Federal Acquisition Regulation; FAR Case 2004-033, Inflation Adjustment of Acquisition-Related Thresholds, 57363-57374 [06-8206]

Agencies

• General Services Administration
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 188 (Thursday, September 28, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57363-57374]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-8206]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

48 CFR Parts 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19, 22, 
25, 28, 32, 36, 42, 48, 49, 50, 52, and 53

[FAC 2005-13; FAR Case 2004-033; Item IV; Docket 2006-0020, Sequence 
17]
RIN 9000-AK26


Federal Acquisition Regulation; FAR Case 2004-033, Inflation 
Adjustment of Acquisition-Related Thresholds

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense 
Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) have agreed on a final rule 
amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to adjust 
acquisition-related thresholds for inflation, in accordance with 41 
U.S.C. 431a as added by section 807 of the Ronald W. Reagan National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 (Pub. L. 108-375). This 
rule also amends some acquisition-related thresholds that are based on 
policy rather than statute. Inflation adjustment of cost accounting 
standards (CAS) thresholds will be addressed in a separate case.

DATES: Effective Date: September 28, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For clarification of content, contact 
Mr. Michael Jackson, Procurement Analyst, at (202) 208-4949. Please 
cite FAC 2005-13, FAR case 2004-033. For information pertaining to 
status or publication schedules, contact the FAR Secretariat at (202) 
501-4755.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    Statute. This final rule implements 41 U.S.C. 431a as added by 
Section 807 of the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2005 (Pub. L. 108-375). 41 U.S.C. 431a provides for 
adjustment every 5 years of acquisition-related thresholds, except for 
Davis-Bacon Act, Service Contract Act, and trade agreements thresholds. 
This rule also escalates some nonstatutory acquisition-related 
thresholds. The statute does not permit escalation of acquisition-
related thresholds established by the Davis Bacon Act, the Service 
Contract Act, or trade agreements. The statute does not authorize the 
FAR to escalate thresholds originating in executive order or the 
implementing agency (such as the Department of Labor or the Small 
Business Administration), unless the executive order or agency 
regulations are first amended.
    Public Comments. DoD, GSA, and NASA published a proposed rule in 
the Federal Register at 70 FR 73415, December 12, 2005. We received 
eight responses to the proposed rule (available at https://
www.regulations.gov/). All the responses were from Government 
personnel. Almost all the responses related to the proposed increase in 
the micro-purchase threshold. The Councils did not agree to any changes 
to the proposed rule based on the public comments. However, as 
addressed below, some of the thresholds have changed in the final rule.

[[Page 57364]]

Concur with rule

    Comment: Two respondents concur with the rule without further 
comment.
    Response: None required.

Micro-purchase threshold

    Comment: Increase is not enough. One respondent is concerned that 
the increase in the micro-purchase threshold is totally insufficient.
    Response: The statute dictates the amount of the inflation 
adjustment, specifying the index to be used, and only allows inflation 
for a five-year period for those statutes that were in effect before 
October 1, 2000.
    Comment: Concern for impact on small business. One respondent 
expressed concerns over negative impact on small business. The 
respondent did not favor the pending increase in the micro-purchase 
threshold from $2,500 to $3,000 because there is not a simultaneous 
increase in the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), thereby 
reducing the number of acquisitions automatically set aside for small 
business. The respondent proposed that the SAT should be raised at the 
same time as the increase in the micro-purchase threshold.
    Response: The Councils addressed this issue in the Federal Register 
notice and the Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis. The increase in 
the micro-purchase threshold is required by statute. The statute does 
not provide flexibility in its application to acquisition-related 
thresholds. The escalation in accordance with the procedures set forth 
in the statute is mandatory. Following these procedures resulted in an 
escalation of $500 at this time for the micro-purchase threshold, and 
no escalation for the SAT, because of rounding as required by the 
statute. However, it is expected that the SAT will increase in year 
2010, increasing the range for small business set-asides.

Discrepancy with Service Contract Act (SCA) is a problem

    Comment: Three respondents are concerned that an increase in the 
micro-purchase threshold to $3,000 while the SCA threshold remains at 
$2,500 creates problems. Problems cited include--
     This discrepancy will result in increased risk of purchase 
card holders violating the SCA. Monitoring the different thresholds 
adds to the overburdened purchase card program which was supposed to be 
a simple process;
     The discrepancy poses a great burden on contracting as 
well as the credit card program and may have an adverse impact. The 
respondent understands that the statute prohibited increase in the SCA, 
but considers it logical to promote an initiative to amend the SCA to 
coincide with the micro-purchase threshold; and
     This discrepancy is inviting violation of the provisions 
of the SCA, because many, if not most, of these purchases are made by 
non-contracting personnel who have no knowledge of the provisions of 
the SCA.
    Response: As stated in the above response, the increase in the 
micro-purchase threshold is required by law, while the increase in the 
SCA threshold is prohibited by the law. Considering the specific 
prohibition of any increase in the SCA, the Councils consider it highly 
unlikely that any initiative to amend the SCA would meet with success.
    The Councils have limited use of the purchase card for services 
valued in excess of $2,500 that are subject to the Service Contract 
Act, by adding a restriction to the definition of ``Micro-purchase 
threshold'' at FAR 2.101, so that it remains at $2,500 for services 
subject to the Service Contract Act. The Councils also recommend 
training for cardholders so that they will be able to identify which 
service contracts are subject to the Act.

