Federal Acquisition Regulation; Privacy Training, 93476-93481 [2016-30213]
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93476
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 244 / Tuesday, December 20, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
and National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA).
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
GENERAL SERVICES
ADMINISTRATION
ACTION:
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND
SPACE ADMINISTRATION
SUMMARY:
Summary presentation of final
rules.
48 CFR Chapter 1
[Docket No. FAR 2016–0051, Sequence No.
8]
Federal Acquisition Regulation;
Federal Acquisition Circular 2005–94;
Introduction
Department of Defense (DoD),
General Services Administration (GSA),
AGENCY:
This document summarizes
the Federal Acquisition Regulation
(FAR) rules agreed to by the Civilian
Agency Acquisition Council and the
Defense Acquisition Regulations
Council (Councils) in this Federal
Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2005–94. A
companion document, the Small Entity
Compliance Guide (SECG), follows this
FAC. The FAC, including the SECG, is
available via the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov.
For effective dates see the
separate documents, which follow.
DATES:
The
analyst whose name appears in the table
below in relation to the FAR case.
Please cite FAC 2005–94 and the
specific FAR case number. For
information pertaining to status or
publication schedules, contact the
Regulatory Secretariat Division at 202–
501–4755.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
RULES LISTED IN FAC 2005–94
Item
Subject
I .................................
II ................................
Privacy Training .................................................................................................................
Payment of Subcontractors ...............................................................................................
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Summaries for each FAR rule follow.
For the actual revisions and/or
amendments made by these rules, refer
to the specific item numbers and
subjects set forth in the documents
following these item summaries. FAC
2005–94 amends the FAR as follows:
Item I—Privacy Training (FAR Case
2010–013)
This final rule amends the Federal
Acquisition Regulation to clarify the
training requirements for contractors
whose employees will have access to a
system of records on individuals or
handle personally identifiable
information. These training
requirements are consistent with the
Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. 552a, and
OMB Circular A–130, Managing Federal
Information as a Strategic Resource.
Prime contractors are required to flow
down these requirements to all
applicable subcontracts.
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Item II—Payment of Subcontractors
(FAR Case 2014–004)
This final rule amends the Federal
Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to
implement section 1334 of the Small
Business Jobs Act of 2010 and the Small
Business Administration’s (SBA) final
rule, published July 16, 2013. If a
contract requires a subcontracting plan,
the prime contractor must notify the
contracting officer in writing if the
prime contractor pays a reduced
payment to a small business
subcontractor, or an untimely payment
if the payment to a small business
subcontractor is more than 90 days past
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FAR Case
due for supplies or services for which
the Government has paid the contractor.
The contractor is also to include the
reason for the reduction in payment or
failure to pay. A contracting officer will
then use his or her best judgment in
determining whether the reduced or
untimely payments were justified. The
contracting officer must record the
identity of a prime contractor with a
history of three or more unjustified
reduced or untimely payments to
subcontractors within a 12-month
period under a single contract, in the
Federal Awardee Performance and
Integrity Information System (FAPIIS).
This regulation will benefit small
business subcontractors by encouraging
large business prime contractors to pay
small business
subcontractors in a timely manner
and at the agreed upon contractual
price.
Dated: December 9, 2016.
William F. Clark,
Director, Office of Government-wide
Acquisition Policy, Office of Acquisition
Policy, Office of Government-wide Policy.
Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC)
2005–94 is issued under the authority of
the Secretary of Defense, the
Administrator of General Services, and
the Administrator for the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Unless otherwise specified, all
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
and other directive material contained
in FAC 2005–94 is effective December
20, 2016 except for items I, and II,
which are effective January 19, 2017.
Dated: December 9, 2016.
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2010–013
2014–004
Analyst
Gray.
Glover.
Claire M. Grady,
Director, Defense Procurement and
Acquisition Policy.
Dated: December 8, 2016.
Jeffrey A. Koses,
Senior Procurement Executive/Deputy CAO,
Office of Acquisition Policy, U.S. General
Services Administration.
Dated: December 8, 2016.
William P. McNally,
Assistant Administrator, Office of
Procurement, National Aeronautics and
Space Administration.
[FR Doc. 2016–30212 Filed 12–19–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820–EP–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
GENERAL SERVICES
ADMINISTRATION
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND
SPACE ADMINISTRATION
48 CFR parts 1, 24, and 52
[FAC 2005–94; FAR Case 2010–013; Item
I; Docket No. 2010–0013; Sequence No. 1]
RIN 9000–AM06
Federal Acquisition Regulation;
Privacy Training
Department of Defense (DoD),
General Services Administration (GSA),
and National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
DoD, GSA, and NASA are
issuing a final rule amending the
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to
require that contractors, whose
SUMMARY:
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employees have access to a system of
records or handle personally
identifiable information, complete
privacy training.
DATES: Effective: January 19, 2017.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Charles Gray, Procurement Analyst, at
703–795–6328 for clarification of
content. For information pertaining to
status or publication schedules, contact
the Regulatory Secretariat Division at
202–501–4755. Please cite FAC 2005–
94, FAR Case 2010–013.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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I. Background
DoD, GSA, and NASA published a
proposed rule in the Federal Register at
76 FR 63896 on October 14, 2011, to
provide guidance to contractors
regarding the requirement to complete
training that addresses the protection of
privacy in accordance with the Privacy
Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. 552a, as amended,
and the handling and safeguarding of
personally identifiable information (PII).
The rule ensures that contractors
identify employees who handle PII,
have access to a system of records, or
design, develop, maintain, or operate a
system of records. These employees are
required to complete initial privacy
training and annual privacy training
thereafter. A contractor who has
employees involved in these activities is
also required to maintain records
indicating that its employees have
completed the requisite training and
provide these records to the contracting
officer upon request. In addition, the
prime contractor is required to flowdown these requirements to all
applicable subcontracts.
Fifteen respondents submitted
comments, including comments
regarding the Initial Regulatory
Flexibility Analysis (IRFA), and the
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
analysis.
II. Discussion and Analysis
The Civilian Agency Acquisition
Council and the Defense Acquisition
Regulations Council (the Councils)
reviewed the public comments in the
development of the final rule. A
discussion of the comments and the
changes made to the rule as a result of
those comments is provided as follows
(comments pertaining to the IRFA and
PRA analysis are addressed in sections
V and VI of this preamble):
A. Summary of Significant Changes
The final rule clarifies the
responsibilities for contractors awarded
contracts involving access to PII and
streamlines the options for providing
training. These clarifications include—
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• Alternate I of the clause is amended
to replace the proposed text, which gave
the option to agencies to have
contractors furnish their own training
materials. The final rule no longer
contains this option and what was
Alternate II in the proposed rule now
becomes Alternate I in the final rule;
and
• The applicability of the rule to
commercial items is clarified.
The final rule also provides a number
of clarifications consistent with Office
of Management and Budget (OMB)
Circular A–130, which was revised on
July 28, 2016. These clarifications
address the substance of the minimal
privacy training requirements, to
include—
• A revised definition for PII;
• The requirement for foundational as
well as more advanced levels of privacy
training;
• The requirement for there to be
measures in place to test the knowledge
level of the employee; and
• The requirement for role-based
privacy training.
