Operational Contract Support (OCS) Outside the United States, 26477-26494 [2023-09020]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 83 / Monday, May 1, 2023 / Rules and Regulations determined that this advisory opinion does not impose any new or revise any existing recordkeeping, reporting, or disclosure requirements on covered entities or members of the public that would be collections of information requiring approval by the Office of Management and Budget under the Paperwork Reduction Act.36 Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act,37 the CFPB will submit a report containing this interpretive rule and other required information to the United States Senate, the United States House of Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior to the rule’s published effective date. The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has designated this interpretive rule as not a ‘‘major rule’’ as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2). Rohit Chopra, Director, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. [FR Doc. 2023–09171 Filed 4–28–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4810–AM–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Office of the Secretary 32 CFR Part 158 [Docket ID: DOD–2020–OS–0015] RIN 0790–AK81 Operational Contract Support (OCS) Outside the United States Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Department of Defense (DoD). ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: The DoD is updating the policies and procedures for operational contract support (OCS) outside the United States. These changes include broadening the range of applicable operational scenarios, eliminating content internal to the Department designating contractor personnel as part of the DoD total force, incorporating requirements for accountability and reporting, and clarifying responsibilities. With these updates, the Department addresses open recommendations from the Government Accountability Office (GAO). DATES: This rule is effective May 31, 2023. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Donna M. Livingston, 703–692–3032, donna.m.livingston.civ@mail.mil. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1 SUMMARY: 36 44 37 5 U.S.C. 3501–3521. U.S.C. 801 et seq. VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:55 Apr 28, 2023 Jkt 259001 OCS is a segment of the GAO High Risk Area of DoD Contract Management, and while the latest update in March 2021, GAO– 21–119SP, ‘‘High-Risk Series: Dedicated Leadership Needed to Address Limited Progress in Most High-Risk Areas’’ (available at: https://www.gao.gov/ products/gao-21-119sp) acknowledged progress, GAO cited the need to revise and reissue guidance to address five open recommendations. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Legal Authority Section 861 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (Pub. L. 110–181) requires the DoD, Department of State, and the United States Agency for International Development to enter into an agreement regarding contracting matters in Iraq and Afghanistan and identify a common database to serve as a repository of information on contracts and contractor personnel supporting these operations. Section 854 of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Pub. L. 110–417) requires mechanisms for ensuring contractors are required to report specified offenses that are alleged to have been committed by or against contractor personnel to the appropriate authorities. Discussion of Comments The Department of Defense published a proposed rule titled ‘‘Operational Contract Support (OCS) Outside the United States’’ (32 CFR part 158) in the Federal Register on January 7, 2021 (86 FR 1063–1080). Fourteen comments were received from eight respondents and a summary of the comments and the Department’s responses as follows. Comment: The Department received five comments from respondents recommending the addition of requirements for defense contractor personnel to report information on gross violations of human rights (GVHRs). In general, all five comments regarding GVHR reporting recommended that the rule include a ‘‘duty to report’’ GVHRs for defense contractors. Several respondents noted that the proposed rule missed an opportunity to address the requirements of Section 888 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 to ‘‘monitor and report allegations of gross violations of internationally recognized human rights.’’ Response: The DoD acknowledges the requirement, however the policy and processes to support the requirements for reporting allegations of gross violations of human rights are still being developed and are not final. When those PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 26477 actions are completed, the DoD will initiate actions to update this rule as needed to comply with the established policy. Comment: The Department received a comment objecting to requiring the people of the United States to provide proof of vaccination for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID–19) prior to any travel. Response: The rule does not address requirements related to any specific vaccination requirement for contractor personnel. The provisions in the rule regarding immunizations and deployment health activities ensure that contractor personnel are medically ready to deploy and protect the health of the total force in deployed environments. Comment: The DoD received a comment recognizing the significant role defense contractors play in support of military operations overseas and the costs born in terms of injury and death that have resulted. The commenter recommended DoD make a more robust effort to collect, analyze, and publicly share data with regard to contractor personnel fatalities and injuries. Response: The Department appreciates the commenter’s understanding of the key role defense contractors play in supporting the DoD. While the DoD does collect data on contractor personnel wounded and killed while performing their duties, this data is not made publicly available. The Synchronized Predeployment and Operational Tracker—Enterprise Suite (SPOT–ES) is the common joint database used to maintain accountability and visibility of contractors supporting applicable operations. In accordance with the SPOT Business Rules, referenced in this rule, it is the responsibility of the contractor’s employer to close out the individual’s deployment record in SPOT–ES following a death and to update the records when an injury occurs. The DoD is reviewing how to improve contractors’ compliance with these procedures and to respectfully encourage more comprehensive reporting to the DoD without impacting legal and privacy issues. Comment: The DoD received one comment regarding the types of support contractors are generally required to provide their employees while deployed. The commenter asserted that in austere environments, it is common for the U.S. Government to provide life support to contractor personnel when those personnel are located at U.S. military facilities; however, contractor personnel may need to transit through other military facilities before reaching E:\FR\FM\01MYR1.SGM 01MYR1 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1 26478 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 83 / Monday, May 1, 2023 / Rules and Regulations smaller or more remote military facilities. The commenter recommended that the final rule clarify, in § 158.4(d) or elsewhere, that the contract should specify who will be responsible for providing this support during transit between military facilities, and if it is the responsibility of the contractor, then the contract should include additional resources needed to support that function. Response: The DoD appreciates the comment; however, the paragraph referenced does not delineate or specify a specific location for treatment or when or where these services might be provided by the Government. In the case of contractor personnel authorized to accompany the Military Services in deployed settings, care at MTFs may be provided consistent with DoDI 6025.23, ‘‘Health Care Eligibility Under the Secretarial Designee (SECDES) Program and Related Special Authorities’’ (available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/ Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/ dodi/602523p.pdf?ver=2019-03-22095347-850). Comment: The Department received one comment specific to § 158.5(a), ‘‘Planning considerations and requirements; requirements for publication.’’ The commenter recommended management policies take into account the manner in which ‘‘contractor personnel’’ are defined in contract requirements. The rationale was that such distinctions may allow for more accurate policies to account for differences that exist within the contractor labor pool from which contractors authorized to accompany the force (CAAF) may be recruited, and also permit contractors to more readily and competitively respond to those requirements. Response: The rule is written to be sufficiently broad to permit all Commanders, regardless of their location outside the United States and in a variety of scenarios, to tailor specific policies and procedures to best meet their operational and mission needs. Comment: The DoD received one comment regarding emergency medical care for contractor personnel. The commenter asserted that in austere environments, there can be challenges in providing basic medical care below the ‘‘life and limb’’ medical services provided by the military. The recommendation was that the final rule require the contracting officer to evaluate whether or not to grant ‘‘primary care’’ in the letter of authorization, and that additional scope be added to the contract to address basic medical care. VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:55 Apr 28, 2023 Jkt 259001 Response: The rule includes provisions in § 158.4(d) regarding the contracting officer’s latitude, consistent with DoDI 3020.41, ‘‘Operational Contract Support (OCS)’’ (available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/ Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/ 302041p.pdf?ver=2019-02-25-133949097) to allow for selected life, mission, medical, logistics, and administrative support to be provided in certain austere, hostile, and/or non-permissive environments. No changes to the proposed rule were required to address this comment. Comment: The DoD received a comment regarding the significant delays at deployment processing facilities due to the COVID–19 global pandemic and the impacts of these delays on contractor personnel deployment. The commenter noted significant wait times created staffing shortages on overseas contracts because replacement personnel could not be deployed in a timely manner. The commenter recommended the final rule clarify contracting officers have the authority to modify contracts and permit contractor-performed deployment processing when necessary to maintain continuity of services. Response: Section 158.5(i)(1) of the rule establishes a process through which the contract can stipulate an alternative, Government-approved deployment/ redeployment processing center. No changes to the proposed rule were required to address this comment. Comment: The DoD received a comment that the proposed rule only differentiated between CAAF and nonCAAF in terms of medical and dental fitness requirements, while the U.S. Central Command medical standard ‘‘Mod 15’’ differentiates requirements for U.S. citizen, third country nationals, and local national contractor personnel. The commenter recommended that the final rule defer to any regional medical standards as the governing medical standard. Response: The rule is purposefully written to provide sufficient latitude for Commanders to make decisions that are in the best interests of all personnel serving in the area of operation. The proposed rule addressed the requirements and procedures for communicating Command-specific policies and requirements to contractor personnel in § 158.5(a) and (b). Comment: The DoD received one comment related to the requirement for CAAF to complete a post-deployment health assessment in the Defense Medical Surveillance System. The commenter noted that DoDI 6490.03, ‘‘Deployment Health’’ (available at PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/ Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/ 649003p.pdf?ver=2019-06-19-134540850) states that post-deployment medical screenings ‘‘are the responsibility of the contractor’’ and that, unless contractor personnel redeploy via a DoD deployment center, contractors may have little or no ability to conduct these medical screenings for personnel who are ending their employment. The commenter recommended that the final rule clarify that contractor personnel cannot be compelled to participate in postdeployment screenings. Response: This recommendation is addressed in the proposed rule § 158.6(b) by reference to DoD Instruction 6490.03, ‘‘Deployment Health.’’ Per DoD Instruction 6490.03, ‘‘all pre-, during-, and post-deployment medical assessments, examinations, treatments, and preventive measures are the responsibility of the contractor unless otherwise stated in the contract.’’ Contracts may require post-deployment assessments for the benefit of deploying contractor personnel, and contractors should review the requirements in their contracts for such screenings. Comment: The DoD received one comment regarding medical waivers. The commenter noted the proposed rule indicates waivers should be submitted through the contracting officer; however, within the U.S. Central Command, requests for waivers can be sent directly to the combatant commander, rather than through the contracting officer. The commenter recommends that the final rule be amended to align with the U.S. Central Command procedures. Response: The policy described in the rule and the companion DoD Instruction 3020.41, ‘‘Operational Contract Support,’’ is meant to be applied broadly across the Military Departments and Combatant Commands. Commanders have the authority to tailor these processes to best meet the unique nature of operations in their areas of operation as stated in § 158.6(a)(2) of the proposed rule. Changes From the Proposed Rule Based on public comment and final internal coordination, several substantive changes were made to the rule. This final rule: (1) broadens the types of operations when this rule applies to contracted support supporting operations beyond contingency operations; (2) describes and clarifies contractors’ responsibilities related to theater admission requirements for their E:\FR\FM\01MYR1.SGM 01MYR1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 83 / Monday, May 1, 2023 / Rules and Regulations personnel deploying in support of operations outside the United States; (3) clarifies contractors’ responsibilities to provide personnel who meet specific medical and dental fitness standards; (4) provides clarity regarding the services the U.S. Government is authorized to provide to contractors; and (5) removes all internally facing information to promote efficiency and streamline communication with the public. These changes are explained in detail below. • Language was added to § 158.4(g) (Policy) during internal coordination to specify that the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment will coordinate with the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security on requests to waive the requirements of this rule for highly sensitive, classified, cryptologic, or intelligence projects and programs. • A new paragraph including references regarding policy and reporting procedures on combating trafficking in persons was added to § 158.5(d) as a result of internal coordination. • Additional language was added to §§ 158.3 and 158.5(e) to support compliance with DoD Directive 2311.01, ‘‘DoD Law of War Program’’ (available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/ Documents/DD/issuances/dodd/ 231101p.pdf?ver=2020-07-02-143157007) reissued on July 2, 2020. • To address five GAO recommendations across four reports, GAO–16–105 ‘‘Operational Contract Support: Additional Actions Needed to Manage, Account for, and Vet Defense Contractors in Africa’’ (available at https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-16105), GAO–15–243 ‘‘Operational Contract Support: Actions Needed to Enhance the Collection, Integration, and Sharing of Lessons Learned’’ (available at https://www.gao.gov/products/gao15-243), GAO–15–250 ‘‘Contingency Contracting: Contractor Personnel Tracking System Needs Better Plans and Guidance’’ (available at https:// www.gao.gov/products/gao-15-250), and GAO–17–428 ‘‘Operational Contract Support: Actions Needed to Enhance Capabilities in the Pacific Region’’ (available at https://www.gao.gov/ products/gao-17-428), to improve the ability to account for and maintain visibility of contractor personnel in contingency and other operations, ensure DoD possesses the capability to collect and report statutorily required information, and clarify responsibilities and procedures, § 158.5(h) was updated to address SPOT–ES minimum reporting requirements, system requirements, and includes references to the SPOT–ES business rules that include area specific requirements. Expected Impact of the Final Rule Community Impact. The existing rule provides information relevant to contractors and their personnel who may provide contracted support to the DoD during applicable operations outside the United States. The primary stakeholder populations impacted by this rulemaking are contractor personnel and the companies or organizations that employ these personnel in support of DoD contracts. There are no impacts to State or local governments. Contractor personnel—Provides information and describes the requirements the DoD imposes on employees of commercial industry partners who may be employed in support of DoD operations conducted outside the United States. Companies or organizations— Provides information for commercial industry partners to understand how contractor personnel are managed and accounted for and includes deployment requirements necessary to provide support to DoD in applicable operations. A negligible burden reduction to the public may be achieved by the clarifications and increased transparency provided by this revision. Contractors may save time by having increased access to DoD policy requirements and in avoiding unnecessary duplication or providing personnel not suitable or prepared to support applicable operations outside the United States. A negligible burden reduction to the public may be achieved by the clarifications and increased transparency provided by this revision. Contractors may save time by having increased access to DoD policy requirements and in avoiding unnecessary duplication or providing personnel not suitable or prepared to support applicable operations outside the United States. The changes implemented by this rule are not expected to alter significantly the baseline burden that was calculated as part of the most recent SPOT–ES system collection, Control Number 0704–0460, approved by the OMB in 2019 in accordance with the Public Law 96–511, ‘‘Paperwork Reduction Act.’’ This total burden was calculated to be $1,197,077 annually. Benefits. Operational contract support, when properly planned for and integrated into operations, can be leveraged to support the Secretary of Defense’s objective of restoring military readiness and to close any gaps in fulfilling requirements associated with maintenance, material, intelligence information, or translation services, which can be filled by either short- or long-term commercial capabilities. This rule most significantly improves and refines DoD policy for planning and integrating contracted support in applicable operations. The Department has been working for more than a decade to establish OCS as a core defense capability; one that minimizes risk, increases readiness and flexibility, and improves effectiveness. This rule codifies policy that implements a programmatic approach and improves oversight of contracted support, reducing the likelihood that historical instances of waste, fraud, and abuse will be repeated. This rule furthermore ensures contractors supporting applicable operations are fully prepared to meet the requirements necessary to support operations outside the United States. TOTAL COSTS FOR NON-GOVERNMENT Collection instrument (SPOT database) 2016 Approved estimates 2019 Approved estimates lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1 Estimation of Respondent Burden Hours Number of Respondents ..................................................................................... Number of Responses per Respondent ............................................................. Number of Total Annual Responses .................................................................. Response Time (Amount of time needed to complete the collection instrument). VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:55 Apr 28, 2023 Jkt 259001 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 1670 56 93,520 .5 26479 964. 77. 74,561. .5. E:\FR\FM\01MYR1.SGM 01MYR1 26480 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 83 / Monday, May 1, 2023 / Rules and Regulations TOTAL COSTS FOR NON-GOVERNMENT—Continued Collection instrument (SPOT database) 2016 Approved estimates Respondent Burden Hours (Total Annual Responses multiplied by Response Time) Please compute these into hours). 46,760 2019 Approved estimates 37,291. Labor Cost of Respondent Burden Number of Responses ........................................................................................ Response Time per Response ........................................................................... Respondent Hourly Wage .................................................................................. Labor Burden per Response (Response Time multiplied by Respondent Hourly Wage). Total Labor Burden (Number of Respondents multiplied by Response Time multiplied by Respondent Hourly Wage). Regulatory Compliance Analysis A. Executive Order 12866, ‘‘Regulatory Planning and Review,’’ and Executive Order 13563, ‘‘Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review’’ These Executive orders direct agencies to assess all costs, benefits, and available regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public health, safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). These Executive orders emphasize the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility. This rule has been designated as significant under E.O. 12866. B. Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.) Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act, this rule has not been designated a major rule, as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2). lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1 C. Public Law 96–354, ‘‘Regulatory Flexibility Act’’ (5 U.S.C. 601) The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment certifies that this rule is not subject to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601) because it would not, if promulgated, have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Based on data from the Federal Procurement Data System—Next Generation for contract actions for fiscal year 2019 with a place of performance outside the United States, approximately 15,742 of 2.4 million (or 1 percent), are to small businesses. This amounts to $2,438,406,319 of $36,747,264,771 (or less than 8 percent) of contracts obligated to small businesses worldwide. Therefore, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, as amended, VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:55 Apr 28, 2023 Jkt 259001 93,520 .5 $36.00 $18.00 $1,683,360 74,561 (decrease of 18,959). .5. $32.11 (reduction due to category change). $16.06. $1,197,077 (decrease of $486,283). does not require us to prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis. This rule will not have a substantial effect on State and local governments. D. Sec. 202, Public Law 104–4, ‘‘Unfunded Mandates Reform Act’’ G. Executive Order 13175, ‘‘Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments’’ Executive Order 13175 establishes certain requirements that an agency must meet when it promulgates a proposed rule (and subsequent final rule) that imposes substantial direct compliance costs on one or more Indian Tribes, preempts Tribal law, or effects the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian Tribes. This rule will not have a substantial effect on Indian Tribal governments. Section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1532) requires agencies to assess anticipated costs and benefits before issuing any rule whose mandates require spending in any 1 year of $100 million in 1995 dollars, updated annually for inflation. This rule will not mandate any requirements for State, local, or tribal governments, and will not affect private sector costs. E. Public Law 96–511, ‘‘Paperwork Reduction Act’’ (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) This rule imposes reporting and recordkeeping requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 under OMB Control Number 0704–0460, Synchronized Predeployment Operational Tracker-Enterprise Suite (SPOT–ES). The Department does not anticipate any changes to the cost or burden associated with collection with the publication of this final rule. The applicable System of Records Notice (SORN) and Privacy Impact Assessments (PIA) are available at https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/appj/dwp/ documents.jsp) under SORN Identifier DMDC 18 DoD (available at https:// dpcld.defense.gov/Privacy/ SORNsIndex/DOD-wide-SORN-ArticleView/Article/570569/dmdc-18-dod/), ‘‘Synchronized Predeployment and Operational Tracker—Enterprise Suite.’’ F. Executive Order 13132, ‘‘Federalism’’ Executive Order 13132 establishes certain requirements that an agency must meet when it promulgates a proposed rule (and subsequent final rule) that imposes substantial direct requirement costs on State and local governments, preempts State law, or otherwise has federalism implications. PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 List of Subjects in 32 CFR Part 158 Accountability/visibility, Accounting, Armed forces, Combating trafficking in persons, Deployment and redeployment, Government contracts, Medical clearances, Passports and visas, Planning, Security measures, Support to contractors, Transportation. Accordingly, 32 CFR part 158 is revised to read as follows: ■ PART 158—OPERATIONAL CONTRACT SUPPORT (OCS) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES Sec. 158.1 Purpose. 158.2 Applicability. 158.3 Definitions. 158.4 Policy. 158.5 Procedures. 158.6 Guidance for contractor medical and dental fitness. Appendix A to Part 158—Related Policies Authority: Pub. L. 110–181; Pub. L. 110– 417. § 158.1 Purpose. This part establishes policy, assigns responsibilities, and provides procedures for operational contract support (OCS), including contract support integration, contracting support, E:\FR\FM\01MYR1.SGM 01MYR1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 83 / Monday, May 1, 2023 / Rules and Regulations management, and deployment of defense contractor personnel in applicable operations outside the United States. § 158.2 Applicability. This part applies to contracts and contractor personnel supporting DoD Components operating outside the United States in contingency operations, humanitarian assistance, or peace operations and other activities, including operations and exercises as determined by a Combatant Commander or as directed by the Secretary of Defense. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1 § 158.3 Definitions. Unless otherwise noted, the following terms and their definitions are for the purposes of this part. Acquisition. The acquiring by contract with appropriated funds of supplies or services (including construction) by and for the use of the Federal Government through purchase or lease, whether the supplies or services are already in existence or must be created, developed, demonstrated, and evaluated. Acquisition begins at the point when agency needs are established and includes the description of requirements to satisfy agency needs, solicitation and selection of sources, award of contracts, contract financing, contract performance, contract administration, and those technical and management functions directly related to the process of fulfilling agency needs by contract. Applicable operations. Contingency operations, humanitarian assistance, or peace operations conducted outside the United States and other activities, including operations and exercises outside the United States as determined by a combatant commander (CCDR) or as directed by the Secretary of Defense. Austere environment. Areas where applicable operations may be conducted that are in remote, isolated locations, where access to modern comforts and resources may be limited or nonexistent. Civil augmentation program. External support contracts designed to augment Military Department logistics capabilities with contracted support in both preplanned and short-notice operations. Contingency contract. A legally binding agreement for supplies, services, and/or construction let by a U.S. Government contracting officer in the operational area, or that has a prescribed area of performance within an operational area. Contingency operation. A military operation that is either designated by the Secretary of Defense as a VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:55 Apr 28, 2023 Jkt 259001 contingency operation or becomes a contingency operation as a matter of law as defined in 10 U.S.C. 101(a)(13). Contract administration. The processes and procedures of contracting, from contract award through closeout, that includes oversight efforts by contracting professionals and designated non-contracting personnel to ensure that supplies, services, and/or construction are delivered and/or performed in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract. Contract support integration. The coordination and synchronization of contracted support executed in a designated operational area in support of military operations. Contracting. Purchasing, renting, leasing, or otherwise obtaining supplies or services from nonfederal sources. Contracting includes description (but not determination) of supplies and services required, selection, and solicitation of sources, preparation and award of contracts, and all phases of contract administration. It does not include making grants or cooperative agreements. Contracting officer. A person with the authority to enter into, administer, and/ or terminate contracts and make related determinations and findings. The term includes certain authorized representatives of the contracting officer acting within the limits of their authority as delegated by the contracting officer. ‘‘Administrative contracting officer (ACO)’’ refers to a contracting officer who is administering contracts. ‘‘Termination contracting officer (TCO)’’ refers to a contracting officer who is settling terminated contracts. A single contracting officer may be responsible for duties in any or all of these areas. Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). An individual, including a contracting officer’s technical representative (COTR), designated and authorized in writing by the contracting officer to perform specific technical or administrative functions. Contracting support. The coordination of contracts and execution of contracting authority by a warranted contracting officer that legally binds commercial entities to perform contractual requirements in support of DoD operational requirements. Contractor management. The oversight and integration of contractor personnel and associated equipment providing support to military operations. Contractor personnel. Any individual, employed by a firm, corporation, partnership, or association, employed under contract with the DoD to furnish services, supplies, or construction. PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 26481 Contractor personnel may include U.S. citizens and host nation and third country national (TCN) individuals. Contractor personnel accountability. The process of identifying, capturing, and recording the personally identifiable information and assigned permanent duty location of an individual contractor employee through the use of a designated database. Contractor personnel visibility. Information on the daily location, movement, status, and identity of contractor personnel. Contractors Authorized to Accompany the Force (CAAF). Contractor personnel and all tiers of subcontractor personnel authorized to accompany U.S. Armed Forces in applicable operations outside of the United States who have been afforded this status through the issuance of a Letter of Authorization (LOA). CAAF generally include all U.S. citizen and TCN employees not normally residing within the operational area whose area of performance is in the direct vicinity of the U.S. Armed Forces and who are routinely co-located with the U.S. Armed Forces. In some cases, CCDR subordinate commanders may designate mission-essential host nation (HN) or local national (LN) contractor personnel (e.g., interpreters) as CAAF. CAAF includes contractor personnel previously identified as contractors deploying with the force. CAAF status does not apply to contractor personnel within U.S. territory working in support of contingency operations outside the United States. Defense contractor. Any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, association, or other legal non-Federal entity that enters into a contract directly with the DoD to furnish services, supplies, or construction. DoD Components. Includes the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Military Departments, the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands (CCMDs), the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, and the DoD Field Activities. Essential contractor service. A service provided by a firm or an individual under contract to the DoD to support mission-essential functions, such as support of vital systems, including ships owned, leased, or operated in support of military missions or roles at sea; associated support activities, including installation, garrison, and base support services; and similar services provided to foreign military sales customers under the Security Assistance Program. Services are essential if the effectiveness E:\FR\FM\01MYR1.SGM 01MYR1 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1 26482 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 83 / Monday, May 1, 2023 / Rules and Regulations of defense systems or operations has the potential to be seriously impaired by the interruption of these services, as determined by the appropriate