[Federal Register: November 22, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 224)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 67856-67857]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22no04-15]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
48 CFR Parts 227 and 252
[DFARS Case 2003-D104]
Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Written
Assurance of Technical Data Conformity
AGENCY: Department of Defense (DoD).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: DoD has adopted as final, without change, an interim rule
amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS)
to implement Section 844 of
[[Page 67857]]
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004. Section
844 eliminated the requirement for a contractor to furnish written
assurance that technical data delivered to the Government is complete
and accurate and satisfies the requirements of the contract.
DATES: Effective November 22, 2004.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Amy Williams, Defense Acquisition
Regulations Council, OUSD(AT&L)DPAP(DAR), IMD 3C132, 3062 Defense
Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3062. Telephone (703) 602-0328;
facsimile (703) 602-0350. Please cite DFARS Case 2003-D104.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Background
DoD published an interim rule at 69 FR 31911 on June 8, 2004, to
implement Section 844 of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2004 (Public Law 108-136). Section 844 amended 10 U.S.C.
2320(b) to eliminate the requirement for contractors to furnish written
assurance that delivered technical data is complete and accurate and
satisfies the requirements of the contract. The interim rule removed
the clause at DFARS 252.227-7036, Declaration of Technical Data
Conformity, which implemented the previous statutory requirement. Three
respondents submitted comments on the interim rule. All respondents
supported the rule. One respondent also recommended that the change be
made retroactive to reduce paperwork requirements for contracts
currently in effect. DoD has made no change to the rule as a result of
this comment. The interim rule became effective upon publication, on
June 8, 2004. Consistent with FAR 1.108(d), the rule applies to
solicitations issued on or after the effective date, but contracting
officers may, at their discretion, apply the change to any existing
contract with appropriate consideration.
This rule was not subject to Office of Management and Budget review
under Executive Order 12866, dated September 30, 1993.
B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
DoD certifies that this final rule will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities within the
meaning of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq.,
because elimination of the requirement for a contractor to provide
written assurance of technical data conformity does not diminish the
contractor's obligation to provide technical data that is complete and
accurate and in compliance with contract requirements.
C. Paperwork Reduction Act
The information collection requirements of the clause at DFARS
252.227-7036, Declaration of Technical Data Conformity, were previously
approved by the Office of Management and Budget under Control Number
0704-0369. Elimination of the clause has reduced estimated annual
public reporting burden by 126,886 hours (estimated 507,545
declarations annually at .25 hours per declaration).
List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 227 and 252
Government procurement.
Michele P. Peterson,
Executive Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations Council.
Interim Rule Adopted as Final Without Change
0
Accordingly, the interim rule amending 48 CFR Parts 227 and 252, which
was published at 69 FR 31911 on June 8, 2004, is adopted as a final
rule without change.
[FR Doc. 04-25823 Filed 11-19-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-08-P