B. Analysis of Public Comments
1. Requests To Withdraw the Proposed
Rule
Comment: Several respondents
suggested that the proposed rule should
be withdrawn, given the ‘‘considerable
burden implications and the fact that
the proposed rule does not provide
compelling justification.’’ These
respondents stated that withdrawing the
rule would ‘‘avoid causing confusion
and redundancy.’’ The respondents
noted that the requirements of the
Privacy Act have been in place for 35
years and stated that the Councils did
not explain why the Government
believes ‘‘that additional protections are
now needed.’’
Response: There are a number of
applicable authorities, beyond the
Privacy Act, that address the
responsibility for Federal agencies to
ensure that Government and contractor
personnel are instructed on compliance
requirements with the laws, rules, and
guidance pertaining to handling and
safeguarding PII. This rule establishes
minimum requirements consistent with
those authorities to ensure consistency
across the Government.
Further, the increasing portability of
data and various instances of loss or
potential disclosure of protected
information have resulted in greater
scrutiny regarding the Government’s
information collection practices and
information security management.
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2. Applicability to Commercial Item
Contracts
Comment: Several respondents
expressed concern with the
applicability to commercial item
contracts. The respondents considered
that excluding commercial item
contracts from the privacy training
requirement failed to take into account
the Government’s increased use of FAR
part 12 purchases; that training on the
improper release of Privacy Act
information should not exempt FAR
part 12 contracts; and, overall, the
decision to exempt commercial item
contracts would not serve the
Government’s best interests. One
respondent had a different perspective
on the proposed rule, and
complimented the FAR Council for
exempting commercial item contracts
from the privacy training requirement.
However, the respondent noted that this
policy was not reflected in the proposed
rule’s clause or clause prescription. This
respondent also recommended that all
subcontracts for commercial items be
exempted from the privacy training
requirement.
Response: The final rule clarifies that
the privacy training requirement applies
to contracts and subcontracts for
commercial items when they involve
access to a system of records. Exempting
commercial item contracts and
subcontracts would exclude a
significant portion of Government
contracts that involve the design,
development, operation, or maintenance
of a system of records and would
therefore diminish the effectiveness of
the rule.
3. Training
Comment: Respondents had multiple
concerns related to the content of the
required training, such as whether the
training would be best developed by the
agency or by the contractor and which
contractor employees should be
required to take the training. Several
respondents questioned the efficacy of
having contractor employees who work
under more than one agency’s contracts
potentially taking multiple courses.
Other respondents questioned who
would decide if the training would be
provided by the agency or by the
contractor, e.g., could the contractor
decide to forego an agency course in
favor of its own course? One respondent
recommended that training include
instruction on the Privacy Act’s
transparency requirements. Another
respondent questioned how agencies
would be held responsible for providing
the training in a timely manner. Other
respondents questioned which
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contractor employees should be
required to complete the training,
whether subcontractors would be
required to take the training, and
whether certain professional positions,
such as psychologists, should be exempt
from the training based on their
professional training.
Response: The final rule allows the
contractor flexibility to utilize privacy
training from any source that meets the
minimum content requirements, unless
the agency specifies in the contract that
only agency-provided training is
acceptable (by using the clause with its
Alternate I, as specified at FAR
24.302(b)). This guidance on flexibility
is also provided directly in the clause at
52.224–3(c)(2). This is intended to
minimize or eliminate duplicative or
overlapping training. Initial training is
required and annual training thereafter.
Finally, consistent with the revisions
made to OMB Circular A–130, the
requirements for privacy training at
24.301(b) and the clause at 52.224–3(c)
are clarified to ensure privacy training
is role-based, provides foundational as
well as more advanced levels of
training, and that measures are in place
to test the knowledge level of users. At
a minimum, privacy training shall
cover—
• The provisions of the Privacy Act of
1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), including
penalties for violations of the Act;
• The appropriate handling and
safeguarding of PII;
• The authorized and official use of a
system of records or any other PII;
• Restrictions on the use of
unauthorized equipment to create,
collect, use, process, store, maintain,
disseminate, disclose, dispose, or
otherwise access, or store PII;
• The prohibition against the
unauthorized use of a system of records
or unauthorized disclosure, access,
handling, or use of PII or systems of
records; and
• Procedures to be followed in the
event of a potential or confirmed breach
of a system of records or unauthorized
disclosure, access, handling, or use of
PII.
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4. Flowdown
Comment: A respondent noted that,
where the prime contractor is covered
by the rule, the training requirement
will likely flow down to subcontractors
and lower tier contractors. Accordingly,
the respondent recommended that the
mandatory provision at 52.224–3(d)
include a provision that exempts from
the mandatory flow down any
subcontract(s) specific to commercial
items.
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Response: The requirements of this
rule will flow down to all
subcontractors involved with the
handling and safeguarding of PII. These
protections are necessary when the
work requires contractor employees and
subcontractor employees to have access
to systems of records, handling PII, or
the design, development, maintenance,
or operation of a system of records on
behalf of the Federal Government.
5. Definitions
Comment: A respondent
recommended including definitions of
‘‘restrictions,’’ as used in FAR
24.301(c)(4) and Alternate I, and
‘‘access,’’ as used in FAR 24.301,
24.302, and the clause at 52.224–3.
Response: These are not unique
words. Therefore, the Councils will use
the standard dictionary definitions for
these terms.
6. Accountability and Audit
Comment: One respondent
recommended that, during an audit, the
contractor must produce a list of the
individuals who completed training, or
have a copy of the employee’s training
certificate in the employee’s personnel
records.
Response: The final rule requires the
contractor to maintain privacy training
documentation and provide it upon
request to the Government agency
making the request. This may be
requested, when necessary, to ensure
effective management and oversight of
this annual privacy training
requirement.
7. Other Comments
Comment: One respondent
recommended that FAR 24.302 be
revised to clarify who is responsible for
determining whether the Statement of
Work involves a system of records.
Another respondent recommended that,
if a final rule were promulgated, it
would be appropriate to recognize a
specific certification.
Response: As with all clause
prescriptions, the contracting officer
will determine whether the clause
applies. In addition, the FAR covers all
options for meeting the training
requirement.
Comment: Several respondents
submitted editorial comments on the
proposed rule. One respondent stated
that there is no need to create a separate
subpart within FAR part 24. In addition,
this respondent provided suggestions on
the proper format for citations within
the FAR. Another respondent
recommended additional coverage
regarding the Government-provided
training method and also recommended
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a revision to the last sentence in FAR
24.301(b). A third respondent
recommended using the term
‘‘personally identifiable’’ in lieu of
‘‘privacy.’’
Response: The Councils determined
that there is a need for a separate
subpart 24.3 and have retained it in the
final rule. The required training does
not encompass solely the Privacy Act; it
is only one of the areas listed that must
be addressed as part of privacy training.
Other areas include—
• The appropriate handling and
safeguarding of PII; the authorized and
official use of systems of records or any
other PII; restrictions on the use of
unauthorized equipment to create,
collect, use, process, store, maintain,
disseminate, disclose, dispose, or
otherwise access, or store PII; the
prohibition against unauthorized access,
handling, or use of PII or systems of
records; and
• Procedures to be followed in the
event of a suspected or confirmed
breach of a system of records or an
unauthorized disclosure, access,
handling, or use of PII.
This subject matter does not fit within
either of the existing subparts of FAR
part 24, therefore, a separate subpart
24.3 is needed.
The remaining editorial comments
have been considered for inclusion in
FAR subpart 24.
