Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Waiver of Specialty Metals Restriction for Acquisition of Commercially Available Off-the-Shelf Items (DFARS Case 2007-D013), 63113-63123 [E7-21888]

Agencies

• Defense Acquisition Regulations System
• DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 216 (Thursday, November 8, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63113-63123]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-21888]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Defense Acquisition Regulations System

48 CFR Parts 202, 212, and 225

RIN 0750-AF74


Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Waiver of 
Specialty Metals Restriction for Acquisition of Commercially Available 
Off-the-Shelf Items (DFARS Case 2007-D013)

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: DoD has issued a final rule amending the Defense Federal 
Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to waive application of 10 
U.S.C. 2533b for acquisitions of commercially available off-the-shelf 
(COTS) items. 10 U.S.C. 2533b, established by Section 842 of the 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007, places 
restrictions on the acquisition of specialty metals not melted or 
produced in the United States.

DATES: Effective Date: November 8, 2007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Amy Williams, Defense Acquisition 
Regulations System, OUSD (AT&L)DPAP (DARS), IMD 3D139, 3062 Defense 
Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3062. Telephone 703-602-0328; facsimile 
703-602-7887. Please cite DFARS Case 2007-D013.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

[[Page 63114]]

A. Background

    Section 842(a) of the John Warner National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (Pub. L. 109-364) establishes a new specialty 
metals domestic source restriction, which is codified at 10 U.S.C. 
2533b. DoD published a proposed rule, at 72 FR 35960 on July 2, 2007, 
that would allow the Department to exercise a statutory exception to 
the requirements of 10 U.S.C. 2533b for COTS items, as provided for 
under Section 35 of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (OFPP 
Act), 41 U.S.C. 431. If a law is covered by Section 35, it must be 
included on a list of laws published in the Federal Acquisition 
Regulation (FAR) (or agency supplements for agency-specific laws) that 
are inapplicable to COTS acquisitions unless the Administrator of the 
Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) makes a written 
determination that it would not be in the best interest of the United 
States to exempt such contracts from the applicability of that 
provision of law.
    DoD consulted with the OFPP Administrator both before publication 
of the proposed rule and again before proceeding with the publication 
of this final rule. OFPP concluded that 10 U.S.C. 2533b is a covered 
law. OFPP did not make a written determination under Section 35 finding 
it not to be in the best interest of the United States to exempt COTS 
contracts from the applicability of 10 U.S.C. 2533b.
    The comment period on the proposed rule ended on August 1, 2007. 
DoD received comments from 41 respondents. Of these respondents, 34 
support the rule and 7 oppose it. A discussion of the comments is 
provided below.

1. Timing of Implementation

    Comments: A number of respondents requested clarification regarding 
the effective date of the rule, including its application to existing 
contracts.
    DoD Response: The final rule is effective upon publication. 
However, FAR 1.108(d) permits contracting officers, at their 
discretion, to include FAR/DFARS changes in any existing contract with 
appropriate consideration.

2. Legal Basis

a. General
    Comments: Several respondents state that the statute is already 
inapplicable to COTS items and that this rule is really just a 
clarification. One respondent states that it is ``self-evident'' that 
10 U.S.C. 2533b is a covered law, because it imposes ``quintessential 
`government-unique' requirements'' and none of the exceptions contained 
in Section 35 of the OFPP Act (41 U.S.C. 431) are applicable, as 
discussed in the Federal Register preamble to the proposed rule.
    DoD Response: DoD concurs that 10 U.S.C. 2533b is a ``covered law'' 
but that further action is required before it is inapplicable to COTS 
procurements. Section 35(b) of the OFPP Act requires the Administrator 
of OFPP to ``determine'' that a law is covered. Covered laws are 
inapplicable only after being listed in the FAR (DFARS is part of the 
FAR system). Section 35(a)(2) states that ``A provision of law that, 
pursuant to paragraph (3), is properly included on a list referred to 
in paragraph (1) may not be construed as being applicable to 
contracts'' for the procurement of COTS items. In addition it states 
``nothing in this section shall be construed to render inapplicable to 
such contracts any provision of law that is not included on such 
list.''
b. Impact of Reference to Section 34 of the OFPP Act
    Comments: Three respondents conclude that, as a subset of 
commercial items, COTS items must comply with 10 U.S.C. 2533b, because 
Section (h) of 2533b makes the statute applicable to procurements of 
commercial items, notwithstanding Section 34 of the OFPP Act (41 U.S.C. 
430).
    Another respondent reaches the opposite conclusion, stating that 
Congress created a COTS-specific process under a separate section of 
the OFPP Act, i.e., Section 35, pursuant to which Congress could direct 
the application of a law to COTS. According to the respondent, it is a 
fundamental principle of statutory construction that each provision of 
a statute be given meaning and effect. The Congressional decision to 
treat COTS items separately from commercial items, notwithstanding that 
COTS is a subset of commercial items, must be honored.
    DoD Response: DoD concurs with the respondents who conclude that 
the application of 10 U.S.C. 2533b to commercial items under Section 34 
does not make the provision automatically applicable to COTS. Section 
35 of the OFPP Act, which expressly addresses the handling of COTS and 
is the operative provision for this rulemaking, has a separate basis 
than Section 34 for determining the inapplicability of laws. As a 
result, some laws that are applicable to procurements of commercial 
items under Section 34 may be inapplicable to procurements of COTS 
items under Section 35. With respect to 10 U.S.C. 2533b, Congress could 
have directed its application to COTS acquisitions by referring to 
Section 35 in the law and stating that it is applicable to procurements 
for COTS. However, Congress chose not to make 10 U.S.C. 2533b 
automatically applicable to COTS, meaning the law must be waived if it 
is a covered law under Section 35 absent a determination by the OFPP 
Administrator that it would not be in the best interest of the United 
States to waive its applicability.
c. OFPP Authority
    Comments: Four respondents are concerned that DoD is pre-empting 
OFPP authority by issuing this rule. One respondent states that DoD's 
proposed rule distorts and misuses the authority provided to the 
Administrator of OFPP. Other respondents state that DoD does not have 
the authority to propose exemptions for COTS items. A respondent states 
that this authority is vested by law in the Administrator of OFPP. 
These respondents state that only the Administrator of OFPP can amend 
the FAR list of inapplicable provisions as necessary.
    DoD Response: Rulemaking was undertaken to comply with the 
provision in Section 35 requiring the identification in regulation of 
laws that are made inapplicable to COTS contracts. The rulemaking was 
not intended to circumvent the OFPP Administrator's authority under 
Section 35. DoD consulted with the Administrator of OFPP before 
publication of the proposed rule, and consulted a second time with OFPP 
before proceeding with the publication of this final rule. OFPP 
reviewed the rulemaking and concluded that 10 U.S.C. 2533b is a covered 
law. OFPP did not make a written determination under Section 35 that 10 
U.S.C. 2533b should be applied to COTS, i.e., that it would not be in 
the best interest of the United States to exempt COTS contracts from 
the applicability of 10 U.S.C. 2533b.
d. Applicability of COTS Waiver to Subcontracts
    i. Subcontracts not mentioned in Section 35 of the OFPP Act.
    Comments: Five respondents state that Section 35 of the OFPP Act 
does not authorize waiving applicability of statutes to subcontracts 
for the acquisition of COTS items, because Section 35 does not 
specifically mention subcontracts. By contrast, Section 34 has separate 
subsections on prime contracts and subcontracts. One respondent states 
that ``where Congress addressed subcontracts in Section 34 of the OFPP 
Act, but failed to address subcontracts in the following section, it

