Federal Acquisition Regulation; FAR Case 2005-035, Changes to Lobbying Restrictions, 46327-46332 [07-3807]

Agencies

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

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 159 (Friday, August 17, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46327-46332]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-3807]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

48 CFR Parts 3, 12, and 52

[FAC 2005-19; FAR Case 2005-035; Item II; Docket 2006-0020; Sequence 8]
RIN 9000-AD76


Federal Acquisition Regulation; FAR Case 2005-035, Changes to 
Lobbying Restrictions

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) in order to be 
consistent with the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 and the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) Interim Final Guidance, and to improve 
clarity of the regulation through improved use of plain language and 
compliance with FAR drafting conventions.

DATES: Effective Date: September 17, 2007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Mr. Ernest Woodson, Procurement 
Analyst, at (202) 501-3775, for clarification of content. For 
information pertaining to status or publication schedules, contact the 
FAR Secretariat at (202) 501-4755. Please cite FAC 2005-19, FAR case 
2005-035.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    DoD, GSA, and NASA published a proposed rule in the Federal 
Register at 71 FR 54255 on September 14, 2006. The final rule is not 
significantly different from the proposed rule. Among the various 
changes, this final rule--
     Includes the new concept of ``lobbying contact'' and 
brings in the concept of registrants under the Lobbying Act of 1995.
     Includes the OMB guidance that the term ``appropriated 
funds'' does not include profit or fee from a covered Federal action 
and that to the extent the contractor can demonstrate that the 
contractor has sufficient monies, other than Federal appropriated 
funds, the Government will assume that these other monies were spent 
for any influencing activities that would be unallowable if paid for 
with Federal appropriated funds.
     Formalizes in the regulations the changes that were 
already incorporated in the OMB Standard Form (SF) LLL, Disclosure of 
Lobbying Activities.
     Removes 31 U.S.C. 1352, Limitations on Payment to 
Influence Certain Federal Transactions, from the list of laws that are 
inapplicable to subcontracts for the acquisition of commercial items.
     Makes the text, provisions, and clauses, easier to 
understand, for both contracting officers and offerors/contractors.
    The comment period closed on November 13, 2006. We received 3 
public comments, each addressing a different aspect of the rule. The 
Councils addressed these comments in the formulation of the final rule 
as follows:

Commercial contracts

    Comment: One respondent comments that the rule deletes in FAR 
12.504(a), paragraph (3) ``31 U.S.C. 1352, Limitation on Payments to 
Influence Certain Federal Transactions (see FAR Subpart 3.8),'' thereby 
making lobbying payments unacceptable under commercial subcontracts 
acquired under FAR Part 12. The respondent is concerned that although 
the rule requires a certification and disclosure, it does not include 
any means to enforce the prohibition on commercial contracts.
    Response: The rule provides civil and criminal penalties for any 
person who makes an expenditure prohibited by the rule.
    The requirements of the law are generally conveyed to the 
contractor through clauses. Paragraph (e) of FAR 52.212-3, Offeror 
Representations and Certifications--Commercial Items, already provides 
for offeror lobbying certification. The proposed rule also added 
language to paragraph (e) relating to the requirement to submit OMB SF

[[Page 46328]]

LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, if any registrants under the 
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 have made lobbying contact on behalf of 
the offeror with respect to the contract. The rule provides that 
contractors may rely without penalty on the representation made by 
their subcontractors in the certification and representations. FAR 
52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statute 
or Executive Orders--Commercial Items, does not require inclusion of 
FAR 52.203-12, Limitation on Payments to Influence Certain Federal 
Transactions, in commercial contracts awarded using Part 12 procedures. 
However, FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions--Commercial Items, 
does require compliance with 31 U.S.C. 1352, relating to limitations on 
the use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal contracts in 
paragraph 52.212-4(r), Compliance with laws unique to Government 
contracts. Therefore, even without FAR 52.203-12 and the specific flow 
down in paragraph 52.203-12(g) of the requirement for the contractor to 
obtain from subcontractors a declaration, including the certification 
and disclosure in paragraphs (b) and (c) of the provision at FAR 
52.203-11, Certification and Disclosure Regarding Payments to Influence 
Certain Federal Transactions, the requirement to comply with the law is 
imposed on the prime contractor, including obtaining necessary 
documentation from subcontractors, to the extent required by law.