III. Applicability to Contracts at or
Below the Simplified Acquisition
Threshold and for Commercial Items,
Including Commercially Available Offthe-Shelf Items
This rule is applicable to contracts
and subcontracts at or below the
simplified acquisition threshold (SAT)
and to contracts and subcontracts for
commercial-items, including contracts
and subcontracts for commercially
available off-the-shelf (COTS) items.
The statutory authority for this rule, the
Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. 552a,
predates the exemptions in 41 U.S.C.
1905, 1906, and 1907, which stipulate
that a provision of law enacted after
October 13, 1994 shall not be made
applicable to contracts or subcontracts,
unless the FAR Council or the
Administrator of the Office of Federal
Procurement Policy makes a written
determination that such exemption
would not be in the best interests of the
Federal Government.
IV. 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
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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
E.O. 12866, Regulatory Planning and
Review, dated September 30, 1993. This
rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C.
804.
V. Regulatory Flexibility Act
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DoD, GSA, and NASA have prepared
a final regulatory flexibility analysis
(FRFA) consistent with the Regulatory
Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq. The
FRFA is summarized as follows:
The objective of the rule is to ensure that
contractor employees complete initial and
annual privacy training if the employees
have access to a system of records, handle
personally identifiable information (PII), or
design, develop, maintain, or operate a
system of records involving PII on behalf of
the Government.
One public comment was received in
response to the Initial Regulatory Flexibility
Analysis, which was published in the
Federal Register at 76 FR 63896 on October
14, 2011:
Comment: The Initial Regulatory
Flexibility Analysis (IRFA), which addressed
the impact of the rule on small entities,
should assess the impact this rule may have
on the research community’s funding of
sponsored research, as this group is likely to
be adversely affected by the proposed rule, in
the respondent’s opinion.
Response: Research institutions are
included in the Regulatory Flexibility Act’s
definition of a small entity and were thus
given the same consideration in the IRFA
analysis as other small entities. The analysis
in this FRFA has been revised to incorporate
commercial item contracts. Therefore, the
impact on research institutions has been
accommodated whether the institution was
awarded a negotiated contract or a FAR part
12 commercial item contract. Because the
FAR does not address grants or cooperative
agreements, the FRFA does not include
consideration of such agreements in the
analysis. Research institutions, or any other
small entities, will not bear any significant
impact resulting from this rule, given that the
requirements of the Privacy Act, including
training on the Act’s requirements, have been
in place for over 40 years and this rule just
establishes minimum requirements for
Privacy Act training, to ensure consistency
across the Government.
The rule requires all contractors with
contracts that require employees to have
access to PII to complete training that
addresses the statutory requirements for
protection of privacy, in accordance with the
Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a), and the handling
and safeguarding of PII.
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In the IRFA, it was estimated that
approximately 1,483 small businesses would
be impacted. However, because the final rule
clarifies its applicability to commercial item
contracts, the number of small entities
previously estimated to be impacted by this
rule has been revised as described in the
following paragraphs:
Information obtained from the Federal
Procurement Data System (FPDS) for fiscal
year (FY) 2015 reveals that approximately
10,607 unique vendors received contracts
that most likely entailed the design,
development, maintenance or operation of a
system of records; required access to a system
of records; or handled PII from individuals,
on behalf of the Government. The estimated
number of subcontractors who likewise will
be involved in these activities is 21,214, or
double the amount of prime contractors. In
all, the total number of contractors and
subcontractors (including contracts and
subcontracts for commercial items) that may
be subject to the requirements of this rule is
31,821. Examination of FY 2015 FPDS data
also reveals that approximately 61 percent of
these contractors and subcontractors are
small business entities. Based on this
information, the following analysis was used
to determine the number of small businesses
that may be impacted by this rule:
• Small businesses that may receive
contracts = (10,607 × .61): 6,470
• Small businesses that may receive
subcontracts = (21,214 × .61): 12,941
• Total number of small businesses
that may be impacted by rule: 19,411
There is minimal recordkeeping associated
with this rule. Contractors will likely
maintain employee training records for
privacy training similar to how they maintain
their employees’ other training records.
There are no required formats or templates
for documentation, and documentation will
be retained by the contractor in most cases.
The Government will likely request a firm’s
training documentation only when necessary
to ensure effective management and
oversight.
The final rule addresses several steps to
minimize the economic impact on small
entities, most notably by clarifying
responsibilities and streamlining the options
for providing privacy training. This final rule
also removes from the clause consideration of
agency-specific training elements, while
retaining the required minimum training
elements. Agency-specific training elements
are provided in Alternate I of the clause.
entitled Privacy Training, in the amount
of 97,670 public burden hours.
Two respondents submitted
comments in response to the initial
notice published in the preamble of the
Federal Register notice published at 76
FR 63896, on October 14, 2011. Both of
the respondents submitted similar
comments as follows:
Comment: The respondents stated
that the public’s Paperwork Reduction
Act estimated annual reporting burden
was understated. The respondents
believed that (a) requiring contractors to
conduct their own privacy training and
(b) requiring re-training every year
created a greater burden on contractors
than what was shown in the proposed
rule.
Response: The information collection
requirement for this rule does not
address the burden associated with
conducting the initial or subsequent
annual privacy training. Rather, it
focuses solely on the obligation of
Federal contractors to maintain
documentation showing that the
required privacy training was completed
by the employee and, upon request,
provide completion documentation to
the contracting officer. In this regard,
the same philosophy expressed in the
preamble for the proposed rule holds
true for the final rule as well, i.e., the
recordkeeping requirements are
considered to be minor and a
contracting officer will request
documentation only when necessary to
ensure effective management and
oversight.
However, since the analysis used in
the proposed rule did not consider
contracts involving the acquisition of
commercial items, the methodology
used to derive the estimated public
burden needed to be adjusted to
encompass these contracts. In addition,
the estimated public burden hours vary
from the estimates in the notice
published in the Federal Register at 79
FR 68249, on November 14, 2014, in
order to reflect the use of FY 2015 data,
rather than FY 2014 data.
Interested parties may obtain a copy
of the FRFA from the Regulatory
Secretariat Division. The Regulatory
Secretariat Division has submitted a
copy of the FRFA to the Chief Counsel
for Advocacy of the Small Business
Administration.
List of Subjects in 48 CFR parts 1, 24,
and 52
VI. Paperwork Reduction Act
The Paperwork Reduction Act (44
U.S.C. chapter 35) applies. The rule
contains information collection
requirements. OMB has cleared the
information collection requirement
under OMB Control Number 9000–0182,
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Government procurement.
Dated: December 9, 2016.
William Clark,
Director, Office of Government-wide
Acquisition Policy, Office of Acquisition
Policy, Office of Government-wide Policy.
Therefore, DoD, GSA, and NASA
amend 48 CFR parts 1, 24, and 52 as set
forth below:
■ 1. The authority citation for 48 CFR
parts 1, 24, and 52 continues to read as
follows:
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Authority: 40 U.S.C. 121(c); 10 U.S.C.
chapter 137; and 51 U.S.C. 20113.
PART 1—FEDERAL ACQUISITION
REGULATIONS SYSTEM
1.106
[Amended]
2. Amend section 1.106 in the table
following the introductory text, by
adding in numerical sequence, FAR
segments ‘‘24.3’’ and ‘‘52.224–3’’ and
their corresponding OMB Control
Number ‘‘9000–0182’’.
■
PART 24—PROTECTION OF PRIVACY
AND FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
3. Amend section 24.101 by adding in
alphabetical order the definition of
‘‘personally identifiable information’’ to
read as follows:
■
24.101
Definitions.
