Defense Acquisition Regulations System; Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Specialized Service Contracting

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

DoD has issued a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to update text pertaining to the acquisition of mortuary and laundry and dry cleaning services. This rule is a result of a transformation initiative undertaken by DoD to dramatically change the purpose and content of the DFARS.

DATES:

Effective Date: January 23, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ms. Robin Schulze, Defense Acquisition Regulations System, OUSD (AT&L) DPAP (DARS), IMD 3C132, 3062 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3062. Telephone (703) 602-0326; facsimile (703) 602-0350. Please cite DFARS Case 2003-D041.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

DFARS Transformation is a major DoD initiative to dramatically change the purpose and content of the DFARS. The objective is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the acquisition process, while allowing the acquisition workforce the flexibility to innovate. The transformed DFARS will contain only requirements of law, DoD-wide policies, delegations of FAR authorities, deviations from FAR requirements, and policies/procedures that have a significant effect beyond the internal operating procedures of DoD or a significant cost or administrative impact on contractors or offerors. Additional information on the DFARS Transformation initiative is available at http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/dars/dfars/transformation/index.htm.

This final rule is a result of the DFARS Transformation initiative. The rule—

• Revises DFARS Subpart 237.70 to delete procedures for defining the geographical area to be covered by mortuary services contracts, and procedures for distribution of those contracts. These procedures have been relocated to the new DFARS companion resource, Procedures, Guidance, and Information (PGI), available at http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/dars/pgi.
• Deletes the clause at DFARS 252.237-7010 containing facility requirements for mortuary services, as these requirements are adequately addressed in State law.
• Revises DFARS Subpart 237.71 to delete unnecessary requirements relating to contracting for laundry and dry cleaning services.

DoD published a proposed rule at 70 FR 8563 on February 22, 2005. DoD received no comments on the proposed rule. Therefore, DoD has adopted the proposed rule as a final rule without change.

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 the rule updates and streamlines DFARS text, but makes no significant change to DoD contracting policy.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply, because the rule does not impose any information collection requirements that require the approval of the Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 237 and 252

• Government procurement

Therefore, 48 CFR parts 237 and 252 are amended as follows:

1. The authority citation for 48 CFR parts 237 and 252 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 41 U.S.C. 421 and 48 CFR Chapter 1.

PART 237—SERVICE CONTRACTING

2. Subpart 237.70 is revised to read as follows:

Subpart 237.70—Mortuary Services

3. Section 237.7100 is revised to read as follows:

4. Section 237.7101 is removed.

5. Section 237.7102 is redesignated as section 237.7101.

PART 252—SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

6. Section 252.237-7002 is amended in the introductory text, and in Alternate I in the introductory text, by removing “237.7004” and adding in its place “237.7003”.

7. Sections 252.237-7003 through 252.237-7009 are amended in the introductory text by removing “237.7004” and adding in its place “237.7003”.

8. Section 252.237-7010 is removed and reserved.

9. Section 252.237-7011 is amended in the introductory text by removing “237.7004” and adding in its place “237.7003”.

10. Sections 252.237-7012 through 252.237-7015 are amended in the introductory text by removing “237.7102” and adding in its place “237.7101”.

11. Section 252.237-7016 is amended in the introductory text, and in Alternates I and II in the introductory text, by removing “237.7102” and adding in its place “237.7101”.

12. Sections 252.237-7017 and 252.237-7018 are amended in the introductory text by removing “237.7102” and adding in its place “237.7101”.