Due date for quarterly reports

    Comment: One respondent believes that there is a practical problem 
in FAR 52.203-12(d)(2), requiring the prime contractor to report to the 
contracting officer by the end of the quarter in which the 
subcontractors have reported to the prime contractor. The respondent is 
concerned that if the subcontractor does not report until the last day 
of the quarter, it will be impossible for the prime contractor to meet 
the proposed reporting obligation. The respondent recommends changing 
the reporting paragraph to read ``the Prime Contractors shall submit a 
copy of all disclosures to the Contracting Officer as soon as possible 
after the end of the calendar quarter in which the disclosure form is 
submitted by the subcontractor.''
    Response: To clarify this point, the Councils have revised the 
clause to require submission within 30 days after the end of the 
calendar quarter.

Grants, loans, and cooperative agreements

    Comment: Another respondent strongly supports the rule, and the 
fact that ``covered Federal Action'' also includes grants and 
cooperative agreements. The respondent suggests that the presumption 
stated in the 1990 OMB Interim Guidance should be extended to OMB 
Circular A-122, Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations. This 
presumption was that to the extent a person can demonstrate that the 
person has sufficient monies, other than Federal appropriated funds, 
the Government shall assume that these other monies were spent for any 
influencing activities unallowable with the Federal appropriated funds.
    The respondent also suggests that the FAR rule should be revised to 
include the additional statement from OMB`s clarifying notice of June 
15, 1990, that ``Profits, and fees that constitute profits, earned 
under Federal grants, loans, and cooperative agreements are not 
considered appropriated funds.''
    Response: The respondent's first suggestion regarding OMB Circular 
A-122 is outside the scope of the rule. However, the respondent`s 
suggestion will be referred to OMB for its consideration.
    Although, the definition of covered Federal action correctly 
includes actions other than contracts, the respondent's request to 
include policies regarding grants, loans, and cooperative agreements in 
the FAR rule exceeds the appropriate scope of the FAR rule. The FAR 
only governs acquisition (acquiring by contract with appropriated funds 
of supplies or services (including construction) by and for the use of 
the Federal Government through purchase or lease). The FAR does not 
govern Federal grants, loans, or cooperative agreements.

Editorial corrections

    In addition to the changes made in response to public comment, the 
Councils agreed to various editorial corrections:
     Definition of ``recipient'' at 3.801 and 52.203-12(a)--
insert ``are'' in last line between ``and'' and ``permitted''.
     3.802(a) and 52.203-12(b) introductory text--Insert 
``any'' in the fifth line after ``in connection with'' and before 
``Federal actions''.
     3.802(a)(2) and 52.203-12(b)(2)--Add at the end of 
sentence ``* * * that would be unallowable if paid for with Federal 
appropriated funds'' and change ``the Government shall'' to ``the 
Government will'' in the clause.
     3.803(a)(2)(iii) and 52.203-12(c)(2)(iii)--Revise 
``paragraph (a)(2) of this section'' to ``this paragraph (a)(2)'' and 
revise ``paragraph (c)(2) of this clause'' to ``this paragraph 
(c)(2)''.
     52.203-12(a) Definition of ``Agency''--Add Acronym ``FAR'' 
after ``Federal Acquisition Regulation''. The acronym is used several 
times subsequently in the clause.
     52.203-12(c)(1)(v)--Add after the text ``Making capability 
presentations'' ``prior to formal solicitation of any covered Federal 
action'' for consistency with the exception in the text at 
3.803(a)(1)(v).
    This is not a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was not 
subject to 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

    DoD, GSA, and NASA certify 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 this rule mainly implements improvements in clarity and 
consistency. The number of small entities paying for lobbying with non-
Federal funds is estimated to be near zero. The rule does not impose 
new requirements that impose a burden on contractors. No comments were 
received with regard to impact on small business.