*
*
*
*
*
Personally identifiable information
means information that can be used to
distinguish or trace an individual’s
identity, either alone or when combined
with other information that is linked or
linkable to a specific individual. (See
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) Circular No. A–130, Managing
Federal Information as a Strategic
Resource).
*
*
*
*
*
■ 4. Add subpart 24.3 to read as follows:
Subpart 24.3—Privacy Training
Sec.
24.301 Privacy training.
24.302 Contract clause.
Subpart 24.3—Privacy Training
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24.301
Privacy training.
(a) Contractors are responsible for
ensuring that initial privacy training,
and annual privacy training thereafter,
is completed by contractor employees
who—
(1) Have access to a system of records;
(2) Create, collect, use, process, store,
maintain, disseminate, disclose,
dispose, or otherwise handle personally
identifiable information on behalf of the
agency; or
(3) Design, develop, maintain, or
operate a system of records (see FAR
subpart 24.1 and 39.105).
(b) Privacy training shall address the
key elements necessary for ensuring the
safeguarding of personally identifiable
information or a system of records. The
training shall be role-based, provide
foundational as well as more advanced
levels of training, and have measures in
place to test the knowledge level of
users. At a minimum, the privacy
training shall cover—
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(1) The provisions of the Privacy Act
of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), including
penalties for violations of the Act;
(2) The appropriate handling and
safeguarding of personally identifiable
information;
(3) The authorized and official use of
a system of records or any other
personally identifiable information;
(4) The restriction on the use of
unauthorized equipment to create,
collect, use, process, store, maintain,
disseminate, disclose, dispose, or
otherwise access personally identifiable
information;
(5) The prohibition against the
unauthorized use of a system of records
or unauthorized disclosure, access,
handling, or use of personally
identifiable information; and
(6) Procedures to be followed in the
event of a suspected or confirmed
breach of a system of records or
unauthorized disclosure, access,
handling, or use of personally
identifiable information (see Office of
Management and Budget guidance for
Preparing for and Responding to a
Breach of Personally Identifiable
Information).
(c) The contractor may provide its
own training or use the training of
another agency unless the contracting
agency specifies that only its agencyprovided training is acceptable (see
24.302(b)).
(d) The contractor is required to
maintain and, upon request, to provide
documentation of completion of privacy
training for all applicable employees.
(e) No contractor employee shall be
permitted to have or retain access to a
system of records, create, collect, use,
process, store, maintain, disseminate,
disclose, or dispose, or otherwise
handle personally identifiable
information, or design, develop,
maintain, or operate a system of records,
unless the employee has completed
privacy training that, at a minimum,
addresses the elements in paragraph (b)
of this section.
24.302
Contract clause.
(a) The contracting officer shall insert
the clause at FAR 52.224–3, Privacy
Training, in solicitations and contracts
when, on behalf of the agency,
contractor employees will—
(1) Have access to a system of records;
(2) Create, collect, use, process, store,
maintain, disseminate, disclose,
dispose, or otherwise handle personally
identifiable information; or
(3) Design, develop, maintain, or
operate a system of records.
(b) When an agency specifies that
only its agency-provided training is
acceptable, use the clause with its
Alternate I.
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PART 52—SOLICITATION PROVISIONS
AND CONTRACT CLAUSES
5. Amend section 52.212–5 by—
a. Revising the date of the clause;
b. Redesignating paragraphs (b)(47)
through (60) as paragraphs (b)(48)
through (61), respectively;
■ c. Adding a new paragraph (b)(47);
■ d. Redesignating paragraphs (e)(1)(xix)
through (xx) as paragraphs (e)(1)(xx)
through (xxi), respectively;
■ e. Adding a new paragraph (e)(1)(xix);
■ (f.) Revising the date of Alternate II;
■ (1.) Redesignating paragraphs
(e)(1)(ii)(S) and (T) as paragraphs
(e)(1)(ii)(T) and (U), respectively; and
■ (2.) Adding a new paragraph
(e)(1)(ii)(S).
The revisions and additions 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 Statues of
Executive Orders—Commercial Items
(JAN 2017)
*
*
*
*
*
(b) * * *
(47)(i) 52.224–3, Privacy Training
(JAN 2017) (5 U.S.C. 552a).
(ii) Alternate I (JAN 2017) of 52.224–
3.
*
*
*
*
*
(e)(1) * * *
(xix)(A) 52.224–3, Privacy Training
(JAN 2017) (5 U.S.C. 552a).
(B) Alternate I (JAN 2017) of 52.224–
3.
*
*
*
*
*
Alternate II (JAN 2017).
*
*
*
*
*
(e)(1) * * *
(ii) * * *
(S)(1) 52.224–3, Privacy Training (JAN
2017) (5 U.S.C. 552a).
(2) Alternate I (JAN 2017) of 52.224–
3.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 6. Amend section 52.213–4 by—
■ a. Revising the date of the clause; and
■ b. Revising the date in paragraph
(a)(2)(viii).
The revisions read as follows:
52.213–4 Terms and Conditions—
Simplified Acquisitions (Other Than
Commercial Items).
*
*
*
*
*
Terms and Conditions—Simplified
Acquisitions (Other Than Commercial
Items) (JAN 2017)
*
*
*
(a) * * *
E:\FR\FM\20DER6.SGM
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*
*
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 244 / Tuesday, December 20, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
(2) * * *
(viii) 52.244–6, Subcontracts for
Commercial Items (JAN 2017).
*
*
*
*
*
■ 7. Add section 52.224–3 to read as
follows:
52.224–3
Privacy Training.
As prescribed in 24.302(a), insert the
following clause:
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES6
Privacy Training (JAN 2017)
(a) Definition. As used in this clause,
personally identifiable information means
information that can be used to distinguish
or trace an individual’s identity, either alone
or when combined with other information
that is linked or linkable to a specific
individual. (See Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) Circular A–130, Managing
Federal Information as a Strategic Resource).
(b) The Contractor shall ensure that initial
privacy training, and annual privacy training
thereafter, is completed by contractor
employees who—
(1) Have access to a system of records;
(2) Create, collect, use, process, store,
maintain, disseminate, disclose, dispose, or
otherwise handle personally identifiable
information on behalf of an agency; or
(3) Design, develop, maintain, or operate a
system of records (see also FAR subpart 24.1
and 39.105).
(c)(1) Privacy training shall address the key
elements necessary for ensuring the
safeguarding of personally identifiable
information or a system of records. The
training shall be role-based, provide
foundational as well as more advanced levels
of training, and have measures in place to
test the knowledge level of users. At a
minimum, the privacy training shall cover—
(i) The provisions of the Privacy Act of
1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), including penalties for
violations of the Act;
(ii) The appropriate handling and
safeguarding of personally identifiable
information;
(iii) The authorized and official use of a
system of records or any other personally
identifiable information;
(iv) The restriction on the use of
unauthorized equipment to create, collect,
use, process, store, maintain, disseminate,
disclose, dispose or otherwise access
personally identifiable information;
(v) The prohibition against the
unauthorized use of a system of records or
unauthorized disclosure, access, handling, or
use of personally identifiable information;
and
(vi) The procedures to be followed in the
event of a suspected or confirmed breach of
a system of records or the unauthorized
disclosure, access, handling, or use of
personally identifiable information (see OMB
guidance for Preparing for and Responding to
a Breach of Personally Identifiable
Information).
(2) Completion of an agency-developed or
agency-conducted training course shall be
deemed to satisfy these elements.