Increase the Davis-Bacon Act threshold

    Comment: One respondent recommended increase in the Davis-Bacon Act 
threshold.
    Response: The statute specifically excludes the Davis-Bacon Act 
from any adjustment.

Increase the third party draft transaction threshold

    Comment: One respondent recommends that, unless Treasury 
restrictions take precedence over FAR changes, this $2,500 threshold at 
FAR 13.305-3(b) also be raised to $3,000, consistent with other changes 
to the micro-purchase threshold in the proposed rule.
    Response: The Treasury restrictions do take precedence. The statute 
does not authorize the FAR to escalate non-statutory thresholds 
originating in another agency unless the agency regulations are first 
amended.
    Escalation. The inflation adjustment factors in the proposed rule 
were calculated on the basis of December 2004 data. For the final rule, 
data through October 2005 has been used. This resulted in a slight 
increase in the calculated inflation adjustment factors. For the five-
year period October 2000 through October 2005, the inflation adjustment 
factor increased from 13 to 14.5 percent. However, due to rounding, 
most thresholds in the proposed rule did not actually change.
    The following frequently used thresholds are the same in the final 
rule as in the proposed rule:
     Micro-purchase threshold at FAR 2.101: ``$3,000''.
     FPDS reporting threshold at FAR 4.602(c): ``$3,000''.
     Commercial Items test program ceiling at FAR 13.500: 
``$5,500,000''.
     Prime contractor subcontracting plan floor at FAR 19.702: 
``$550,000'' (but for construction ($1,000,000) is unchanged).
    The following thresholds further increased from the proposed to the 
final rule:
     Major system (DoD) at FAR 2.101: ``$173,500,000 and 
$814,500,000''.
     J&A approval levels at FAR 6.304, 8.405-6, 13.501: 
``$57,000,000 and $78,500,000''.
     Bundling at FAR 7.107: ``$86,000,000 and $8,600,000''.
     Treatment as a commercial item at FAR 12.102, 12.203, 
13.000, 13.303-5, 13.500, 15.403-1(c)(3)(i): ``$11,000,000, 
$16,000,000, and $27,000,000''.
     TINA cost and pricing data at FAR 15.403, 15.403-4, 42.7: 
``$650,000''.
     Multiyear cancellation ceiling notice to Congress, DoD at 
FAR 17.108(b): ``$114,500,000''.
    The threshold of $5 million at FAR 19.1406(a)(2)(i) is the only 
threshold in the matrix of FAR thresholds that was not included in the 
text of the proposed rule, but is now included in the final rule, 
because the calculated threshold now rounds up to $5.5 million.
    A matrix of the thresholds considered in the drafting of the final 
rule is available via the Internet at https://acquisition.gov/far/
facsframe.html.

Right to Petition

    The Councils note that the statute provides the right to petition. 
If a dollar threshold adjustable under the statute is not included in 
this notice of adjustment, any person may request adjustment of that 
dollar threshold by submitting a petition for adjustment to the 
Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy. Please note, however, 
that due to rounding requirements, many thresholds that were considered 
for adjustment were not actually changed at this time because the 
inflation was insufficient to overcome the rounding requirements (e.g., 
thresholds of $1,000, $10,000, $100,000, and $1,000,000). These 
thresholds will probably be adjusted in year 2010, if inflation 
continues at a rate comparable to the current rate of inflation.
    This is not a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was not 
subject to

[[Page 57365]]