[[Page 63115]]

is presumed that the omission of subcontracts from Section 35 was 
intentional, and accordingly, no exemption for COTS items applies to 
subcontractors.'' Another respondent cites Rodriquez v. United States: 
``Where Congress includes particular language in one section of a 
statute but omits it in another section in the same Act, it is 
generally presumed that Congress acts intentionally and purposely in 
the disparate inclusion or exclusion.''
    DoD Response: DoD does not agree that Section 35 only provides for 
waiver of laws at the prime contract level; nor does the Department 
agree that the reference to subcontracts in Section 34 compels a 
different conclusion. Clearly, Section 34 and 35 are structured 
disparately. DoD contends that the reason for the specific mention of 
subcontracts in Section 34 is because the standards for inapplicability 
of prime contracts are different than the standards for subcontracts. 
Thus, under Section 34, some laws can only be waived at the subcontract 
level, not at the prime contract level. However, Section 35 makes no 
such distinction between the standards for prime contracts and 
subcontracts; therefore, a separate subsection was unnecessary. The 
standards are as follows:
Section 34 of the OFPP Act
    Prime Contracts:
    [cir] When Congress passed the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act 
of 1994 (FASA), it reviewed existing procurement laws, and identified 
those laws that would be inapplicable to contracts for the acquisition 
of commercial items. These laws were amended in FASA to state that they 
are not applicable to procurements of commercial items. Those laws are 
listed in the FAR in accordance with 41 U.S.C. 430(a)(1).
    [cir] There is no authority to list other laws that were in 
existence at the time of enactment of FASA.
    [cir] 41 U.S.C. 430(a)(2) authorizes the listing of covered laws 
enacted after the enactment of FASA.
    Subcontracts:
    [cir] Under 41 U.S.C. 430(b), there is no limitation on listing 
laws that were in existence on the date of FASA enactment.
Section 35 of the OFPP Act
    [cir] Under 41 U.S.C. 431(a), there is no limitation on listing 
laws that were in existence on the date of enactment. Covered laws, as 
determined by the Administrator of OFPP, shall be listed as 
inapplicable to contracts for the acquisition of COTS items, unless the 
Administrator of OFPP makes a written determination that it would not 
be in the best interest of the United States to exempt such contracts 
from the applicability of that provision of law. Section 35 does not 
need a separate subsection on subcontracts, because the standard is the 
same--if a law is covered and is made inapplicable to prime contracts, 
it is also inapplicable to subcontracts. COTS items contained in an 
item provided to the Government are provided under the prime contract 
whether they were produced directly by the contractor or by a 
subcontractor. Thus, a separate list for subcontracts is not necessary.
    ii. Definition of COTS.
    Comments: Five respondents state that a subcontract item that is to 
be incorporated into an end product cannot be a COTS item because it is 
not ``offered to the Government.'' Further, the respondents present the 
argument that ``modification'' necessarily occurs to parts and 
materials as they are incorporated into end items, prior to Government 
acceptance, and are not, therefore, COTS items as that term is defined 
at 41 U.S.C. 431.
    DoD Response: DoD does not agree that the definition of COTS items 
precludes application to components. A component can be offered to the 
Government, without modification, as part of an end item purchased by 
the Government. However, DoD does agree that commercial items purchased 
at one tier that are then modified prior to incorporation in the end 
item (e.g., as in the case of raw materials) are not COTS items as 
defined in the statute. Items purchased by the contractor or 
subcontractor that would have been COTS items if they had been 
delivered to the Government without modification are not COTS items if 
their form is modified for incorporation into the end item. Specialty 
metals purchased for incorporation into higher-tier items cannot be 
considered COTS items if the specialty metal undergoes modification.
    In addition, the waiver provided in the final rule does not apply 
to specialty metals purchased as end items for delivery to the 
Government. DoD has included the following additional changes in the 
final rule:
    [cir] The inapplicability to COTS items at 212.570 has been limited 
to paragraph (a)(1) of the statute (the six major programs and 
components) and, therefore, does not include paragraph (a)(2) 
(specialty metal acquired directly by the Government or prime 
contractor for delivery to the Government as an end item).
    [cir] The exception at 225.7002-2(q) excludes acquisition of 
specialty metal acquired directly by the Government or prime contractor 
for delivery to the Government as an end item.

3. Justification for the Waiver and Suggested Alternatives

a. Cost, Quality, and Availability
    Comments:
    i. General.
    Two respondents view the justification used to support the waiver 
as flawed, stating that ``expense'' argument is specious, having 
nothing to do with the expense of domestic specialty metal, based on 
the fact that there is no significant difference in price between 
compliant U.S. metals and noncompliant foreign metals.
    Another respondent states that there is also no valid lead time 
problem relating to availability of specialty metals, which are 
available as and when needed, with average lead time of less than 12 
weeks during the first quarter of 2007. This respondent also states 
that, since Defense requirements for titanium account for less than 25 
percent of the volume of domestic production, there is more than 
adequate domestic production to meet defense needs; and that U.S.-
melted metals are generally superior from a quality standpoint.
    Another respondent states that two large aerospace companies have 
signed long-term agreements with domestic specialty metal producers to 
procure titanium metal for their respective supply chains at 
predetermined prices which guarantee access to domestic titanium at 
reasonable prices, alleviating any problem with availability of 
specialty metals.
    ii. Major programs. One respondent states that, on major programs 
such as the Marine Maritime Aircraft and the Air Force Tanker 
Replacement Program, prime contractors have complied, or have pledged 
to comply, with domestic source requirements. It has not been 
demonstrated that compliance with specialty metals have increased or 
will increase the price to DoD in these highly competitive 
procurements.
    iii. Cost. Twenty-seven respondents, more than for any other issue 
raised, expressed concern that the law increases costs, contributes to 
longer lead times, and creates quality and availability problems, and 
that it is either impossible, time consuming, or too burdensome to 
comply with this statute in the COTS marketplace.
    Most respondents state that 100 percent compliance is not cost-
effective (if even possible), particularly for items containing trace 
amounts of specialty metal. One respondent states that accommodating 
Government restrictions