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 Number 0348-
0046.
    OMB claimed a reduction in the information collection requirement 
upon issuance of the interim final amendments to OMB's Governmentwide 
guidance on lobbying in January 1996, due to the simplified SF LLL, 
Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 3, 12, and 52.

    Government procurement.

    Dated: July 30, 2007.
Al Matera,
Acting Director, Contract Policy Division.

0
Therefore, DoD, GSA, and NASA amend 48 CFR parts 3, 12, and 52 as set 
forth below:
0
1. The authority citation for 48 CFR parts 3, 12, and 52 continues to 
read as follows:


[[Page 46329]]


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

PART 3--IMPROPER BUSINESS PRACTICES AND PERSONAL CONFLICTS OF 
INTEREST

0
2. Revise section 3.800 to read as follows:


3.800   Scope of subpart.

    This subpart prescribes policies and procedures implementing 31 
U.S.C. 1352, ``Limitation on use of appropriated funds to influence 
certain Federal contracting and financial transactions.''
0
3. Revise section 3.801 to read as follows:


3.801   Definitions.

    As used in this subpart--
    Agency means executive agency as defined in 2.101.
    Covered Federal action means any of the following actions:
    (1) Awarding any Federal contract.
    (2) Making any Federal grant.
    (3) Making any Federal loan.
    (4) Entering into any cooperative agreement.
    (5) Extending, continuing, renewing, amending, or modifying any 
Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement.
    Indian tribe and tribal organization have the meaning provided in 
section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act 
(25 U.S.C. 450b) and include Alaskan Natives.
    Influencing or attempting to influence means making, with the 
intent to influence, any communication to or appearance before an 
officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or 
employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in 
connection with any covered Federal action.
    Local government means a unit of government in a State and, if 
chartered, established, or otherwise recognized by a State for the 
performance of a governmental duty, including a local public authority, 
a special district, an intrastate district, a council of governments, a 
sponsor group representative organization, and any other 
instrumentality of a local government.
    Officer or employee of an agency includes the following individuals 
who are employed by an agency:
    (1) An individual who is appointed to a position in the Government 
under Title 5, United States Code, including a position under a 
temporary appointment.
    (2) A member of the uniformed services, as defined in subsection 
101(3), Title 37, United States Code.
    (3) A special Government employee, as defined in section 202, Title 
18, United States Code.
    (4) An individual who is a member of a Federal advisory committee, 
as defined by the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Title 5, United 
States Code, appendix 2.
    Person means an individual, corporation, company, association, 
authority, firm, partnership, society, State, and local government, 
regardless of whether such entity is operated for profit or not for 
profit. This term excludes an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or any 
other Indian organization eligible to receive Federal contracts, 
grants, cooperative agreements, or loans from an agency, but only with 
respect to expenditures by such tribe or organization that are made for 
purposes specified in paragraph 3.802(a) and are permitted by other 
Federal law.
    Reasonable compensation means, with respect to a regularly employed 
officer or employee of any person, compensation that is consistent with 
the normal compensation for such officer or employee for work that is 
not furnished to, not funded by, or not furnished in cooperation with 
the Federal Government.
    Reasonable payment means, with respect to professional and other 
technical services, a payment in an amount that is consistent with the 
amount normally paid for such services in the private sector.
    Recipient includes the contractor and all subcontractors. This term 
excludes an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or any other Indian 
organization eligible to receive Federal contracts, grants, cooperative 
agreements, or loans from an agency, but only with respect to 
expenditures by such tribe or organization that are made for purposes 
specified in paragraph 3.802(a) and are permitted by other Federal law.
    Regularly employed means, with respect to an officer or employee of 
a person requesting or receiving a Federal contract, an officer or 
employee who is employed by such person for at least 130 working days 
within 1 year immediately preceding the date of the submission that 
initiates agency consideration of such person for receipt of such 
contract. An officer or employee who is employed by such person for 
less than 130 working days within 1 year immediately preceding the date 
of the submission that initiates agency consideration of such person 
shall be considered to be regularly employed as soon as he or she is 
employed by such person for 130 working days.
    State means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, 
an outlying area of the United States, an agency or instrumentality of 
a State, and multi-State, regional, or interstate entity having 
governmental duties and powers.
0
4. Revise section 3.802 to read as follows:


3.802   Statutory prohibition and requirement.

    (a) 31 U.S.C. 1352 prohibits a recipient of a Federal contract, 
grant, loan, or cooperative agreement from using appropriated funds to 
pay any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or 
employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of 
Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with any 
covered Federal actions.
    (1) For purposes of this subpart the term ``appropriated funds'' 
does not include profit or fee from a covered Federal action.
    (2) To the extent a person can demonstrate that the person has 
sufficient monies, other than Federal appropriated funds, the 
Government shall assume that these other monies were spent for any 
influencing activities that would be unallowable if paid for with 
Federal appropriated funds.
    (b) 31 U.S.C. 1352 also requires offerors to furnish a declaration 
consisting of both a certification and a disclosure, with periodic 
updates of the disclosure after contract award. These requirements are 
contained in the provision at 52.203-11, Certification and Disclosure 
Regarding Payments to Influence Certain Federal Transactions, and the 
clause at 52.203-12, Limitation on Payments to Influence Certain 
Federal Transactions.
0
5. Revise section 3.803 to read as follows:


3.803   Exceptions.

    (a) The prohibition of paragraph 3.802(a) does not apply under the 
following conditions:
    (1) Agency and legislative liaison by own employees. (i) Payment of 
reasonable compensation made to an officer or employee of a person 
requesting or receiving a covered Federal action if the payment is for 
agency and legislative liaison activities not directly related to a 
covered Federal action. For purposes of this paragraph, providing any 
information specifically requested by an agency or Congress is 
permitted at any time.
    (ii) Participating with an agency in discussions that are not 
related to a specific solicitation for any covered Federal action, but 
that concern--

[[Page 46330]]

    (A) The qualities and characteristics (including individual 
demonstrations) of the person's products or services, conditions or 
terms of sale, and service capabilities; or
    (B) The application or adaptation of the person's products or 
services for an agency's use.
    (iii) Providing prior to formal solicitation of any covered Federal 
action any information not specifically requested but necessary for an 
agency to make an informed decision about initiation of a covered 
Federal action.
    (iv) Participating in technical discussions regarding the 
preparation of an unsolicited proposal prior to its official 
submission.
    (v) Making capability presentations prior to formal solicitation of 
any covered Federal action when seeking an award from an agency 
pursuant to the provisions of the Small Business Act, as amended by 
Pub. L. 95-507, and subsequent amendments.
    (2) Professional and technical services. (i) Payment of reasonable 
compensation made to an officer or employee of a person requesting or 
receiving a covered Federal action, if payment is for professional or 
technical services rendered directly in the preparation, submission, or 
negotiation of any bid, proposal, or application for that Federal 
action or for meeting requirements imposed by or pursuant to law as a 
condition for receiving that Federal action;
    (ii) Any reasonable payment to a person, other than an officer or 
employee of a person requesting or receiving a covered Federal action, 
if the payment is for professional or technical services rendered 
directly in the preparation, submission, or negotiation of any bid, 
proposal, or application for that Federal action, or for meeting 
requirements imposed by or pursuant to law as a condition for receiving 
that Federal action. Persons other than officers or employees of a 
person requesting or receiving a covered Federal action include 
consultants and trade associations.
    (iii) As used in paragraph (a)(2) of this section ``professional 
and technical services'' are limited to advice and analysis directly 
applying any professional or technical discipline. For example, 
drafting of a legal document accompanying a bid or proposal by a lawyer 
is allowable. Similarly, technical advice provided by an engineer on 
the performance or operational capability of a piece of equipment 
rendered directly in the negotiation of a contract is allowable. 
However, communications with the intent to influence made by a 
professional or a technical person are not allowable under this section 
unless they provide advice and analysis directly applying their 
professional or technical expertise and unless the advice or analysis 
is rendered directly and solely in the preparation, submission or 
negotiation of a covered Federal action. Thus, for example, 
communications with the intent to influence made by a lawyer that do 
not provide legal advice or analysis directly and solely related to the 
legal aspects of his or her client's proposal, but generally advocate 
one proposal over another, are not allowable under this section because 
the lawyer is not providing professional legal services. Similarly, 
communications with the intent to influence made by an engineer 
providing an engineering analysis prior to the preparation or 
submission of a bid or proposal are not allowable under this section 
since the engineer is providing technical services but not directly in 
the preparation, submission or negotiation of a covered Federal action.
    (iv) Requirements imposed by or pursuant to law as a condition for 
receiving a covered Federal award include those required by law or 
regulation and any other requirements in the actual award documents.
    (b) Only those communications and services expressly authorized by 
paragraph (a) of this section are permitted.
    (c) The disclosure requirements of paragraph 3.802(b) do not apply 
with respect to payments of reasonable compensation made to regularly 
employed officers or employees of a person.
0
6. Revise section 3.804 to read as follows:


3.804   Policy.

    The contracting officer shall obtain certifications and disclosures 
as required by the provision at 52.203-11, Certification and Disclosure 
Regarding Payments to Influence Certain Federal Transactions, prior to 
the award of any contract exceeding $100,000.
0
7. Revise section 3.805 to read as follows:


3.805   Exemption.

    The Secretary of Defense may exempt, on a case-by-case basis, a 
covered Federal action from the prohibitions of this subpart whenever 
the Secretary determines, in writing, that such an exemption is in the 
national interest. The Secretary shall transmit a copy of the exemption 
to Congress immediately after making the determination.
0
8. Revise section 3.806 to read as follows:


3.806   Processing suspected violations.

    The contracting officer shall report suspected violations of the 
requirements of 31 U.S.C. 1352 in accordance with agency procedures.
0
9. Revise section 3.808 to read as follows:


3.808   Solicitation provision and contract clause.

    (a) Insert the provision at 52.203-11, Certification and Disclosure 
Regarding Payments to Influence Certain Federal Transactions, in 
solicitations expected to exceed $100,000.
    (b) Insert the clause at 52.203-12, Limitation on Payments to 
Influence Certain Federal Transactions, in solicitations and contracts 
expected to exceed $100,000.

PART 12--ACQUISITION OF COMMERCIAL ITEMS


12.504   [Amended]

0
10. Amend section 12.504 by removing and reserving paragraph (a)(3).

PART 52--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

0
11. Revise section 52.203-11 to read as follows:


52.203-11  Certification and Disclosure Regarding Payments to Influence 
Certain Federal Transactions.

    As prescribed in 3.808(a), insert the following provision:
    CERTIFICATION AND DISCLOSURE REGARDING PAYMENTS TO INFLUENCE 
CERTAIN FEDERAL TRANSACTIONS (SEP 2007)
    (a) Definitions. As used in this provision--``Lobbying contact'' 
has the meaning provided at 2 U.S.C. 1602(8). The terms ``agency,'' 
``influencing or attempting to influence,'' ``officer or employee of an 
agency,'' ``person,'' ``reasonable compensation,'' and ``regularly 
employed'' are defined in the FAR clause of this solicitation entitled 
``Limitation on Payments to Influence Certain Federal Transactions'' 
(52.203-12).
    (b) Prohibition. The prohibition and exceptions contained in the 
FAR clause of this solicitation entitled ``Limitation on Payments to 
Influence Certain Federal Transactions'' (52.203-12) are hereby 
incorporated by reference in this provision.
    (c) Certification. The offeror, by signing its offer, hereby 
certifies to the best of its knowledge and belief that no Federal 
appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for 
influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any 
agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an 
employee