(d) The Contractor shall maintain and,
upon request, provide documentation of
completion of privacy training to the
Contracting Officer.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
21:59 Dec 19, 2016
Jkt 241001
(e) The Contractor shall not allow any
employee access to a system of records, or
permit any employee to create, collect, use,
process, store, maintain, disseminate,
disclose, dispose or otherwise handle
personally identifiable information, or to
design, develop, maintain, or operate a
system of records unless the employee has
completed privacy training, as required by
this clause.
(f) The substance of this clause, including
this paragraph (f), shall be included in all
subcontracts under this contract, when
subcontractor employees will—
(1) Have access to a system of records;
(2) Create, collect, use, process, store,
maintain, disseminate, disclose, dispose, or
otherwise handle personally identifiable
information; or
(3) Design, develop, maintain, or operate a
system of records.
(End of clause)
Alternate I (JAN 2017). As prescribed
in 24.302(b), if the agency specifies that
only its agency-provided training is
acceptable, substitute the following
paragraph (c) for paragraph (c) of the
basic clause:
(c) The contracting agency will provide
initial privacy training, and annual privacy
training thereafter, to Contractor employees
for the duration of this contract.
8. Amend section 52.244–6 by—
a. Revising the date of the clause;
■ b. Redesignating paragraphs (c)(1)(xv)
through (xvii) as paragraphs (c)(1)(xvi)
through (xviii), respectively; and
■ c. Adding a new paragraph (c)(1)(xv).
The revisions and additions read as
follows:
■
■
52.244–6
Items.
*
*
Subcontracts for Commercial
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
(c)(1) * * *
(xv)(A) 52.224–3, Privacy Training
(JAN 2017) (5 U.S.C. 552a) if flow down
is required in accordance with 52.224–
3(f).
(B) Alternate I (JAN 2017) of 52.224–
3, if flow down is required in
accordance with 52.224–3(f) and the
agency specifies that only its agencyprovided training is acceptable).
*
*
*
*
*
[FR Doc. 2016–30213 Filed 12–19–16; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
GENERAL SERVICES
ADMINISTRATION
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND
SPACE ADMINISTRATION
48 CFR Parts 1, 19, 42, and 52
[FAC 2005–94; FAR Case 2014–004; Item
II; Docket No. 2014–0004; Sequence No. 1]
RIN 9000–AM98
Federal Acquisition Regulations;
Payment of Subcontractors
Department of Defense (DoD),
General Services Administration (GSA),
and National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
DoD, GSA, and NASA are
issuing a final rule amending the
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to
implement a section of the Small
Business Jobs Act of 2010. This statute
requires contractors to notify the
contracting officer, in writing, if the
contractor pays a reduced price to a
small business subcontractor or if the
contractor’s payment to a small business
subcontractor is more than 90 days past
due.
DATES: Effective: January 19, 2017.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Curtis E. Glover, Sr., Procurement
Analyst, at 202–501–1448 for
clarification of content. For information
pertaining to status or publication
schedules, contact the Regulatory
Secretariat Division at 202–501–4755.
Please cite FAC 2005–94, FAR Case
2014–004.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
I. Background
Subcontracts for Commercial Items
(JAN 2017)
BILLING CODE 6820–EP–P
93481
DoD, GSA, and NASA are issuing a
final rule to implement section 1334 of
the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010
(Pub. L. 111–240, 15 U.S.C. 637(d)(12))
and the Small Business Administration
(SBA) final rule published in the
Federal Register on July 16, 2013 at 78
FR 42391, which require prime
contractors to self-report late or reduced
payments to their small business
subcontractors. The rule also requires
contracting officers to record the
identity of contractors with a history of
late or reduced payments to small
business subcontractors in the Federal
Awardee Performance and Integrity
System (FAPIIS). DoD, GSA, and NASA
published a proposed rule in the
Federal Register on January 20, 2016 at
81 FR 3087. Seven respondents
E:\FR\FM\20DER6.SGM
20DER6
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 244 (Tuesday, December 20, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 93476-93481]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-30213]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
48 CFR parts 1, 24, and 52
[FAC 2005-94; FAR Case 2010-013; Item I; Docket No. 2010-0013; Sequence
No. 1]
RIN 9000-AM06
Federal Acquisition Regulation; Privacy Training
AGENCY: Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration
(GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: DoD, GSA, and NASA are issuing a final rule amending the
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to require that contractors, whose
[[Page 93477]]
employees have access to a system of records or handle personally
identifiable information, complete privacy training.
DATES: Effective: January 19, 2017.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Charles Gray, Procurement Analyst,
at 703-795-6328 for clarification of content. For information
pertaining to status or publication schedules, contact the Regulatory
Secretariat Division at 202-501-4755. Please cite FAC 2005-94, FAR Case
2010-013.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
DoD, GSA, and NASA published a proposed rule in the Federal
Register at 76 FR 63896 on October 14, 2011, to provide guidance to
contractors regarding the requirement to complete training that
addresses the protection of privacy in accordance with the Privacy Act
of 1974, 5 U.S.C. 552a, as amended, and the handling and safeguarding
of personally identifiable information (PII). The rule ensures that
contractors identify employees who handle PII, have access to a system
of records, or design, develop, maintain, or operate a system of
records. These employees are required to complete initial privacy
training and annual privacy training thereafter. A contractor who has
employees involved in these activities is also required to maintain
records indicating that its employees have completed the requisite
training and provide these records to the contracting officer upon
request. In addition, the prime contractor is required to flow-down
these requirements to all applicable subcontracts.
Fifteen respondents submitted comments, including comments
regarding the Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA), and the
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) analysis.
II. Discussion and Analysis
The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition
Regulations Council (the Councils) reviewed the public comments in the
development of the final rule. A discussion of the comments and the
changes made to the rule as a result of those comments is provided as
follows (comments pertaining to the IRFA and PRA analysis are addressed
in sections V and VI of this preamble):
A. Summary of Significant Changes
The final rule clarifies the responsibilities for contractors
awarded contracts involving access to PII and streamlines the options
for providing training. These clarifications include--
Alternate I of the clause is amended to replace the
proposed text, which gave the option to agencies to have contractors
furnish their own training materials. The final rule no longer contains
this option and what was Alternate II in the proposed rule now becomes
Alternate I in the final rule; and
The applicability of the rule to commercial items is
clarified.
The final rule also provides a number of clarifications consistent
with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-130, which was
revised on July 28, 2016. These clarifications address the substance of
the minimal privacy training requirements, to include--
A revised definition for PII;
The requirement for foundational as well as more advanced
levels of privacy training;
The requirement for there to be measures in place to test
the knowledge level of the employee; and
The requirement for role-based privacy training.
B. Analysis of Public Comments
1. Requests To Withdraw the Proposed Rule
Comment: Several respondents suggested that the proposed rule
should be withdrawn, given the ``considerable burden implications and
the fact that the proposed rule does not provide compelling
justification.'' These respondents stated that withdrawing the rule
would ``avoid causing confusion and redundancy.'' The respondents noted
that the requirements of the Privacy Act have been in place for 35
years and stated that the Councils did not explain why the Government
believes ``that additional protections are now needed.''
Response: There are a number of applicable authorities, beyond the
Privacy Act, that address the responsibility for Federal agencies to
ensure that Government and contractor personnel are instructed on
compliance requirements with the laws, rules, and guidance pertaining
to handling and safeguarding PII. This rule establishes minimum
requirements consistent with those authorities to ensure consistency
across the Government.
