 U.S.C. 4712 address procedures 
for enforcement of the orders issued by the head of the agency. These 
paragraphs are implemented at FAR 3.908-7, and they require the agency 
head to file an action for enforcement in the U.S. district court if a 
person fails to comply with an order issued under section (c)(1) of 41 
U.S.C. 4712, describe the types of relief that the court may grant, and 
allow the whistleblower complainant-employee to join in the action or 
separately file an action for enforcement. Further, the law enables 
persons adversely affected by an order issued by the agency head to 
request review in the U.S. Court of Appeals for a circuit in which the 
reprisal is alleged in the order to have occurred. There is a 60-day 
time limit for such filing from the date that the agency head issued 
the order.
    Paragraph (h) of section 4712 provides that nothing in the new law 
may be construed to provide any rights to disclose classified 
information not otherwise provided by law. This important caveat has 
been included at subsection 3.908-8 of the FAR.
    A new contract clause is provided for the pilot program, in 
accordance with paragraph (d) of section 4712. The clause informs 
offerors that employees working on any Government contract are subject 
to the whistleblower rights and remedies of the pilot program and 
requires the contractor (and its subcontractors) to inform their 
employees in writing of employee whistleblower rights and protections 
under 41 U.S.C. 4712 in the predominant native language of the 
workforce.
    The interim rule applies the pilot to purchases of commercial items 
and commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) items. This 
implementation is consistent with the implementation of the 
whistleblower protections in 41 U.S.C. 4705.

III. 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 a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was 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.

IV. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    DoD, GSA, and NASA do 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 (IRFA) has been 
performed and is summarized as follows:

    This interim rule was initiated to amend the FAR to implement a 
four-year pilot program to enhance the existing whistleblower 
protections for contractor employees at FAR subpart 3.9. The pilot 
program is mandated by section 828, entitled ``Pilot Program for 
Enhancement of Contractor Employee Whistleblower Protections,'' of 
the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 
2013 (Pub. L. 112-239, enacted January 2, 2013). The law establishes 
a pilot program for the period ending on January 1, 2017. Based on a 
reading of 41 U.S.C. 3101(c) and sections 827 and 828 of the NDAA 
for FY 2013, the pilot program will apply to all Federal agencies 
except DoD, NASA, and the Coast Guard. Except for contracts funded 
under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (see 
3.907), the current protections for contractor whistleblowers are 
established in law at 41 U.S.C. 4705; paragraph (c) of section 828 
suspends 41 U.S.C. 4705 ``(w)hile section 4712 of this title is in 
effect . . .'' Paragraph (a) of section 828 adds the new section 
4712 to title 41 that contains the elements of the pilot program and 
is effective until January 1, 2017.
    With the exception of DoD, NASA, and the Coast Guard, as well as 
any element of the intelligence community, as defined in section 
3(4) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 401(a)(4)), the 
pilot program applies to the employees of Government contractors and 
their subcontractors. DoD, GSA, and NASA do not expect the pilot 
program, which applies to the majority of entities doing business 
with the Government regardless of business size, to have a 
significant economic impact specific to small entities. The 
following information is provided as a means of estimating the 
overall numbers of entities to which the rule will apply. Based on 
Federal Procurement Data System reporting data, in Fiscal Year 2012, 
a Government-wide total of 273,970 new awards that exceeded the 
simplified acquisition threshold were made to small businesses and 
other than small businesses by agencies other than DoD, NASA, and 
the Coast Guard. Of that total, 95,436 new award actions were made 
to small business entities. The remaining 178,534 award actions were 
made to other than small businesses.
    A new contract clause is provided for the pilot program, in 
accordance with paragraph (d) of section 4712. The clause informs 
offerors that employees working on any contract awarded are subject 
to the whistleblower rights and remedies of the pilot program and 
requires the contractor (and its subcontractors), regardless of 
business size, to inform their employees in writing of employee 
whistleblower rights and protections under 41 U.S.C. 4712.
    There is no requirement for small entities to submit any 
information under this clause. The rule does not duplicate, overlap, 
or conflict with any other Federal rules.
    There are no practical alternatives that will accomplish the 
objectives of the interim rule.