review under Section 6(b) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning 
and Review, dated September 30, 1993. This rule is not a major rule 
under 5 U.S.C. 804.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq., applies to 
this final rule. The Councils prepared a Final Regulatory Flexibility 
Analysis (FRFA), and it is summarized as follows:
    Most of the threshold changes proposed in this rule will not 
have any significant economic impact on small business because they 
are intended to maintain the status quo by adjusting for changes in 
the value of the dollar. For example, the prime contractor 
subcontracting plan floor at FAR 19.702 for other than construction 
contacts will be raised from $500,000 to $550,000. This is just 
keeping pace with inflation.
    Often any impact will be beneficial by preventing burdensome 
requirements from applying to more and more small dollar value 
acquisitions, which are the acquisitions in which small businesses 
are most likely to participate.
    One respondent was specifically concerned about the impact on 
the small business community of the increase in the micro-purchase 
threshold without a corresponding increase in the simplified 
acquisition threshold, thereby temporarily narrowing the range of 
automatic set-asides for small business.
    To assess the impact of the increase in the micro-purchase 
threshold from $2,500 to $3,000, data was requested from FPDS-NG. 
For Fiscal Year 2004, actions between $2,500 and $3,000, there is a 
total of 25,212 contract actions with a value of $13,732,445. Of 
this total, 16,031 (value of $8,083,900) of these actions went to 
small businesses. We expect that many of these awards will still go 
to small businesses, even if there is no longer a requirement to 
automatically set the procurement aside for small business.
    The simplified acquisition threshold is expected to increase by 
a much greater amount five years from now when the thresholds are 
next adjusted, thereby increasing the range of automatic set-asides 
for small business.
    The Councils did not make any changes in the final rule as a 
result of these comments, because the increases are dictated by 
statute.
    Interested parties may obtain a copy from the FAR Secretariat. The 
FAR Secretariat has submitted a copy of the FRFA to the Chief Counsel 
for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act does apply; however, these changes to 
the FAR do not impose additional information collection requirements to 
the paperwork burden previously approved under OMB Control Numbers 
9000-0006, 9000-0007, 9000-0013, 9000-0026, 9000-0027, 9000-0028, 9000-
0029, 9000-0037, 9000-0043, 9000-0045, 9000-0065, 9000-0066, 9000-0070, 
9000-0078, 9000-0094, 9000-0115, 9000-0138, 9000-0145, 9000-0150, and 
1215-0072. They maintain the current information collection 
requirements at the status quo by adjusting the thresholds for 
inflation.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 
15, 16, 17, 19, 22, 25, 28, 32, 36, 42, 48, 49, 50, 52, and 53

    Government procurement.

    Dated: September 19, 2006.
Ralph De Stefano,
Director, Contract Policy Division.

0
Therefore, DoD, GSA, and NASA amend 48 CFR parts 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 
9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19, 22, 25, 28, 32, 36, 42, 48, 49, 50, 52, and 
53 as set forth below:
0
1. The authority citation for 48 CFR parts 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 
13, 15, 16, 17, 19, 22, 25, 28, 32, 36, 42, 48, 49, 50, 52, and 53 
continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 40 U.S.C. 121(c); 10 U.S.C. chapter 137; and 42 
U.S.C. 2473(c).

PART 1--FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM

0
2. Add section 1.109 to read as follows:


1.109  Statutory acquisition-related dollar thresholds--adjustment for 
inflation.

    (a) 41 U.S.C. 431a requires that the FAR Council periodically 
adjust all statutory acquisition-related dollar thresholds in the FAR 
for inflation, except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section. 
This adjustment is calculated every 5 years, starting in October 2005, 
using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all-urban consumers, and 
supersedes the applicability of any other provision of law that 
provides for the adjustment of such acquisition-related dollar 
thresholds.
    (b) The statute defines an acquisition-related dollar threshold as 
a dollar threshold that is specified in law as a factor in defining the 
scope of the applicability of a policy, procedure, requirement, or 
restriction provided in that law to the procurement of supplies or 
services by an executive agency, as determined by the FAR Council.
    (c) The statute does not permit escalation of acquisition-related 
dollar thresholds established by the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. 3141 
through 3144, 3146, and 3147), the Service Contract Act of 1965 (41 
U.S.C. 351, et seq.), or the United States Trade Representative 
pursuant to the authority of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (19 
U.S.C. 2511 et seq).
    (d) A matrix showing calculation of the most recent escalation 
adjustments of statutory acquisition-related dollar thresholds is 
available via the Internet at https://acquisition.gov/far/
facsframe.html.

PART 2--DEFINITIONS OF WORDS AND TERMS

0
3. Amend section 2.101 in paragraph (b) by--
0
a. Revising paragraph (1) of the definition ``Major system'', and 
removing from paragraph (2) ``$750,000 (based on fiscal year 1980 
constant dollars)'' and adding ``$1.8 million'' in its place; and
0
b. Amending the definition ``Micro-purchase threshold'', by removing 
from the introductory paragraph ``2,500'' and adding ``3,000'' in its 
place; revising paragraph (1); redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph 
(3); and adding a new paragraph (2).
    The revised text reads as follows:


2.101  Definitions.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    Major system * * *
    (1) The Department of Defense is responsible for the system and the 
total expenditures for research, development, test, and evaluation for 
the system are estimated to be more than $173.5 million or the eventual 
total expenditure for the acquisition exceeds $814.5 million;
* * * * *
    Micro-purchase threshold * * *
    (1) For acquisitions of construction subject to the Davis-Bacon 
Act, $2,000;
    (2) For acquisitions of services subject to the Service Contract 
Act, $2,500; and
* * * * *

PART 4--ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS


4.601  [Amended]

0
4. Amend section 4.601 by removing from paragraph (a) and the 
introductory text of paragraph (d) ``$25,000'' and adding ``$3,000'' in 
their place; and by removing from paragraph (e) ``$5,000,000'' and 
adding ``$5.5 million'' in its place.


4.602  [Amended]

0
5. Amend section 4.602 by removing from paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(3) 
``$2,500'' and adding ``$3,000'' in their place; and by removing 
paragraph (c)(4).