Further, the increasing portability of data and various instances
of loss or potential disclosure of protected information have resulted
in greater scrutiny regarding the Government's information collection
practices and information security management.
2. Applicability to Commercial Item Contracts
Comment: Several respondents expressed concern with the
applicability to commercial item contracts. The respondents considered
that excluding commercial item contracts from the privacy training
requirement failed to take into account the Government's increased use
of FAR part 12 purchases; that training on the improper release of
Privacy Act information should not exempt FAR part 12 contracts; and,
overall, the decision to exempt commercial item contracts would not
serve the Government's best interests. One respondent had a different
perspective on the proposed rule, and complimented the FAR Council for
exempting commercial item contracts from the privacy training
requirement. However, the respondent noted that this policy was not
reflected in the proposed rule's clause or clause prescription. This
respondent also recommended that all subcontracts for commercial items
be exempted from the privacy training requirement.
Response: The final rule clarifies that the privacy training
requirement applies to contracts and subcontracts for commercial items
when they involve access to a system of records. Exempting commercial
item contracts and subcontracts would exclude a significant portion of
Government contracts that involve the design, development, operation,
or maintenance of a system of records and would therefore diminish the
effectiveness of the rule.
3. Training
Comment: Respondents had multiple concerns related to the content
of the required training, such as whether the training would be best
developed by the agency or by the contractor and which contractor
employees should be required to take the training. Several respondents
questioned the efficacy of having contractor employees who work under
more than one agency's contracts potentially taking multiple courses.
Other respondents questioned who would decide if the training would be
provided by the agency or by the contractor, e.g., could the contractor
decide to forego an agency course in favor of its own course? One
respondent recommended that training include instruction on the Privacy
Act's transparency requirements. Another respondent questioned how
agencies would be held responsible for providing the training in a
timely manner. Other respondents questioned which
[[Page 93478]]
contractor employees should be required to complete the training,
whether subcontractors would be required to take the training, and
whether certain professional positions, such as psychologists, should
be exempt from the training based on their professional training.
Response: The final rule allows the contractor flexibility to
utilize privacy training from any source that meets the minimum content
requirements, unless the agency specifies in the contract that only
agency-provided training is acceptable (by using the clause with its
Alternate I, as specified at FAR 24.302(b)). This guidance on
flexibility is also provided directly in the clause at 52.224-3(c)(2).
This is intended to minimize or eliminate duplicative or overlapping
training. Initial training is required and annual training thereafter.
Finally, consistent with the revisions made to OMB Circular A-130,
the requirements for privacy training at 24.301(b) and the clause at
52.224-3(c) are clarified to ensure privacy training is role-based,
provides foundational as well as more advanced levels of training, and
that measures are in place to test the knowledge level of users. At a
minimum, privacy training shall cover--
The provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a),
including penalties for violations of the Act;
The appropriate handling and safeguarding of PII;
The authorized and official use of a system of records or
any other PII;
Restrictions on the use of unauthorized equipment to
create, collect, use, process, store, maintain, disseminate, disclose,
dispose, or otherwise access, or store PII;
The prohibition against the unauthorized use of a system
of records or unauthorized disclosure, access, handling, or use of PII
or systems of records; and
Procedures to be followed in the event of a potential or
confirmed breach of a system of records or unauthorized disclosure,
access, handling, or use of PII.
4. Flowdown
Comment: A respondent noted that, where the prime contractor is
covered by the rule, the training requirement will likely flow down to
subcontractors and lower tier contractors. Accordingly, the respondent
recommended that the mandatory provision at 52.224-3(d) include a
provision that exempts from the mandatory flow down any subcontract(s)
specific to commercial items.
Response: The requirements of this rule will flow down to all
subcontractors involved with the handling and safeguarding of PII.
These protections are necessary when the work requires contractor
employees and subcontractor employees to have access to systems of
records, handling PII, or the design, development, maintenance, or
operation of a system of records on behalf of the Federal Government.
5. Definitions
Comment: A respondent recommended including definitions of
``restrictions,'' as used in FAR 24.301(c)(4) and Alternate I, and
``access,'' as used in FAR 24.301, 24.302, and the clause at 52.224-3.
Response: These are not unique words. Therefore, the Councils will
use the standard dictionary definitions for these terms.
6. Accountability and Audit
Comment: One respondent recommended that, during an audit, the
contractor must produce a list of the individuals who completed
training, or have a copy of the employee's training certificate in the
employee's personnel records.
Response: The final rule requires the contractor to maintain
privacy training documentation and provide it upon request to the
Government agency making the request. This may be requested, when
necessary, to ensure effective management and oversight of this annual
privacy training requirement.
7. Other Comments
Comment: One respondent recommended that FAR 24.302 be revised to
clarify who is responsible for determining whether the Statement of
Work involves a system of records. Another respondent recommended that,
if a final rule were promulgated, it would be appropriate to recognize
a specific certification.
Response: As with all clause prescriptions, the contracting officer
will determine whether the clause applies. In addition, the FAR covers
all options for meeting the training requirement.
Comment: Several respondents submitted editorial comments on the
proposed rule. One respondent stated that there is no need to create a
separate subpart within FAR part 24. In addition, this respondent
provided suggestions on the proper format for citations within the FAR.
Another respondent recommended additional coverage regarding the
Government-provided training method and also recommended a revision to
the last sentence in FAR 24.301(b). A third respondent recommended
using the term ``personally identifiable'' in lieu of ``privacy.''
Response: The Councils determined that there is a need for a
separate subpart 24.3 and have retained it in the final rule. The
required training does not encompass solely the Privacy Act; it is only
one of the areas listed that must be addressed as part of privacy
training.
Other areas include--
The appropriate handling and safeguarding of PII; the
authorized and official use of systems of records or any other PII;
restrictions on the use of unauthorized equipment to create, collect,
use, process, store, maintain, disseminate, disclose, dispose, or
otherwise access, or store PII; the prohibition against unauthorized
access, handling, or use of PII or systems of records; and
Procedures to be followed in the event of a suspected or
confirmed breach of a system of records or an unauthorized disclosure,
access, handling, or use of PII.
This subject matter does not fit within either of the existing
subparts of FAR part 24, therefore, a separate subpart 24.3 is needed.
The remaining editorial comments have been considered for inclusion
in FAR subpart 24.
III. Applicability to Contracts at or Below the Simplified Acquisition
Threshold and for Commercial Items, Including Commercially Available
Off-the-Shelf Items
This rule is applicable to contracts and subcontracts at or below
the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT) and to contracts and
subcontracts for commercial-items, including contracts and subcontracts
for commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) items. The statutory
authority for this rule, the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. 552a,
predates the exemptions in 41 U.S.C. 1905, 1906, and 1907, which
stipulate that a provision of law enacted after October 13, 1994 shall
not be made applicable to contracts or subcontracts, unless the FAR
Council or the Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement
Policy makes a written determination that such exemption would not be
in the best interests of the Federal Government.
IV. 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
[[Page 93479]]
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 E.O. 12866,
Regulatory Planning and Review, dated September 30, 1993. This rule is
not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804.
V. Regulatory Flexibility Act
DoD, GSA, and NASA have prepared a final regulatory flexibility
analysis (FRFA) consistent with the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5
U.S.C. 601, et seq. The FRFA is summarized as follows:
The objective of the rule is to ensure that contractor employees
complete initial and annual privacy training if the employees have
access to a system of records, handle personally identifiable
information (PII), or design, develop, maintain, or operate a system
of records involving PII on behalf of the Government.