[[Page 63116]]

requires incurring greater costs to comply with them.
    Another respondent states that a compliance program alone would be 
more expensive than the value of DoD sales, where DoD sales represent 
2,000 vehicles out of 4 million sold annually in the United States.
    Some respondents state that DoD usage of COTS hardware was very 
small, perhaps 10 percent in the case of fasteners, in one example, and 
that separate tracking and lower volumes predicated by unique 
requirements such as is required by 10 U.S.C. 2533b, greatly increases 
production costs.
    [cir] One respondent states 10 U.S.C. 2533b increases the cost for 
services associated with segregating compliant from noncompliant COTS 
items, because it takes time to find the documentation on the origin of 
the metal.
    [cir] Other respondents state that a prime aerospace contractor 
builds approximately 450 commercial airplanes each year compared to 15 
for DoD. Therefore, production costs for the separate lot of fasteners 
for military use can be as much as 500 percent more than that for 
commercial fasteners, because the lower military volumes of compliant 
items do not allow for optimum lot size during the manufacturing 
process.
    [cir] A respondent also offers a comparison based on Air Force 
testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee that a 13-cent 
commercial/dual use nut that meets military conformance standards will 
cost 40 times more, or $5.20, and take 48 weeks if it must be compliant 
with the specialty metals restriction.
    [cir] Another respondent states that it chooses to distribute only 
compliant fasteners, rather than keep two inventories, because of the 
cost involved and, as a result, material costs have risen between 30 
and 40 percent.
    iv. Quality.
    One respondent expresses concern with the quality of domestic 
metals. The respondent states that it currently has an order in place 
with a manufacturer in which the metal has failed twice. Some material 
has been found to be inconsistent. In the respondent's experience, 
foreign material has always proven to be of consistently excellent 
quality.
    v. Lead time.
    One respondent states the lead time can be one to two years for 
parts manufactured from sub-standard American milled material and 
claims that it is becoming delinquent on multiple orders because of 
delays in material due to the inferior quality of the domestic stock of 
8740 alloy steel they receive. If the respondent could use foreign 
steel for DoD requirements, which does not have these inclusions, the 
quality issues would decrease and the lead time would improve.
    Lead times for standard aerospace fasteners can be as long as 50 
weeks, according to several respondents, in addition to the raw 
material lead times being experienced during the current commercial 
aerospace market boom. If fasteners are ordered today, and the raw 
material is on the shelf already, the respondents claim the fasteners 
will be delivered in late 2008 or spring 2009, based on not having to 
track the specialty metal content.
    Another respondent points out that, in the near term, failure to 
adopt the COTS rule will seriously impact current deliveries and 
jeopardize critical acquisitions. COTS items today are almost certainly 
non-compliant, or the prime contractor will be unable to document 
compliance. Issuing the necessary domestic non-availability 
determinations would be excessively time-consuming and burdensome.
    vi. Availability.
    One respondent is very concerned about the ability of DoD to 
acquire the materials it needs from leading manufacturers, if DoD 
attempts to impose undue burdens on COTs manufacturers.
    Several respondents state that COTS producers make purchasing 
decisions based on cost, quality, timely delivery, availability, and 
maintaining state-of-the-art products, not on the country in which the 
specialty metal contained in the components were melted. The complexity 
of the global supply chain makes compliance difficult and costly.
    One respondent comments that fastener manufacturers would prefer to 
purchase domestic specialty metals when possible, regardless of whether 
they are producing fasteners for military or commercial purposes, but 
to remain competitive, they must be able to make the best business 
decisions based on the commercial marketplace.
    Two respondents state that many COTs manufacturers are unwilling to 
change their business model to track specialty metals country of origin 
to accommodate DoD. For example--
    [cir] One respondent states that it consistently declines and, 
absent the proposed waiver, will continue to decline to sell to DoD.
    [cir] Another respondent states that it would likely have to forgo 
selling to DoD, because the cost of compliance would be more expensive 
than the value of the DoD sales.
    [cir] Another respondent questions its ability to continue to 
supply COTS items to the Government without some type of waiver.
    DoD Response: While the cost of the compliant and non-compliant 
specialty metal contained in COTS items might be relatively the same, 
the added costs (which may be significant) to ensure that the final 
COTS part or sub-assembly is compliant must also be taken into 
consideration. Further, the cost of setting up dual lines (at which 
point it is no longer really a COTS item), is usually prohibitive.
    The titanium industry has recently expanded its capacity, so that 
lead time for titanium may be less of a problem now. However, the 
argument that there is no valid lead time problem with respect to the 
availability of specialty metals, ignores the problem of the lead time 
to obtain compliant COTS items.
    DoD must comply with 10 U.S.C. 2377, which mandates that DoD 
procure commercial items to the ``maximum extent practicable,'' while 
DoD Directive 5000.1, The Defense Acquisition System, (E1.1.18.1) 
states that the procurement or modification of commercially available 
products, services, and technologies, from domestic or international 
sources, is the preferred acquisition strategy and is to be considered 
before any other alternative. Therefore, many COTS items are now used 
routinely in every one of the ``big six'' classes of products covered 
in the law. For example, a domestic non-availability determination for 
lids and leads in circuit card assemblies was required to be able to 
accept COTS semiconductors, transistors, diodes, etc., embedded in COTS 
equipment used in DoD systems. Other COTS items of a similar nature are 
commercial hardware (such as slides, hinges, knobs, dials, pointers, 
etc.) and springs made of specialty metals. As a result, DoD frequently 
finds itself in situations where it is impossible to accept common COTS 
items embedded within equipment. The end item cannot be accepted until 
DoD processes a domestic non-availability determination, or requires a 
replacement for the COTS item, either of which options create lead time 
problems.
    As stated in the previous paragraph on lead time and in the 
preamble to the proposed rule, COTS items are produced and manufactured 
within a global economy, causing industry to make hundreds of decisions 
in order to remain competitive, none of which take the specialty 
metal's melt country of origin into account. For example, a military 
truck contains an electronically