PART 5--PUBLICIZING CONTRACT ACTIONS

0
6. Amend section 5.303 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:

[[Page 57366]]

5.303  Announcement of contract awards.

    (a) Public announcement. Contracting officers shall make 
information available on awards over $3.5 million (unless another 
dollar amount is specified in agency acquisition regulations) in 
sufficient time for the agency concerned to announce it by 5 p.m. 
Washington, DC, time on the day of award. Agencies shall not release 
information on awards before the public release time of 5 p.m. 
Washington, DC time. Contracts excluded from this reporting requirement 
include--
    (1) Those placed with the Small Business Administration under 
section 8(a) of the Small Business Act;
    (2) Those placed with foreign firms when the place of delivery or 
performance is outside the United States and its outlying areas; and
    (3) Those for which synopsis was exempted under 5.202(a)(1).
* * * * *

PART 6--COMPETITION REQUIREMENTS


6.304  [Amended]

0
7. Amend section 6.304 by--
0
a. Removing from paragraph (a)(1) ``$500,000'' and adding ``$550,000'' 
in its place;
0
b. Removing from paragraph (a)(2) ``$500,000'' and ``$10,000,000'' and 
adding ``$550,000'' and ``$11.5 million'', respectively, in their 
place;
0
c. Removing from paragraph (a)(3) $10,000,000'', ``$50,000,000'', and 
``$75,000,000'' and adding ``$11.5 million'', ``$57 million'', and 
``$78.5 million'', respectively, in their place; and
0
d. Removing from paragraph (a)(4) ``$50,000,000'' and ``75,000,000'' 
and adding ``$57 million'' and ``$78.5 million'', respectively, in 
their place.

PART 7--ACQUISITION PLANNING


7.104  [Amended]

0
8. Amend section 7.104 by removing from paragraph (d)(2)(i)(A) ``$7 
million'' and adding ``$7.5 million'' in its place; and removing from 
paragraph (d)(2)(i)(B) ``$5 million'' and adding ``$5.5 million'' in 
its place.


7.107  [Amended]

0
9. Amend section 7.107 by removing from paragraph (b)(1) ``$75 
million'' and adding ``$86 million'' in its place; and removing from 
paragraph (b)(2) ``$7.5 million'' and ``75 million'' and adding ``$8.6 
million'' and ``$86 million'', respectively, in their place.

PART 8--REQUIRED SOURCES OF SUPPLIES AND SERVICES


8.405-6  [Amended]

0
10. Amend section 8.405-6 by--
0
a. Removing from paragraph (h)(1) ``$500,000'' and adding ``$550,000'' 
in its place;
0
b. Removing from paragraph (h)(2) ``$500,000, but not exceeding $10 
million'' and adding ``$550,000, but not exceeding $11.5 million'' in 
its place;
0
c. Removing from the introductory text of paragraph (h)(3) ``$10 
million'', ``$50 million'', and ``$75 million'', and adding ``$11.5 
million'', ``$57 million'', and ``$78.5 million'', respectively, in 
their place; and
0
d. Removing from the first sentence of paragraph (h)(4) ``$50 million'' 
and ``$75 million'' and adding ``$57 million'' and ``$78.5 million'', 
respectively, in their place.

PART 9--CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS


9.405-2  [Amended]

0
11. Amend section 9.405-2 in the second sentence of the introductory 
text of paragraph (b) by removing ``$25,000'' and adding ``$30,000'' in 
its place.


9.409  [Amended]

0
12. Amend section 9.409 in paragraph (b) by removing ``$25,000'' and 
adding ``$30,000'' in its place.

PART 12--ACQUISITION OF COMMERCIAL ITEMS


12.102  [Amended]

0
13. Amend section 12.102 by removing from the introductory text of 
paragraph (f)(2) ``$15,000,000'' and adding ``$16 million'' in its 
place; and removing from paragraph (g)(1)(ii) ``$25 million'' and 
adding ``$27 million'' in its place.


12.203  [Amended]

0
14. Amend section 12.203 by removing from the last sentence ``$5 
million'' and ``$10 million'' and adding ``$5.5 million'' and ``$11 
million'', respectively, in their place.

PART 13--SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES


13.000  [Amended]

0
15. Amend section 13.000 by removing from the second sentence ``$5 
million'' and ``$10 million'' and adding ``$5.5 million'' and ``$11 
million'', respectively, in their place.


13.003  [Amended]

0
16. Amend section 13.003 by--
0
a. Removing from the first sentence of paragraph (b)(1) ``$2,500'' and 
adding ``$3,000'' in its place; and in the second sentence, by adding 
``19.000(b) and'' after the word ``See''; and
0
b. Removing from paragraphs (c)(1)(ii) and (g)(2) ``$5 million'' and 
``$10 million'' and adding ``$5.5 million'' and ``$11 million'', 
respectively, in their place.


13.005  [Amended]

0
17. Amend section 13.005 in paragraph (a)(2) by removing ``$25,000'' 
and adding ``$30,000 (40 U.S.C. 3132)'' in its place.


13.106-1  [Amended]

0
18. Amend section 13.106-1 by removing from paragraph (c)(2) and the 
first sentence of paragraph (d) ``$25,000'' and adding ``$30,000'' in 
their place.