One public comment was received in response to the Initial
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis, which was published in the Federal
Register at 76 FR 63896 on October 14, 2011:
Comment: The Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA),
which addressed the impact of the rule on small entities, should
assess the impact this rule may have on the research community's
funding of sponsored research, as this group is likely to be
adversely affected by the proposed rule, in the respondent's
opinion.
Response: Research institutions are included in the Regulatory
Flexibility Act's definition of a small entity and were thus given
the same consideration in the IRFA analysis as other small entities.
The analysis in this FRFA has been revised to incorporate commercial
item contracts. Therefore, the impact on research institutions has
been accommodated whether the institution was awarded a negotiated
contract or a FAR part 12 commercial item contract. Because the FAR
does not address grants or cooperative agreements, the FRFA does not
include consideration of such agreements in the analysis. Research
institutions, or any other small entities, will not bear any
significant impact resulting from this rule, given that the
requirements of the Privacy Act, including training on the Act's
requirements, have been in place for over 40 years and this rule
just establishes minimum requirements for Privacy Act training, to
ensure consistency across the Government.
The rule requires all contractors with contracts that require
employees to have access to PII to complete training that addresses
the statutory requirements for protection of privacy, in accordance
with the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a), and the handling and
safeguarding of PII.
In the IRFA, it was estimated that approximately 1,483 small
businesses would be impacted. However, because the final rule
clarifies its applicability to commercial item contracts, the number
of small entities previously estimated to be impacted by this rule
has been revised as described in the following paragraphs:
Information obtained from the Federal Procurement Data System
(FPDS) for fiscal year (FY) 2015 reveals that approximately 10,607
unique vendors received contracts that most likely entailed the
design, development, maintenance or operation of a system of
records; required access to a system of records; or handled PII from
individuals, on behalf of the Government. The estimated number of
subcontractors who likewise will be involved in these activities is
21,214, or double the amount of prime contractors. In all, the total
number of contractors and subcontractors (including contracts and
subcontracts for commercial items) that may be subject to the
requirements of this rule is 31,821. Examination of FY 2015 FPDS
data also reveals that approximately 61 percent of these contractors
and subcontractors are small business entities. Based on this
information, the following analysis was used to determine the number
of small businesses that may be impacted by this rule:
Small businesses that may receive
contracts = (10,607 x .61): 6,470
Small businesses that may receive
subcontracts = (21,214 x .61): 12,941
Total number of small businesses
that may be impacted by rule: 19,411
There is minimal recordkeeping associated with this rule.
Contractors will likely maintain employee training records for
privacy training similar to how they maintain their employees' other
training records. There are no required formats or templates for
documentation, and documentation will be retained by the contractor
in most cases. The Government will likely request a firm's training
documentation only when necessary to ensure effective management and
oversight.
The final rule addresses several steps to minimize the economic
impact on small entities, most notably by clarifying
responsibilities and streamlining the options for providing privacy
training. This final rule also removes from the clause consideration
of agency-specific training elements, while retaining the required
minimum training elements. Agency-specific training elements are
provided in Alternate I of the clause.
Interested parties may obtain a copy of the FRFA from the
Regulatory Secretariat Division. The Regulatory Secretariat Division
has submitted a copy of the FRFA to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of
the Small Business Administration.
VI. Paperwork Reduction Act
The Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35) applies. The
rule contains information collection requirements. OMB has cleared the
information collection requirement under OMB Control Number 9000-0182,
entitled Privacy Training, in the amount of 97,670 public burden hours.
Two respondents submitted comments in response to the initial
notice published in the preamble of the Federal Register notice
published at 76 FR 63896, on October 14, 2011. Both of the respondents
submitted similar comments as follows:
Comment: The respondents stated that the public's Paperwork
Reduction Act estimated annual reporting burden was understated. The
respondents believed that (a) requiring contractors to conduct their
own privacy training and (b) requiring re-training every year created a
greater burden on contractors than what was shown in the proposed rule.
Response: The information collection requirement for this rule does
not address the burden associated with conducting the initial or
subsequent annual privacy training. Rather, it focuses solely on the
obligation of Federal contractors to maintain documentation showing
that the required privacy training was completed by the employee and,
upon request, provide completion documentation to the contracting
officer. In this regard, the same philosophy expressed in the preamble
for the proposed rule holds true for the final rule as well, i.e., the
recordkeeping requirements are considered to be minor and a contracting
officer will request documentation only when necessary to ensure
effective management and oversight.
However, since the analysis used in the proposed rule did not
consider contracts involving the acquisition of commercial items, the
methodology used to derive the estimated public burden needed to be
adjusted to encompass these contracts. In addition, the estimated
public burden hours vary from the estimates in the notice published in
the Federal Register at 79 FR 68249, on November 14, 2014, in order to
reflect the use of FY 2015 data, rather than FY 2014 data.
List of Subjects in 48 CFR parts 1, 24, and 52
Government procurement.
Dated: December 9, 2016.
William Clark,
Director, Office of Government-wide Acquisition Policy, Office of
Acquisition Policy, Office of Government-wide Policy.
Therefore, DoD, GSA, and NASA amend 48 CFR parts 1, 24, and 52 as
set forth below:
0
1. The authority citation for 48 CFR parts 1, 24, and 52 continues to
read as follows:
[[Page 93480]]
Authority: 40 U.S.C. 121(c); 10 U.S.C. chapter 137; and 51
U.S.C. 20113.
PART 1--FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM
1.106 [Amended]
0
2. Amend section 1.106 in the table following the introductory text, by
adding in numerical sequence, FAR segments ``24.3'' and ``52.224-3''
and their corresponding OMB Control Number ``9000-0182''.
PART 24--PROTECTION OF PRIVACY AND FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
0
3. Amend section 24.101 by adding in alphabetical order the definition
of ``personally identifiable information'' to read as follows:
24.101 Definitions.
* * * * *
Personally identifiable information means information that can be
used to distinguish or trace an individual's identity, either alone or
when combined with other information that is linked or linkable to a
specific individual. (See Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Circular No. A-130, Managing Federal Information as a Strategic
Resource).
* * * * *
0
4. Add subpart 24.3 to read as follows:
Subpart 24.3--Privacy Training
Sec.
24.301 Privacy training.
24.302 Contract clause.
Subpart 24.3--Privacy Training
24.301 Privacy training.
(a) Contractors are responsible for ensuring that initial privacy
training, and annual privacy training thereafter, is completed by
contractor employees who--
(1) Have access to a system of records;
(2) Create, collect, use, process, store, maintain, disseminate,
disclose, dispose, or otherwise handle personally identifiable
information on behalf of the agency; or
(3) Design, develop, maintain, or operate a system of records (see
FAR subpart 24.1 and 39.105).
(b) Privacy training shall address the key elements necessary for
ensuring the safeguarding of personally identifiable information or a
system of records. The training shall be role-based, provide
foundational as well as more advanced levels of training, and have
measures in place to test the knowledge level of users. At a minimum,
the privacy training shall cover--
(1) The provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a),
including penalties for violations of the Act;
(2) The appropriate handling and safeguarding of personally
identifiable information;
(3) The authorized and official use of a system of records or any
other personally identifiable information;
(4) The restriction on the use of unauthorized equipment to create,
collect, use, process, store, maintain, disseminate, disclose, dispose,
or otherwise access personally identifiable information;
(5) The prohibition against the unauthorized use of a system of
records or unauthorized disclosure, access, handling, or use of
personally identifiable information; and
(6) Procedures to be followed in the event of a suspected or
confirmed breach of a system of records or unauthorized disclosure,
access, handling, or use of personally identifiable information (see
Office of Management and Budget guidance for Preparing for and
Responding to a Breach of Personally Identifiable Information).