functional commander or civilian equivalent. Expeditionary Contract Administration (ECA). Contract administration conducted during joint or other expeditionary operations. Formerly known as the Contingency Contract Administrative Services or CCAS. Expeditionary operations. Activities organized to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country. External support contracts. Contracts awarded by contracting organizations whose contracting authority does not derive directly from the theater support contracting head(s) of contracting activity or from systems support contracting authorities. Host nation (HN). A nation that permits, either in writing or through other official provision of consent, government representatives or agencies and/or agencies of another nation to operate, under specified conditions, within its territory. Hostile environment. Operational environment in which local government forces, whether opposed to or receptive to operations that a unit intends to conduct, do not have control of the territory and population in the intended operational area. Isolated personnel. U.S. military, DoD civilians, and contractor personnel (and others designated by the President or Secretary of Defense) who are unaccounted for as an individual or a group while supporting an applicable operation and are, or may be, in a situation where they must survive, evade, resist, or escape. Law of war. The treaties and customary international law binding on the United States that regulate: the resort to armed force; the conduct of hostilities and the protection of war victims in international and noninternational armed conflict; belligerent occupation; and the relationships between belligerent, neutral, and nonbelligerent States. Sometimes also called the ‘‘law of armed conflict’’ or ‘‘international humanitarian law,’’ the law of war is specifically intended to address the circumstances of armed conflict. Consult the DoD Law of War Manual (available at https:// dod.defense.gov/Portals/1/Documents/ pubs/DoD%20Law%20of%20War%20 Manual%20-%20June%202015%20 Updated%20 Dec%202016.pdf?ver=2016-12-13172036-190) for an authoritative statement on the law of war. VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:55 Apr 28, 2023 Jkt 259001 Letter of authorization (LOA). A document issued by a contracting officer or his or her designee that authorizes contractor personnel to accompany the force to travel to, from, and within an operational area, and outlines U.S. Government authorized support authorizations within the operational area, as agreed to under the terms and conditions of the contract. For more information, see 48 CFR subpart 225.3. Local national (LN). An individual who is a permanent resident of the nation in which the United States is conducting operations. Long-term care. A variety of services that help a person with comfort, personal, or wellness needs. These services assist in the activities of daily living, including such things as bathing and dressing. Sometimes known as custodial care. Mission-essential functions. Those organizational activities that must be performed under all circumstances to achieve DoD component missions or responsibilities, as determined by the appropriate functional commander or civilian equivalent. Failure to perform or sustain these functions would significantly affect the DoD’s ability to provide vital services or exercise authority, direction, and control. Non-CAAF. Personnel who are not designated as CAAF, such as LN employees and non-LN employees who are permanent residents in the operational area or TCNs not routinely residing with the U.S. Armed Forces (and TCN expatriates who are permanent residents in the operational area), who perform support functions away from the close proximity of, and do not reside with, the U.S. Armed Forces. U.S. Government-furnished support to non-CAAF is typically limited to force protection, emergency medical care, and basic human needs (e.g., bottled water, latrine facilities, security, and food when necessary) when performing their jobs in the direct vicinity of the U.S. Armed Forces. Operational area. An overarching term encompassing more descriptive terms (such as area of responsibility and joint operations area) for geographic areas where military operations are conducted. Operational contract support (OCS). The ability to orchestrate and synchronize the provision of integrated contract support and management of contractor personnel providing support to command-directed operations within a designated operational area. Operationally critical support. A critical source of supply for airlift, sealift, intermodal transportation services, or logistical support that is PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 essential to the mobilization, deployment, or sustainment of the U.S. Armed Forces in applicable operations. Prime contractor. Any supplier, distributor, vendor, or firm that has entered into a contract with the United States government. Replacement centers. Centers at selected installations that ensure necessary accountability, training, and processing actions are taken to prepare personnel for onward movement and deployment to a designated operational area. Requiring activity. A military or other designated supported organization that identifies the need for and receives contracted support to meet mission requirements during military operations. Subcontractor. Any supplier, distributor, vendor, or firm that furnishes supplies or services to or for a prime contractor or another subcontractor. Synchronized Predeployment and Operational Tracker-Enterprise Suite (SPOT–ES). A common joint database used to maintain contractor personnel visibility and accountability in applicable operations. References to SPOT–ES in this part will refer to that system or any database system that supersedes it. Systems support contract. Contracts awarded by Military Service acquisition program management offices that provide fielding support, technical support, maintenance support, and, in some cases, repair parts support, for selected military weapon and support systems. Theater business clearance. A CCDR policy or process to ensure visibility of and control over systems support and external support contracts executing or delivering support in designated areas of operations. Theater support contract. A type of contract awarded by contracting officers deployed to an operational area serving under the direct contracting authority of the Military Service component, special operations force command, or designated joint contracting authority for the designated operation. Total force. The organizations, units, and individuals that comprise the DoD resources for implementing the National Security Strategy. It includes DoD Active and Reserve Component military personnel, military retired members, DoD civilian personnel (including foreign national direct- and indirecthires, as well as nonappropriated fund employees), contractor personnel, and host-nation support personnel. (For source information, see paragraph (a) of appendix A to this part.) E:\FR\FM\01MYR1.SGM 01MYR1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 83 / Monday, May 1, 2023 / Rules and Regulations Uncertain environment. Operational environment in which host government forces, whether opposed to or receptive to operations that a unit intends to conduct, do not have totally effective control of the territory and population in the intended operational area. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1 § 158.4 Policy. It is DoD policy that: (a) Defense contractor personnel are part of the total force. (See paragraph (a) of appendix A of this part). (b) DoD Components implement OCS functions, including contract support integration, contracting support, and contractor management, during applicable operations. (c) DoD Components will use contracted support only in appropriate situations, consistent with 48 CFR subpart 7.5, 48 CFR subpart 207.5, and Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) Policy Letter 11–01 (available at https://www.federalregister.gov/ documents/2011/09/12/2011-23165/ publication-of-the-office-of-federalprocurement-policy-ofpp-policy-letter11-01-performance-of), and paragraph (b) of appendix A to this part. (d) Generally, contractors are responsible for providing their employees with all life, mission, medical, logistics, and administrative support necessary to perform the contract. However, in many operations, especially in those in which conditions are austere, hostile, and/or nonpermissive, the decision may be made that it is in the interest of the U.S. Government to allow for selected life, mission, medical, logistics, and administrative support to be provided to contractor personnel to ensure continuation of essential contractor services, consistent with DoD regulations. Contractors authorized to accompany the force (CAAF) may receive U.S. Government-furnished support commensurate with the operational situation in accordance with the terms of the contract. (e) A common joint database (i.e., the Synchronized Predeployment and Operational Tracker-Enterprise Suite (SPOT–ES) or its successor) will be used to maintain contractor personnel visibility and accountability in applicable operations. References to SPOT–ES in this part will refer to that system or any database system that supersedes it for contractor personnel visibility and accountability. (f) Solicitations and contracts will: (1) Require defense contractors to provide personnel who are ready to perform contract duties in applicable operations and environments by verifying the medical, dental, and VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:55 Apr 28, 2023 Jkt 259001 psychological fitness of their employees and, if applicable, by ensuring currency of any professional qualifications and associated certification requirements needed for employees to perform contractual duties. (2) Incorporate contractual terms and clauses into the contract that are consistent with applicable host nation (HN) laws and agreements or designated operational area performance considerations. (g) Contracts for highly sensitive, classified, cryptologic, or intelligence projects and programs must implement this rule to the maximum extent possible, consistent with applicable laws, Executive orders, presidential directives, and relevant DoD issuances. To the extent that contracting activities are unable to comply with this rule, they should submit a request for a waiver to the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (USD(A&S)). Waiver requests should include specific information providing the rationale regarding the inability to comply with this rule. The USD(A&S) will consider these requests in coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security. § 158.5 Procedures. (a) Planning considerations and requirements; requirements for publication. CCDRs will make management policies and specific OCS requirements for contractual support available to affected contractor personnel. The Geographic Combatant Commander (GCC) OCS web page will set forth the following: (1) Theater business clearance (TBC) requirements for contracts currently being performed and delivering contracted support in the CCDR’s AOR. (2) Restrictions imposed by applicable local laws, international law, status of forces agreements (SOFAs), and other agreements with the HN. (3) CAAF-related deployment requirements, including, but not limited to: (i) Pre-deployment and required individual protective equipment (IPE) training. (ii) Physical health standards. (iii) Immunization and medical requirements. (iv) Deployment procedures and theater reception. (4) Reporting requirements for accountability and visibility of contractor personnel and associated contracts. (5) Operational security (OPSEC) plans and restrictions. (6) Force protection policies. PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 26483 (7) Personnel recovery procedures. (8) Availability of medical and other authorized U.S. Government support (AGS). (9) Redeployment procedures, including disposition of U.S. Government-furnished equipment. (b) Contractual relationships. The contract provides the only legal basis for the contractual relationship between the DoD and the contractor. The contracting officer is the only individual with the legal authority to enter into such a binding relationship with the contractor. (1) Commanders have the ability to restrict installation access, and contractor personnel must comply with applicable CCDR and local commander force protection policies. However, military commanders or unit personnel do not have contracting authority over contractors or contractor personnel and may not direct contractors or contractor personnel to perform contractual tasks. Moreover, the contract does not provide a basis for commanders to exercise operational control or tactical control over contractors or their personnel or to assign or attach contractors or their personnel to a command or organization. (2) The contract must specify: (i) The terms and conditions under which the contractor is to perform, including minimum acceptable professional and technical standards. (ii) The method by which the contracting officer will notify the contractor of the deployment procedures to process contractor personnel who are deploying to the operational area. (iii) The specific contractual support terms and agreement between the contractor and DoD. (iv) The appropriate flow-down of provisions and clauses to subcontractors and state that the service performed by contractor personnel is not considered to be active duty or active service. For more information, see paragraph (c) in appendix A to this part, and 38 U.S.C. 106, ‘‘Active Duty Service Determinations for Civilian or Contractual Groups.’’ (3) The contract must contain applicable clauses to ensure efficient deployment, accountability, visibility, protection, and redeployment of contractor personnel and detail authorized levels of health service, sustainment, and other support that is authorized to be provided to contractor personnel supporting applicable operations outside the United States. (c) Restrictions on contractors performing inherently governmental functions. (1) Paragraph (b) of appendix E:\FR\FM\01MYR1.SGM 01MYR1 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1 26484 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 83 / Monday, May 1, 2023 / Rules and Regulations A of this part, 48 CFR subpart 7.5, 48 CFR subpart 207.5; Public Law 105–270 and Office of Management and Budget Circular No. A–76 (available at https:// www.whitehouse.gov/sites/ whitehouse.gov/files/omb/circulars/ A76/a76_incl_tech_correction.pdf) bar inherently governmental functions and duties from private sector performance. (2) Contractor personnel may provide support during applicable operations, including, but not limited to: (i) Transporting munitions and other supplies. (ii) Providing communications support. (iii) Performing maintenance functions for military equipment. (iv) Providing force protection and private security services. (v) Providing foreign language interpretation and translation services. (vi) Providing logistics services, such as billeting and messing. (vii) Intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance support. (viii) Commercial air assets. (3) The requiring official will review each service performed by contractor personnel in applicable operations on a case-by-case basis to ensure compliance with paragraph (b) of appendix A of this part and applicable laws and international agreements. (4) Restrictions on use of contractor personnel for private security services. A contractor may be authorized to provide private security services only if such authorization is consistent with applicable U.S., local, and international law, including applicable agreements with the HN or other applicable international agreements, and 32 CFR part 159. For more information, see paragraph (b) of appendix A of this part and 48 CFR subpart 252.2, which provide specific procedures and guidance. (d) Combating trafficking in persons. Trafficking in persons is a violation of U.S. law and internationally recognized human rights, and is incompatible with DoD core values. (1) 48 CFR subpart 222.17 and 48 CFR 52.222–50 also known and referred to as Combating Trafficking in Persons, describe how contractors, contracting officers and their representatives, and commanders must deter activities such as prostitution, forced labor, and other related activities contributing to trafficking in persons. For more information, see paragraph (d) of appendix A to this part. (2) Contracts in support of applicable operations will include terms and provisions that require that the contractor remove personnel from the performance of the contract and return VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:55 Apr 28, 2023 Jkt 259001 any of its personnel who have been determined to have engaged in any of the activities mentioned in paragraph (h)(4)(v)(H) of this section from the operational area to the home of record, point of origin, or an authorized location at the end of contract performance or sooner as directed by the contracting officer. Once notified of such an incident, the contracting officer will notify the commander responsible in the AOR and provide any information required to support an investigation. For more information, see 48 CFR subpart 222.17 and 48 CFR subpart 42.15. (e) Law of war compliance. Contract work statements for contractors and their subcontractors must comply with the policies in paragraph (gg) of appendix A to this part and require contractors that engage in activities governed by the law of war to implement effective programs to prevent violations of the law of war by their employees and subcontractors, including programs for law of war dissemination and periodic training commensurate with each individual’s duties and responsibilities. Paragraph (gg) of appendix A includes, among others, DoD policy that ‘‘[a]ll military and U.S. civilian employees, contractor personnel, and subcontractors assigned to or accompanying a DoD Component must report through their chain of command all reportable incidents, including those involving allegations of non-DoD personnel having violated the law of war.’’ Contracts in support of applicable operations must include provisions to require contractor employees to report reportable incidents as defined in paragraph (gg) of appendix A to this part to the appropriate Commander (e.g., the commander of the unit they are accompanying or the installation to which they are assigned) or command-designated office. (f) CAAF designation, legal status, credentialing, and security clearance requirements—(1) CAAF designation. (i) CAAF designation is provided to contractor personnel, including all tiers of subcontractor personnel, through a letter of authorization (LOA). CAAF generally include all U.S. citizen and third country national (TCN) employees not normally residing within the operational area whose area of performance is in the direct vicinity of the U.S. Armed Forces and who routinely are co-located with the U.S. Armed Forces, especially in nonpermissive environments. Personnel colocated with the U.S. Armed Forces will be afforded CAAF status through an LOA. (ii) In some cases, CCDRs or subordinate commanders may designate PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 mission-essential HN or LN contractor personnel as CAAF unless otherwise precluded by HN law, a SOFA, or other agreement. In general, LNs are only afforded CAAF status when they assume great personal risk to perform an essential function. (iii) Personnel who do not receive a CAAF designation are referred to as non-CAAF. Individuals’ CAAF status may change depending on where their employers or the provisions of their contract details them to work. CAAF designation may affect, but does not necessarily affect, a person’s legal status under the law of war and the treatment to which that person is entitled under the 1949 Geneva Conventions if that person falls into the power of the enemy during international armed conflict. Although CAAF are regarded as ‘‘persons authorized to accompany the armed forces,’’ personnel who are not CAAF may also receive this status under the law of war. For more information, see section 4.15 of paragraph (e) of appendix A of this part. In addition, although CAAF designation and access to AGS often coincide, CAAF status does not determine AGS provided. (2) Legal status. In implementing this part, the DoD Component heads must abide by applicable laws, regulations, international agreements, and DoD policy as they relate to contractor personnel performing contractual support in support of applicable operations. (i) HN and third country laws. All contractor personnel must comply with applicable HN and third country laws. The applicability of HN and third country laws may be affected by international agreements (e.g., agreements between the United States and the HN) and customary international law (e.g., limits imposed by customary international law on the reach of third country laws). (A) The United States, HN, or other countries may hire contractor personnel whose status may change (e.g., from non-CAAF to CAAF) depending on where in the operational AOR their employers or the provisions of their contracts detail them to work. (B) CCDRs, as well as subordinate commanders, Military Service Component commanders, the Directors of the Defense Agencies, and Directors of DoD Field Activities should recognize limiting factors regarding the employment of LN and TCN personnel. Limiting factors include, but are not limited to: (1) Imported labor worker permits. (2) Workforce and hour restrictions. (3) Medical, life, and disability insurance coverage. E:\FR\FM\01MYR1.SGM 01MYR1 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 83 / Monday, May 1, 2023 / Rules and Regulations (4) Taxes, customs, and duties. (5) Cost of living allowances. (6) Hardship differentials. (7) Access to classified information. (8) Hazardous duty pay. (ii) U.S. laws. U.S. citizens and CAAF, with some exceptions, are subject to U.S. laws and U.S. Government regulations. (A) All U.S. citizen and TCN CAAF are subject to potential prosecutorial action under the criminal jurisdiction of the United States, including, but not limited to, 18 U.S.C. 3261, also known and referred to in this part as the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act of 2000 (MEJA). MEJA extends U.S. federal criminal jurisdiction to certain contractor personnel for offenses committed outside U.S. territory. (B) The March 10, 2008, Secretary of Defense Memorandum states that contractor personnel are subject to prosecution pursuant to 10 U.S.C. Chapter 47, also known and referred to in this part as the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), when serving overseas in support of a declared war or contingency, and provides guidance to commanders on the exercise of this UCMJ jurisdiction. (C) Other U.S. law may allow prosecution of offenses by contractor personnel (e.g., 18 U.S.C. 7). (3) 1949 Geneva Conventions. The 1949 Geneva Conventions, including the Geneva Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, may be applicable to certain contractor personnel who fall into the power of the enemy during international armed conflict. (i) All contractor personnel may be at risk of injury or death incidental to enemy actions while supporting military operations. (ii) Contractor personnel with CAAF status and other contractor personnel who have been authorized to accompany the U.S. Armed Forces and who are at risk of capture and detention by the enemy as prisoners of war will receive an appropriate identification card required by the Geneva Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, consistent with paragraph (f) of appendix A to this part. (iii) CAAF may be used in support of applicable operations, consistent with the terms of U.S. Government authorization. If they fall into the power of the enemy during international armed conflict, contractor personnel with CAAF status are entitled to prisoner of war status. (4) Credentialing. Contracts must require CAAF to receive an identification card with the Geneva Convention’s category of persons VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:55 Apr 28, 2023 Jkt 259001 authorized to accompany the armed forces. For more information, see paragraphs (f) through (h) of appendix A to this part. At the time of identification card issuance, CAAF must present their SPOT–ES-generated LOA as proof of eligibility. (i) Sponsorship must incorporate the processes for confirming eligibility for an identification card. The sponsor is the person affiliated with the DoD or another Federal agency that takes responsibility for verifying and authorizing an applicant’s need for a Geneva Convention identification card. A DoD official or employee must sponsor applicants for a common access card (CAC). (ii) Individuals who have multiple DoD personnel category codes (e.g., an individual who is both a reservist and a contractor) will receive a separate identification card in each personnel category for which they are eligible. Individuals under a single personnel category code may not hold multiple current identification cards of the same form. (5) Security clearance requirements. To the extent necessary, the contract must require the contractor to provide personnel who have the appropriate security clearance or who are able to satisfy the appropriate background investigation requirements to obtain access required to perform contractual requirements in support of the applicable operation. (g) Considerations for support to contractors—(1) U.S. Government support. Generally, contracts supporting applicable operations must require contractors to provide to their personnel all life, mission, medical, and administrative support necessary to perform the contractual requirements and meet CCDR guidance posted on the GCC OCS web page. In some operations, especially those in which conditions are austere, uncertain, or non-permissive, the CCDR may decide it is in the U.S. Government’s interest for the DoD to allow contractor personnel access, consistent with DoD regulations, to selected AGS. The contract must state the level of access to AGS in its terms and conditions. (i) In operations where conditions are austere, uncertain, or non-permissive, the contracting officer will consult with the requiring activity to determine if it is in the U.S. Government’s interests to allow for selected life, mission, medical, and administrative support to certain contractor personnel. (ii) The solicitation and contract must specify the level of AGS that the U.S. Government will provide to contractor personnel and what support provided to PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 26485 the contractor personnel is reimbursable to the U.S. Government. (iii) Access to DoD benefits facilitated by the identification card may be granted to contractors under certain circumstances. For more information, see paragraph (i) of appendix A to this part. (2) IPE. When necessary or directed by the CCDR, the contracting officer will include language in the contract authorizing the issuance of military IPE (e.g., chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear (CBRN) protective ensemble, body armor, ballistic helmet) to contractor personnel as part of AGS. (i) Typically, IPE will be issued by the central issue facility at the deployment center before deployment to the designated operational area and must be accounted for and returned to the U.S. Government or otherwise accounted for, in accordance with appropriate DoD Component regulations, directives, and instructions. (ii) Contractor personnel deployment training will include training on the proper care, fitting, and maintenance of protective equipment, whether issued by the U.S. Government or provided by the contractor in accordance with the contractual requirements. This training will include practical exercises within mission-oriented protective posture levels. (iii) When the terms and conditions of a contract require a contractor to provide IPE, such IPE must meet minimum standards as defined by the contract. (3) Clothing. Contractors, or their personnel, must provide their own personal clothing, including casual and work clothing required to perform the contract requirements. (i) Generally, CCDRs will not authorize the issuance of military clothing to contractor personnel or will not allow the wearing of military or military look-alike uniforms. Contractor personnel are prohibited from wearing military clothing unless specifically authorized in writing by the CCDR. However, a CCDR or subordinate joint force commander (JFC) deployed forward may authorize contractor personnel to wear standard uniform items for operational reasons. Contracts must include terms and clauses that require that this authorization be provided in writing by the CCDR and that the uniforms are maintained in the possession of authorized contractor personnel at all times. (ii) When commanders issue any type of standard uniform item to contractor personnel, care must be taken to ensure that contractor personnel are distinguishable from military personnel E:\FR\FM\01MYR1.SGM 01MYR1 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1 26486 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 83 / Monday, May 1, 2023 / Rules and Regulations through the use of distinctive patches, arm bands, nametags, or headgear, consistent with force protection measures, and that contractor personnel carry the CCDR’s written authorization with them at all times. (4) Weapons. Contractor personnel are not authorized to possess or carry firearms or ammunition during applicable operations, except as provided in paragraph (h)(2)(ii) of this section and 32 CFR part 159. The contract will provide the terms and conditions governing the possession of firearms by contractor personnel. Information on all weapons authorized for contractors and their personnel will be entered into the SPOT–ES database. (5) Mortuary affairs. The DoD Mortuary Affairs Program, as described in paragraph (j) of appendix A to this part, covers all CAAF who die while performing contractual requirements in support of the U.S. Armed Forces. Mortuary affairs support and transportation will be provided on a reimbursable basis for the recovery, identification, and disposition of remains and personal effects of CAAF. (i) Every effort must be made to identify remains and account for unrecovered remains of contractor personnel and their dependents who die in military operations, training accidents, and other incidents. The remains of contractor personnel who die as the result of an incident in support of military operations are afforded the same dignity and respect afforded to remains of service members. For more information, see paragraph (k) of appendix A to this part. (ii) The DoD may provide mortuary affairs support and transportation on a reimbursable basis for the recovery, identification, and disposition of remains and personal effects of nonCAAF at the request of the Department of State (DOS) and in accordance with this rule, applicable agreements with the HN, and applicable contract provisions. The Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (USD(P&R)) will coordinate this support with the DOS, including for cost reimbursement to the DoD Component for the provision of this support. (iii) The responsibility for coordinating the transfer of non-CAAF remains to the HN or affected nation resides with the GCC in coordination with the DOS, through the respective embassies, or through the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of the Red Cross or Red Crescent Societies, as appropriate, and in accordance with applicable contract clauses. VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:55 Apr 28, 2023 Jkt 259001 (6) Medical support and evacuation. Generally, the DoD will provide only resuscitative care, stabilization, and hospitalization at military medical treatment facilities (MTFs) and assistance with patient movement in emergencies where loss of life, limb, or eyesight could occur. The DoD Foreign Clearance Guide (FCG) and the GCC OCS web pages contain theater-specific contract language to provide contract terms to clarify available healthcare for contractor personnel. During operations in austere, uncertain, or hostile environments, CAAF may encounter situations in which they cannot access adequate medical support in the local area. (i) All costs associated with the treatment and transportation of contractor personnel to the selected civilian facility are reimbursable to the U.S. Government and are the responsibility of contractor personnel, their employers, or their health insurance providers. For more information, see paragraph (l) of appendix A to this part. Nothing in this paragraph is intended to affect the allowability of costs incurred under a contract. (ii) Medical support and evacuation procedures: (A) All CAAF will normally be afforded emergency medical and dental care if injured while supporting applicable operations. Additionally, non-CAAF who are injured while in the vicinity of the U.S. Armed Forces while supporting applicable operations also normally will receive emergency medical and dental care. Emergency medical and dental care includes medical care situations in which life, limb, or eyesight is jeopardized. Examples of emergency medical and dental care include: (1) Examination and initial treatment of victims of sexual assault. (2) Refills of prescriptions for lifedependent drugs. (3) Repair of broken bones, lacerations, and infections. (4) Traumatic injuries to the teeth. (B) MTFs normally will not authorize or provide primary medical or dental care to CAAF. When required and authorized by the CCDR or subordinate JFC, this support must be specifically authorized under the terms and conditions of the contract and detailed in the corresponding LOA. Primary care is not authorized for non-CAAF. Primary care includes: (1) Routine inpatient and outpatient services. (2) Non-emergency evacuation. PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 (3) Pharmaceutical support (with the exception of emergency refills of prescriptions for life-dependent drugs). (4) Non-emergency dental services. (5) Other medical support, as determined by the CCDR or JFC based on recommendations from the cognizant medical authority and the existing capabilities of the forward-deployed MTFs. (C) The DoD will not provide longterm care to contractor personnel. (D) The CCDR or subordinate commander has the authority to quarantine or restrict movement of contractor personnel. For more information, see paragraph (m) of appendix A to this part. (E) When CAAF are evacuated for medical reasons from the