13.303-5  [Amended]

0
19. Amend section 13.303-5 by removing from paragraph (b)(1) 
``$5,000,000'' and ``$10,000,000'' and adding ``$5.5 million'' and 
``$11 million'', respectively, in their place; and removing from 
paragraph (b)(2) ``$5 million'' and ``$10 million'' and adding ``$5.5 
million'' and ``$11 million'', respectively, in their place.


13.402  [Amended]

0
20. Amend section 13.402 by removing from paragraph (a) ``$25,000'' and 
adding ``30,000'' in its place.


13.500  [Amended]

0
21. Amend section 13.500 by removing from the first sentence of 
paragraph (a) ``$5 million ($10 million'' and adding ``$5.5 million 
($11 million'', respectively, in its place; and removing from the 
introductory text of paragraph (e) ``$10 million'' and adding ``$11 
million'', respectively, in its place.


13.501  [Amended]

0
22. Amend section 13.501 by removing from paragraph (a)(2)(i) 
``$500,000'' and adding ``$550,000'' in its place; removing from 
paragraph (a)(2)(ii) ``$500,000'' and ``$10,000,000'' and adding 
``$550,000'' and ``$11.5 million''; respectively, in their place; 
removing from paragraph (a)(2)(iii) ``10,000,000'', ``50,000,000'', and 
``75,000,000'' and adding ``11.5 million'', ``57 million'', and ``78.5 
million'', respectively, in their place; and removing from paragraph 
(a)(2)(iv) ``50,000,000'' and ``75,000,000'' and adding ``57 million'', 
and ``78.5 million'', in its place.

PART 15--CONTRACTING BY NEGOTIATION

0
23. Amend section 15.304 by removing paragraph (c)(3)(i);

[[Page 57367]]

redesignating paragraphs (c)(3)(ii), (c)(3)(iii), and (c)(3)(iv) as 
(c)(3)(i), (c)(3)(ii), and (c)(3)(iii), respectively; and revising the 
newly designated paragraph (c)(3)(i); and removing from paragraph 
(c)(4) ``$500,000'' and adding ``$550,000'' in its place. The revised 
text reads as follows:


15.304  Evaluation factors and significant subfactors.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (3)(i) Except as set forth in paragraph (c)(3)(iii) of this 
section, past performance shall be evaluated in all source selections 
for negotiated competitive acquisitions expected to exceed the 
simplified acquisition threshold.
* * * * *


15.403-1  [Amended]

0
24. Amend section 15.403-1 by removing from paragraph (c)(3)(iii) 
``$15,000,000'' and adding ``$16 million'' in its place.
0
25. Amend section 15.403-4 by removing from the third sentence of the 
introductory text of paragraph (a)(1) ``$550,000'' and adding 
``$650,000'' in its place; and revising the second sentence of 
paragraph (a)(1)(iii) to read as follows:


15.403-4  Requiring cost or pricing data (10 U.S.C. 2306a and 41 U.S.C. 
254b).

    (a)(1) * * *
    (iii) * * * Price adjustment amounts must consider both increases 
and decreases (e.g., a $200,000 modification resulting from a reduction 
of $500,000 and an increase of $300,000 is a pricing adjustment 
exceeding $650,000. * * *
* * * * *


15.404-3  [Amended]

0
26. Amend section 15.404-3 by removing from paragraph (c)(1)(i) 
``$10,000,000'' and adding ``$11.5 million'' in its place.


15.407-2  [Amended]

0
27. Amend section 15.407-2 by removing from paragraphs (c)(1) and the 
introductory text of paragraph (c)(2) ``$10 million'' and adding 
``$11.5 million'', respectively, in their place.


15.408  [Amended]

0
28. Amend section 15.408 in Table 15-2 following paragraph (m), in 
section II, Cost Elements, in the third sentence of paragraph (A)(2), 
by removing ``$10,000,000'' and adding ``$11.5 million'' in its place.

PART 16--TYPES OF CONTRACTS


16.503  [Amended]

0
29. Amend section 16.503 by removing from paragraph (d)(1) 
``$10,000,000'' and adding ``$11.5 million'' in its place.


16.504  [Amended]

0
30. Amend section 16.504 by removing from the introductory text of 
paragraph (c)(2)(i) ``$10 million'' and adding ``$11.5 million'' in its 
place.


16.505  [Amended]

0
31. Amend section 16.505 by removing from paragraph (b)(1)(i) and the 
introductory text of paragraph (b)(2) ``$2,500'' and adding ``$3,000'' 
in its place.


16.506  [Amended]

0
32. Amend section 16.506 by removing from paragraphs (f) and (g) ``$10 
million'' and adding ``$11.5 million'' in its place.


16.601  [Amended]

0
33. Amend section 16.601 by removing from paragraph (b)(3)(i) 
``$25,000'' and adding ``$30,000'' in its place.

PART 17--SPECIAL CONTRACTING METHODS


17.108  [Amended]

0
34. Amend section 17.108 in paragraph (a) by removing ``$10 million'' 
and adding ``$11.5 million'' in its place; and in paragraph (b) by 
removing ``$100 million'' and adding ``$114.5 million'' in its place.

