Federal Acquisition Regulation; Public Access to the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System, 197-202 [2011-33420]

Agencies

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

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 3, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 197-202]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-33420]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

48 CFR Parts 1, 9, 12, 42, and 52

[FAC 2005-55; FAR Case 2010-016; Item V; Docket 2010-0016, Sequence 1]
RIN 9000-AL94


Federal Acquisition Regulation; Public Access to the Federal 
Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: DoD, GSA, and NASA have adopted as final, with changes, an 
interim rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to 
implement a section of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2010. This 
section requires that the information in the Federal Awardee 
Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS), excluding past 
performance reviews, shall be made publicly available. The interim rule 
notified contractors of this new statutory requirement for public 
access to FAPIIS.

DATES: Effective Date: January 3, 2012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Mr. Edward Loeb, Procurement Analyst, 
at (202) 501-0650, for clarification of content. For information 
pertaining to status or publication schedules, contact the Regulatory 
Secretariat at (202) 501-4755. Please cite FAC 2005-55, FAR Case 2010-
016.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    DoD, GSA, and NASA published an interim rule in the Federal 
Register at 76 FR 4188 on January 24, 2011, to

[[Page 198]]

implement section 3010 of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2010 
(Pub. L. 111-212).

II. Discussion and Analysis

    The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition 
Regulations Council (the Councils) reviewed the comments in development 
of the final rule. A discussion of the comments and the changes made to 
the rule as a result of those comments are provided as follows:

A. General Comments

    Comments: Several respondents made positive comments about the rule 
granting public access to the FAPIIS. One respondent stated that this 
is a most welcome process. One respondent stated that making public the 
data in FAPIIS will benefit contractors with records of business 
integrity and performance excellence. Another respondent commented that 
by making this information public, construction subcontractors will 
soon be able to evaluate the business ethics and quality of potential 
contractor clients. According to this respondent, this can reduce risk 
and save taxpayers millions of dollars.
    Response: Noted.
    Comments: On the other hand, some of the respondents are concerned 
about possible risk associated with making FAPIIS data available to the 
public.
     One respondent noted that the new proposed rule is over-
reaching the purpose for which FAPIIS was initiated. According to the 
respondent, FAPIIS was designed to do one thing and was approved with 
comments to the effect that Government contractor sensitive information 
would not be publicized. The Government is now essentially rescinding 
this, with the exception of not making ``past performance information'' 
available. Further, the respondent feared that it is only a matter of 
time before the Government also allows the public access to Government 
contractor ``past performance information'' and expands FAPIIS in other 
ways.
     Another respondent pointed out that contractors face a 
number of risks associated with release of information subject to the 
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). In particular, this respondent was 
concerned that by making FAPIIS public, there is an increased 
likelihood that contractors could be subject to a False Claims Act 
litigation on the basis of the certification at FAR 52.209-7(c) (that 
the information entered into FAPIIS is current, accurate, and 
complete).
    Response: This change in FAPIIS was mandated by section 3010 of the 
Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2010 (Pub. L. 111-212), enacted by 
Congress.
    With regard to possible litigation under the False Claims Act, as 
with any FAR contract provision or clause, it is the responsibility of 
the contractor to ensure that the information being certified is 
current, accurate, and complete.
    The Councils recognize the risk to contractors if the data is made 
public prior to offering the contractor a chance to review. The rule 
has been revised to provide to contractors a 7-calendar-day review 
period to identify information posted in FAPIIS that is covered by a 
disclosure exemption under the FOIA. The information entered into 
FAPIIS by the contracting officer or suspension and debarment official 
will be made publicly available within an additional 7-calendar-day 
period, unless the contractor asserts to the Government official, who 
posted the item, that it is protected by a disclosure exemption under 
FOIA. In such case, the information will be removed by the Government 
official and the issue resolved in accordance with agency FOIA 
procedures. If the Government official does not remove the item, it 
will be automatically released to the public site within 14 calendar 
days after the review period began.