    The Regulatory 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 Regulatory Secretariat. DoD, GSA 
and NASA invite comments from small business concerns and other 
interested parties on the expected impact of this rule on small 
entities.
    DoD, GSA, and NASA 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 (FAC 2005-70, FAR Case 
2013-015) in correspondence.

V. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The interim 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).

VI. Determination To Issue an Interim Rule

    A determination has been made under the authority of the Secretary 
of Defense (DoD), the Administrator of General Services (GSA), and the 
Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
(NASA) that urgent and compelling reasons exist to promulgate this 
interim rule, without prior opportunity for public comment. This action 
is necessary for the following reasons:
    First, by operation of law, the new statute for the pilot program 
became effective on July 1, 2013, i.e., Congress included language in 
section 828(b)

[[Page 60171]]

specifically addressing the effective date of 41 U.S.C. 4712. The 
statute for the pilot program imposes new responsibilities on agencies, 
and creates certain new rights for contractor and subcontractor 
employees. Specifically, as of July 1, 2013:
     There are changes and additions in the list of entities to 
whom a whistleblower disclosure makes the whistleblower employee 
eligible for additional protections against reprisal;
     Agency heads have expanded responsibilities to take 
specific actions with regard to a finding by the Inspector General of 
the executive agency involved of reprisal against a contractor 
whistleblower;
     The law requires that the written notice to employees of 
their whistleblower rights must be provided in the ``predominant native 
language of the workforce;'' and
     Contractors must flow down to their subcontractors the 
requirement to provide written notice to their employees.
    In addition, there is a new exemption for elements of the 
intelligence community that was not available under previous laws.
    The most effective and efficient way to ensure awareness and 
compliance by agencies and their contractors with all of these 
requirements is through immediate regulatory change. Delaying 
promulgation may delay the effective date of regulations but will not 
postpone when the law becomes applicable to contractors (and 
subcontractors). Thus, ordinary notice and comment procedures would 
unnecessarily increase the risk of confusion and noncompliance, 
defeating the regulatory objective.
    Moreover, there is little likelihood that the publication of this 
rule without prior comment will increase burden on contractors. This 
interim regulation provides basic guidance that agencies and 
contractors need to comply with the statute. Indeed, this regulation 
prescribes little beyond that which is set forth clearly in the 
statute. However, pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 1707 and FAR 1.501-3(b), DoD, 
GSA, and NASA will consider public comments received in response to 
this interim rule in the formation of the final rule.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 3 and 52

    Government procurement.

    Dated: September 24, 2013.
William Clark,
Acting Director, Office of Government-wide Acquisition Policy, Office 
of Acquisition Policy, Office of Government-wide Policy.

    Therefore, DoD, GSA, and NASA amend 48 CFR parts 3 and 52 as set 
forth below:

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

0
1. The authority citation for 48 CFR part 3 is revised to read as 
follows:

    Authority:  40 U.S.C. 121(c); 10 U.S.C. chapter 137; and 51 
U.S.C. 20113.

0
2. Revise section 3.900 to read as follows:


3.900  Scope of subpart.

    This subpart implements three different statutory whistleblower 
programs. This subpart does not implement 10 U.S.C. 2409, which is 
applicable only to DoD, NASA, and the Coast Guard.
    (a) 41 U.S.C. 4705 (in effect before July 1, 2013 and on or after 
January 2, 2017). Sections 3.901 through 3.906 of this subpart 
implement 41 U.S.C. 4705, applicable to civilian agencies other than 
NASA and the Coast Guard, except as provided in paragraph (c) of this 
section. These sections are not in effect for the duration of the pilot 
program described in paragraph (b) of this section.
    (b) 41 U.S.C. 4712 (in effect on July 1, 2013 through January 1, 
2017). Section 3.908 of this subpart implements the pilot program, 
applicable to civilian agencies other than NASA and the Coast Guard, 
except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section.
    (c) Contracts funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. 
Section 3.907 of this subpart implements section 1553 of the American 
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Pub. L. 111-5), and applies to 
all contracts funded in whole or in part by that Act.

0
3. Add sections 3.908 through 3.908-9 to subpart 3.9 to read as 
follows:


3.908  Pilot program for enhancement of contractor employee 
whistleblower protections


3.908-1  Scope of section.