PART 19--SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAMS


19.502-1  [Amended]

0
35. Amend section 19.502-1 by removing from paragraph (b) ``$2,500'' 
and adding ``$3,000'' in its place.


19.502-2  [Amended]

0
36. Amend section 19.502-2 by removing from the first sentence of 
paragraph (a) ``$2,500'' and adding ``$3,000'' in its place; and 
removing from paragraph (d) ``$25,000'' and adding ``$30,000'' in its 
place.


19.702  [Amended]

0
37. Amend section 19.702 by removing from paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) 
``$500,000'' and adding ``$550,000'' in their place.


19.704  [Amended]

0
38. Amend section 19.704 by removing from paragraph (a)(9) ``$500,000'' 
and adding ``$550,000'' in its place.


19.708  [Amended]

0
39. Amend section 19.708 by removing from the first sentence of 
paragraph (b)(1) ``$500,000'' and adding ``$550,000'' in its place.


19.805-1  [Amended]

0
40. Amend section 19.805-1 by removing from paragraph (a)(2) 
``$5,000,000'' and ``$3,000,000'' and adding ``$5.5 million'' and 
``$3.5 million'', respectively, in their place.


19.1002  [Amended]

0
41. Amend section 19.1002 by removing from paragraph (1) of the 
definition ``Emerging small business reserve amount'', ``$25,000'' and 
adding ``$30,000'' in its place.


19.1007  [Amended]

0
42. Amend section 19.1007 by removing from paragraphs (c)(1)(i) and 
(c)(1)(ii) ``$25,000'' and adding ``$30,000'' in its place.


19.1008  [Amended]

0
43. Amend section 19.1008 by removing from paragraph (c) ``$25,000'' 
and adding ``$30,000'' in its place.


19.1202-2  [Amended]

0
44. Amend section 19.1202-2 by removing from paragraph (a) ``$500,000'' 
and adding ``$550,000'' in its place.


19.1306  [Amended]

0
45. Amend section 19.1306 by removing from paragraph (a)(2)(i) 
``$5,000,000'' and adding ``$5.5 million'' in its place; and removing 
from paragraph (a)(2)(ii) ``$3,000,000'' and adding ``$3.5 million'' in 
its place.


19.1406  [Amended]

0
46. Amend section 19.1406 by removing from paragraph (a)(2)(i) ``$5 
million'' and adding ``$5.5 million'' in its place.

PART 22--APPLICATION OF LABOR LAWS TO GOVERNMENT ACQUISITIONS


22.103-4  [Amended]

0
47. Amend section 22.103-4 in paragraph (b) by removing the last 
sentence.


22.103-5  [Amended]

0
48. Amend section 22.103-5 in the introductory text of paragraph (b) by 
removing ``be over $100,000;'' and adding ``exceed the simplified 
acquisition threshold;'' in its place.


22.305  [Amended]

0
49. Amend section 22.305 by removing from paragraph (a) ``the 
simplified acquisition threshold;'' and adding ``$100,000;'' in its 
place.

[[Page 57368]]

22.1103  [Amended]

0
50. Amend section 22.1103 by removing from the second sentence 
``$500,000'' and adding ``$550,000'' in its place.


22.1303  [Amended]

0
51. Amend section 22.1303 by removing from paragraphs (a) and (c) 
``$25,000'' and adding ``$100,000'' in its place.


22.1310  [Amended]

0
52. Amend section 22.1310 by removing from the introductory text of 
paragraph (a)(1) ``$25,000'' and adding ``$100,000'' in its place.

PART 25--FOREIGN ACQUISITION

0
53. Amend section 25.1101 in the introductory text of paragraph (a)(1) 
by removing ``$2,500 ($15,000 for acquisitions as described in 
13.201(g)(1))'' and adding ``the micro-purchase threshold'' in its 
place; and by revising paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(2) to read as follows:


25.1101  Acquisition of supplies.

* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (1) Exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold; or
    (2) Does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, but the 
savings from waiving the duty is anticipated to be more than the 
administrative cost of waiving the duty. When used for acquisitions 
that do not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, the 
contracting officer may modify paragraphs (c)(1) and (j)(2) of the 
clause to reduce the dollar figure.
* * * * *


25.1103  [Amended]

0
54. Amend section 25.1103 in paragraph (a) by removing ``with a value 
exceeding $2,500, $15,000 for acquisitions as described in 
13.201(g)(1)''.

PART 28--BONDS AND INSURANCE


28.102-1  [Amended]

0
55. Amend section 28.102-1 by removing from the introductory text of 
paragraph (b)(1) ``$25,000'' and adding ``$30,000'' in its place.


28.102-2  [Amended]

0
56. Amend section 28.102-2 by removing from the heading of paragraph 
(c) ``$25,000'' and adding ``$30,000'' in its place.


28.102-3  [Amended]

0
57. Amend section 28.102-3 in the first sentence of paragraph (b) by 
removing ``$25,000'' and adding ``$30,000'' in its place.

