[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 62 (Monday, April 1, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12182-12187]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-06248]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Defense Acquisition Regulations System

48 CFR Parts 204, 215, 226, and 252

[Docket DARS-2019-0009]
RIN 0750-AK19


Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Demonstration 
Project for Contractors Employing Persons With Disabilities (DFARS Case 
2018-D058)

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 implement a section of the National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 that requires the DFARS 
to be updated to include an instruction on a demonstration project for 
contractors employing persons with disabilities.

DATES: Comments on the proposed rule should be submitted in writing to 
the address shown below on or before May 31, 2019, to be considered in 
the formation of a final rule.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments identified by DFARS Case 2018-D058, using 
any of the following methods:
    [cir] Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Search for ``DFARS Case 2018-D058.'' Select ``Comment Now'' and follow 
the instructions provided to submit a comment. Please include ``DFARS 
Case 2018-D058'' on any attached documents.
    [cir] Email: [email protected]. Include DFARS Case 2018-D058 in 
the subject line of the message.
    [cir] Fax: 571-372-6094.
    [cir] Mail: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Attn: Jennifer 
D. Johnson, OUSD(A&S)DPC/DARS, Room 3B941, 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: Jennifer D. Johnson, telephone 571-
372-6100.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

[[Page 12183]]

I. Background

    This rule proposes to revise the DFARS to implement section 888 of 
the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 
(Pub. L. 115-232). Section 888 requires that the DFARS be updated to 
include an instruction on the demonstration project authorized by 
section 853 of the NDAA for FY 2004 (Pub. L. 108-136, 10 U.S.C. 2302 
note), as amended by division H, section 110 of the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2004 (Pub. L. 108-199).
    Section 853 of the NDAA for FY 2004 authorized a Demonstration 
Project for Contractors Employing Persons with Disabilities in order to 
provide defense contracting opportunities for entities employing 
individuals who are severely disabled. To participate in the 
Demonstration Project, an entity must meet the definition of ``eligible 
contractor'' provided in the proposed rule. Specifically, individuals 
with severe disabilities must comprise no less than 33 percent of the 
entity's total workforce over the 12-month period prior to issuance of 
the solicitation; this percentage must be one of the evaluation factors 
used to evaluate offers for a contract under the Demonstration Project. 
In addition, the entity must pay not less than the minimum wage to 
those individuals and must provide for its employees' health insurance 
and a retirement plan comparable to those provided by similar entities. 
The entity may be operated on a for-profit or nonprofit basis.
    Contracts awarded under the Demonstration Project will be credited 
toward DoD's small business goals established pursuant to the Small 
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 644(g)(1)). Subcontracts awarded to eligible 
contractors under these contracts will be credited toward DoD's small 
business subcontracting goals.

II. Discussion and Analysis

    This rule proposes to add coverage of the Demonstration Project in 
a new subpart in DFARS part 226, Other Socioeconomic Programs. The 
proposed new subpart 226.7X, Demonstration Project for Contractors 
Employing Persons with Disabilities, includes definitions and guidance 
for the contracting workforce regarding the Demonstration Project. 
Definitions are proposed for the terms ``eligible contractor'' and 
``severely disabled individual,'' based on those provided in section 
853 of the NDAA for FY 2004.
    In addition, the new subpart provides a prescription for a new 
solicitation provision, 252.226-7XXX, Representation for Demonstration 
Project for Contractors Employing Persons with Disabilities. This 
provision defines the terms ``eligible contractor'' and ``severely 
disabled individual,'' explains the purpose of the Demonstration 
Project, and requires the offeror to represent whether it is or is not 
an eligible contractor.
    Offerors will complete the representation as part of their annual 
representations and certifications in the System for Award Management 
(SAM). Therefore, the new provision 252.226-7XXX is added to DFARS 
204.1202, Solicitation provision, in the list of provisions that are 
not included separately in a solicitation when the provision at Federal 
Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.204-7, System for Award Management, is 
included in the solicitation. The new provision is also added to the 
provision at DFARS 252.204-7007, Alternate A, Annual Representations 
and Certifications. The contracting officer must check the appropriate 
box when the new provision 252.226-7XXX applies to a solicitation.
    Contractors under the Demonstration Project may be required to have 
subcontracting plans per FAR 19.702. Therefore, this rule proposes to 
amend the clause at DFARS 252.219-7003, Small Business Subcontracting 
Plan (DoD Contracts), to define the term ``eligible contractor'' and to 
specify that subcontracts awarded to subcontractors who also meet the 
definition of eligible contractor under the Demonstration Project may 
be counted toward the prime contractor's small disadvantaged business 
subcontracting goal.
    To increase the visibility of the Demonstration Project, this rule 
proposes to add at DFARS 215.304, Evaluation factors and significant 
subfactors, a reference to new section 226.7X02. This section contains 
the requirement for contracting officers, when using the Demonstration 
Project, to use an evaluation factor that is the percentage of the 
offeror's total workforce consisting of severely disabled individuals.