B. Make More Data Public

    1. Narrow definition of ``past performance review''.
    Comment: One respondent noted that Congress did not define ``past 
performance review'' and requested that the Councils define the term 
very narrowly, in a way that allows all ``past performance 
information'' to be made public, except that which proposes a 
legitimate threat to commercial proprietary or personal privacy 
interests.
    The respondent stated that the Government releases a broad array of 
past performance information in bid protest decisions, and should do 
the same with FAPIIS, because this will strengthen efforts to exclude 
non-responsible contractors.
    Response: This FAR case uses the definition of ``past performance'' 
in FAR part 2 and the discussion of contractor performance information 
in FAR subpart 42.15, including ``past performance evaluations'' and 
``past performance reports'' that are entered into the Past Performance 
Information Retrieval System (PPIRS) as a result of past performance 
evaluations. This coverage of past performance was in the FAR when 
Congress passed Public Law 111-212 and section 3010 specifically 
excludes ``past performance reviews.''
    The FAR Council published a proposed rule, FAR Case 2009-042, 
Documenting Contractor Performance, in the Federal Register at 76 FR 
37704 on June 28, 2011, with public comments due on September 29, 2011, 
that clarified ``past performance information''--see https://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2011/pdf/2011-16169.pdf. The language in FAR 
Case 2009-042 has been updated to reference the part of FAR subpart 
42.15 related to ``past performance.''
    The Councils also note that the Government Accountability Office 
allows a party to request redaction of ``past performance information'' 
prior to the release of a bid protest decision.
    2. Release data entered prior to April 15, 2011.
    Comments: One respondent opposed the new regulation regarding 
information entered into FAPIIS before April 15, 2011. Specifically, 
FAR 52.209-9 provides that information posted in FAPIIS prior to April 
15, 2011, will not be publicly disclosed, except by request submitted 
under FOIA. Due to the respondent's concern about the shortcomings of 
the FOIA process, the respondent requested that all data posted prior 
to April 15, 2011, be made available to the public without requiring 
requests through FOIA.
    Response: The data posted in FAPIIS prior to April 15, 2011, cannot 
be made publicly available because the final rule, FAR Case 2008-027, 
published in the Federal Register at 75 FR 14059, effective April 22, 
2010, included a statement in paragraph (b)(3) of FAR 52.209-8, Updates 
of Information Regarding Responsibility Matters, that ``(w)ith the 
exception of the Contractor, only Government personnel and authorized 
users performing business on behalf of the Government will be able to 
view the Contractor's record in the system.'' The paragraph continued 
with the statement that public requests for system information would be 
handled under the FOIA procedures. After section 3010 was enacted, the 
Government began to plan the transition to making the data in FAPIIS 
available to the public. The Councils concluded that it was not 
appropriate to make information publicly available that the Government 
contractually committed that it would only release in accordance with 
the procedures of FOIA.
    The Councils took every feasible action to make the maximum amount 
of data publicly available, without violating the contractual 
commitments made by the Government in contracts containing FAR 52.209-
8.

[[Page 199]]