PART 32--CONTRACT FINANCING


32.104  [Amended]

0
58. Amend section 32.104 by removing from paragraphs (d)(2)(i) and 
(d)(2)(ii) ``$2 million'' and adding ``$2.5 million'' in their place.

PART 36--CONSTRUCTION AND ARCHITECT-ENGINEER CONTRACTS


36.201  [Amended]

0
59. Amend section 36.201 by removing from paragraph (a)(1)(i) 
``$500,000'' and adding ``$550,000'' in its place.
0
60. Amend section 36.203 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:


36.203  Government estimate of construction costs.

    (a) An independent Government estimate of construction costs shall 
be prepared and furnished to the contracting officer at the earliest 
practicable time for each proposed contract and for each contract 
modification anticipated to exceed the simplified acquisition 
threshold. The contracting officer may require an estimate when the 
cost of required work is not anticipated to exceed the simplified 
acquisition threshold. The estimate shall be prepared in as much detail 
as though the Government were competing for award.
* * * * *
0
61. Amend section 36.213-2 by revising paragraph (a) to read as 
follows:


36.213-2  Presolicitation notices.

    (a) Unless the requirement is waived by the head of the contracting 
activity or a designee, the contracting officer shall issue 
presolicitation notices on any construction requirement when the 
proposed contract is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition 
threshold. Presolicitation notices may also be used when the proposed 
contract is not expected to exceed the simplified acquisition 
threshold. These notices shall be issued sufficiently in advance of the 
invitation for bids to stimulate the interest of the greatest number of 
prospective bidders.
* * * * *


36.604  [Amended]

0
62. Amend section 36.604 by removing from the introductory text of 
paragraph (a) ``$25,000'' each time it appears (twice) and adding 
``$30,000'' in its place.


36.605  [Amended]

0
63. Amend section 36.605 by removing from the first sentence of 
paragraph (a) ``$100,000'' and adding ``the simplified acquisition 
threshold'' in its place.

PART 42--CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION AND AUDIT SERVICES


42.705-3  [Amended]

0
64. Amend section 42.705-3 by removing from the fourth sentence of the 
introductory text of paragraph (b)(4)(ii) ``(e.g., $100,000 or less)'' 
and adding ``(i.e., contracts that do not exceed the simplified 
acquisition threshold)'' in its place.


42.709  [Amended]

0
65. Amend section 42.709 by removing from paragraph (b) ``$550,000'' 
and adding ``$650,000'' in its place.


42.709-6  [Amended]

0
66. Amend section 42.709-6 by removing from the first sentence 
``$550,000'' and adding ``$650,000'' in its place.
0
67. Amend section 42.1502 by revising the first sentence of paragraph 
(a) to read as follows:


42.1502  Policy.

    (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, agencies 
shall prepare an evaluation of contractor performance for each contract 
that exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold at the time the work 
under the contract is completed. * * *
* * * * *

PART 48--VALUE ENGINEERING


48.201  [Amended]

0
68. Amend section 48.201 by removing from the first sentence of the 
introductory text of paragraph (a) ``be $100,000 or more,'' and adding 
``exceed the simplified acquisition threshold,'' in its place.


48.202  [Amended]

0
69. Amend section 48.202 by removing from the first sentence ``be 
$100,000 or more,'' and adding ``exceed the simplified acquisition 
threshold,'' in its place.

PART 49--TERMINATION OF CONTRACTS

0
70. Amend section 49.502 by revising the heading of paragraph (a) and 
the introductory text of paragraph (a)(1); revising the heading of 
paragraph (b), removing from the introductory text of paragraph 
(b)(1)(i) and paragraph

[[Page 57369]]

(b)(2)(ii) ``be over $100,000,'' and adding ``exceed the simplified 
acquisition threshold''.
0
The revised text reads as follows:


49.502  Termination for convenience of the Government.

    (a) Fixed-price contracts that do not exceed the simplified 
acquisition threshold (short form)--(1) General use. The contracting 
officer shall insert the clause at 52.249-1, Termination for 
Convenience of the Government (Fixed-Price) (Short Form), in 
solicitations and contracts when a fixed-price contract is contemplated 
and the contract amount is not expected to exceed the simplified 
acquisition threshold, except--
* * * * *
    (b) Fixed-price contracts that exceed the simplified acquisition 
threshold--(1)(i) General use. * * *
* * * * *

PART 50--EXTRAORDINARY CONTRACTUAL ACTIONS


50.201  [Amended]

0
71. Amend section 50.201 by removing from paragraph (b) ``$50,000'' and 
adding ``$55,000'' in its place.


50.203  [Amended]

0
72. Amend section 50.203 by removing from paragraph (b)(4) ``$25 
million'' and adding ``$28.5 million'' in its place; and removing from 
paragraphs (e)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(ii) ``$50,000'' and adding ``$55,000'' 
in its place.

