[Comments on Proposed Change to FAR]
Highlights
GAO commented on proposed amendments to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) which would: (1) restrict FAR coverage of qualification requirements to those requirements the federal government imposed; (2) clarify the definition of special test equipment; and (3) provide rules to determine the federal government's share of any adjustments of pension costs that occurred as a result of pension plan terminations. GAO had no objections to the proposed changes.
B-226325, B-226369, B-226370, APR 10, 1987, OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL
PROCUREMENT - CONTRACT QUALIFICATION - FEDERAL PROCUREMENT REGULATIONS/LAWS - REVISION DIGEST: 1. GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE HAS NO COMMENT ON FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (FAR) CASE NO. 86-67, A PROPOSAL TO AMEND SELECTED PROVISIONS OF FAR SUBPART 9.2 AND THE CONTRACT CLAUSE AT FAR SEC. 52.209-1 CONCERNING QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS. PROCUREMENT - SPECIAL PROCUREMENT METHODS/CATEGORIES - GOVERNMENT PROPERTY - USE - FEDERAL PROCUREMENT REGULATIONS/LAWS - REVISION 2. GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE HAS NO COMMENT ON FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (FAR) CASE NO. 86-68, A PROPOSAL TO AMEND FAR SEC. 45.101 AND THE CONTRACT CLAUSE AT FAR SEC. 52.245-18 CONCERNING THE DEFINITION OF SPECIAL TEST EQUIPMENT. PROCUREMENT - PAYMENT/DISCHARGE - FEDERAL PROCUREMENT REGULATIONS/LAWS - REVISION - COST REIMBURSEMENT 3. GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE HAS NO COMMENT OF FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (FAR) CASE NO. 86-69, A PROPOSAL TO AMEND FAR SECS. 15.804 8, 31.201-5, AND 31.205-6 AND TO ADD A CONTRACT CLAUSE AT FAR SEC. 52.215-17 TO PROVIDE RULES FOR DETERMINING THE GOVERNMENT'S SHARE OF ANY ADJUSTMENTS OF PRIOR YEARS' PENSION COSTS THAT OCCUR AS A RESULT OF A TERMINATION OF A DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION PLAN.
MS. MARGARET A. WILLIS:
THIS RESPONDS TO YOUR LETTER OF FEBRUARY 10, 1987, REQUESTING OUR COMMENTS ON FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (FAR) CASE NOS. 86-67, 86 68, AND 86-69.
FAR CASE NO. 86-67 IS A PROPOSAL TO AMEND SELECTED PROVISIONS OF FAR SUBPART 9.2 AND THE CONTRACT CLAUSE AT FAR SEC. 52.209-1, WHICH CONCERN QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS. THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS WOULD CLARIFY THAT THE FAR COVERAGE ON QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS APPLIES ONLY TO THOSE IMPOSED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND NOT TO THOSE THAT MAY BE CONTAINED IN A MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATION OR DRAWINGS. THE PROPOSAL ALSO WOULD MAKE CLEAR THAT THE FAR PROVISIONS ON QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS APPLY NOT ONLY TO END ITEMS BUT ALSO TO COMPONENTS OF END ITEMS.
FAR CASE NO. 86-68 IS A PROPOSAL TO AMEND FAR SEC. 45.101 AND THE CONTRACT CLAUSE OF FAR SEC. 52.245-18 CONCERNING THE DEFINITION OF SPECIAL TEST EQUIPMENT. BASICALLY, THE DEFINITION WOULD BE REVISED TO MAKE CLEAR THE SPECIAL TESTING EQUIPMENT MAY CONSIST OF STANDARD OR GENERAL PURPOSE ITEMS OR COMPONENTS THAT, WHEN INTERCONNECTED, COMPRISE A NEW FUNCTIONAL ENTITY FOR SPECIAL TESTING PURPOSES.
FAR CASE NO. 86-69 IS A PROPOSAL TO AMEND FAR SECS. 15.804-8, 31.201 5 AND 31.205-6 AND TO ADD A CONTRACT CLAUSE AT FAR SEC. 52.215-17 CONCERNING TERMINATION OF DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION PLANS. THE PURPOSE OF THESE CHANGES IS TO PROVIDE RULES FOR DETERMINING THE GOVERNMENT'S SHARE OF ANY ADJUSTMENTS OF PRIOR YEARS' PENSION COSTS THAT OCCUR AS A RESULT OF SUCH A TERMINATION.
WE DO NOT OBJECT TO THESE PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE FAR.