C. Protection of Data That Should Not Be Released

    1. Include in the FAR specific prohibition against entry of 
inappropriate data in FAPIIS.
    Comment: Several respondents were concerned about lack of 
sufficient guidance in the interim rule on the scope of information to 
be withheld. Several respondents recommended that the rule should 
explicitly prohibit the contracting officer from posting information in 
FAPIIS that is protected by a disclosure exemption under FOIA. 
According to one respondent, the rule should list the FOIA exemptions, 
specifically instruct contracting officers to redact information 
protected by FOIA, and further instruct contracting officers to consult 
a FOIA expert to resolve questions regarding the applicability of an 
exemption.
    Another respondent requested that the FAR should expressly state 
that additional information not identified in FAR 9.104-6 cannot be 
posted in the publicly available iteration of FAPIIS.
    Response: The Councils have revised the final rule, at FAR 9.105-
2(b)(2)(iv) and 52.209-9(c)(1), to prohibit contracting officers from 
posting information in FAPIIS that is protected by a disclosure 
exemption under FOIA. To alleviate errors or oversights, the FAR text 
points to the FOIA exemptions and allows the agencies' FOIA officers to 
determine the applicable exemption relevant to their situation. It is 
not customary practice to list all the FOIA exemptions in the FAR, as 
they are readily available in the Department of Justice Guide to the 
Freedom of Information Act (2009 Edition) at https://www.justice.gov/oip/foia_guide09.htm or at agencies' FOIA Office Web sites.
    2. Allow contractors to review before making public.
    Comment: Several respondents recommended that the interim rule 
should be revised to allow contractors to review information that will 
be posted to FAPIIS for public review prior to its release.
    Several respondents stated that privacy rights could be irreparably 
impaired, and proprietary information could be irreparably lost as a 
result of release to the public through FAPIIS, even if the data is 
later removed.
    One respondent stated that contractors should be allowed to 
determine if any of the information might be protected from release 
under FOIA, thus allowing contractors to request redaction of properly 
FOIA-protected information.
    Another respondent requested time to review the data both to ensure 
accuracy and completeness, as well as to ensure that it does not 
violate the requirement to protect proprietary information. This 
respondent stated that publicly posting proprietary information or 
inaccurate or incomplete information is not quantifiable and there is 
no remedy that can adequately address the contractor's losses.
    Another respondent noted that the Councils have recognized the 
importance of allowing contractors the opportunity to respond to 
information in FAPIIS before the Government acts on that information. 
FAR 9.104-6 entitles an offeror to present additional information to 
demonstrate responsibility after a contracting officer identified 
``relevant information'' in FAPIIS.
    Several respondents requested periods varying from 30 days to 60 
days to review the information before it is made public, although the 
respondent that requested 60 days noted that the FAR currently allows 
the contractor only 30 days to respond to past performance information 
in PPIRS.
    Another respondent believed that this approach should not require 
major changes to the system. The respondent suggested that when the 
information is first entered into FAPIIS, it could be quarantined in 
the ``non-public'' iteration of FAPIIS, similar to past performance 
information.
    Response: The Councils have revised the final rule, at FAR 9.105-
2(b)(2) and 52.209(c), to allow contractors 7 calendar days to review 
information posted to FAPIIS before that information is made available 
to the public. A notice is sent to the contractor whenever information 
is entered into the system about that contractor. If contractors assert 
to the Government, within 7 calendar days, that information has been 
posted that is covered by a disclosure exemption under FOIA, the 
information will be removed while the agency resolves the issue in 
accordance with agency FOIA procedures.
    3. Allow submission of two versions--redacted for public and 
unredacted for Government.
    Comment: One respondent recommended that two versions of the 
information should be submitted--a complete version for the Government, 
and a redacted version for the public.
    Response: The statute requires that all information in FAPIIS, 
other than information on ``past performance reviews,'' must be made 
available to the public. Therefore, submission of two different 
versions would not meet the statutory requirement.
    4. Include systems protections so that past performance data is not 
inadvertently made public.
    Comment: One respondent recommended that the FAR Council should 
coordinate with the FAPIIS Program Manager to take all the appropriate 
steps from a system architecture/controls standpoint to preclude the 
public disclosure (advertent or inadvertent) of ``past performance 
information.'' According to the respondent, this should include 
systemic protections that make it impossible to post ``past performance 
information'' to the publicly-available iteration of FAPIIS.
    Response: The structure of FAPIIS ensures that ``past performance 
reviews'' (as described in FAR subpart 42.15) will not be inadvertently 
released. Past performance information is stored in a completely 
separate module from the other information in FAPIIS. There is no 
connection between the past performance module and the public Web site 
for FAPIIS. This assurance was provided by the Contractor Performance 
Assessment Reporting System/PPIRS Program Manager and the FAPIIS 
Program Manager.