PART 52--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES


52.203-6  [Amended]

0
73. Amend section 52.203-6 by revising the date of the clause to read 
``(SEP 2006)''; and removing from paragraph (c) ``$100,000'' and adding 
``the simplified acquisition threshold'' in its place.


52.209-6  [Amended]

0
74. Amend section 52.209-6 by revising the date of the clause to read 
``(SEP 2006)''; and removing from paragraphs (a) and (b) ``$25,000'' 
and adding ``$30,000'' in its place.


52.212-1  [Amended]

0
75. Amend section 52.212-1 by revising the date of the clause to read 
``(SEP 2006)''; and removing from the first sentence of paragraph (j) 
``$25,000'' each time it appears (twice) and adding ``$3,000'' in its 
place.


52.212-5  [Amended]

0
76. Amend section 52.212-5 by--
0
a. Revising the date of the clause to read ``(SEP 2006)'';
0
b. Removing from paragraph (b)(1) ``(OCT 1995)'' and adding ``(SEP 
2006)'' in its place;
0
c. Removing from paragraph (b)(8)(i) of the clause ``(JULY 2005)'' and 
adding ``(SEP 2006)'' in its place;
0
d. Removing from paragraphs (b)(18) and (b)(20) of the clause ``(DEC 
2001)'' and adding ``(SEP 2006)'' in its place; and
0
e. Removing from paragraph (e)(1)(i) ``$500,000'' and adding 
``$550,000'' in its place; and removing from paragraph (e)(1)(iii) 
``(DEC 2001)'' and adding ``(SEP 2006)'' in its place.


52.213-4  [Amended]

0
77. Amend section 52.213-4 by--
0
a. Revising the date of the clause to read ``(SEP 2006)'';
0
b. Removing from paragraph (a)(2)(vi) ``(FEB 2006)'' and adding ``(SEP 
2006)'' in its place; and
0
c. Removing from paragraphs (b)(1)(iii) and (b)(1)(v) ``(DEC 2001)'' 
and ``$25,000'' and adding ``(SEP 2006)'' and ``$100,000'', 
respectively, in their place; and removing from paragraph (b)(2)(i) 
``(JAN 2005)'' and ``$25,000'' and adding ``(SEP 2006)'' and 
``$30,000'', respectively, in their place.


52.219-9  [Amended]

0
78. Amend section 52.219-9 by revising the date of the clause to read 
``(SEP 2006)''; and removing from paragraph (d)(9) ``$500,000'' and 
adding ``$550,000'' in its place.


52.222-35  [Amended]

0
79. Amend section 52.222-35 by revising the date of the clause to read 
``(SEP 2006)''; and removing from the first sentence of paragraph (g) 
``$25,000'' and adding ``$100,000'' in its place.


52.222-37  [Amended]

0
80. Amend section 52.222-37 by revising the date of the clause to read 
``(SEP 2006)''; and removing from paragraph (f) ``$25,000'' and adding 
``$100,000'' in its place.
0
81. Amend section 52.236-1 by revising the introductory paragraph to 
read as follows:


52.236-1  Performance of Work by the Contractor.

    As prescribed in 36.501(b), insert the following clause: [Complete 
the clause by inserting the appropriate percentage consistent with the 
complexity and magnitude of the work and customary or necessary 
specialty subcontracting (see 36.501(a)).]
* * * * *
0
82. Amend section 52.243-7 by revising the introductory paragraph to 
read as follows:


52.243-7  Notification of Changes.

    As prescribed in 43.107, insert the following clause:
* * * * *


52.244-6  [Amended]

0
83. Amend section 52.244-6 by revising the date of the clause to read 
``(SEP 2006)''; removing from paragraph (c)(1)(i) ``$500,000'' and 
adding ``$550,000'' in its place, and removing from paragraph 
(c)(1)(iii) of the clause ``(DEC 2001)'' and adding ``(SEP 2006)'' in 
its place.


52.248-3  [Amended]

0
84. Amend section 52.248-3 by revising the date of the clause to read 
``(SEP 2006)''; and removing from the first sentence of paragraph (h) 
``$50,000'' and adding ``$55,000'' in its place.
0
85. Amend section 52.249-1 by revising the introductory paragraph to 
read as follows:


52.249-1  Termination for Convenience of the Government (Fixed-Price) 
(Short Form).

    As prescribed in 49.502(a)(1), insert the following clause:
* * * * *

PART 53--FORMS


53.219  [Amended]

0
86. Amend section 53.219 by removing from paragraphs (a) and (b) 
``(Rev. 10/01)'' and adding ``(Rev. SEP 2006)'' in its place.
0
87. Amend section 53.301-294 by revising the form to read as follows:


53.301-294  Subcontracting Report for Individual Contracts.

BILLING CODE 6820-EP-C

[[Page 57370]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR28SE06.286


[[Page 57371]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR28SE06.287


[[Page 57372]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR28SE06.288

0
88. Amend section 53.301-295 by revising the form to read as follows:


53.301-295  Summary Subcontract Report.

[[Page 57373]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR28SE06.289


[[Page 57374]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR28SE06.290

[FR Doc. 06-8206 Filed 9-27-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-EP-C