[[Page 63117]]

controlled COTS transmission. The transmission is not modified for 
military use. The supplier does not know whether the specialty metal is 
compliant. DoD has two alternatives:
    [cir] Shut down the line to obtain compliant transmissions, 
possibly from a qualifying country, which will require design changes 
to integrate and additional testing and modification to the truck and 
subsequent delays in delivery; or
    [cir] Process and approve a domestic non-availability 
determination, which will take market research and documentation. In 
order for DoD to support such a determination, a contractor must work 
with its suppliers at every tier to identify non-compliant parts from 
among potentially hundreds of thousands of parts, determine that it 
cannot find a compliant source (either because lead times are longer 
than the contract permits or because sufficient quantity is not 
available) and research whether and by when it can become compliant. 
The Department must then conduct a validation review and develop a 
report to document the determination. These efforts may entail 
thousands of hours of work, at considerable cost to the taxpayer and a 
significant addition in lead-time to the acquisition cycle. For 
additional discussion related to the challenges associated with 
processing a domestic non-availability determination, see paragraph d. 
below.
    The law does not require U.S. manufacturers or distributors to 
change their processes or systems to meet DoD-unique restrictions. 
Unless this COTS waiver is implemented, DoD will not have access to 
many U.S. COTS items that contain noncompliant specialty metals. The 
status quo is unacceptable if DoD is to meet its commitments to our 
warfighters.
b. Traceability of Origin of the Metal
    Comments: Several respondents comment that the assertion in the 
preamble to the proposed rule, that tracking of compliant COTS items is 
too hard, is false. Two of these respondents state that aerospace 
manufacturers require manufacturers of titanium and other specialty 
metal parts to deliver ``heat'' information with every part put into an 
aircraft, which identifies the source of the metal, when and where it 
was melted, and what alloys were used. One respondent states that ISO 
Standard 16426:2002 requires fasteners with full traceability back 
through all previous manufacturing operations to a given heat or cast 
number of the raw material of manufacture. Another respondent states 
that this traceability is the key to determining cause of failure in 
post-accident safety investigations. Another respondent states that the 
magnet industry is a low-volume industry, and tracking is not a burden.
    Ten other respondents comment that the effort to track the source 
of the specialty metal in COTS items, in order to ensure 100 percent 
compliance with the law, is cost prohibitive and burdensome.
    [cir] One respondent notes that DoD is the only purchaser of COTS 
items that requires tracking of the country of origin for specialty 
metals, and states that the processes required and the expenses 
associated with tracking and documenting for each component of an end 
product or item are significant.
    [cir] Other respondents state that it is not possible or cost-
effective, and it is burdensome, to determine and monitor the country 
of origin for specialty metals at every level of the supply chain, 
particularly when the COTS item contains only trace quantities of 
specialty metals.
    [cir] One respondent states that tracing the specialty metal 
content of its thousands of parts from hundreds of suppliers through 
the supply chain, and through product model year changes, supplier 
changes, and parts improvements would be very costly and labor 
intensive. Another respondent also states that tracking requires 
creation of an expensive and inefficient recordkeeping system, by prime 
contractors, as well as subcontractors at all tiers, resulting in huge 
increases in cost and delays in delivery of products.
    [cir] Several respondents state that manufacturers sell large 
quantities of fasteners to distributors not knowing, in many cases, 
whether the fasteners will be used in a commercial or military 
aircraft. These fasteners meet all quality and safety specifications, 
but tracking the source of the metal and producing separate lots of 
fasteners only for DoD orders substantially increases costs with no 
value added. One respondent states that fastener manufacturers and 
distributors will be forced to reconsider whether or not to continue 
doing business with the Government if separate tracking and 
manufacturing is required.
    [cir] Another respondent states that the United States is not the 
top producer of any of these specialty metals. The United States has no 
active nickel mines. The United States imports far more titanium sponge 
than it can produce. This respondent notes that while tracking is 
required for the use of specialty metals for manufacturers selling to 
DoD, there are no corresponding restrictions in the purchase of such 
raw materials by specialty metals companies for melting and selling the 
metal to U.S. manufacturers. In other words, specialty metals can be 
purchased in unlimited quantities as ore from Russia, melted in the 
United States, and resold to U.S. manufacturers, and be compliant with 
the specialty metals restriction, but U.S. manufacturers cannot use or 
sell items to DoD that are made from specialty metals directly from 
Russia and be compliant.
    DoD Response: 10 U.S.C. 2377 mandates that the DoD procure 
commercial items to the ``maximum extent practicable.'' DoD Directive 
5000.1 (E1.1.18.1) states that the procurement or modification of 
commercially available products, services, and technologies, from 
domestic or international sources, is the preferred acquisition 
strategy and is to be considered before any other alternative. DoD 
procures commercial items to reduce costs, speed acquisition, reduce 
development risk, gain access to the most leading-edge commercial 
technology, increase its ability to secure increased production, and 
leverage the competition inherent in the global commercial market.
    10 U.S.C. 2533b adds a unique tracking requirement to every 
supplier of the ``big six'' major systems, which flows down to each 
supplier within that supply chain. This same tracking requirement to 
the country source of origin for specialty metal does not exist in the 
commercial, global marketplace. To comply with this law, every prime 
and sub-contractor must establish duplicate processes and inventories 
to accommodate DoD's requirement or must trace the country source of 
specialty metal for every item it produces or distributes. Even trace 
amounts must be tracked unless the item is a commercially available 
electronic component containing under 10 percent specialty metal. Even 
if the manufacturers of a particular part state that they can track the 
source of the specialty metal, the problem becomes overwhelming at the 
prime level for complex items. Industry overwhelmingly concludes that 
this results in increased costs and is burdensome.
    According to industry sources, tracking the metal at the mill level 
is not burdensome or difficult, and tracking this metal throughout the 
supply chain for military-unique items can be accomplished with less 
impact to industry. However, for COTS items, tracking the source of 
specialty metal above the mill level items, through the manufacturers 
and distributors of COTS

[[Page 63118]]