designated operational area to MTFs funded by the Defense Health Program, normal reimbursement policies will apply for services rendered by the facility. If CAAF require medical evacuation outside the United States, the sending MTF staff will assist the CAAF in making arrangements for transfer to a civilian facility of the CAAF’s choice. When U.S. forces provide emergency medical care to LN contractor personnel, these patients will use HN transportation means, when possible, for evacuation or transportation to their local medical systems. For more information, see paragraph (n) of appendix A to this part. (7) Other AGS. 48 CFR subpart 225.3 lists types of support that may be authorized for contractor personnel who are deployed with or otherwise provide support to applicable operations, which may include transportation to and within the operational area, mess operations, quarters, phone service, religious support, and laundry. (i) Contractor personnel of U.S. owned-contractors who are supporting DoD activities may be authorized the use of the military postal service. For more information, see paragraph (o) of appendix A to this part. The extent of postal support will be set forth in the contract. The provisions for postal support in such contracts must be reviewed and approved by the applicable CCDR, or the designated representative, and the Military Department concerned before execution of the contract. (ii) Morale, welfare, and recreation and exchange services are authorized for contractor personnel who are U.S. citizens supporting DoD activities outside the United States. For more information, see paragraphs (p) and (q) of appendix A to this part. (h) Accountability and visibility of contracts and contractor personnel. (1) E:\FR\FM\01MYR1.SGM 01MYR1 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 83 / Monday, May 1, 2023 / Rules and Regulations During applicable operations, contractors will use SPOT–ES as follows: (i) All CAAF will register in SPOT–ES by name. (ii) Non-CAAF will be registered in SPOT–ES by name if they are performing on a DoD contract for at least 30 consecutive days unless a lesser number of days is requested by the CCDR or if they require access to a U.S. or coalition-controlled installation. Contracting officers will ensure nonCAAF who require access to U.S. or coalition-controlled installations are registered in SPOT–ES before requesting or receiving installation access. (iii) All private security contractor personnel and all other contractor personnel authorized to carry weapons, regardless of the length of the performance or contract value, will register in SPOT–ES by name. (iv) During operations other than contingency operations, humanitarian assistance, or peace operations, contractors will use SPOT–ES in situations required by the CCDR and as follows: (2) To account for: (i) All U.S. citizen and TCN contractor personnel. (ii) All private security contractor personnel and all other contractor personnel authorized to carry weapons, where the designated area and place of performance are outside the United States, regardless of the length of performance or contract value. (3) The contracting officer will account for an estimated total number of LNs employed under the contract, by country or on a monthly basis. (4) Contract linguists will register in SPOT–ES in the same manner as other contractor personnel and will also be tracked using the Contract Linguist Enterprise-wide Database. For more information, see paragraph (r) of appendix A to this part. (5) LNs should be registered in SPOT– ES by name to improve data quality and reduce confusion during a transition to accountability requirements during a contingency operation, which will require by-name accountability. (6) The DoD has designated SPOT–ES as the joint web-based database to assist the CCDRs in maintaining awareness of the nature, extent, and potential risks and capabilities associated with contracted support for contingency operations, humanitarian assistance, and peacekeeping operations, or military exercises designated by the CCDR. To facilitate integration of contractors and other personnel, as directed by the USD(A&S) or the CCDR, and to ensure the accurate forecasting VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:55 Apr 28, 2023 Jkt 259001 and provision of accountability, visibility, force protection, medical support, personnel recovery, and other related support, the following procedures will help establish, maintain, and validate the accuracy of information in the database. (i) SPOT–ES will: (A) Serve as the central repository for deployment status and reporting on the contractor personnel as well as other U.S. Government agency contractor personnel, as applicable. For additional information, see paragraph (s) of appendix A to this part. (B) Track information for all DoD contracts that are awarded in support of applicable operations outside of the United States, in accordance with the SPOT Business Rules and as directed by the USD(A&S), 48 CFR subpart 225.3, or the CCDR. SPOT–ES will collect and report on: (1) The total number of contractor personnel working under contracts entered into as of the end of each calendar quarter. (2) The total number of contractor personnel performing security functions under contracts entered into with the DoD. (3) The total number of contractor personnel killed or wounded who were performing under any contracts entered into with the DoD. (C) Provide personnel accountability via unique identifier (e.g., Electronic Data Interchange Personnel Identifier or Foreign Identification Number) of contractor personnel and other personnel, as directed by the USD(A&S), 48 CFR subpart 225.3, or the CCDR. (D) Contain, or link to, minimum contract information necessary to: (1) Establish and maintain accountability of the personnel in paragraph (g) of this section. (2) Maintain information on specific equipment related to the performance of private security contracts. (3) Maintain oversight information on the contracted support in applicable operations. (E) Comply with: (1) The personnel identity protection program requirements found in paragraphs (t) and (u) of appendix A to this part. (2) The DoD Information Enterprise architecture. For more information, see paragraph (v) of appendix A to this part. (3) The interoperability and secure sharing of information requirements found in paragraphs (w) through (y) of appendix A to this part. (ii) Before registering in SPOT–ES, contracting officers, company administrators, and U.S. Government administrators or authorities must meet PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 26487 minimum training requirements in the SPOT Business Rules. (iii) The contractor must enter all required data into SPOT–ES before its employees may deploy to or enter a theater of operations, and maintain such data, as directed by the USD(A&S), 48 CFR subpart 225.3, or the CCDR. (iv) The contracting officer will enter the DoD contract services or capabilities for all contracts that are awarded in support of applicable operations, including theater support, external support, and systems support contracts, into SPOT–ES consistent with 48 CFR 252.225–7040. (v) In accordance with applicable acquisition policy and regulations and under the terms and conditions of each affected contract, all contractors awarded contracts that support applicable operations must input employee data and maintain accountability, by name, of designated contractor personnel in SPOT–ES as required by 48 CFR 252.225–7040. (A) Contractors must maintain current status of the daily location of their employees and, when requested, submit to the COR up-to-date, real-time information reflecting all personnel deployed or to be deployed in support of applicable operations. (B) Prime contractors must enter upto-date information regarding their subcontractors at all tiers into SPOT–ES. (vi) In all cases, users providing classified information in response to the requirements of this part must report and maintain that information on systems approved for the level of classification of the information provided. (7) The contracting officer or his or her designee will ensure a SPOT–ESgenerated LOA has been issued to all CAAF who are approved to deploy, as required by 48 CFR 252.225–7040, and selected non-CAAF (e.g., LN and nonLN employees who are permanent residents in the operational area, or TCNs not routinely residing with the U.S. Armed Forces who perform support functions away from the close proximity of, and do not reside with, the U.S. Armed Forces, and private security contractors), pursuant to 48 CFR subpart 225.3, or as otherwise designated by the CCDR. (i) The contract will require that all contractor personnel issued an LOA carry the LOA with them at all times. (ii) [Reserved]. (i) Theater admission requirements. Special area, country, and theater personnel clearance documents must be current, in accordance with the DoD FCG, and coordinated with affected agencies to ensure that entry E:\FR\FM\01MYR1.SGM 01MYR1 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1 26488 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 83 / Monday, May 1, 2023 / Rules and Regulations requirements do not adversely affect accomplishment of mission requirements. (1) CAAF employed in support of DoD missions are considered DoD-sponsored personnel for DoD FCG purposes. (2) Contracting officers must ensure contracts include a requirement for contractor personnel to meet theater personnel clearance requirements and obtain personnel clearances through the Aircraft and Personnel Automated Clearance System before entering a designated theater of operations. For more information, see paragraph (z) of appendix A to this part. (3) Contracts must require contractor personnel to obtain proper identification credentials, such as passports, visas, and other documents required to enter and exit a designated operational area, and have a required Geneva Conventions identification card, or other appropriate DoD credential from the deploying center. (j) Deployment procedures. Contracts must contain terms and conditions that detail the need for contractors to follow these credentialing requirements, as required by 48 CFR subpart 225.3, 48 CFR 252.225–7040, and as outlined in the DoD FCG. At a minimum, contracting officers must ensure that contracts address operational areaspecific contract requirements and the means by which the DoD will inform contractor personnel of the requirements and procedures applicable to their deployment. (1) Deployment center designation. A formally designated group, joint, or Military Department deployment center will be used to conduct deployment and redeployment processing for CAAF, unless contractor-performed theater admission preparation is authorized or waived by the CCDR or designee pursuant to DoDI 3020.41, ‘‘Operational Contract Support (OCS).’’ If the contract contains clauses that specify another U.S. Government-authorized process that incorporates all the functions of a deployment center, such process may also be used by a contractor to conduct deployment and redeployment processing for CAAF. (2) Medical preparation. (i) In accordance with § 158.6, contracts must require that contractors provide medically and physically qualified contractor personnel to perform duties in applicable operations, as outlined in the contract. (A) Any CAAF deemed unsuitable to deploy during the deployment process due to medical or dental reasons will not be authorized to deploy. (B) The Secretary of Defense may direct immunizations as mandatory for VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:55 Apr 28, 2023 Jkt 259001 CAAF performing essential contractor services. (C) For contracts that employ CAAF who are U.S. citizens, the contract must require that contractors make available the medical and dental records of deploying employees who authorize release for this purpose based on this section, applicable cognizant medical authority guidance, and relevant Military Department policy. These records should include current panographic x-rays. For more information, see paragraph (aa) of appendix A to this part. (ii) U.S. Government personnel may not involuntarily immunize contractor personnel or require contractor personnel to involuntarily disclose their medical records. Therefore, the contracting officer will provide contractors time to notify and/or hire employees who voluntarily consent to U.S. Government medical requirements, including to receiving U.S. Governmentrequired immunizations and disclosing their private medical information to the U.S. Government. (iii) All CAAF will receive medical threat pre-deployment briefings at the deployment center to communicate health risks and countermeasures in the designated operational area. For more information, see paragraph (bb) of appendix A to this part. (A) In accordance with GCC or JFC plans and orders, contracts must include terms and conditions that fully specify health readiness and force health protection capability, either as a responsibility of the contractor or the DoD Components, to ensure appropriate medical staffing in the operational area. (B) Health surveillance activities must include plans for CAAF. For more information, see paragraphs (bb) and (cc) of appendix A to this part. Section 158.6 of this rule further addresses deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) collection and other medical requirements. (3) Training. Joint training policy and guidance applies to both members of the Military Services and contractor personnel. For more information, see paragraph (dd) of appendix A to this part. CCDRs will place standing training requirements on the GCC OCS web pages for reference by contractors. Other training requirements that are specific to an applicable operation will be placed on the GCC OCS web pages shortly after identifying the requirement so that contracting officers can incorporate the training requirement into the appropriate contracts as soon as possible. Training requirements: (i) Must be included, or incorporated by reference, in contracts employing PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 contractor personnel supporting applicable operations. (ii) Include specific requirements established by the CCDR and training required in accordance with this rule, 32 CFR part 159, and paragraphs (ee) through (hh) of appendix A to this part. (4) Deployment center procedures. Affected contracts must require that all CAAF deploying from outside the operational area process through a designated deployment center or a U.S. Government-authorized, contractorperformed deployment processing facility before deploying to an applicable operation and redeploy in the same manner. Upon receiving the contracted company’s certification that employees meet deployability requirements, the contracting officer or representative will digitally sign the LOA, which CAAF will then present to officials at the deployment center. The deployment process includes, but is not limited to: (i) Verifying registration in SPOT–ES. (ii) Issuing applicable U.S. Government-furnished equipment. (iii) Verifying the completion of medical and dental screening before arrival. (iv) Administering required theaterspecific immunizations and medications not available through healthcare providers in the general public. (v) Verifying and, when necessary, providing required training, country and cultural awareness briefings, and other training and briefings, as required by the CCDR. Examples of required training include, but are not limited to: (A) Law of war, including the 1949 Geneva Conventions and DoD policy to implement the law of war. (B) Law and policy applicable to detainee operations and intelligence interrogation operations, as appropriate. (C) General orders. (D) Standards of conduct. (E) Force protection. (F) Personnel recovery. (G) First aid. (H) Combating trafficking in persons. (I) OPSEC. (J) Anti-terrorism. (K) Counterintelligence reporting. (L) The use of CBRN protective ensemble. (M) Deployment health threats briefing. (5) Certification. Contracts supporting applicable operations must include terms and conditions requiring contractors to certify to the authorized U.S. Government representative, before deployment, that each individual has completed all required deployment processing actions. (6) Legal. Contractor personnel are not entitled to military legal assistance in- E:\FR\FM\01MYR1.SGM 01MYR1 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 83 / Monday, May 1, 2023 / Rules and Regulations theater or at the deployment center. Individual contractor personnel must have their personal legal affairs in order (e.g., preparing and completing powers of attorney, wills, trusts, and estate plans) before reporting to deployment centers. (7) Waivers. For required contracted support of 17 days or less in an operational area, the CCDR or designee may waive a portion of the formal procedural requirements pursuant to DoDI 3020.41, ‘‘Operational Contract Support (OCS),’’ which may include the CCDR or designee waiving the requirement in writing for processing through a deployment center. However, the CCDR or designee may not waive the requirements to possess proper identification cards and to establish and maintain accountability for all contractor personnel, or any medical requirement without the prior approval of the cognizant medical authority or their designee. If a contract authorizes