[[Page 46331]]

of a Member of Congress on its behalf in connection with the awarding 
of this contract.
    (d) Disclosure. If any registrants under the Lobbying Disclosure 
Act of 1995 have made a lobbying contact on behalf of the offeror with 
respect to this contract, the offeror shall complete and submit, with 
its offer, OMB Standard Form LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, to 
provide the name of the registrants. The offeror need not report 
regularly employed officers or employees of the offeror to whom 
payments of reasonable compensation were made.
    (e) Penalty. Submission of this certification and disclosure is a 
prerequisite for making or entering into this contract imposed by 31 
U.S.C. 1352. Any person who makes an expenditure prohibited under this 
provision or who fails to file or amend the disclosure required to be 
filed or amended by this provision, shall be subject to a civil penalty 
of not less than $10,000, and not more than $100,000, for each such 
failure.
    (End of provision)
0
12. Revise section 52.203-12 to read as follows:


52.203-12   Limitation on Payments to Influence Certain Federal 
Transactions.

    As prescribed in 3.808(b), insert the following clause:
    LIMITATION ON PAYMENTS TO INFLUENCE CERTAIN FEDERAL TRANSACTIONS 
(SEP 2007)
    (a) Definitions. As used in this clause--
    Agency means executive agency as defined in Federal Acquisition 
Regulation (FAR) 2.101.
    Covered Federal action means any of the following actions:
    (1) Awarding any Federal contract.
    (2) Making any Federal grant.
    (3) Making any Federal loan.
    (4) Entering into any cooperative agreement.
    (5) Extending, continuing, renewing, amending, or modifying any 
Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement.
    Indian tribe and tribal organization have the meaning provided in 
section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act 
(25 U.S.C. 450b) and include Alaskan Natives.
    Influencing or attempting to influence means making, with the 
intent to influence, any communication to or appearance before an 
officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or 
employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in 
connection with any covered Federal action.
    Local government means a unit of government in a State and, if 
chartered, established, or otherwise recognized by a State for the 
performance of a governmental duty, including a local public authority, 
a special district, an intrastate district, a council of governments, a 
sponsor group representative organization, and any other 
instrumentality of a local government.
    Officer or employee of an agency includes the following individuals 
who are employed by an agency:
    (1) An individual who is appointed to a position in the Government 
under Title 5, United States Code, including a position under a 
temporary appointment.
    (2) A member of the uniformed services, as defined in subsection 
101(3), Title 37, United States Code.
    (3) A special Government employee, as defined in section 202, Title 
18, United States Code.
    (4) An individual who is a member of a Federal advisory committee, 
as defined by the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Title 5, United 
States Code, appendix 2.
    Person means an individual, corporation, company, association, 
authority, firm, partnership, society, State, and local government, 
regardless of whether such entity is operated for profit, or not for 
profit. This term excludes an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or any 
other Indian organization eligible to receive Federal contracts, 
grants, cooperative agreements, or loans from an agency, but only with 
respect to expenditures by such tribe or organization that are made for 
purposes specified in paragraph (b) of this clause and are permitted by 
other Federal law.
    Reasonable compensation means, with respect to a regularly employed 
officer or employee of any person, compensation that is consistent with 
the normal compensation for such officer or employee for work that is 
not furnished to, not funded by, or not furnished in cooperation with 
the Federal Government.
    Reasonable payment means, with respect to professional and other 
technical services, a payment in an amount that is consistent with the 
amount normally paid for such services in the private sector.
    Recipient includes the Contractor and all subcontractors. This term 
excludes an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or any other Indian 
organization eligible to receive Federal contracts, grants, cooperative 
agreements, or loans from an agency, but only with respect to 
expenditures by such tribe or organization that are made for purposes 
specified in paragraph (b) of this clause and are permitted by other 
Federal law.
    Regularly employed means, with respect to an officer or employee of 
a person requesting or receiving a Federal contract, an officer or 
employee who is employed by such person for at least 130 working days 
within 1 year immediately preceding the date of the submission that 
initiates agency consideration of such person for receipt of such 
contract. An officer or employee who is employed by such person for 
less than 130 working days within 1 year immediately preceding the date 
of the submission that initiates agency consideration of such person 
shall be considered to be regularly employed as soon as he or she is 
employed by such person for 130 working days.
    State means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, 
or an outlying area of the United States, an agency or instrumentality 
of a State, and multi-State, regional, or interstate entity having 
governmental duties and powers.
    (b) Prohibition. 31 U.S.C. 1352 prohibits a recipient of a Federal 
contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement from using appropriated 
funds to pay any person for influencing or attempting to influence an 
officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or 
employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in 
connection with any covered Federal actions. In accordance with 31 
U.S.C. 1352, the Contractor shall not use appropriated funds to pay any 
person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or 
employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of 
Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with the 
award of this contractor the extension, continuation, renewal, 
amendment, or modification of this contract.
    (1) The term appropriated funds does not include profit or fee from 
a covered Federal action.
    (2) To the extent the Contractor can demonstrate that the 
Contractor has sufficient monies, other than Federal appropriated 
funds, the Government will assume that these other monies were spent 
for any influencing activities that would be unallowable if paid for 
with Federal appropriated funds.
    (c) Exceptions. The prohibition in paragraph (b) of this clause 
does not apply under the following conditions:
    (1) Agency and legislative liaison by Contractor employees. (i) 
Payment of reasonable compensation made to an officer or employee of 
the Contractor if the payment is for agency and legislative liaison 
activities not directly