end items or components of major systems requires instituting unique, 
costly, and burdensome systems and processes at each level of the 
supply chain, requiring continual updating and tracking at each 
supplier level as parts are updated or suppliers change. These costs 
and efforts do not add value to the end item or make COTS items safer.
c. Market Clout of DoD to Enforce Compliance
    Comments: Respondents offered differing views on DoD's ability to 
ensure compliance. One respondent states that, even though DoD asserts 
that it does not have the market power to enforce compliance, the DoD 
market is a large and important market for the majority of the 
companies who supply the military services. Another respondent states 
that DoD does indeed ``drive the market'' for many classes of domestic 
magnets.
    Ten other respondents view COTS sales to DoD as small in relation 
to sales in the global market. For example:
    [cir] One respondent states that DoD is such a small customer in 
many of these markets that suppliers simply cannot economically comply 
with the regulations.
    [cir] Another respondent cites the Annual Industrial Capabilities 
Report to Congress, ``whereas U.S. defense spending accounts for 
roughly half the world's defense spending, U.S. defense spending 
accounts for only about one percent of the world IT market.''
    [cir] More specifically, one respondent states that only a small 
percentage of its sales are made to the U.S. Government but that the 
burden of specialty metal origin tracking leads to manufacturers 
sometimes foregoing such small revenue propositions of military sales 
in order to avoid the enormous burden of entirely changing their 
existing systems and processes. Therefore, this respondent consistently 
declines, and absent the proposed waiver, will continue to decline to 
sell COTS items containing specialty metals to DoD, denying DoD the 
benefit of considering its product solutions.
    [cir] Another respondent states that it sells 4 million vehicles in 
the United States, and sales to DoD are less than 2,000 vehicles 
annually. This respondent states that the compliance program would be 
more expensive than the value of the DoD sales, and it would likely 
have to forgo selling to DoD if this waiver is not implemented.
    DoD Response: By definition, COTS items are sold in substantial 
quantities in the commercial marketplace. Based on the facts presented 
by the respondents, DoD requirements represent a small part of the 
global sales of COTS items and DoD will in fact be deprived the 
opportunity to buy many COTS items if this waiver is not implemented.
d. Use of Domestic Non-availability Determinations (DNADs)
    Comments: One respondent disagrees that the DNAD process poses 
difficulties, and suggests that DoD's own policy of accepting waiver 
applications only from prime contractors, rather than directly from the 
sub-tier supplier, contributes to the unwillingness of prime 
contractors to comply with the law. The respondent also states that 
five contractors have availed themselves of this reasonable waiver 
process, and this should continue to grow. Another respondent disagrees 
that DNAD processing adds significant lead time to the acquisition 
cycle, because there is no valid lead time problem with respect to the 
availability of specialty metals, which are available as and when 
needed.
    However, multiple respondents view the process of obtaining relief 
through DNADs to be difficult, time consuming, not feasible for some 
companies, and costly. One respondent adds that DoD will have to issue 
DNADs for every Federal Supply Class, NAICs code, or similar 
classification that may cover COTS items containing specialty metals if 
there is no COTS exemption. Several respondents also note that fastener 
manufacturers are dependent on prime contractors for initiating and 
requesting market research, and note that DNADs can be rescinded.
    DoD Response: DoD only has contractual relationships with the prime 
contractor, and does not have privity of contract with sub-tier 
suppliers. By dealing directly with subcontractors, DoD would take the 
risk of relieving the contractors of responsibility for performing the 
contract. For example, if a sub-tier supplier asked for a DNAD for 
fasteners directly from DoD, rather than the prime contractor, for an 
aircraft contract, and DoD agreed, but the waived fastener then failed 
in flight, the prime contractor could disavow responsibility for the 
failure, citing the DNAD as the document that transferred 
responsibility for that part. DoD must continue to hold the prime 
contractor responsible for performance and conformance of the end item, 
as well as for solving its own supply chain compliance issues.
    DNADs may be approved only if it is established that specialty 
metals in covered items cannot be obtained in sufficient quantity, 
satisfactory quality, and in the required form, as and when needed. The 
justification for such a determination requires market research down to 
the level of the part at which the availability occurs. The fastener 
DNAD, approved in April 2007, was requested in October 2006. The 
circuit card assembly DNAD, approved in January 2007, was initially 
requested in June 2006. This does not include the additional time that 
the prime and sub-tier suppliers needed to prepare each of these DNAD 
requests. DNADs require the cooperation of every supplier between the 
prime contractor and the level at which the availability problem 
occurs, and experience shows that it takes at least 12-18 months to 
develop the documentation, review the documentation, and obtain DNAD 
approval.
    The argument that there is no valid lead time problem with respect 
to the availability of specialty metals is incorrect. For example, a 
DNAD for lids and leads in circuit card assemblies was required to be 
able to accept COTS semiconductors, transistors, diodes, etc., embedded 
in COTS equipment used in DoD systems. Other COTS items of a similar 
nature for which a DNAD is under consideration include cotter pins, 
dowel pins, commercial hardware (such as slides, hinges, knobs, dials, 
pointers, etc.), and springs made of specialty metals.
    As stated above, 10 U.S.C. 2377 mandates that DoD procure 
commercial items to the ``maximum extent practicable,'' while DoD 
Directive 5000.1 (E1.1.18.1) states that the procurement or 
modification of commercially available products, services, and 
technologies, from domestic or international sources, is the preferred 
acquisition strategy and is to be considered before any other 
alternative. As a result, DoD frequently finds itself in situations 
where it is impossible to accept common COTS items embedded within 
equipment. In these cases, DoD must either issue a DNAD, obtain a 
replacement, or reject the end item.
    DNADs are approved at a very high level in DoD, either by the 
Secretary of the military department concerned or by the Under 
Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (USD 
(AT&L)). DNADs require many levels of review and, at any point in the 
process, further documentation or analysis can be required or requested 
prior to approval. DoD takes great care to fully support each DNAD and 
does not approve a DNAD casually.
    Without some additional relief from the specialty metals 
restriction, or unless one of the narrowly drawn exceptions in the law 
applies, DoD has

[[Page 63119]]