III. Expected Impact of the Proposed Rule

    The Demonstration Project gives DoD a way to provide additional 
contracting opportunities to entities that employ individuals who are 
severely disabled and that may not qualify for approval by the 
Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled 
due to their for-profit status or for other reasons. Procurements under 
the Demonstration Project must be for products and services that are 
not available from a mandatory source in FAR part 8, that are not on 
the AbilityOne Procurement List maintained by the Committee, or that 
are not available from AbilityOne participating nonprofit agencies in 
the time required.
    The Demonstration Project is modeled after the Small Business 
Administration's set-aside program, but uniquely includes an incentive 
for Federal contractors to hire people with disabilities, for whom the 
unemployment rate is more than twice the rate for people without 
disabilities. Such a demonstration project provides opportunities for 
severely disabled individuals to become gainfully employed taxpayers. 
Employing people with disabilities can be a way to offset the effects 
of an aging and shrinking workforce. In addition, people with 
disabilities bring different perspectives on solving problems and 
adapting to different circumstances. The Demonstration Project provides 
another incentive for both for-profit and nonprofit entities to 
recruit, employ, and retain people with disabilities.
    The authority provided for the Demonstration Project has been 
available for use, at DoD's discretion, since the NDAA for FY 2004 was 
signed into law. At the time, DoD considered the Demonstration Project 
to be similar to a pilot program, in that it provided a way to try a 
different approach without making broad changes in the way DoD buys 
supplies and services in general. DoD usually does not amend the DFARS 
to add guidance regarding pilot programs. Therefore, the DFARS was not 
amended to include guidance on the Demonstration Project. As noted in 
Section I of this preamble, DoD is proposing to amend the DFARS in 
order to comply with section 888 of the NDAA for FY 2019.
    DoD estimates that there may be approximately 549 procurements that 
could be conducted under the Demonstration Project per year. This 
estimate is based on data obtained from the Federal Procurement Data 
System on the number of contracts awarded in Product Service Codes 
(PSCs) that may be suitable for award under the Demonstration Project. 
The selection of PSCs was informed by the Conference Report for the 
NDAA for FY 2004, which authorized the Demonstration Project. The 
Conference Report indicated that Congress expected opportunities to 
exist for the Demonstration Project in aerospace end items and 
components, as well as information technology products and services. 
Therefore, DoD obtained data

[[Page 12184]]

for contracts awarded in the following PSCs:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  PSC                              Description
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1560...................................  Airframe Structural Components.
All PSCs in Group 16...................  Aerospace Craft Components and
                                          Accessories.
All PSCs in Group 70...................  Information Technology
                                          Equipment (including
                                          firmware), Software, Supplies,
                                          and Support Equipment.
All PSCs in Category D3................  Information Technology and
                                          Telecommunications.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In certain PSCs, there is some overlap with the Procurement List 
maintained by the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or 
Severely Disabled. The areas of overlap generally included a few items 
within a specific PSC, not the entire PSC. Therefore, relevant PSCs 
were included regardless of possible overlap with the Procurement List.
    DoD also used awards to nonprofits as an indicator of suitability 
for the Demonstration Project because of its similarities to the 
AbilityOne Program, in terms of employment of individuals with severe 
disabilities. From FY 2016 through 2018, an average of 0.16% of those 
contracts (approximately 90 each year) were awarded to nonprofits. 
Since the Demonstration Project applies to both for-profit and 
nonprofit entities, DoD conservatively estimated that up to 1% of 
contracts (approximately 549 each year) awarded in those PSCs may be 
suitable for the Demonstration Project.
    However, since 2004, DoD is aware of only one DoD contract issued 
pursuant to the Demonstration Project. The contract was awarded in 
2006; Congress had provided funds specifically for this use. This 
limited use makes it difficult to predict the impact of the 
Demonstration Project. Depending on the extent to which it is used, it 
could create additional contract opportunities for entities employing 
people with severe disabilities, including service-disabled veterans. 
DoD invites public comment regarding whether more contractors and 
contracting officers will take advantage of the Demonstration Project 
if it is added to the DFARS.
    This rule proposes to require offerors for procurements conducted 
under the Demonstration Project to represent whether they are or are 
not eligible contractors as defined in the rule. Public costs are 
expected to be de minimis since offerors will complete the 
representation in the System for Award Management.