(c) The contractor may provide its own training or use the training
of another agency unless the contracting agency specifies that only its
agency-provided training is acceptable (see 24.302(b)).
(d) The contractor is required to maintain and, upon request, to
provide documentation of completion of privacy training for all
applicable employees.
(e) No contractor employee shall be permitted to have or retain
access to a system of records, create, collect, use, process, store,
maintain, disseminate, disclose, or dispose, or otherwise handle
personally identifiable information, or design, develop, maintain, or
operate a system of records, unless the employee has completed privacy
training that, at a minimum, addresses the elements in paragraph (b) of
this section.
24.302 Contract clause.
(a) The contracting officer shall insert the clause at FAR 52.224-
3, Privacy Training, in solicitations and contracts when, on behalf of
the agency, contractor employees will--
(1) Have access to a system of records;
(2) Create, collect, use, process, store, maintain, disseminate,
disclose, dispose, or otherwise handle personally identifiable
information; or
(3) Design, develop, maintain, or operate a system of records.
(b) When an agency specifies that only its agency-provided training
is acceptable, use the clause with its Alternate I.
PART 52--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES
0
5. Amend section 52.212-5 by--
0
a. Revising the date of the clause;
0
b. Redesignating paragraphs (b)(47) through (60) as paragraphs (b)(48)
through (61), respectively;
0
c. Adding a new paragraph (b)(47);
0
d. Redesignating paragraphs (e)(1)(xix) through (xx) as paragraphs
(e)(1)(xx) through (xxi), respectively;
0
e. Adding a new paragraph (e)(1)(xix);
0
(f.) Revising the date of Alternate II;
0
(1.) Redesignating paragraphs (e)(1)(ii)(S) and (T) as paragraphs
(e)(1)(ii)(T) and (U), respectively; and
0
(2.) Adding a new paragraph (e)(1)(ii)(S).
The revisions and additions 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 Statues of
Executive Orders--Commercial Items (JAN 2017)
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(47)(i) 52.224-3, Privacy Training (JAN 2017) (5 U.S.C. 552a).
(ii) Alternate I (JAN 2017) of 52.224-3.
* * * * *
(e)(1) * * *
(xix)(A) 52.224-3, Privacy Training (JAN 2017) (5 U.S.C. 552a).
(B) Alternate I (JAN 2017) of 52.224-3.
* * * * *
Alternate II (JAN 2017).
* * * * *
(e)(1) * * *
(ii) * * *
(S)(1) 52.224-3, Privacy Training (JAN 2017) (5 U.S.C. 552a).
(2) Alternate I (JAN 2017) of 52.224-3.
* * * * *
0
6. Amend section 52.213-4 by--
0
a. Revising the date of the clause; and
0
b. Revising the date in paragraph (a)(2)(viii).
The revisions read as follows:
52.213-4 Terms and Conditions--Simplified Acquisitions (Other Than
Commercial Items).
* * * * *
Terms and Conditions--Simplified Acquisitions (Other Than Commercial
Items) (JAN 2017)
* * * * *
(a) * * *
[[Page 93481]]
(2) * * *
(viii) 52.244-6, Subcontracts for Commercial Items (JAN 2017).
* * * * *
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7. Add section 52.224-3 to read as follows:
52.224-3 Privacy Training.
As prescribed in 24.302(a), insert the following clause:
Privacy Training (JAN 2017)
(a) Definition. As used in this clause, personally identifiable
information means information that can be used to distinguish or
trace an individual's identity, either alone or when combined with
other information that is linked or linkable to a specific
individual. (See Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-
130, Managing Federal Information as a Strategic Resource).
(b) The Contractor shall ensure that initial privacy training,
and annual privacy training thereafter, is completed by contractor
employees who--
(1) Have access to a system of records;
(2) Create, collect, use, process, store, maintain, disseminate,
disclose, dispose, or otherwise handle personally identifiable
information on behalf of an agency; or
(3) Design, develop, maintain, or operate a system of records
(see also FAR subpart 24.1 and 39.105).
(c)(1) Privacy training shall address the key elements necessary
for ensuring the safeguarding of personally identifiable information
or a system of records. The training shall be role-based, provide
foundational as well as more advanced levels of training, and have
measures in place to test the knowledge level of users. At a
minimum, the privacy training shall cover--
(i) The provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a),
including penalties for violations of the Act;
(ii) The appropriate handling and safeguarding of personally
identifiable information;
(iii) The authorized and official use of a system of records or
any other personally identifiable information;
(iv) The restriction on the use of unauthorized equipment to
create, collect, use, process, store, maintain, disseminate,
disclose, dispose or otherwise access personally identifiable
information;
(v) The prohibition against the unauthorized use of a system of
records or unauthorized disclosure, access, handling, or use of
personally identifiable information; and
(vi) The procedures to be followed in the event of a suspected
or confirmed breach of a system of records or the unauthorized
disclosure, access, handling, or use of personally identifiable
information (see OMB guidance for Preparing for and Responding to a
Breach of Personally Identifiable Information).
(2) Completion of an agency-developed or agency-conducted
training course shall be deemed to satisfy these elements.
(d) The Contractor shall maintain and, upon request, provide
documentation of completion of privacy training to the Contracting
Officer.
(e) The Contractor shall not allow any employee access to a
system of records, or permit any employee to create, collect, use,
process, store, maintain, disseminate, disclose, dispose or
otherwise handle personally identifiable information, or to design,
develop, maintain, or operate a system of records unless the
employee has completed privacy training, as required by this clause.
(f) The substance of this clause, including this paragraph (f),
shall be included in all subcontracts under this contract, when
subcontractor employees will--
(1) Have access to a system of records;
(2) Create, collect, use, process, store, maintain, disseminate,
disclose, dispose, or otherwise handle personally identifiable
information; or
(3) Design, develop, maintain, or operate a system of records.
(End of clause)
Alternate I (JAN 2017). As prescribed in 24.302(b), if the agency
specifies that only its agency-provided training is acceptable,
substitute the following paragraph (c) for paragraph (c) of the basic
clause:
(c) The contracting agency will provide initial privacy
training, and annual privacy training thereafter, to Contractor
employees for the duration of this contract.
0
8. Amend section 52.244-6 by--
0
a. Revising the date of the clause;
0
b. Redesignating paragraphs (c)(1)(xv) through (xvii) as paragraphs
(c)(1)(xvi) through (xviii), respectively; and
0
c. Adding a new paragraph (c)(1)(xv).
The revisions and additions read as follows:
52.244-6 Subcontracts for Commercial Items.
* * * * *
Subcontracts for Commercial Items (JAN 2017)
* * * * *
(c)(1) * * *
(xv)(A) 52.224-3, Privacy Training (JAN 2017) (5 U.S.C. 552a) if
flow down is required in accordance with 52.224-3(f).
(B) Alternate I (JAN 2017) of 52.224-3, if flow down is required in
accordance with 52.224-3(f) and the agency specifies that only its
agency-provided training is acceptable).
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2016-30213 Filed 12-19-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-EP-P