only three alternatives when faced with delivery of a major system 
embedded with any noncompliant COTS item: DoD can (1) refuse delivery 
of the end item, (2) require tear down and replacement of the part, or 
(3) undergo the lengthy process of researching and documenting a DNAD, 
if justified. Replacement or refusal of delivery is often not practical 
or prudent, leaving the DNAD process as the only resort, although time-
consuming and inefficient. The COTS exception would eliminate the need 
for processing and documenting additional DNADs for COTS items.
e. Use of One-Time Waiver
    Comments: Two respondents note that the one-time waiver authority 
provided in 2006 is a reasonable approach to providing a non-compliant 
supplier time to establish appropriate measures for compliance. These 
respondents disagree that the one-time waiver authority is burdensome 
for DoD and its suppliers.
    DoD Response: The one-time waiver is beneficial to DoD by providing 
a period under which suppliers can become compliant on parts that can 
become compliant. In cases where the one-time waiver does not apply, 
for example, where a COTS item was manufactured, assembled, or produced 
after the date of enactment of 10 U.S.C. 2533b or where final 
acceptance will not take place until after September 30, 2010, this 
authority is not available. In such cases, the only recourse is a DNAD. 
More importantly, it is not always easy to determine specifically when 
the COTS item was manufactured, assembled, or produced, because this 
inventory is not tracked the same way as unique defense parts. The one-
time waiver is not usable in those cases. For most COTS items, becoming 
compliant is not an option for the manufacturer because the increased 
costs would make the item non-competitive. Manufacturers will often 
decline to produce a compliant product (except at unreasonably higher 
prices). In those cases, DoD has no alternative but to begin the DNAD 
process in order to procure the COTS item or an item containing an 
unmodified COTS item.
f. De minimis Exception for Commercially Available Electronic 
Components
    Comments: Four respondents state that the proposed rule cannot 
legitimately use computers and semiconductors as a basis for a COTS 
exception, because these items are already exempt under the existing de 
minimis exception for commercially available electronic components. One 
respondent states that computers would also likely be exempt from 
compliance under DoD's class deviation of December 6, 2007, 
interpretation of a ``component'' as not including so-called ``third 
tier'' items.
    Another respondent states that the de minimis exception results in 
a prohibitive requirement for each supplier to make a determination 
about the commerciality and specialty metal content for all of the 
electronic components that are included in DoD weapons systems today. 
This respondent states that the circuit card assembly DNAD, approved by 
USD(AT&L), has recognized the prohibitive nature of this requirement 
but that, unfortunately, the list of items and parts that comprise 
electronic components is long and all await additional comparable 
determinations in order to ensure their continued delivery to the 
warfighter.
    DoD Response: The circuit card assembly DNAD was approved by 
USD(AT&L) because it was apparent that compliant parts were not 
available, and these parts are used widely on every weapon system, 
aircraft, etc. The task of calculating percentages of specialty metals 
in similar electronic parts is burdensome for sub-tier and prime 
contractors alike. While the de minimis exception is beneficial, 
particularly for very small amounts of specialty metals in commercial 
electronic components, it will not eliminate the need for additional 
DNADs for COTS items.
    The contention is incorrect, that computers would not be covered 
because of the interpretation that ``component'' does not include 
third-tier and lower parts and assemblies. Even lower-tier parts and 
assemblies of the six major categories are covered by the restrictions 
of the statute, unless they are purchased separately from the major 
item. For example, when buying an aircraft or a missile, all 
components, parts, and assemblies are covered by the specialty metal 
restriction.
g. DX Rating
    Comments: One respondent states DoD has the capability to issue a 
``DX'' rating under the Defense Priorities and Allocations System 
(DPAS) in order to prioritize DoD orders over other customers, should 
availability be a problem. Another respondent states that foreign 
suppliers are not subject to this priority statute, which makes a 
robust domestic industry all the more critical. Another respondent 
comments that DoD has not exercised its powers under the Defense 
Production Act to put its items at the head of the line in situations 
where alleged shortages exist.
    DoD Response: DPAS provides DoD with the ability to ensure that DoD 
orders receive priority treatment from domestic industry if necessary 
to meet required delivery dates. Although DoD uses ``DX'' ratings, the 
standard ``DO'' rating used on DoD contracts, and flowed down through 
the supply chain, provides priority delivery over unrated (commercial) 
orders when necessary. (``DX ratings'' are used for a select list of 
DoD programs, and provide delivery priority over other DoD programs if 
necessary. The lower DO rating is sufficient to provide priority over 
commercial orders.)
    However, the DPAS system cannot provide any relief from the problem 
that COTS items generally do not contain compliant specialty metals. 
The DPAS system can require priority delivery of a COTS item. COTS 
items, by definition, are procured as offered and without modification. 
COTS items are non-compliant because commercial industry does not 
restrict itself to using only domestically-smelted metals. The non-
compliant metals have already been incorporated into the item by the 
time it is offered to DoD.

4. Impact

a. Sufficiency of Research to Determine Impact
    Comments: One respondent states that there is no factual basis upon 
which DoD can determine the impact of the proposed exemption on 
domestic specialty metals producers or on their continued ability to 
supply specialty metals for the six covered categories of defense 
articles.
    Another respondent states that one of the primary purposes of its 
organization is economic and policy research. The respondent has 
researched and deliberated on this issue, and offers its information 
for the public record, in order to be useful to policymakers. This 
respondent considers the waiver to be absolutely vital to DoD's 
continuing access to the commercial marketplace.
    Another respondent has represented and advised numerous defense 
contractors concerning 10 U.S.C. 2533b. The respondent cites DoD and 
client market research performed in conjunction with Section 2533b 
corrective action plans, one-time waivers, and domestic non-
availability determinations.
    Additional respondents have provided detailed analysis of the 
impact on certain segments of the market.
    DoD Response: This rule was reviewed by the Office of the Deputy

[[Page 63120]]