D. Ensure That Data Is Timely and Accurate

    1. Timeliness.
    Comment: One respondent recommended that the FAR should assign 
responsibility to a particular Government official to timely remove 
stale information from FAPIIS.
    Response: All information in FAPIIS is marked with the date of the 
occurrence. In response to search requests, FAPIIS only provides access 
to information that is dated within five years of the date of the 
request.
    2. Accuracy.
    Comment: One respondent stated that the FAR should require 
contracting officers and suspension and debarment officials (SDOs) to 
validate the accuracy of information before inputting into FAPIIS.
    Response: The procedures at FAR 9.406-3(f) and 9.407-3(e) already 
require that the SDOs are responsible for the accuracy of the 
documentation entered into FAPIIS regarding an administrative agreement 
to resolve a debarment or suspension proceeding. The Councils have 
revised the rule at FAR 9.105-2(b)(2)(ii) and 42.1503(f)(1) to make the 
contracting officer/agency responsible for the accuracy of agency data 
entered into FAPIIS.

[[Page 200]]

E. Technical Recommendations

    1. Include FAR 52.209-9 in the list at FAR 52.212-5.
    Comment: Two respondents suggested that FAR 52.209-9, Updates to 
Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters, should 
be added to the list of clauses incorporated as part of FAR 52.212-5 
(at paragraph (b)) for FAR part 12 commercial item acquisitions. 
Another respondent noted that, if the clause is not included in FAR 
52.212-5, it may be inadvertently omitted.
    Response: The change has been made in the final rule by listing FAR 
52.209-9 under FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required To 
Implement Statutes or Executive Orders--Commercial Items.
    2. Allow incorporation of clause by reference.
    Comment: A respondent noted that the FAR matrix now requires that 
both FAR 52.209-9 and its Alternate be incorporated in full text. The 
respondent commented that both the clause and its alternate should be 
available for incorporation into contracts by reference.
    Response: The change has been incorporated into the FAR provision 
and clause matrix under FAR subpart 52.3, Provision and Clause Matrix, 
available for review at https://www.acquisition.gov/far/current/html/52_300.html#wp1077611.
    3. Designate contractor point of contact to receive notification of 
entry into FAPIIS.
    Comment: One respondent stated that FAR 52.209-9(b)(1) does not 
specify who in the contractor's organization will be notified when new 
information is posted. The respondent recommended that the FAR should 
designate the contractor's Central Contractor Registration (CCR) point 
of contact as the person who will receive all notification related to 
the Government posting new information on the contractor's record.
    Response: If the contractor specifies a past performance point of 
contact in its CCR record, then the notification goes to the specified 
point of contact. At the contractor's discretion, this past performance 
point of contact's email address can be a single individual or a common 
email address that multiple individuals in the company can access. If 
the contractor does not specify a past performance point of contact, 
then the notification is sent to the contractor's Government business 
point of contact, which is a mandatory field in CCR.
    4. Allow larger field in FAPIIS for contractor comments.
    Comment: One respondent requested a larger field to enter 
contractor comments.
    Response: The field currently allows 1000 characters per entry. As 
a result of the public comments, the FAPIIS Program Manager doubled the 
available characters to 2000 and this change is effective now.