contractor personnel to be armed, the requirements of paragraphs (c)(4) and (k)(2) of this section may not be waived. (k) Reception—(1) Designated reception site. In applicable operations, all CAAF must enter into the operational area through a designated reception site. (i) Based upon a visual inspection of the LOA, the site will verify that contractor personnel are entered in SPOT–ES and meet theater-specific entry requirements. (ii) Contractor personnel already in the designated operational area when a contingency is declared must report to the designated reception site as soon as it is operational based on the terms and conditions of the contract. (iii) When entering a designated reception site for theater entry processing, if any CAAF does not have the proper documentation to perform in an area, he or she will be refused entry into the theater, and the contracting officer will notify the contractor to take the necessary action to resolve the issue. Should the contractor fail to take action, the CAAF individual will be sent back to his or her departure point, or directed to report to the Military Service Component command or Defense Agency responsible for that specific contract, for theater entrance processing. (2) Contractor integration. It is critical that CAAF brought into an operational area are properly integrated into the military operation through a formal reception process. At a minimum, they will: (i) Meet theater entry requirements and be authorized to enter the theater. (ii) Be accounted for in SPOT–ES. VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:55 Apr 28, 2023 Jkt 259001 (iii) Possess any required IPE, including CBRN protective ensemble. (iv) Be authorized any contractually required AGS and force protection. (l) In-theater management—(1) Conduct and discipline. Contract terms and conditions must require that CAAF comply with CCDR theater orders, applicable directives, laws, and regulations. Non-CAAF who require base access to perform contractual requirements must follow base force protection and security-related procedures, as applicable. (i) The contracting officer may appoint a designee (usually a COR) as a liaison between the contracting officer and the contractor and requiring activity. This designee monitors and reports contractor performance and requiring activity concerns to the contracting officer. In emergency situations (e.g., enemy or terrorist actions or natural disaster), the cognizant military commander may recommend or issue warnings or messages urging contractor personnel to take emergency actions to remove themselves from harm’s way or to take other appropriate self-protective measures. During armed conflict, contractor personnel are not exempt from the authority that commanders may exercise to control the movement of persons and vehicles within the immediate vicinity of operations. For more information, see sections 5.2.2.1, 13.8, and 14.6 of paragraph (e) of appendix A to this part. (ii) The contractor is responsible for disciplining contractor personnel, as necessary and appropriate. However, in accordance with 48 CFR 252.225– 7040(h)(1), the contracting officer may direct the contractor, at its own expense, to remove and replace any contractor personnel who jeopardize or interfere with mission accomplishment, who threaten force protection measures, or who fail to comply with or violate applicable requirements of the contract. Such action may: (A) Include contractor personnel whose actual field performance (certification or professional standard) is below the contractual requirement. (B) Be taken at U.S. Government discretion without prejudice to the contractor’s rights under any other provision of the contract. A commander also has the authority to take certain actions affecting contractor personnel, such as the ability to revoke or suspend security access or impose restrictions from access to military installations or specific worksites. (iii) CAAF, or individuals employed by or accompanying the Military Services outside the United States, are PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 26489 subject to potential prosecutorial action under the criminal jurisdiction of the United States, pursuant to sections 7, 2441, 2442, or 3261 of Title 18, U.S.C., or other provisions of U.S. law, including the UCMJ. (A) Commanders possess significant authority to act whenever criminal acts are committed by anyone subject to the MEJA and UCMJ that relates to or affects the commander’s responsibilities. This includes situations in which the alleged offender’s precise identity or actual affiliation is undetermined. The March 10, 2008, Secretary of Defense Memorandum provides guidance to commanders on the exercise of this UCMJ jurisdiction over DoD contractor personnel serving with or accompanying the U.S. Armed Forces overseas during declared war and in contingency operations. (B) Contracting officers will ensure that contractors are aware of their employees’ status and liabilities as CAAF and the required training associated with this status. (C) CCDRs retain authority to respond to an incident, restore safety and order, investigate, apprehend suspected offenders, and otherwise address the immediate needs of the situation. (iv) The Department of Justice may prosecute misconduct under applicable Federal laws, including MEJA and 18 U.S.C. 2441. Contractor personnel also are normally subject to the domestic criminal law of the local country. When confronted with disciplinary problems involving contractor personnel, commanders should seek the assistance of their legal staff, the contracting officer responsible for the contract, and the contractor’s management team. (v) In the event of an investigation of reported offenses allegedly committed by or against contractor personnel, appropriate investigative authorities will keep the contracting officer informed, to the extent possible without compromising the investigation, if the alleged offense has a potential contract performance implication. (2) Force protection and weapons issuance. CCDRs must include contractor personnel in their force protection planning and communicate the results to contracting activities and contractors via the GCC OCS web page. In general, contractors are responsible for the security of their own personnel. Contractor personnel working within a U.S. military facility or in close proximity to the U.S. Armed Forces may receive incidentally the benefits of measures taken to protect the U.S. Armed Forces. For more information, see paragraph (ee) of appendix A to this part. However, where additional E:\FR\FM\01MYR1.SGM 01MYR1 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1 26490 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 83 / Monday, May 1, 2023 / Rules and Regulations security is needed to achieve force protection, and it is not operationally or cost effective for contractors to do so individually, the commander may determine it is in the interests of the U.S. Government to provide security for contractor personnel. When security is provided through military means, contractor personnel should receive a level of force protection equal to that of DoD civilian employees. (i) When the CCDR deems military force protection and legitimate civil authority are unavailable or insufficient, he or she may authorize, in writing, contractor personnel to be armed for self-defense purposes only. In authorizing contractor personnel to be armed, the contractor, the armed contractor personnel, and the U.S. military must adhere to: (A) Applicable U.S., HN, and international law; (B) Relevant SOFAs and other agreements; (C) Other arrangements with local authorities; and (D) The rules for the use of force, and guidance and orders regarding the possession, use, safety, accountability of weapons and ammunition that are issued by the CCDR. (ii) Depending on the operational situation and the specific circumstances of contractor personnel, the contractor may apply for its personnel to be armed for self-defense purposes on a case-bycase basis. The appropriate Staff Judge Advocate (or their designee) to the CCDR will review all applications to ensure there is a legal basis for approval. In reviewing applications, CCDRs will apply the criteria mandated for arming contractor personnel for private security services consistent with 32 CFR part 159. (A) In such cases, the contractor will validate to the contracting officer, or designee, that the contractor personnel have received weapons familiarization, qualification, and briefings regarding the rules for the use of force, in accordance with CCDR policies. (B) Acceptance of weapons by contractor personnel is voluntary. In accordance with paragraph (j) of 48 CFR 252.225–7040, the contract must require contractors to ensure that applicable U.S. law does not prohibit personnel from possessing firearms. (C) Contracts must require all contractor personnel to comply with applicable CCDR and local commander force protection policies. When armed for personal protection, the contract may only authorize contractor personnel to use force for self-defense and must require contractors to ensure that U.S. law does not prohibit its personnel from VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:55 Apr 28, 2023 Jkt 259001 possessing firearms, in accordance with 48 CFR 252.225–7040(j). Unless not subject to local laws or HN jurisdiction by virtue of an international agreement or customary international law, the contract must include terms and conditions setting forth that the inappropriate use of force could subject contractor personnel to U.S. and/or local or HN prosecution and civil liability. (3) Personnel recovery, missing persons, and casualty reporting. (i) The DoD personnel recovery program applies to all CAAF regardless of their citizenship. For more information, see paragraph (ii) of appendix A to this part. If a CAAF individual becomes isolated or unaccounted for, the contractor must promptly file a search and rescue incident report to the theater’s personnel recovery architecture (e.g., the component personnel recovery coordination cell or the CCMD joint personnel recovery center). (ii) Upon recovery following an isolating event, a CAAF returnee must enter the first of the three phases of reintegration. For more information, see paragraph (jj) of appendix A to this part. The contractor must offer the additional phases of reintegration to the returnee to ensure his or her physical and psychological well-being while adjusting to the post-captivity environment. (iii) The contractor must report all CAAF and non-CAAF casualties. For more information, see paragraph (s) of appendix A to this part. (m) Redeployment procedures. The considerations in this section apply during the redeployment of CAAF. At the end of the performance period of a contract, or in cases of early redeployment, CAAF must complete the redeployment process to adjust AGS requirements and turn in U.S. Government-provided equipment. (1) Preparation for redeployment. CAAF must complete intelligence outbriefs and customs and immigration briefings and inspections in accordance with CCDR policy and applicable HN law. CAAF are subject to customs and immigration processing procedures at all designated stops and their final destination during their redeployment. CAAF returning to the United States are subject to U.S. reentry customs requirements in effect at the time of reentry. (2) Transportation out of theater. The terms and conditions of the contract will state whether the U.S. Government will provide transportation out of theater. (i) Upon completion of the deployment or other authorized release, PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 the U.S. Government must provide contractor personnel transportation from the theater of operations to the location from which they deployed, in accordance with each individual’s LOA and unless otherwise directed. If commercial transportation is not available, it should be stated in the LOA in accordance with paragraph (l) of appendix A to this part. CAAF are also required to depart from the operational area through the designated reception site. (ii) Before redeployment, the contractor personnel, through his or her contractor, will coordinate exit times and transportation with the continental U.S. replacement center or designated reception site. (3) Redeployment center procedures. In most instances, the deployment center or site that prepared the CAAF for deployment will serve as the return processing center. As part of CAAF redeployment processing, the designated reception site personnel will screen contractor records, recover U.S. Government-issued identification cards and equipment, and conduct debriefings, as appropriate. The returning CAAF will spend the minimum amount of time possible at the return processing center in order to complete the necessary administrative procedures. (i) Contractor personnel must return all U.S. Government-issued identification and access badges (e.g., badges, key cards, and other access devices, including CACs). (ii) Contractor personnel must return any issued clothing and equipment and report any lost, damaged, or destroyed clothing and equipment in accordance with procedures of the issuing facility. Contractor personnel also will receive a post-deployment medical briefing on signs and symptoms of potential diseases (e.g., tuberculosis (TB)). As some countries hosting an intermediate staging base may not permit certain items to enter their territory, certain clothing and equipment, whether issued by the contractor, purchased by the employee, or provided by the DoD, may not be permitted to be removed from the AOR. In this case, CCDR or JFC guidance and contract terms and conditions will provide alternate methods of accounting for U.S. Government-issued equipment and clothing. (4) Update to SPOT–ES. Contracting officers or their designated representatives must verify that contractors have updated SPOT–ES to reflect their employee’s change in status within three days of a contractor employee’s redeployment, close out the E:\FR\FM\01MYR1.SGM 01MYR1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 83 / Monday, May 1, 2023 / Rules and Regulations deployment, and collect or revoke the LOA. (5) Transportation to home destination. Transportation of CAAF from the deployment center or site to their home destinations is the employer’s responsibility. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1 § 158.6 Guidance for contractor medical and dental fitness. (a) General. (1) DoD contracts requiring the deployment of CAAF must include medical and dental fitness standards as specified in this section. Under the terms and conditions of their contracts, contractors will employ personnel who meet such medical and dental fitness standards. With respect to contractor personnel covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 U.S.C. 791, et seq. or the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, 29 U.S.C. 12101, et seq., these medical and dental fitness standards do not alter the legal obligations of DoD Components and contractors (as employers). Replacement of nonmedically qualified contractor personnel already deployed to theater will be at the contractor’s cost. (2) The GCC concerned will establish force health protection policies and programs for the protection of all forces assigned or attached to the command in accordance with applicable force health protection (FHP) requirements and medical and dental fitness standards in order to promote and sustain a healthy and ready force. For more information, see paragraph (kk) of appendix A to this part. The GCC concerned will establish a process for reviewing requests for exceptions to such requirements, on an individualized basis, and will ensure that a mechanism is in place to appropriately maintain records related to all approved and denied waivers, including any medical records. (3) The GCC concerned will ensure that medical fitness processes and procedures, to include those pertaining to removal of contractor personnel from the theater who are no longer medically qualified, at the contractor’s expense, are posted on the GCC OCS web page. Contracting officers will incorporate the language concerning these processes and procedures into clauses for all contracts for performance in the AOR. (4) Unless otherwise stated in the contract terms and conditions, all medical evaluations and treatment are the contractor’s responsibility. (b) Medical and dental evaluations. (1) All CAAF deploying in support of an applicable operation are subject to medical and dental fitness standards pursuant to paragraph (kk) of appendix A to this part and CCDR guidance. VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:55 Apr 28, 2023 Jkt 259001 Fitness standards pertain to the individual’s ability to accomplish the tasks and duties unique to a particular operation and the ability to tolerate the environmental and operational conditions of the deployed location. (2) All CAAF must undergo a screening medical and dental assessment within 12 months before arrival at the designated deployment center or U.S. Government-authorized contractor-performed deployment processing facility. This screening assessment, conducted by the contractor’s medical health provider, should emphasize diagnosing system disease conditions (e.g., cardiovascular, pulmonary, orthopedic, neurologic, endocrinologic, dermatologic, psychological, visual, auditory, dental) that