[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 175 (Tuesday, September 10, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47862-47864]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-19361]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
48 CFR Parts 2, 19, and 52
[FAC 2019-06; FAR Case 2019-006; Item II; Docket No. FAR-2019-0006,
Sequence No. 1]
RIN 9000-AN89
Federal Acquisition Regulation: Update of ``Affiliates'' and
Section 8(a) Clauses
AGENCY: Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration
(GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: DoD, GSA, and NASA are issuing a final rule to amend the
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to update the definition of
``affiliates'' in the FAR, including references to that definition, and
to delete an obsolete requirement for contractors who are 8(a) Program
participants.
[[Page 47863]]
DATES: Effective October 10, 2019.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Marilyn E. Chambers, Procurement
Analyst, at 202-285-7380 for clarification of content. For information
pertaining to status or publication schedules, contact the Regulatory
Secretariat Division at 202-501-4755. Please cite FAC 2019-06, FAR Case
2019-006.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
DoD, GSA, and NASA are amending the FAR to revise the definition of
``affiliates'' at FAR 19.101, as well as references to this definition
at FAR 2.101, 19.001, 19.1303, 19.1403, and in the clause at FAR
52.219-27, Notice of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-
Aside. The clauses at FAR 52.219-12, Special 8(a) Subcontract
Conditions, and 52.219-17, Section 8(a) Award, currently require
contractors who are 8(a) Program participants to obtain written
approval from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the
contracting officer before subcontracting the performance of any
contract requirements. SBA has removed this requirement from their
regulations on the 8(a) Program at 13 CFR part 124. Therefore, DoD,
GSA, and NASA are removing this obsolete requirement from the FAR.
II. Discussion and Analysis
A. Definition of ``affiliates'' in parts 2 and 9.
Subpart 2.1, Definitions, is amended to revise the definition of
``affiliates'' to include references to the unique definitions of that
term in 9.403 and 19.101.
B. Definition of ``concern''. Section 19.001, Definitions, is
amended to delete a reference to section 19.101 regarding affiliation
and to replace it with a reference to SBA's regulations at 13 CFR
121.105.
C. Definition of ``affiliates'' in part 19. Subpart 19.1, Size
Standards, is amended to revise the definition of ``affiliates'' by
deleting existing language and replacing it with a reference to SBA's
regulations on determining affiliation at 13 CFR 121.103. Editorial
changes are made in 19.1303(c), 19.1403(c)(3), and paragraph (e)(3) of
the clause at 52.219-27 to remove references to the definition of
``affiliates'' in 19.101 and 52.219-27 and to replace them with
references to the applicable SBA regulation.
D. Removal of obsolete requirement for 8(a) contractors. The
clauses at FAR 52.219-12 and 52.219-17 are amended to delete from each
clause the paragraph requiring 8(a) contractors to obtain approval from
SBA and the contracting officer prior to subcontracting the performance
of any contract requirements. These paragraphs are obsolete.
III. Publication of This Final Rule for Public Comment Is Not Required
by Statute
The statute that applies to the publication of the FAR is the
Office of Federal Procurement Policy statute (codified at title 41 of
the United States Code). Specifically, 41 U.S.C. 1707(a)(1) requires
that a procurement policy, regulation, procedure, or form (including an
amendment or modification thereof) must be published for public comment
if it relates to the expenditure of appropriated funds, and has either
a significant effect beyond the internal operating procedures of the
agency issuing the policy, regulation, procedure, or form, or has a
significant cost or administrative impact on contractors or offerors.
While this final rule relates to the expenditure of appropriated funds,
it is not required to be published for public comment, because it does
not have a significant effect or impose any requirements on contractors
or offerors. The rule makes minor revisions to the definition of
``affiliates'' that have no bearing on the meaning of the term and
replaces FAR coverage that is redundant of SBA regulations with
references to SBA's rules. Additionally, this rule eliminates a
requirement that no longer exists in SBA's regulations on the 8(a)
Business Development Program at 13 CFR part 124.
IV. Applicability to Contracts at or Below the Simplified Acquisition
Threshold (SAT) and for Commercial Items, Including Commercially
Available Off-the-Shelf (COTS) Items
This rule amends the FAR to update the definition of
``affiliates,'' as well as a reference to this definition in the clause
at 52.219-27, Notice of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business
Set-Aside. Additionally, this rule removes an obsolete requirement from
the clauses at FAR 52.219-12, Special 8(a) Subcontract Conditions, and
52.219-17, Section 8(a) Award, for contractors who are 8(a) Program
participants to obtain written approval from SBA and the contracting
officer before subcontracting the performance of any contract
requirements. This rule does not change the applicability of these
clauses, which currently apply to solicitations and contracts below the
SAT and to the acquisition of commercial items, including COTS items.