F. Requests for Further Rulemaking (Outside the Scope of This Rule)

    1. Make training and guidance subject to rulemaking.
    Comment: Two respondents were concerned about the statements in the 
preamble to the final FAPIIS rule under FAR Case 2008-027 that policies 
and guidance would be developed to ensure the timely and accurate input 
of information into the FAPIIS database. Further, the Councils would 
work with the FAPIIS Program Manager, the Federal Acquisition 
Institute, and the Defense Acquisition University to develop guidance 
for contracting officials and suspension and debarment officials. The 
respondent was concerned that training, policies, and guidance to 
contracting officers and SDOs will, in effect, provide further 
direction regarding what constitutes proper input, accuracy, and 
timeliness. The respondent believed that this guidance will supplement 
and clarify FAPIIS data requirements. Therefore, according to the 
respondent, it should be published in the Federal Register so that all 
impacted parties may provide input.
    Another respondent was also concerned that the clear direction to 
the contracting officer should be included in the FAR, rather than in 
subsequent training and informal guidance. This respondent stated that 
the final FAPIIS rule did not go far enough, and recommended additional 
changes to the FAR to clarify what information is relevant to 
responsibility determinations and past performance evaluations. The 
respondent also wanted the FAR to make clear that not all information 
in FAPIIS will be relevant to a contractor's past performance.
    Response: The FAR includes direction to the contracting officer 
about the FAPIIS requirement and relevancy of that information. The 
FAPIIS training will not include new policies, but rather procedures on 
how to comply with existing FAR policies and guidance. The current 
FAPIIS training overview is available at https://www.fai.gov/FAPIIS/trailer/module.htm for the public to view. Follow-on training will also 
be publicly available later this year.
    2. Provide more regulation on contractor reporting obligations.
    Comment: One respondent had comments that relate to clear 
definition of ``reportable outcomes.'' This respondent provided a list 
of items that should be excluded from the database and a list of items 
that should be reportable.
    Another respondent contended that the reporting obligations of the 
FAPIIS regulations are unclear, addressing the need for guidance 
relating to clarifying ``the Offeror, and/or any of its principals,'' 
``within the last five years,'' ``in connection with a Federal contract 
or grant,'' ``administrative proceeding,'' and ``consent or 
compromise.''
    Response: This FAR case was established to implement section 3010, 
which required information in FAPIIS, excluding ``past performance 
reviews,'' to be publicly available.
    Any further definition of reportable outcomes or guidance on 
reporting requirements would require publication of a new rulemaking 
for public comment.
    3. Get public comments before adding any new data elements to 
FAPIIS or change databases that feed into FAPIIS.
    Comment: One respondent wanted to ensure that the Councils will get 
public comments before adding any new data elements to FAPIIS or 
changing databases that feed into FAPIIS.
    Response: Addition of new data elements to FAPIIS would require 
further rulemaking for public comment.
    4. Update to FAPIIS.
    Comment: One respondent stated that the Councils should clarify the 
requirement to update FAPIIS information on a semi-annual basis.
    Response: Additional clarification is not necessary. FAR clause 
52.209-9, Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding 
Responsibility Matters, tells contractors that they are required to 
update the information in the FAPIIS on a semi-annual basis, throughout 
the life of the contract.

G. Deadline

    1. Display pilot run before deadline.
    Comment: One respondent requested to see a pilot run of the FAPIIS 
format and the program before it is officially ``rolled out.''
    Response: The statute did not provide for a delay in 
implementation; therefore, FAPIIS is now available to the public at 
https://fapiis.ppirs.gov.
    2. Postpone deadline until all issues resolved.
    Comment: Two respondents requested that the deadline of April 15, 
2011, be postponed until certain issues can be resolved (see issues 
identified in section II.F. of this preamble). Both respondents pointed 
out that Congress did not

[[Page 201]]

mandate that FAPIIS be made available to the public on a particular 
date. One respondent concluded that it is implicit that Congress 
intended for the Councils to take the time necessary to ``get it 
right.''
    Response: The statute did not provide for any delay in 
implementation. In the interest of transparency in Government 
contracting, the Councils implemented the FAR changes and system 
changes to provide direction to Government and contractor personnel in 
a timely manner to align with the statute.

III. Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

    Executive Orders (E.O.s) 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess 
all costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public 
health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). E.O. 
13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, 
of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility. 
This is a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was 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.