Under Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy, which is tasked with 
analyzing the impact of DoD policy on various segments of the 
industrial base in order to meet the DoD objective of achieving and 
maintaining reliable and cost-effective industrial capabilities 
sufficient to meet strategic objectives. DoD believes that this rule 
will positively impact the health of the defense industrial base by 
allowing it to more easily and quickly procure COTS items for inclusion 
in DoD systems. The rule will not have a negative impact on domestic 
specialty metal producers, because it only addresses COTS items. The 
amount of product domestic specialty metals producers sell to 
commercial industry is based on their metal price and quality; it is 
not influenced by whether DoD can or cannot buy non-compliant COTS 
items, for the simple reason that producers of COTS items do not take 
DoD restrictions into account when making sourcing decisions. The rule 
will have no impact on the amount of domestically-produced specialty 
metal sold to commercial industry.
b. Scope of the Waiver
    Comments: Respondents offered mixed views. Some respondents state 
that this waiver is too broad and will amount to an across-the-board 
waiver of the specialty metal requirement. One respondent states that 
the rule would ``gut the law and be a de facto repeal of a significant 
portion of the specialty metals law.'' Another respondent objects that 
the exemption would exempt all COTS items, not just those containing 
small amounts of specialty metal. Another respondent states that the 
rule would potentially waive all domestic specialty metals 
requirements, even for weapons systems that are uniquely military in 
nature. Two more respondents state that even the most complicated 
military equipment is manufactured from COTS items at the lowest level 
of the supply chain. One of these respondents is concerned that even 
specialty metals mill products themselves could fall under the 
definition of COTS items. At the mill level, military and commercial 
articles of specialty metal are often interchangeable. Some of these 
respondents recommend that the rule should be limited to a waiver of 
only those COTS items that contain de minimis or less than some 
specific percentage of specialty metals.
    Other respondents believe the waiver does not provide sufficient 
relief and request additional rulemaking by DoD in this area as 
follows:
    [cir] Waive specialty metals restrictions where the source of the 
metal cannot be confirmed and the specialty metal represents a ``de 
minimis'' piece of the end product to be delivered to DoD.
    [cir] Waive specialty metal restrictions based on similar de 
minimis requirements provided for electronic components.
    [cir] Make meaningful changes in this area, including the actions 
by the newly established Strategic Materials Protection Board.
    DoD Response: DoD does not agree that this waiver is too broad. To 
the extent that DoD can utilize COTS items, it should be able to do so 
without being hampered by this DoD-unique requirement. Despite attempts 
to increasingly rely on the commercial marketplace, the items that DoD 
buys in the six major categories must necessarily diverge from items 
sold in the commercial marketplace, in order to meet military-unique 
requirements. DoD aircraft, ships, weapons systems, etc., still contain 
many components that are not COTS, that have to be manufactured 
specifically to fulfill military requirements. The respondents that 
oppose the rule are overlooking that the COTS items must be offered to 
the Government without modification.
    However, the final rule contains changes that make the waiver 
applicable only to end products and components in the six major 
categories, not specialty metal acquired directly by the Government, or 
by a contractor for delivery to the Government as the end product.
    To limit the rule to only COTS items with less than a specified 
percentage of specialty metals would require an unacceptable level of 
research into the composition of the COTS item, to determine for each 
item the percentage of specialty metal contained therein. This would 
introduce delays in the process similar to those associated with doing 
a domestic non-availability determination.
c. Impact on U.S. Industry and National Security
    Comments: Several respondents consider the rule to constitute a 
threat to U.S. industry and, therefore, a threat to national security. 
The respondents state that 10 U.S.C. 2533b serves an important role in 
maintaining a strong U.S. industrial base, and DoD, Congress, and 
industry should partner to find a means of compliance; and that, by 
this waiver, DoD is jeopardizing the availability of a future domestic 
supply of defense materials.
    [cir] Specialty metals. With specific regard to specialty metals, 
one respondent states that exempting COTS items will reduce the demand 
of domestic specialty metals in down market cycles below sustainable 
levels for the specialty metals industry. Another respondent states 
that uniquely military articles do not account for sufficient volume to 
sustain the domestic specialty metals industry during down cycles.
    [cir] Titanium. One respondent specifically addresses the titanium 
industry. This respondent states that there are only four titanium 
companies in the world that are capable of supplying titanium in the 
quantity and quality needed by DoD. Three of those companies are U.S. 
companies that are vigorously competing with the fourth company located 
in Russia, which is government owned, and need not even make a profit 
to survive. This respondent also cites the cyclical nature of the 
titanium industry. Even though the industry is strong now, it would be 
foolhardy to assume that U.S titanium producers will not in the future 
be seriously harmed by opening the U.S. defense market to Russian 
titanium.
    [cir] High-performance magnets. One respondent is concerned about 
impact on the high-performance magnet industry in particular. This 
respondent states that the domestic high-performance industry depends 
on the DoD market, and without it there might not be sufficient 
commercial volume to sustain it. Although they admit that most high-
performance magnets are not COTS items, they are concerned that items 
containing such high-performance magnets could be designated as COTS 
items.
    On the other hand, eighteen respondents state that this waiver will 
strengthen the U.S. industrial base. For example--
    [cir] This waiver is important to maintaining and broadening the 
industrial base. Without this waiver, DoD's access to commercial 
products and developing commercial technologies will be compromised.
    [cir] This waiver will ensure that many commercial manufacturers 
will have the ability to remain as a qualified domestic supplier to 
DoD.
    [cir] This waiver will benefit manufacturers, by augmenting their 
sales, decreasing compliance costs, stabilizing U.S. manufacturing 
jobs, and providing companies the satisfaction of knowing they are 
contributing to the defense of our nation.
    [cir] Exempting COTS items from 10 U.S.C. 2533b will help U.S. 
fastener manufacturers and distributors, many of whom are small or 
medium sized

[[Page 63121]]

businesses, remain a viable part of the U.S. defense supplier base.
    [cir] 10 U.S.C. 2533b has caused thousands of the respondent's 
parts to become less valuable or unable to be sold at all. Although the 
material is bought from a foreign mill, all processing and 
manufacturing occurs in the United States. On the average, the value of 
the foreign material is only 15 percent of the total value of each 
part.
    Some respondents provide specific arguments that the proposed 
waiver will not negatively impact the specialty metals industry to the 
extent that the respondents opposing the rule claim. Eighty percent of 
all aerospace fasteners are COTS items, of which only ten percent is 
supplied to DoD. One respondent states that--
    [cir] Total sales worldwide for aerospace fasteners was 
approximately $2.4 billion in 2006.
    [cir] The U.S. aerospace fastener market totaled $1.6 billion in 
sales.
    [cir] DoD's portion was approximately $550 million for defense 
contracts. Of that $550 million, approximately $330-385 million (60-70 
percent) were dual-use fasteners that would qualify as COTS items, and 
the remaining $165-220 million (30-40 percent) were military unique.
    [cir] The alloy steel fasteners industry estimates that $150 
million were made of alloy steel (of the $550 million in 2006 defense 
fastener sales).
    [cir] Since sales figures are estimated to be about twice the 
manufacturing cost, approximately $75 million would be for the 
manufacturing cost.
    [cir] Most industry analysts suggest an 8 percent raw material/
manufacturing cost ratio for alloy steel fasteners, which would equate 
to $6 million in alloy steel costs. Therefore, even if all alloy steel 
military aerospace fasteners were considered to be COTS items, and if 
all of the alloy steel contained in the fasteners shifted from U.S. 
sources to foreign sources, the maximum impact would be $6 million.
    [cir] Likewise, the titanium/nickel-based fasteners industry 
estimates that $400 million of the fasteners were made of titanium/
nickel base.
    [cir] Approximately $200 million would be manufacturing costs.
    [cir] Using an average 22.5 percent raw material cost/manufacturing 
cost ratio, $45 million would be titanium/nickel costs. Therefore, even 
if all titanium/nickel-based military aerospace fasteners were 
considered COTS items (which is unlikely), the maximum impact on the 
specialty metals industry would be approximately $45 million annually, 
if all the titanium contained in the fasteners shifted from U.S. 
sources to foreign sources.
    Another respondent provides another approach to assessing impact. 
This waiver is not primarily to allow currently compliant COTS items to 
begin using non-compliant specialty metals. The respondent states that 
the core reality is that COTS items are not Section 2533b-compliant 
now, and almost certainly will not be in the future. Up until the 
codification of the new 10 U.S.C. 2533b, the Government could withhold 
payment for components containing noncompliant specialty metals. 10 
U.S.C. 2533b no longer permits this. Therefore, this waiver provides a 
solution that permits DoD to accept needed defense articles that would 
otherwise be non-compliant.
    Those respondents who are concerned with negative impact on the 
specialty metal or magnet industry see that negative impact as a threat 
to national security. For example--
    [cir] One respondent states that 10 U.S.C. 2533b plays an important 
role in ensuring our national security.
    [cir] Another respondent states that if domestic specialty metals 
are not used in COTS items, it is far less likely that COTS items 
critical to defense procurement will be manufactured in the United 
States. Thus, potential availability issues extend not only to 
specialty metals themselves, but to every item made from specialty 
metals in DoD's supply chain.
    [cir] A third respondent states that the fact that critical parts 
that the United States loses its ability to produce were COTS items 
will be of little comfort as the United States' security becomes 
vulnerable through its dependency on foreign sources or, even worse, 
when in a time of crisis, foreign sources become unavailable and the 
United States cannot produce needed military aircraft, missiles, 
spacecraft, ships, tanks, weapons, and ammunition.
    [cir] Another respondent states that certain items containing high-
performance magnets may be considered COTS, but it is a threat to 
national security to outsource production of these high-performance 
magnet components to foreign suppliers.
    Aside from the arguments that the impact will not be as negative as 
the specialty metals and high-performance magnets industry predict, 
most of the supporters of the proposed rule are concerned that failure 
to provide this waiver of 10 U.S.C. 2533b will have a negative impact 
on national security because, if the COTS waiver is not implemented, 
DoD will be unable to buy needed COTS items. For example--
    [cir] One respondent supports the waiver because ``it is essential 
that we provide our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines the best 
equipment possible.''
    [cir] Another respondent cites the DoD Annual Industrial 
Capabilities report to Congress in February 2006, stating that DoD 
relies on commercial information technology because it is the most 
current and advanced available.
    [cir] One respondent strongly believes that waiving the 
restrictions on COTS will help DoD in acquiring the products that it 
needs and will perhaps save lives, especially in time of war.
    DoD Response: DoD believes this rule promotes national security. It 
is restricted to addressing the application of 10 U.S.C. 2533b to COTS 
items; the rule does not in any way alter requirements to purchase 
compliant non-COTS items. The rule simply allows DoD to purchase those 
needed COTS items that are already non-compliant.
    The amount of product domestic specialty metals producers sell to 
commercial industry is based on their metal price and quality; it is 
not influenced by whether DoD can or cannot buy non-compliant COTS 
items for the simple reason that producers of COTS items do not take 
DoD restrictions into account when making sourcing decisions. This rule 
will have no impact on the amount of domestically-produced specialty 
metal sold to commercial industry, and thus will have no negative 
impact on the viability of domestic specialty metal producers or 
national security.
    The current restriction against buying non-compliant COTS items 
harms national security by impeding the promotion of a healthy defense 
industrial base, frustrating attempts to foster defense trade and 
industrial cooperation with friends and allies, and directly and 
negatively impacting DoD's ability to supply the warfighter. To comply 
with the limitations imposed by 10 U.S.C. 2533b, the defense suppliers 
are forced to deviate from making sound business decisions in sourcing 
and production, with corresponding lost opportunities for efficiency 
and effectiveness. Furthermore, it is not possible to procure needed 
COTS items in compliant form, and this directly and negatively impacts 
DoD's ability to support the warfighter.
    Domestic specialty metal producers are financially outperforming 
most other sectors of the defense industry. Further, there is no danger 
of the United States losing the capabilities of its domestic specialty 
metals industry. In the unlikely event that, for whatever reason,