V. Expected Cost Savings
This rule impacts only 8(a) Program participants who do business
with the Government. Currently, 8(a) Program participants who have
Federal contracts must obtain written approval from SBA and the
contracting officer before subcontracting the performance of any
contract requirements in accordance with FAR clauses 52.219-12 and
52.219-17. Removal of the requirement to obtain this approval is
expected to result in savings for contractors who are 8(a) Program
participants. The following is a summary of the estimated public and
Government cost savings calculated in perpetuity in 2016 dollars at a
7-percent discount rate:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary Public Government Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Present Value.......................................... -$14,595,843 -$7,297,914 -$21,893,757
Annualized Costs....................................... -1,021,709 -510,854 -1,532,563
Annualized Value Costs (as of 2016 if Year 1 is 2020).. -799,457 -389,728 -1,189,185
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To access the full Regulatory Cost Analysis for this rule, go to
the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov, search for ``FAR
Case 2019-006'', click ``Open Docket,'' and view ``Supporting
Documents''.
VI. 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
[[Page 47864]]
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.
VII. Executive Order 13771
This final rule is considered to be an E.O. 13771 deregulatory
action. The total annualized value of the cost savings is $1,189,185.
Details on the estimated cost savings can be found in section V. of
this preamble.
VIII. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) does not
apply to this rule, because a notice of proposed rulemaking and an
opportunity for public comment are not required to be given for this
rule under 41 U.S.C. 1707(a)(1) (see section III. of this preamble).
Accordingly, no regulatory flexibility analysis is required and none
has been prepared.
IX. 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 Parts 2, 19, and 52
Government procurement.
William F. Clark,
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 2, 19, and 52 as
set forth below:
0
1. The authority citation for parts 2, 9, 19, and 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.
PART 2--DEFINITIONS OF WORDS AND TERMS
0
2. Amend section 2.101, in paragraph (b)(2), by revising the definition
of ``Affiliates'' to read as follows:
2.101 Definitions.
(b) * * *
(2) * * *
Affiliates means associated business concerns or individuals if,
directly or indirectly either one controls or can control the other; or
third party controls or can control both, except as follows:
(1) For the use in subpart 9.4, see the definition at 9.403.
(2) For the use in subpart 19.1, see the definition at 19.101.
* * * * *
PART 19--SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAMS
19.001 [Amended]
0
3. Amend section 19.001, in the defined term ``Concern'' by removing
the last sentence and adding ``For more information, see 13 CFR
121.105.'' in its place.
0
4. Amend section 19.101 by revising the section heading and the
definition of ``Affiliates'' to read as follows:
19.101 Definitions.
* * * * *
Affiliates means business concerns, one of whom directly or
indirectly controls or has the power to control the others, or a third
party or parties control or have the power to control the others. In
determining whether affiliation exists, consideration is given to all
appropriate factors including common ownership, common management, and
contractual relationships. SBA determines affiliation based on the
factors set forth at 13 CFR 121.103.
* * * * *
19.1303 [Amended]
0
5. Amend section 19.1303, in paragraph (c) by removing ``the
explanation of affiliates (see 19.101)'' and adding ``13 CFR
121.103(h)'' in its place.
19.1403 [Amended]
0
6. Amend section 19.1403, in paragraph (c)(3), by removing ``of
paragraph 7 of the explanation of Affiliates in 19.101'' and adding
``in 13 CFR 121.103(h)'' in its place.
PART 52--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES
0
7. Amend section 52.212-5 by revising the date of the clause and
paragraph (b)(21) to read as follows:
52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes
or Executive Orders--Commercial Items.
* * * * *
Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or
Executive Orders--Commercial Items Oct 2019)
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(21) 52.219-27, Notice of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small
Business Set-Aside (Oct 2019) (15 U.S.C. 657f).
* * * * *
0
8. Amend section 52.219-12 by--
0
a. Revising the date of the clause;
0
b. Removing paragraph (b)(3);
0
c. Redesignating paragraph (b)(4) as (b)(3); and
0
d. Removing from newly redesignated paragraph (b)(3) ``That is'' and
adding ``That it'' in its place.
The revision reads as follows:
52.219-12 Special 8(a) Subcontract Conditions.
* * * * *
Special 8(a) Subcontract Conditions (Oct 2019)
* * * * *
0
9. Amend section 52.219-17 by revising the date of the clause and
paragraph (a)(2) and removing paragraph (c).
The revisions read as follows:
52.219-17 Section 8(a) Award.
* * * * *
Section 8(a) Award (Oct 2019)
(a) * * *
(2) Except for novation agreements, delegates to the ___ [insert
name of contracting activity] the responsibility for administering the
contract with complete authority to take any action on behalf of the
Government under the terms and conditions of the contract; provided,
however that the contracting agency shall give advance notice to the
SBA before it issues a final notice terminating the right of the
subcontractor to proceed with further performance, either in whole or
in part, under the contract.
* * * * *
0
10. Amend section 52.219-27 by revising the date of the clause and
removing from paragraph (e)(3) ``paragraph 7 of the explanation of
Affiliates in 19.101 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation'' and adding
``13 CFR 121.103(h)'' in its place.
The revision reads as follows:
52.219-27 Notice of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-
Aside.
* * * * *
Notice of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside (Oct
2019)
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2019-19361 Filed 9-9-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-EP-P