DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

48 CFR Chapter 1

Federal Acquisition Regulation; Small Entity Compliance Guide

AGENCIES: Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION: Small Entity Compliance Guide.

SUMMARY: This document is issued under the joint authority of the Secretary of Defense, the Administrator of General Services and the Administrator for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. This Small Entity Compliance Guide has been prepared in accordance with Section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-121). It consists of a summary of rules appearing in Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2001-08 which amend the FAR. An asterisk (*) next to a rule indicates that a regulatory flexibility analysis has been prepared in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 604. Interested parties may obtain further information regarding these rules by referring to FAC 2001-08 which precedes this document. These documents are also available via the Internet at http://www.acqnet.gov/far

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laurie Duarte, FAR Secretariat, (202) 501-4225. For clarification of content, contact the analyst whose name appears in the table below.

Item I--Definition of ``Claim'' and Terms Relating to Termination (FAR Case 2000-406)

The purpose of this final rule is to clarify the applicability of definitions, eliminate redundant or conflicting definitions, and streamline the process for locating definitions. This rule is not intended to change the meaning of any FAR text or clause. Movement of various definitions to FAR 2.101 is not intended to change the operation of the cost principles and, specifically, the movement of the definition of ``claim'' to FAR 2.101 is not intended to change the scope or context of FAR 31.205-47(f)(1).

This final rule--

Revises and moves the definitions of ``claim'' from FAR 33.201; ``continued portion of the contract,'' ``partial termination,'' ``terminated portion of the contract'' from FAR 49.001; and ``termination for convenience'' from FAR 17.103;

Adds a definition of ``termination for default'' at FAR 2.101 and a new paragraph (d) at FAR 17.104 that explains the distinction between ``termination for convenience'' and ``cancellation'' that was deleted from the definition of ``termination for convenience'' that was moved from FAR 17.103;

Revises FAR 33.213(a) to clarify the distinction between claims ``arising under a contract'' and claims ``relating to a contract'';

Revises the definition of ``claim'' in the FAR clause at 52.233-1 to conform to the definition at FAR 2.101; and

Makes other editorial revisions for clarity.

Item II--Federal Supply Schedule Order Disputes and Incidental Items (FAR Case 1999-614)

This final rule amends the FAR to add policies on disputes and incidental items under Federal Supply Schedule contracts and to remove the requirement to notify GSA when a schedule contractor refuses to honor an order placed by a Government contractor. This rule affects all ordering offices acquiring supplies or services subject to the procedures of FAR Subpart 8.4.

Item III--Relocation Costs (FAR Case 1997-032)

This final rule amends the relocation cost principle at FAR 31.205- 35. The rule will only affect contracting officers that price contracts using cost analysis, or that are required by a contract clause to use cost principles for the determination, negotiation, or allowance of costs.

The relocation cost principle addresses the allowability of costs incurred by an existing contractor employee incident to the permanent change of the employee's assigned work location for a period of 12 months or more, or upon recruitment of a new employee. The final rule revises the cost principle by making allowable payments for spouse employment assistance and for increased employee income and Federal Insurance Contributions Act taxes incident to allowable reimbursed relocation costs, increasing the ceiling for allowance of miscellaneous costs of relocation, and making a number of editorial changes.

Item IV--Technical Amendments

These amendments update sections and make editorial changes at FAR 52.202-1, 52.212-3, and 52.225-11.