[[Page 46332]]

related to this contract. For purposes of this paragraph, providing any 
information specifically requested by an agency or Congress is 
permitted at any time.
    (ii) Participating with an agency in discussions that are not 
related to a specific solicitation for any covered Federal action, but 
that concern--
    (A) The qualities and characteristics (including individual 
demonstrations) of the person's products or services, conditions or 
terms of sale, and service capabilities; or
    (B) The application or adaptation of the person's products or 
services for an agency's use.
    (iii) Providing prior to formal solicitation of any covered Federal 
action any information not specifically requested but necessary for an 
agency to make an informed decision about initiation of a covered 
Federal action;
    (iv) Participating in technical discussions regarding the 
preparation of an unsolicited proposal prior to its official 
submission; and
    (v) Making capability presentations prior to formal solicitation of 
any covered Federal action by persons seeking awards from an agency 
pursuant to the provisions of the Small Business Act, as amended by 
Pub.L. 95-507, and subsequent amendments.
    (2) Professional and technical services. (i) A payment of 
reasonable compensation made to an officer or employee of a person 
requesting or receiving a covered Federal action or an extension, 
continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of a covered Federal 
action, if payment is for professional or technical services rendered 
directly in the preparation, submission, or negotiation of any bid, 
proposal, or application for that Federal action or for meeting 
requirements imposed by or pursuant to law as a condition for receiving 
that Federal action.
    (ii) Any reasonable payment to a person, other than an officer or 
employee of a person requesting or receiving a covered Federal action 
or an extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of a 
covered Federal action if the payment is for professional or technical 
services rendered directly in the preparation, submission, or 
negotiation of any bid, proposal, or application for that Federal 
action or for meeting requirements imposed by or pursuant to law as a 
condition for receiving that Federal action. Persons other than 
officers or employees of a person requesting or receiving a covered 
Federal action include consultants and trade associations.
    (iii) As used in paragraph (c)(2) of this clause, ``professional 
and technical services'' are limited to advice and analysis directly 
applying any professional or technical discipline (for examples, see 
FAR 3.803(a)(2)(iii)).
    (iv) Requirements imposed by or pursuant to law as a condition for 
receiving a covered Federal award include those required by law or 
regulation and any other requirements in the actual award documents.
    (3) Only those communications and services expressly authorized by 
paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this clause are permitted.
    (d) Disclosure. (1) If the Contractor did not submit OMB Standard 
Form LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, with its offer, but 
registrants under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 have subsequently 
made a lobbying contact on behalf of the Contractor with respect to 
this contract, the Contractor shall complete and submit OMB Standard 
Form LLL to provide the name of the lobbying registrants, including the 
individuals performing the services.
    (2) If the Contractor did submit OMB Standard Form LLL disclosure 
pursuant to paragraph (d) of the provision at FAR 52.203-11, 
Certification and Disclosure Regarding Payments to Influence Certain 