    (a) This section implements 41 U.S.C. 4712.
    (b) This section does not apply to--
    (1) DoD, NASA, and the Coast Guard; or
    (2) Any element of the intelligence community, as defined in 
section 3(4) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003(4)). 
This section does not apply to any disclosure made by an employee of a 
contractor or subcontractor of an element of the intelligence community 
if such disclosure--
    (i) Relates to an activity of an element of the intelligence 
community; or
    (ii) Was discovered during contract or subcontract services 
provided to an element of the intelligence community.


3.908-2  Definitions.

    As used in this section--
    Abuse of authority means an arbitrary and capricious exercise of 
authority that is inconsistent with the mission of the executive agency 
concerned or the successful performance of a contract of such agency.
    Inspector General means an Inspector General appointed under the 
Inspector General Act of 1978 and any Inspector General that receives 
funding from, or has oversight over contracts awarded for, or on behalf 
of, the executive agency concerned.


3.908-3  Policy.

    (a) Contractors and subcontractors are prohibited from discharging, 
demoting, or otherwise discriminating against an employee as a reprisal 
for disclosing, to any of the entities listed at paragraph (b) of this 
subsection, information that the employee reasonably believes is 
evidence of gross mismanagement of a Federal contract, a gross waste of 
Federal funds, an abuse of authority relating to a Federal contract, a 
substantial and specific danger to public health or safety, or a 
violation of law, rule, or regulation related to a Federal contract 
(including the competition for or negotiation of a contract). A 
reprisal is prohibited even if it is undertaken at the request of an 
executive branch official, unless the request takes the form of a non-
discretionary directive and is within the authority of the executive 
branch official making the request.
    (b) Entities to whom disclosure may be made.
    (1) A Member of Congress or a representative of a committee of 
Congress.
    (2) An Inspector General.
    (3) The Government Accountability Office.
    (4) A Federal employee responsible for contract oversight or 
management at the relevant agency.
    (5) An authorized official of the Department of Justice or other 
law enforcement agency.
    (6) A court or grand jury.
    (7) A management official or other employee of the contractor or 
subcontractor who has the

[[Page 60172]]

responsibility to investigate, discover, or address misconduct.
    (c) An employee who initiates or provides evidence of contractor or 
subcontractor misconduct in any judicial or administrative proceeding 
relating to waste, fraud, or abuse on a Federal contract shall be 
deemed to have made a disclosure.


3.908-4  Filing complaints.

    A contractor or subcontractor employee who believes that he or she 
has been discharged, demoted, or otherwise discriminated against 
contrary to the policy in 3.908-3 of this section may submit a 
complaint with the Inspector General of the agency concerned. 
Procedures for submitting fraud, waste, abuse, and whistleblower 
complaints are generally accessible on agency Office of Inspector 
General Hotline or Whistleblower Internet sites. A complaint by the 
employee may not be brought under 41 U.S.C. 4712 more than three years 
after the date on which the alleged reprisal took place.


3.908-5  Procedures for investigating complaints.

    Investigation of complaints by the Inspector General will be in 
accordance with 41 U.S.C. 4712(b).


3.908-6  Statutory remedies.