IV. Applicability to Contracts at or Below the Simplified Acquisition 
Threshold and for Commercial Items, Including Commercially Available 
Off-the-Shelf Items

    DoD intends to apply the requirements of section 853 of the NDAA 
for FY 2004, as amended by division H, section 110 of the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2004 (Pub. L. 108-199), to contracts at or below 
the SAT and to contracts for the acquisition of commercial items, 
including COTS items.

A. Applicability to Contracts at or Below the Simplified Acquisition 
Threshold

    41 U.S.C. 1905 governs the applicability of laws to contracts or 
subcontracts in amounts not greater than the simplified acquisition 
threshold. It is intended to limit the applicability of laws to such 
contracts or subcontracts. 41 U.S.C. 1905 provides that if a provision 
of law contains criminal or civil penalties, or if the FAR Council 
makes a written determination that it is not in the best interest of 
the Federal Government to exempt contracts or subcontracts at or below 
the SAT, the law will apply to them. The Principal Director, Defense 
Pricing and Contracting (DPC), is the appropriate authority to make 
comparable determinations for regulations to be published in the DFARS, 
which is part of the FAR system of regulations.
    Therefore, given that the requirements of section 853 of the NDAA 
for FY 2004 were enacted to provide defense contracting opportunities 
for contractors employing persons with disabilities and since many 
contracts that could be awarded under the Demonstration Project are 
likely to be at or below the SAT, DoD has determined that it is in the 
best interest of the Federal Government to apply the rule to contracts 
at or below the SAT. An exception for contracts at or below the SAT 
would exclude contracts intended to be covered by the law, thereby 
undermining the overarching public policy purpose of the law.

B. Applicability to Contracts for the Acquisition of Commercial Items, 
Including COTS Items

    10 U.S.C. 2375 governs the applicability of laws to DoD contracts 
and subcontracts for the acquisition of commercial items (including 
commercially available off-the-shelf items) and is intended to limit 
the applicability of laws to contracts for the acquisition of 
commercial items, including COTS items. 10 U.S.C. 2375 provides that if 
a provision of law contains criminal or civil penalties, or if the 
Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (USD(A&S)) 
makes a written determination that it is not in the best interest of 
the Federal Government to exempt commercial item contracts, the 
provision of law will apply to contracts for the acquisition of 
commercial items. Due to delegations of authority from USD(A&S), the 
Principal Director, DPC, is the appropriate authority to make this 
determination.
    Therefore, given that the requirements of section 853 of the NDAA 
for FY 2004 were enacted to provide defense contracting opportunities 
for contractors employing persons with disabilities, and since many of 
the products and services offered by these contractors are commercial 
items, including COTS items, DoD has determined that it is in the best 
interest of the Federal Government to apply the rule to contracts for 
the acquisition of commercial items, including COTS items, as defined 
at FAR 2.101. An exception for contracts for the acquisition of 
commercial items, including COTS items, would exclude contracts 
intended to be covered by the law, thereby undermining the overarching 
public policy purpose of the law.

V. 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.

VI. Executive Order 13771

    This proposed rule is not expected to be subject to the 
requirements of E.O. 13771, because it is expected to result in no more 
than de minimis costs.