Federal Transactions, and a change occurs that affects Block 10 of the 
OMB Standard Form LLL (name and address of lobbying registrant or 
individuals performing services), the Contractor shall, at the end of 
the calendar quarter in which the change occurs, submit to the 
Contracting Officer within 30 days an updated disclosure using OMB 
Standard Form LLL.
    (e) Penalties. (1) Any person who makes an expenditure prohibited 
under paragraph (b) of this clause or who fails to file or amend the 
disclosure to be filed or amended by paragraph (d) of this clause shall 
be subject to civil penalties as provided for by 31 U.S.C.1352. An 
imposition of a civil penalty does not prevent the Government from 
seeking any other remedy that may be applicable.
    (2) Contractors may rely without liability on the representation 
made by their subcontractors in the certification and disclosure form.
    (f) Cost allowability. Nothing in this clause makes allowable or 
reasonable any costs which would otherwise be unallowable or 
unreasonable. Conversely, costs made specifically unallowable by the 
requirements in this clause will not be made allowable under any other 
provision.
    (g) Subcontracts. (1) The Contractor shall obtain a declaration, 
including the certification and disclosure in paragraphs (c) and (d) of 
the provision at FAR 52.203-11, Certification and Disclosure Regarding 
Payments to Influence Certain Federal Transactions, from each person 
requesting or receiving a subcontract exceeding $100,000 under this 
contract. The Contractor or subcontractor that awards the subcontract 
shall retain the declaration.
    (2) A copy of each subcontractor disclosure form (but not 
certifications) shall be forwarded from tier to tier until received by 
the prime Contractor. The prime Contractor shall, at the end of the 
calendar quarter in which the disclosure form is submitted by the 
subcontractor, submit to the Contracting Officer within 30 days a copy 
of all disclosures. Each subcontractor certification shall be retained 
in the subcontract file of the awarding Contractor.
    (3) The Contractor shall include the substance of this clause, 
including this paragraph (g), in any subcontract exceeding $100,000.
    (End of clause)
0
13. Amend section 52.212-3 by revising the date of the provision and 
paragraph (e) to read as follows:


52.212-3   Offeror Representations and Certifications--Commercial 
Items.

* * * * *
    OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS--COMMERCIAL ITEMS 
(SEP 2007)
* * * * *
    (e) Certification Regarding Payments to Influence Federal 
Transactions (31 U.S.C. 1352). (Applies only if the contract is 
expected to exceed $100,000.) By submission of its offer, the offeror 
certifies to the best of its knowledge and belief that no Federal 
appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for 
influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any 
agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress or an 
employee of a Member of Congress on his or her behalf in connection 
with the award of any resultant contract. If any registrants under the 
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 have made a lobbying contact on behalf 
of the offeror with respect to this contract, the offeror shall 
complete and submit, with its offer, OMB Standard Form LLL, Disclosure 
of Lobbying Activities, to provide the name of the registrants. The 
offeror need not report regularly employed officers or employees of the 
offeror to whom payments of reasonable compensation were made.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 07-3807 Filed 8-16-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-EP-S