    (a) Agency response to Inspector General report. Not later than 30 
days after receiving an Inspector General report in accordance with 41 
U.S.C. 4712, the head of the agency shall--
    (1) Determine whether sufficient basis exists to conclude that the 
contractor or subcontractor has subjected the employee who submitted 
the complaint to a reprisal as prohibited by 3.908-3; and
    (2) Issue an order denying relief or take one or more of the 
following actions:
    (i) Order the contractor to take affirmative action to abate the 
reprisal.
    (ii) Order the contractor or subcontractor to reinstate the 
complainant-employee to the position that the person held before the 
reprisal, together with compensatory damages (including back pay), 
employment benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment that 
would apply to the person in that position if the reprisal had not been 
taken.
    (iii) Order the contractor or subcontractor to pay the complainant-
employee an amount equal to the aggregate amount of all costs and 
expenses (including attorneys' fees and expert witnesses' fees) that 
were reasonably incurred by the complainant for, or in connection with, 
bringing the complaint regarding the reprisal, as determined by the 
head of the agency.
    (b) Complainant's right to go to court. If the head of the agency 
issues an order denying relief or has not issued an order within 210 
days after the submission of the complaint or within 30 days after the 
expiration of an extension of time granted in accordance with 41 U.S.C. 
4712(b)(2)(B) for the submission of the Inspector General's report on 
the investigative findings of the complaint to the head of the agency, 
the contractor or subcontractor, and the complainant, and there is no 
showing that such delay is due to the bad faith of the complainant--
    (1) The complainant shall be deemed to have exhausted all 
administrative remedies with respect to the complaint; and
    (2) The complainant may bring a de novo action at law or equity 
against the contractor or subcontractor to seek compensatory damages 
and other relief available under 41 U.S.C. 4712 in the appropriate 
district court of the United States, which shall have jurisdiction over 
such an action without regard to the amount in controversy. Such an 
action shall, at the request of either party to the action, be tried by 
the court with a jury. An action under this authority may not be 
brought more than two years after the date on which remedies are deemed 
to have been exhausted.
    (c) Admissibility in evidence. An Inspector General determination 
and an agency head order denying relief under this section shall be 
admissible in evidence in any de novo action at law or equity brought 
pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 4712.
    (d) No waiver. The rights and remedies provided for in 41 U.S.C. 
4712 may not be waived by any agreement, policy, form, or condition of 
employment.


3.908-7  Enforcement of orders.

    (a) Whenever a contractor or subcontractor fails to comply with an 
order issued under 3.908-6(a)(2) of this section, the head of the 
agency concerned shall file an action for enforcement of the order in 
the U.S. district court for a district in which the reprisal was found 
to have occurred. In any action brought pursuant to this authority, the 
court may grant appropriate relief, including injunctive relief, 
compensatory and exemplary damages, and attorney fees and costs. The 
complainant-employee upon whose behalf an order was issued may also 
file such an action or join in an action filed by the head of the 
agency.
    (b) Any person adversely affected or aggrieved by an order issued 
under 3.908-6(a)(2) may obtain review of the order's conformance with 
41 U.S.C. 4712 and its implementing regulations, in the U.S. court of 
appeals for a circuit in which the reprisal is alleged in the order to 
have occurred. No petition seeking such review may be filed more than 
60 days after issuance of the order by the head of the agency. Filing 
such an appeal shall not act to stay the enforcement of the order of 
the head of an agency, unless a stay is specifically entered by the 
court.


3.908-8  Classified information.

    41 U.S.C. 4712 does not provide any right to disclose classified 
information not otherwise provided by law.


3.908-9  Contract clause.

    The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.203-17, 
Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights and Requirement to Inform 
Employees of Whistleblower Rights, in all solicitations and contracts 
that exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.

PART 52--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

0
4. The authority citation for 48 CFR part 52 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority:  40 U.S.C. 121(c); 10 U.S.C. chapter 137; and 51 
U.S.C. 20113.


0
5. Add section 52.203-17 to read as follows:


52.203-17  Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights and Requirement To 
Inform Employees of Whistleblower Rights.

    As prescribed in 3.908-9, insert the following clause:

Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights and Requirement To Inform 
Employees of Whistlerblower Rights (Sep 2013)

    (a) This contract and employees working on this contract will be 
subject to the whistleblower rights and remedies in the pilot 
program on Contractor employee whistleblower protections established 
at 41 U.S.C. 4712 by section 828 of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (Pub. L. 112-239) and FAR 
3.908.
    (b) The Contractor shall inform its employees in writing, in the 
predominant language of the workforce, of employee whistleblower 
rights and protections under 41 U.S.C. 4712, as described in section 
3.908 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
    (c) The Contractor shall insert the substance of this clause, 
including this paragraph (c), in all subcontracts over the 
simplified acquisition threshold.

(End of clause)


0
6. Amend section 52.212-4 by revising the date of the clause; and 
removing from paragraph (r) ``41 U.S.C.

[[Page 60173]]

265'' and adding ``41 U.S.C. 4712'' in its place.
    The revised text reads as follows:


52.212-4  Contract Terms and Conditions--Commercial Items.

* * * * *
    Contract Terms and Conditions--Commercial Items (Sep 2013)
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2013-23703 Filed 9-27-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-EP-P