VII. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    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,

[[Page 12185]]

et seq. However, an initial regulatory flexibility analysis has been 
performed and is summarized as follows:
    DoD is proposing to amend the DFARS to include an instruction on 
the Demonstration Project for Contractors Employing Persons with 
Disabilities. The Demonstration Project allows DoD to provide defense 
contracting opportunities to entities that employ individuals who are 
severely disabled, even though those entities may not qualify for 
approval by the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or 
Severely Disabled. Procurements under the Demonstration Project must be 
for products and services that are not available from a mandatory 
source in Federal Acquisition Regulation part 8, that are not on the 
AbilityOne Procurement List maintained by the Committee, or that are 
not available from AbilityOne participating nonprofit agencies in the 
time required.
    The objective of the rule is to implement section 888 of the NDAA 
for FY 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) by including in the DFARS an instruction 
on the Demonstration Project described above. The Demonstration Project 
was authorized by section 853 of the NDAA for FY 2004 (Pub. L. 108-136, 
as amended; 10 U.S.C. 2302 note). The legal basis is section 888 of the 
NDAA for FY 2019 and 10 U.S.C. 2302 note.
    The rule will apply to entities, including small entities, that 
meet the definition of ``eligible contractor'' in the rule and that are 
interested in competing for contracts under the Demonstration Project. 
Specifically, an eligible contractor employs severely disabled 
individuals at a rate of no less than 33 percent of the contractor's 
workforce over the 12-month period prior to issuance of the 
solicitation; pays not less than the minimum wage to those individuals; 
and provides for its employees' health insurance and a retirement plan 
comparable to those provided by similar entities. The entity may 
operate on a for-profit or nonprofit basis. According to data in the 
Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), DoD awarded contracts to 
approximately 4,065 small entities each year from FY 2016 to FY 2018 in 
Product and Service Codes (PSCs) that may be suitable for award under 
the Demonstration Project, such as aerospace components and accessories 
and information technology equipment and services. DoD conservatively 
estimates that approximately 21 percent, or 870 small entities, may 
meet the definition of ``eligible contractor'' and be interested in 
competing for contracts under the Demonstration Project.
    This rule proposes to require offerors to represent whether they 
are or are not eligible contractors under the Demonstration Project. 
This representation will be available for completion in the System for 
Award Management (SAM) and will be completed on an annual basis. This 
rule does not impose any new recordkeeping or other compliance 
requirements for small entities.
    This rule does not duplicate, overlap, or conflict with any other 
Federal rules.
    There are no known alternative approaches to the proposed rule that 
would accomplish the stated objectives of the applicable statute.
    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 2018-D058), in 
correspondence.

VIII. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The rule affects the information collection requirements in the 
provision at FAR 52.204-7, System for Award Management, and in the 
clause at FAR 52.204-13, System for Award Management Maintenance, 
currently approved under OMB Control Number 9000-0159, entitled System 
for Award Management Registration, in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35). The impact, however, is 
negligible, because the cost of providing the additional representation 
in the System for Award Management is de minimis and is within the 
estimate of public burden approved for OMB Control Number 9000-0159.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 204, 215, 226, and 252

    Government procurement.

Jennifer Lee Hawes,
Regulatory Control Officer, Defense Acquisition Regulations System.

    Therefore, 48 CFR parts 204, 215, 226, and 252 are proposed to be 
amended as follows:

0
1. The authority citation for 48 CFR parts 204, 215, 226, and 252 
continues to read as follows:

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

PART 204--ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

0
2. Amend section 204.1202 by
0
a. Redesignating paragraphs (2)(xi), (xii), and (xiii) as paragraphs 
(2)(xii), (xiii), and (xiv), respectively; and
0
b. Adding new paragraph (xi).
    The addition reads as follows:


204.1202   Solicitation provision.

* * * * *
    (2) * * *
    (xi) 252.226-7XXX, Representation for Demonstration Project for 
Contractors Employing Persons with Disabilities.
* * * * *

PART 215--CONTRACTING BY NEGOTIATION

0
3. Amend section 215.304 by adding paragraph (c)(vi) to read as 
follows:


215.304  Evaluation factors and significant subfactors.

    (c) * * *
    (vi) See 226.7X02 for an additional evaluation factor required in 
solicitations when using the Demonstration Project for Contractors 
Employing Persons with Disabilities.