[[Page 63122]]

action needs to be taken in the future to protect the domestic 
specialty metals industry for national security reasons, DoD would be 
able to use its existing authority under 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(3) and 
implementing DFARS provisions to restrict procurements of specialty 
metals to domestic sources.
    One respondent is concerned about impact on high-performance 
magnets. However, as stated by that respondent, most high-performance 
magnets are not COTS items. Furthermore, the applications that demand 
high-performance magnets usually have military-specific performance 
requirements, so they would not typically be COTS either.
d. Precedent
    Comments: Most of the respondents that oppose the rule are 
concerned with the precedent that this rule will set.
    [cir] Several respondents state that DoD's rule inappropriately 
accommodates the prime contractor's unwillingness to change their 
existing processes, inventory systems, or facilities.
    [cir] Other respondents are concerned about the precedent of this 
rule as it relates to the Berry Amendment and other products covered by 
10 U.S.C. 2533a. One respondent states that it is inappropriate for DoD 
to consider the COTS exemption for specialty metals without taking into 
account the broader implications of such a precedent.
    One respondent considers that this waiver sets a good precedent, 
enhancing genuine and meaningful compliance with 10 U.S.C. 2533b. This 
respondent states that those who argue that DoD should just insist that 
COTS items become compliant are ignoring reality. If followed, this 
would seriously undermine overall compliance efforts and invite 
skepticism that DoD is serious about compliance.
    DoD Response: Consistent with Section 35 of the OFPP Act, this 
rulemaking is designed to facilitate access to the commercial 
marketplace by waiving application of a Government-unique requirement 
where the OFPP Administrator has not determined that its application to 
COTS is in the best interest of the Government. There is no requirement 
or law that compels a U.S. COTS manufacturer or COTS distributor to 
change its competitive process or systems to meet DoD-unique 
restrictions. The law only requires DoD to ensure that the specialty 
metals in items it buys are compliant. A U.S. COTS manufacturer that 
decides not to make its COTS products compliant is not breaking the 
law.
    The theoretical possibility of a future waiver of 10 U.S.C. 2533a 
is an issue outside the scope of this case. No such action has been 
proposed.
e. Level the Playing Field With Qualifying Countries
    Comments: Four respondents state that the proposed COTS exemption, 
if adopted, would narrow the loophole that provides exemption to end 
products or components from qualifying countries.
    [cir] The same regulations that restrict the American companies 
provide a loophole to foreign competitors.
    [cir] This puts U.S. companies, both large and small, at a 
significant competitive disadvantage compared to manufacturers from 
qualifying countries.
    [cir] The proposed exemption would lessen the disadvantage 
currently plaguing companies providing parts and services to DoD.
    [cir] Because of this exemption for manufacturers in countries that 
have certain types of defense-related agreements with the United 
States, implementation of 10 U.S.C. 2533b, absent promulgation of the 
proposed rule as a final rule, would actually serve to undermine the 
goal of creating a strong industrial base. If a U.S. manufacturer 
cannot comply with the specialty metal requirements, DoD has the option 
to buy the product from a qualifying country instead.
    DoD Response: DoD concurs with the statements of these respondents.

5. Pending Legislation

    Comment: One respondent considers it inappropriate and inefficient 
for DoD to consider this rule while legislative action is pending.
    DoD Response: This rule implements a section of the Fiscal Year 
2007 Defense Authorization Act, an enacted law. If any new legislation 
is enacted, DoD will take the necessary steps to implement it.

6. Recommended Changes to the Rule

    Several respondents who support the rule suggested revisions.
a. Definition of ``COTS Item''
    Comment: One respondent is concerned that the requirement for ``no 
modification'' is unfair when applied to vastly different items such as 
a computer or GPS or a fastener. Another respondent requests a more 
definitive meaning of ``s