IV. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, and 
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 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 just notifies 
the contractors that the public will have access to the database. The 
rule does not impose any additional burdens on small entities. The 
interim rule made editorial changes to FAR 52.209-7 and transferred the 
information collection requirement from FAR 52.209-8 to a new clause at 
FAR 52.209-9.
    In response to public comments, the final rule allows a 14-
calendar-day delay before making the data available to the public. 
Contractors have 7 calendar days within those 14 calendar days to 
assert a disclosure exemption under the Freedom of Information Act. In 
addition, the FAPIIS system has been modified to allow more space for 
contractor comments. The rule does not impose any new requirements on 
small businesses.
    Therefore, a Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis has not been 
performed. DoD, GSA, and NASA did not receive any comments relating to 
impact on small entities.

V. Paperwork Reduction Act

    This final rule does not contain any information collection 
requirements that require the approval of the Office of Management and 
Budget under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35).

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 1, 9, 12, 42, and 52

    Government procurement.

    Dated: December 21, 2011.
Laura Auletta,
Director, Office of Governmentwide Acquisition Policy, Office of 
Acquisition Policy, Office of Governmentwide Policy.

Interim Rule Adopted as Final With Changes

    Accordingly, the interim rule amending 48 CFR parts 1, 9, 12, 42, 
and 52, which was published in the Federal Register at 76 FR 4188 on 
January 24, 2011, is adopted as final with the following changes:

0
1. The authority citation for 48 CFR parts 1, 9, 12, 42, and 52 
continues to read as follows:

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

PART 9--CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS

0
2. Amend section 9.104-7 by adding paragraph (c) to read as follows:


9.104-7  Solicitation provisions and contract clauses.

* * * * *
    (c) The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.209-9, 
Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility 
Matters--
    (1) In solicitations where the resultant contract value is expected 
to exceed $500,000; and
    (2) In contracts in which the offeror checked ``has'' in paragraph 
(b) of the provision at 52.209-7.
* * * * *

0
3. Amend section 9.105-2 by revising paragraph (b)(2)(ii); and adding 
paragraphs (b)(2)(iii) and (b)(2)(iv) to read as follows:


9.105-2   Determinations and documentation.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (ii) The contracting officer is responsible for the timely 
submission, within 3 working days, and sufficiency, and accuracy of the 
documentation regarding the nonresponsibility determination.
    (iii) As required by section 3010 of the Supplemental 
Appropriations Act, 2010 (Pub. L. 111-212), all information posted in 
FAPIIS on or after April 15, 2011, except past performance reviews, 
will be publicly available. FAPIIS consists of two segments--
    (A) The non-public segment, into which Government officials and 
contractors post information, which can only be viewed by--
    (1) Government personnel and authorized users performing business 
on behalf of the Government; or
    (2) An offeror or contractor, when viewing data on itself; and
    (B) The publicly-available segment, to which all data in the non-
public segment of FAPIIS is automatically transferred after a waiting 
period of 14 calendar days, except for--
    (1) Past performance reviews required by subpart 42.15;
    (2) Information that was entered prior to April 15, 2011; or
    (3) Information that is withdrawn during the 14-calendar-day 
waiting period by the Government official who posted it in accordance 
with paragraph (b)(2)(iv) of this section.
    (iv) The contracting officer, or any other Government official, 
shall not post any information in the non-public segment of FAPIIS that 
is covered by a disclosure exemption under the Freedom of Information 
Act. If the contractor asserts within 7 calendar days, to the 
Government official who posted the information, that some of the 
information posted to the non-public segment of FAPIIS is covered by a 
disclosure exemption under the Freedom of Information Act, the 
Government official who posted the information must within 7 calendar 
days remove the posting from FAPIIS and resolve the issue in accordance 
with agency Freedom of Information Act procedures, prior to reposting 
the releasable information.


0
4. Amend section 9.406-3 by adding paragraph (f)(3) to read as follows:


9.406-3   Procedures.

* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (3) With regard to information that may be covered by a disclosure 
exemption under the Freedom of Information Act, the debarring official 
shall follow the procedures at 9.105-2(b)(2)(iv).


0
5. Amend section 9.407-3 by adding paragraph (e)(3) to read as follows:

[[Page 202]]

9.407-3   Procedures.

* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (3) With regard to information that may be covered by a disclosure 
exemption under the Freedom of Information Act, the suspending official 
shall follow the procedures at 9.105-2(b)(2)(iv).

PART 12--ACQUISITION OF COMMERCIAL ITEMS


12.301   [Amended]

0
6. Amend section 12.301 by removing paragraph (d)(4).

PART 42--CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION AND AUDIT SERVICES

0
7. Amend section 42.1503 by revising the introductory text of paragraph 
(f)(1); and adding paragraph (f)(3) to read as follows:


42.1503   Procedures.

* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (1) Agencies shall ensure information is accurately reported in the 
FAPIIS module of PPIRS within 3 calendar days after a contracting 
officer--
* * * * *
    (3) With regard to information that may be covered by a disclosure 
exemption under the Freedom of Information Act, the contracting officer 
shall follow the procedures at 9.105-2(b)(2)(iv).

PART 52--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

0
8. Amend section 52.209-9 by revising the date of the clause and 
paragraph (b); and adding paragraphs (c) and (d) to read as follows:


52.209-9   Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding 
Responsibility Matters.

* * * * *

Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility 
Matters (JAN 2012)

* * * * *
    (b) As required by section 3010 of the Supplemental 
Appropriations Act, 2010 (Pub. L. 111-212), all information posted 
in FAPIIS on or after April 15, 2011, except past performance 
reviews, will be publicly available. FAPIIS consists of two 
segments--
    (1) The non-public segment, into which Government officials and 
the Contractor post information, which can only be viewed by--
    (i) Government personnel and authorized users performing 
business on behalf of the Government; or
    (ii) The Contractor, when viewing data on itself; and
    (2) The publicly-available segment, to which all data in the 
non-public segment of FAPIIS is automatically transferred after a 
waiting period of 14 calendar days, except for--
    (i) Past performance reviews required by subpart 42.15;
    (ii) Information that was entered prior to April 15, 2011; or
    (iii) Information that is withdrawn during the 14-calendar-day 
waiting period by the Government official who posted it in 
accordance with paragraph (c)(1) of this clause.
    (c) The Contractor will receive notification when the Government 
posts new information to the Contractor's record.
    (1) If the Contractor asserts in writing within 7 calendar days, 
to the Government official who posted the information, that some of 
the information posted to the non-public segment of FAPIIS is 
covered by a disclosure exemption under the Freedom of Information 
Act, the Government official who posted the information must within 
7 calendar days remove the posting from FAPIIS and resolve the issue 
in accordance with agency Freedom of Information procedures, prior 
to reposting the releasable information. The contractor must cite 
52.209-9 and request removal within 7 calendar days of the posting 
to FAPIIS.
    (2) The Contractor will also have an opportunity to post 
comments regarding information that has been posted by the 
Government. The comments will be retained as long as the associated 
information is retained, i.e., for a total period of 6 years. 
Contractor comments will remain a part of the record unless the 
Contractor revises them.
    (3) As required by section 3010 of Pub. L. 111-212, all 
information posted in FAPIIS on or after April 15, 2011, except past 
performance reviews, will be publicly available.
    (d) Public requests for system information posted prior to April 
15, 2011, will be handled under Freedom of Information Act 
procedures, including, where appropriate, procedures promulgated 
under E.O. 12600.


(End of clause)


0
9. Amend section 52.212-5 by revising the date of the clause; and 
redesignating paragraphs (b)(7) through (b)(50) as (b)(8) through 
(b)(51), respectively; and adding new (b)(7) to read as follows:


52.212-5   Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes 
or Executive Orders--Commercial Items.

* * * * *

Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or 
Executive Orders--Commercial Items (JAN 2012)

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (7) 52.209-9, Updates of Publicly Available Information 
Regarding Responsibility Matters (JAN 2012) (41 U.S.C. 2313).
* * * * *

[FR Doc. 2011-33420 Filed 12-30-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-EP-P