PART 226--OTHER SOCIOECONOMIC PROGRAMS

0
4. Add subpart 226.7X, consisting of 226.7X00 through 226.7X03, to read 
as follows:
SUBPART 226.7X--DEMONSTRATION PROJECT FOR CONTRACTORS EMPLOYING PERSONS 
WITH DISABILITIES
Sec.
226.7X00 Scope of subpart.
226.7X01 Definitions.
226.7X02 Policy and procedures.
226.7X03 Solicitation provision.

SUBPART 226.7X--DEMONSTRATION PROJECT FOR CONTRACTORS EMPLOYING 
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES


226.7X00  Scope of subpart.

    This subpart implements section 853 of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (Pub. L. 108-136, 10 U.S.C. 2302 
note), as amended.


226.7X01  Definitions.

    As used in this subpart--
    Eligible contractor means a business entity operated on a for-
profit or nonprofit basis that--
    (1) Employs severely disabled individuals at a rate that averages 
not less than 33 percent of its total workforce over the 12-month 
period prior to issuance of the solicitation;
    (2) Pays not less than the minimum wage prescribed pursuant to 29 
U.S.C. 206 to the employees who are severely disabled individuals; and
    (3) Provides for its employees' health insurance and a retirement 
plan

[[Page 12186]]

comparable to those provided for employees by business entities of 
similar size in its industrial sector or geographic region.
    Severely disabled individual means an individual with a disability 
(as defined in 42 U.S.C. 12102) who has a severe physical or mental 
impairment that seriously limits one or more functional capacities.


226.7X02  Policy and procedures.

    (a) Contracting officers may use this demonstration project to 
award one or more contracts to an eligible contractor for the purpose 
of providing defense contracting opportunities for entities that employ 
severely disabled individuals. To determine if there are eligible 
contractors capable of fulfilling the agency's requirement, conduct 
market research as described in 210.002 and FAR 10.002. For services, 
see also PGI 210.070.
    (b) When using this demonstration project, one of the evaluation 
factors shall be the percentage of the offeror's total workforce that 
consists of severely disabled individuals employed by the offeror. 
Contracting officers may use a rating method in which a higher 
percentage of the offeror's total workforce consisting of severely 
disabled individuals would result in a higher rating for this 
evaluation factor.
    (c) Contracts awarded to eligible contractors under this 
demonstration project may be counted toward DoD's small disadvantaged 
business goal.


226.7X03  Solicitation provision.

    Use the provision at 252.226-7XXX, Representation for Demonstration 
Project for Contractors Employing Persons with Disabilities, in 
solicitations when using this demonstration project.

PART 252--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

0
5. Amend section 252.204-7007 by--
0
a. Removing clause date ``(DEC 2018)'' and adding ``(DATE)''; and
0
b. Adding paragraph (d)(2)(vi).
    The addtion reads as follows:


252.204-7007   Alternate A, Annual Representations and Certifications.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (vi) 252.226-7XXX, Representation for Demonstration Project for 
Contractors Employing Persons with Disabilities.
* * * * *
0
6. Amend section 252.219-7003 by--
0
a. Removing clause date ``(DEC 2018)'' and adding ``(DATE)'' in its 
place;
0
b. Revising paragraph (a);
0
c. Redesignating paragraph (b) as paragraph (b)(1);
0
d. In the newly redesignated paragraph (b)(1), adding ``(section 8025 
of Pub. L. 108-87)'' at the end of the paragraph, before the period;
0
e. Adding paragraph (b)(2); and
0
f. In the Alternate I clause--
0
i. Removing the clause date of ``(APR 2018)'' and adding ``(DATE)'' in 
its place;
0
ii. Revising paragraph (a);
0
 iii. Redesignating paragraph (b) as paragraph (b)(1);
0
iv. In the newly redesignated paragraph (b)(1), adding ``(section 8025 
of Pub. L. 108-87)'' at the end of the paragraph, before the period; 
and
0
 v. Adding paragraph (b)(2).
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


252.219-7003   Small Business Subcontracting Plan (DoD Contracts).

* * * * *
    (a) Definitions. As used in this clause--
    Eligible contractor means a business entity operated on a for-
profit or nonprofit basis that--
    (1) Employs severely disabled individuals at a rate that averages 
not less than 33 percent of its total workforce over the 12-month 
period prior to issuance of the solicitation;
    (2) Pays not less than the minimum wage prescribed pursuant to 29 
U.S.C. 206 to the employees who are severely disabled individuals; and
    (3) Provides for its employees' health insurance and a retirement 
plan comparable to those provided for employees by business entities of 
similar size in its industrial sector or geographic region.
    Summary Subcontract Report (SSR) Coordinator means the individual 
who is registered in the Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System 
(eSRS) at the Department of Defense level and is responsible for 
acknowledging receipt or rejecting SSRs submitted under an individual 
subcontracting plan in eSRS for the Department of Defense.
    (b) * * *
    (2) Subcontracts awarded to eligible contractors under the 
Demonstration Project for Contractors Employing Persons with 
Disabilities (see DFARS 226.7X) may be counted toward the Contractor's 
small disadvantaged business subcontracting goal (section 853 of Pub. 
L. 108-136, as amended by division H, section 110 of Pub. L. 108-199).
* * * * *
    Alternate I. * * *
* * * * *
    (a) Definitions. As used in this clause--
    Eligible contractor means a business entity operated on a for-
profit or nonprofit basis that--
    (1) Employs severely disabled individuals at a rate that averages 
not less than 33 percent of its total workforce over the 12-month 
period prior to issuance of the solicitation;
    (2) Pays not less than the minimum wage prescribed pursuant to 29 
U.S.C. 206 to the employees who are severely disabled individuals; and
    (3) Provides for its employees' health insurance and a retirement 
plan comparable to those provided for employees by business entities of 
similar size in its industrial sector or geographic region.
    Summary Subcontract Report (SSR) Coordinator means the individual 
who is registered in the Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System 
(eSRS) at the Department of Defense level and is responsible for 
acknowledging receipt or rejecting SSRs submitted under an individual 
subcontracting plan in eSRS for the Department of Defense.
    (b) * * *
    (2) Subcontracts awarded to eligible contractors under the 
Demonstration Project for Contractors Employing Persons with 
Disabilities (see DFARS 226.7X) may be counted toward the Contractor's 
small disadvantaged business subcontracting goal (section 853 of Pub. 
L. 108-136, as amended by division H, section 110 of Pub. L. 108-199).
* * * * *
0
7. Add section 252.226-7XXX to read as follows:


252.226-7XXX   Representation for Demonstration Project for Contractors 
Employing Persons with Disabilities.

    As prescribed in 226.7X03, use the following provision:

Representation for Demonstration Project for Contractors Employing 
Persons with Disabilities (Date)

    (a) Definitions. As used in this provision--
    ``Eligible contractor'' means a business entity operated on a 
for-profit or nonprofit basis that--
    (1) Employs severely disabled individuals at a rate that 
averages not less than 33 percent of its total workforce over the 
12-month period prior to issuance of the solicitation;
    (2) Pays not less than the minimum wage prescribed pursuant to 
29 U.S.C. 206 to the employees who are severely disabled 
individuals; and
    (3) Provides for its employees' health insurance and a 
retirement plan comparable to those provided for employees by 
business

[[Page 12187]]

entities of similar size in its industrial sector or geographic 
region.
    ``Severely disabled individual'' means an individual with a 
disability (as defined in 42 U.S.C. 12102) who has a severe physical 
or mental impairment that seriously limits one or more functional 
capacities.
    (b) Demonstration Project. This solicitation is issued pursuant 
to the Demonstration Project for Contractors Employing Persons with 
Disabilities. The purpose of the Demonstration Project is to provide 
defense contracting opportunities for entities that employ severely 
disabled individuals. To be eligible for award, an offeror must be 
an eligible contractor as defined in paragraph (a) of this 
provision.
    (c) Representation. The offeror represents that it [square] is 
[square] is not an eligible contractor as defined in paragraph (a) 
of this provision.


(End of provision)

[FR Doc. 2019-06248 Filed 3-29-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 5001-06-P