may preclude the CAAF from performing the functional requirements of the contract, especially in the austere work environments encountered in some applicable operations. (3) CAAF will receive a health threat and countermeasures briefing from the applicable Military Service before deployment to the operational area. For more information, see paragraph (bb) of appendix A to this part. (4) CAAF whose initial screening assessment or subsequent medical evaluation identifies any of the medical conditions listed in paragraph (j) of this section or identifies a requirement for extensive preventive dental case (see paragraph (j)(2)(xxv) of this section) are considered ‘‘not medically fit’’ for deployment unless their deployment is approved by a waiver. (5) Individuals who are deemed ‘‘not medically fit,’’ including those whose request for a waiver has been denied, following an individual assessment by a licensed medical provider are not authorized to deploy. (6) Non-CAAF shall be medically screened by a U.S. Government designee when required by the requiring activity and the contract, for the class of labor under consideration (e.g., LNs working in a dining facility). (7) Contracts will require contractors to replace individuals who develop conditions that cause them to become medically unqualified to perform contractual requirements at any time during contract performance. (8) Contracts will require that CAAF complete a post-deployment health assessment in the Defense Medical Surveillance System at the end of their deployment or within 30 days of redeployment. For more information, see paragraph (bb) of appendix A to this part. (c) Glasses and contact lenses. (1) If contractor personnel require vision PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 26491 correction, they must have two pairs of glasses, and if applicable, eyeglass inserts for a chemical protective mask. The contractor personnel may also provide a written prescription to the supporting military medical component in order to prepare eyeglass inserts for use in a compatible chemical protective mask. If the type of protective mask to be issued is known and time permits, the military medical component should attempt to complete the preparation of eyeglass inserts before deployment. (2) Wearing contact lenses in a field environment is not recommended and is at the contractor personnel’s own risk due to the potential for irreversible eye damage caused by debris, chemical or other hazards present, and the lack of ophthalmologic care in a field environment. (d) Medications. Other than those force health protection prescription products provided by the U.S. Government to CAAF and selected nonCAAF, contracts must require that contractor personnel deploy with a minimum 90-day supply of any required medications obtained at their own expense. For more information, see paragraph (bb) of appendix A to this part. (1) Contractor personnel must be informed that deployed medical units are equipped and staffed to provide emergency care to healthy adults and are unable to provide or replace many medications required for routine treatment of chronic medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart conditions, and arthritis. (2) The contract must require contractor personnel to review both the amount of the medication and its suitability in the foreign area with their personal physician and make any necessary adjustments before deploying. The contract must also hold the contractor personnel responsible for the re-supply of required medications. (e) Comfort items. The contract must require that contractor personnel take spare hearing-aid batteries, sunglasses, insect repellent, sunscreen, and any other supplies related to their individual physical requirements. DoD sources will not provide these items. (f) Immunizations. A list of immunizations, including those required for entry into the designated area of operations and those recommended by medical authorities, will be produced by the cognizant medical authority for each deployment; posted to the GCC OCS web page and DoD FCG; and incorporated in contracts for performance in the designated AOR. (1) The GCC, upon the recommendation of the cognizant E:\FR\FM\01MYR1.SGM 01MYR1 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1 26492 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 83 / Monday, May 1, 2023 / Rules and Regulations medical authority, will provide contractor personnel who are deploying to the applicable theater of operation a list of the immunizations necessary to protect against the communicable diseases assessed to be a potential hazard in the applicable theater. The cognizant medical authority will prepare and maintain this list. (2) The contract must require that CAAF complete any mandatory immunizations, subject to any legally required exemptions, to complete the pre-deployment process. (3) During pre-deployment processing, the DoD will provide contractor personnel, at no cost to the contractor, any theater-specific immunizations and medications not available to the general public. Contractor personnel must obtain all other immunizations before arrival at the deployment center, documented on the International Certificate of Vaccinations of Prophylaxis as approved by the World Health Organization or the Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Form 731. However, the contract must stipulate that CAAF and selected nonCAAF obtain all other necessary immunizations before their arrival at the deployment center. The TB skin test is required for all contractor personnel within three months before they are deployed. (4) The DoD will provide theaterspecific medical supplies and force health protection prescription products to CAAF and selected non-CAAF. Additionally, these personnel will receive deployment medication information sheets for all vaccines or deployment-related medications that are to be dispensed or administered. (5) Contractors will ensure that individuals with a positive TB skin test be evaluated for targeted diagnosis and treatment of latent TB infection in accordance with the procedures outlined in the World Health Organization Guidelines on the Management of Latent Tuberculosis Infection. (6) The contract must stipulate that CAAF and selected non-CAAF bring a current copy of the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis to the pre-deployment processing center and to the operational area. (g) Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Testing. HIV testing is not mandatory for contractor personnel unless specified by the GCC CCDR or by host nation requirements. HIV testing, if required, must occur within one year before deployment. VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:55 Apr 28, 2023 Jkt 259001 (h) Armed Forces Repository of Specimen Samples for the Identification of Remains (AFRSSIR). For identification of remains purposes, contractors whose CAAF members are U.S. citizens will obtain a dental panograph and will forward a specimen sample suitable for DNA analysis to, and ensure it is on file with, the AFRSSIR before or during deployment processing and recorded in SPOT–ES. The DoD Components must ensure that all contracts require CAAF who are U.S. citizens to provide DNA specimen samples for AFRSSIR as a condition of deployment. For more information, see paragraph (ll) of appendix A to this part. (1) All CAAF who are U.S. citizens processing through a deployment center will have a DNA specimen sample collected and forwarded to the AFRSSIR for storage. Contracts must require contractors to verify in SPOT–ES or its successor that AFRSSIR has received the DNA specimen sample or that the contractor has collected the DNA specimen sample. (2) If CAAF who are U.S. citizens do not process through a deployment center, or the contractor is authorized to process its own personnel, the contract must require that the contractor collect and forward DNA specimen samples for all contractor personnel who are deployed as CAAF to the AFRSSIR. Regardless of what specimen collection and storage arrangements are made, all contractors deploying CAAF who are U.S. citizens must provide the CAAF’s name and Social Security number, location of the DNA specimen sample, facility contact information, and retrieval plan to AFRSSIR. If the AFRSSIR is not used and a CAAF who is a U.S. citizen becomes a casualty, the contractor must be able to retrieve identification media for use by the Armed Forces Medical Examiner (AFME) or other competent authority to conduct a medical-legal investigation of the incident and identification of the victim or victims. These records must be retrievable within 24 hours for forwarding to the AFME when there is a reported incident that would necessitate their use for identifying human remains. The contractor shall have access to the location of its employees’ fingerprint, medical, and dental records, including panographs. (3) AFRSSIR is responsible for implementing special rules and procedures to ensure the protection of privacy interests in regards to the specimen samples and any DNA analysis of those samples. Specimen samples shall only be used for the purposes outlined in paragraph (ll) of appendix A to this part. PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 (i) Waivers related to medical and dental fitness standards. Based on an individualized assessment, waivers may be appropriate for contractor personnel who have potentially disqualifying medical conditions if, with or without a reasonable accommodation: (1) The condition is not of such a nature it is likely to have a medically grave outcome or a negative impact on mission execution if it unexpectedly worsens. (2) The condition is stable and reasonably anticipated by the medical evaluator not to worsen during the deployment under contractor-provided medical care in-theater in light of the physical, physiological, psychological, environmental, and nutritional effects of the duties and location. (3) Any required ongoing health care or medications must be available or accessible to contractor personnel, independent of the military health system, and not be subject to special handling, storage, or other requirements (e.g., refrigeration requirements and/or cold chain, electrical power requirements) that cannot be met in the specific theater of operations. (4) The condition does not and is not anticipated to require duty limitations that would preclude performance of contractual requirements or to require accommodation by the DoD component or requiring activity. When necessary, the cognizant medical authority (or delegated representative) is the appropriate authority to evaluate the suitability of an individual’s limitations in theater. (5) There is no need for routine outof-theater evacuation for continuing diagnostics or other evaluations. (j) Conditions usually precluding medical clearance. This section is not intended to be comprehensive. A list of all possible diagnoses would be too expansive to list in this part. These are minimum requirements. Contractor personnel may have additional medical clearance requirements based on their occupation and local laws. It is the responsibility of the contractor to ensure that its employees’ medical clearances comply with any applicable local occupation-specific medical requirements. (1) In general, the conditions in paragraph (b) of this section, based on an individual assessment pursuant to paragraph (bb) of appendix A to this part, are disqualifying. The medical evaluator will carefully consider whether climate; altitude; the nature of available food and housing available; the nature of medical, behavioral health, and dental services; or other environmental or operational factors E:\FR\FM\01MYR1.SGM 01MYR1 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 83 / Monday, May 1, 2023 / Rules and Regulations may prove hazardous to the deploying person’s heath because of a known physical or mental condition. (2) Medical clearance for deployment of persons with any of the conditions in this section may be granted by the contracting officer only after consultation with and approval of a waiver by the appropriate cognizant medical authority on behalf of the CCDR. The cognizant medical authority makes recommendations and serves as the CCDR’s advisor on conditions precluding the medial clearance of deploying personnel; however, the CCDR is the final approval or disapproval authority except as provided in paragraph (k)(3) of this section. The cognizant medical authority or designated representative may determine if adequate treatment facilities and specialist support are available at the duty station for: (i) Physical or psychological conditions resulting in the inability to wear IPE effectively, if wearing IPE may be reasonably anticipated or required in the deployed location. (ii) Conditions that prevent safe administration of applicable immunizations, prescription products, or other health protection measures, including atropine, epinephrine, and/or 2-pam chloride auto-injectors, certain antimicrobials, antimalarials, and/or pyridostigmine bromide. (iii) Any chronic medical conditions that require frequent clinical visits, fail to respond to adequate conservative treatment, or necessitate significant limitation of physical activity. (iv) Any medical conditions that require durable medical equipment or appliances or periodic evaluation or treatment by medical specialists not readily available in theater (e.g., Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine for sleep apnea). (v) Any unresolved acute or chronic illness or injuries that would impair duty performance in a deployed environment during the duration of the deployment. (vi) Active TB or known blood-borne diseases that may be transmitted to others in a deployed environment. (For HIV infections, see paragraph (j)(2)(xvii) of this section.) (vii) An acute exacerbation of a physical or mental health condition that could affect duty performance. (viii) Recurrent loss of consciousness for any reason. (ix) Any medical condition that could result in sudden incapacitation including a history of stroke within the last 24 months, seizure disorders, and diabetes mellitus type I or II, treated VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:55 Apr 28, 2023 Jkt 259001 with insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents. (x) Hypertension not controlled with medication or that requires frequent monitoring to achieve control. (xi) Pregnancy. (xii) Cancers for which individuals are receiving continuing treatment or that require periodic specialty medical evaluations during the anticipated duration of the deployment. (xiii) Precancerous lesions that have not been treated or evaluated and that require treatment or evaluation during the anticipated duration of the deployment. (xiv) Any medical conditions that require surgery or for which surgery has been performed that requires rehabilitation or additional surgery to remove devices. (xv) Asthma that has a Forced Expiratory Volume-1 (FEV–1) of less than or equal to 50 percent of predicted FEV–1 despite appropriate therapy, that has required hospitalization at least two times in the last 12 months, or that requires daily systemic oral or injectable steroids. (xvi) Any musculoskeletal conditions that significantly impair performance of duties in a deployed environment. (xvii) HIV antibody positive with the presence of progressive clinical illness or immunological deficiencies. The contracting officer should consult the cognizant medical authority in all instances of HIV seropositivity before medical clearance for deployment. (xviii) Hearing loss. The requirement for use of a hearing aid does not necessarily preclude deployment. However, the individual must have sufficient unaided hearing to perform duties safely. (xix) Loss of vision. Best corrected visual acuity must meet job requirements to perform duties safely. (xx) Symptomatic coronary artery disease. (xxi) History of myocardial infarction within one year of deployment. (xxii) History of coronary artery bypass graft, coronary artery angioplasty, carotid endarterectomy, other arterial stenting, or aneurysm repair within one year of deployment. (xxiii) Cardiac dysrhythmias or arrhythmias, either symptomatic or requiring medical or electrophysiologic control, such as the presence of an implanted defibrillator and/or pacemaker. (xxiv) Heart failure. (xxv) Individuals without a dental exam within the last 12 months or who are likely to require dental treatment or reevaluation for oral conditions that are likely to result in dental emergencies within 12 months. PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 26493 (xxvi) Psychotic and/or bipolar disorders. For detailed guidance on deployment-limiting psychiatric conditions or psychotropic medications, see paragraph (mm) of appendix A to this part. (xxvii) Psychiatric disorders under treatment with fewer than three months of demonstrated stability. (xxviii) Clinical psychiatric disorders with residual symptoms that impair duty performance. (xxix) Mental health conditions that pose a substantial risk for deterioration or recurrence of impairing symptoms in the deployed environment. (xxx) Chronic medical conditions that require ongoing treatment with antipsychotics, lithium, or anticonvulsants. (k) Exceptions to medical standards (waivers). If a contractor believes an individual CAAF with one of the conditions listed in paragraphs (j)(2)(i) through (xxx) of this section can, with or without reasonable accommodation, accomplish the essential duties of his or her tasks and duties and tolerate the environmental and operational conditions of the deployed location, the contractor may request a waiver for that individual through the contracting officer, using the process and procedures established by the GCC. (1) Contractors will include a summary of a detailed medical evaluation or consultation concerning the medical condition or conditions in the requests for waivers. Since maximization of mission accomplishment and the protection of the health of personnel are the ultimate goals, justification for the waiver will include: (i) Statement indicating the CAAF individual’s qualifications and experience. (ii) The position the CAAF individual will occupy and the nature and scope of contractual duties assigned. (iii) Any known specific hazards of the position. (iv) Anticipated availability and need for care while deployed. (2) Waivers to deploy or permit continued service in a deployed environment by persons with any of the conditions in paragraphs (j)(2)(i) through (xxx) of this section require an individualized assessment and a recommendation from a cognizant medical authority. The GCC, or designee, is the final decision authority for medical waiver requests, except as provided in paragraph (k)(3) of this section. (3) For CAAF individuals working with Special Operations Forces personnel, the Theater Special E:\FR\FM\01MYR1.SGM 01MYR1 26494 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 83 / Monday, May 1, 2023 / Rules and Regulations Operations Command Commander is the final decision authority for medical waiver requests. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1 Appendix A to Part 158—Related Policies The Operational Contract Support Outside the United States Program is supported by the following policies: (a) DoD Directive 5124.02, ‘‘Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (USD(P&R))’’ (available at https:// www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/ issuances/dodd/512402p.pdf). (b) DoD Instruction 1100.22, ‘‘Policy and Procedures for Determining Workforce Mix’’ (available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/ Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/ 110022p.pdf). (c) DoD Directive 1000.20, ‘‘Active Duty Service Determinations for Civilian or Contractual Groups’’ (available at https:// www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/ issuances/dodd/100020p.pdf). (d) DoD Instruction 2200.01, ‘‘Combating Trafficking in Persons (CTIP)’’ (available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/ Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/ 220001p.pdf). (e) DoD Law of War Manual (June 2015, Updated Dec. 2016) (available at https:// dod.defense.gov/Portals/1/Documents/pubs/ DoD%20Law%20of%20War%20 Manual%20-%20June%202015%20Updated %20Dec%202016.pdf?ver=2016-12-13172036-190). (f) DoD Instruction 1000.01, ‘‘Identification (ID) Cards Required by the Geneva Conventions’’ (available at https:// www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/ issuances/dodi/100001p.pdf). (g) DoD Instruction 1000.13, ‘‘Identification (ID) Cards for Members of the Uniformed Services, Their Dependents, and Other Eligible Individuals’’ (available at https:// www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/ issuances/dodi/100013p.pdf). (h) DoD Manual 1000.13, ‘‘DoD Identification (ID) Cards: ID Card Life-Cycle’’ Volume 1 (available at https:// www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/ issuances/dodm/100013_vol1.pdf). (i) DoD Manual 1000.13, ‘‘DoD Identification (ID) Cards: ID Card Life-Cycle’’, Volume 2 (available at https:// www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/ issuances/dodm/100013_vol2.pdf). (j) DoD Directive 1300.22, ‘‘Mortuary Affairs Policy’’ (available at https:// www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/ issuances/dodd/130022p.pdf). (k) DoD Instruction 1300.18, ‘‘Department of Defense (DoD) Personnel Casualty Matters, Policies, and Procedures’’ (available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/ Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/ 130018p.pdf). (l) DoD Instruction 4515.13, ‘‘Air Transportation Eligibility’’ (available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/ Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/ 451513p.PDF). (m) DoD Instruction 6200.03, ‘‘Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM) within the DoD’’ (available at https:// VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:55 Apr 28, 2023 Jkt 259001 www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/ issuances/dodi/620003p.pdf). (n) DoD Instruction 6000.11, ‘‘Patient Movement (PM)’’ (available at https:// www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/ issuances/dodi/600011p.pdf). (o) DoD Instruction 4525.09, ‘‘Military Postal Service’’ (available at https:// www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/ issuances/dodi/452509p.pdf). (p) DoD Instruction 1015.10, ‘‘Military Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) Programs’’ (available at https:// www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/ issuances/dodi/101510p.pdf). (q) DoD Instruction 1330.21, ‘‘Armed Services Exchange Regulations’’ (available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/ Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/ 133021p.pdf). (r) DoD Directive 5160.41E, ‘‘Defense Language, Regional Expertise, and Culture (LREC) Program’’ (available at https:// www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/ issuances/dodd/516041Ep.pdf). (s) Synchronized Predeployment and Operational Tracker (SPOT) Business Rules (available at https://www.acq.osd.mil/log/ LOG_CSD/spot.html). (t) DoD 5400.11–R, ‘‘Department of Defense Privacy Program’’ (available at https:// www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/ issuances/dodm/540011r.pdf). (u) DoD Manual 6025.18, ‘‘Implementation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) Privacy Rule in DoD Health Care Programs’’ (available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/ Documents/DD/issuances/dodm/ 602518m.pdf). (v) DoD Directive 8000.01, ‘‘Management of the Department of Defense Information Enterprise (DoD IE)’’ (available at https:// www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/ issuances/dodd/800001p.pdf). (w) DoD Instruction 8320.02, ‘‘Sharing Data, Information, and Information Technology (IT) Services in the Department of Defense’’ (available at https:// www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/ issuances/dodi/832002p.pdf). (x) DoD Instruction 8330.01, ‘‘Interoperability of Information Technology, Including National Security Systems’’ (available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/ Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/ 833001p.pdf). (y) DoD Instruction 8500.01, ‘‘Cybersecurity’’ (available at https:// www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/ issuances/dodi/850001_2014.pdf). (z) DoD Directive 4500.54E, ‘‘DoD Foreign Clearance Program’’ (available at https:// www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/ issuances/dodd/450054E.pdf). (aa) DoD Directive 6485.02E, ‘‘DoD Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Prevention Program (DHAPP) to Support Foreign Militaries’’ (available at https:// www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/ issuances/dodd/648502E.pdf). (bb) DoD Instruction 6490.03, ‘‘Deployment Health’’ (available at https:// www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/ issuances/dodi/649003p.pdf). PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 (cc) DoD Directive 6490.02E, ‘‘Comprehensive Health Surveillance’’ (available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/ Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodd/ 649002Ep.pdf). (dd) CJCS Instruction 3500.01J, ‘‘Joint Training Policy for the Armed Forces of the United States’’ (available at https:// www.jcs.mil/Portals/36/Documents/Library/ Instructions/CJCSI%203500.01J.pdf?ver=_ah_ rbO2yB6Uw6QbvzC8pw%3d%3d). (ee) DoD Instruction 2000.12, ‘‘DoD Antiterrorism (AT) Program’’ (available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/ Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/ 200012p.pdf). (ff) DoD Directive 2310.01E, ‘‘DoD Detainee Program’’ (available at https:// www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/ issuances/dodd/231001e.pdf). (gg) DoD Directive 2311.01, ‘‘DoD Law of War Program’’ (available at https:// www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/ issuances/dodd/231101p.pdf?ver=2020-0702-143157-007). (hh) DoD Directive 3115.09, ‘‘DoD Intelligence Interrogations, Detainee Debriefings, and Tactical Questioning’’ (available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/ Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodd/ 311509p.pdf). (ii) DoD Directive 3002.01, ‘‘Personnel Recovery in the Department of Defense’’ (available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/ Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodd/ 300201p.pdf). (jj) DoD Instruction 3002.03, ‘‘DoD Personnel Recovery—Reintegration of Recovered Personnel’’ (available at https:// www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/ issuances/dodi/300203p.pdf). (kk) DoD Directive 6200.04, ‘‘Force Health Protection (FHP)’’ (available at https:// www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/ issuances/dodd/620004p.pdf). (ll) DoD Instruction 5154.30, ‘‘Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES) Operations’’ (available at https:// www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/ issuances/dodi/515430p.pdf). (mm) Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Memorandum, Clinical Practice Guidance for Deployment-Limiting Mental Disorders and Psychotropic Medications’’ October 7, 2013 (available at https://health.mil/Reference-Center/ Policies?query=deployment&is DateRange=0&broadVector=000& newsVector=00000000&refVector= 000000000100000&refSrc=1. Dated: April 25, 2023. Aaron T. Siegel, Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. [FR Doc. 2023–09020 Filed 4–28–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001–06–P E:\FR\FM\01MYR1.SGM 01MYR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 83 (Monday, May 1, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26477-26494]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-09020]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

32 CFR Part 158

[Docket ID: DOD-2020-OS-0015]
RIN 0790-AK81


Operational Contract Support (OCS) Outside the United States

AGENCY: Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and 
Sustainment, Department of Defense (DoD).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The DoD is updating the policies and procedures for 
operational contract support (OCS) outside the United States. These 
changes include broadening the range of applicable operational 
scenarios, eliminating content internal to the Department designating 
contractor personnel as part of the DoD total force, incorporating 
requirements for accountability and reporting, and clarifying 
responsibilities. With these updates, the Department addresses open 
recommendations from the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

DATES: This rule is effective May 31, 2023.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Donna M. Livingston, 703-692-3032, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OCS is a segment of the GAO High Risk Area 
of DoD Contract Management, and while the latest update in March 2021, 
GAO-21-119SP, ``High-Risk Series: Dedicated Leadership Needed to 
Address Limited Progress in Most High-Risk Areas'' (available at: 
https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-21-119sp) acknowledged progress, GAO 
cited the need to revise and reissue guidance to address five open 
recommendations.

Legal Authority

    Section 861 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 2008 (Pub. L. 110-181) requires the DoD, Department of State, and 
the United States Agency for International Development to enter into an 
agreement regarding contracting matters in Iraq and Afghanistan and 
identify a common database to serve as a repository of information on 
contracts and contractor personnel supporting these operations. Section 
854 of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 2009 (Pub. L. 110-417) requires mechanisms for ensuring 
contractors are required to report specified offenses that are alleged 
to have been committed by or against contractor personnel to the 
appropriate authorities.

Discussion of Comments

    The Department of Defense published a proposed rule titled 
``Operational Contract Support (OCS) Outside the United States'' (32 
CFR part 158) in the Federal Register on January 7, 2021 (86 FR 1063-
1080). Fourteen comments were received from eight respondents and a 
summary of the comments and the Department's responses as follows.
    Comment: The Department received five comments from respondents 
recommending the addition of requirements for defense contractor 
personnel to report information on gross violations of human rights 
(GVHRs). In general, all five comments regarding GVHR reporting 
recommended that the rule include a ``duty to report'' GVHRs for 
defense contractors. Several respondents noted that the proposed rule 
missed an opportunity to address the requirements of Section 888 of the 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 to ``monitor 
and report allegations of gross violations of internationally 
recognized human rights.''
    Response: The DoD acknowledges the requirement, however the policy 
and processes to support the requirements for reporting allegations of 
gross violations of human rights are still being developed and are not 
final. When those actions are completed, the DoD will initiate actions 
to update this rule as needed to comply with the established policy.
    Comment: The Department received a comment objecting to requiring 
the people of the United States to provide proof of vaccination for the 
coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prior to any travel.
    Response: The rule does not address requirements related to any 
specific vaccination requirement for contractor personnel. The 
provisions in the rule regarding immunizations and deployment health 
activities ensure that contractor personnel are medically ready to 
deploy and protect the health of the total force in deployed 
environments.
    Comment: The DoD received a comment recognizing the significant 
role defense contractors play in support of military operations 
overseas and the costs born in terms of injury and death that have 
resulted. The commenter recommended DoD make a more robust effort to 
collect, analyze, and publicly share data with regard to contractor 
personnel fatalities and injuries.
    Response: The Department appreciates the commenter's understanding 
of the key role defense contractors play in supporting the DoD. While 
the DoD does collect data on contractor personnel wounded and killed 
while performing their duties, this data is not made publicly 
available. The Synchronized Predeployment and Operational Tracker--
Enterprise Suite (SPOT-ES) is the common joint database used to 
maintain accountability and visibility of contractors supporting 
applicable operations. In accordance with the SPOT Business Rules, 
referenced in this rule, it is the responsibility of the contractor's 
employer to close out the individual's deployment record in SPOT-ES 
following a death and to update the records when an injury occurs. The 
DoD is reviewing how to improve contractors' compliance with these 
procedures and to respectfully encourage more comprehensive reporting 
to the DoD without impacting legal and privacy issues.
    Comment: The DoD received one comment regarding the types of 
support contractors are generally required to provide their employees 
while deployed. The commenter asserted that in austere environments, it 
is common for the U.S. Government to provide life support to contractor 
personnel when those personnel are located at U.S. military facilities; 
however, contractor personnel may need to transit through other 
military facilities before reaching

[[Page 26478]]

smaller or more remote military facilities. The commenter recommended 
that the final rule clarify, in Sec.  158.4(d) or elsewhere, that the 
contract should specify who will be responsible for providing this 
support during transit between military facilities, and if it is the 
responsibility of the contractor, then the contract should include 
additional resources needed to support that function.
    Response: The DoD appreciates the comment; however, the paragraph 
referenced does not delineate or specify a specific location for 
treatment or when or where these services might be provided by the 
Government. In the case of contractor personnel authorized to accompany 
the Military Services in deployed settings, care at MTFs may be 
provided consistent with DoDI 6025.23, ``Health Care Eligibility Under 
the Secretarial Designee (SECDES) Program and Related Special 
Authorities'' (available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/602523p.pdf?ver=2019-03-22-095347-850).
    Comment: The Department received one comment specific to Sec.  
158.5(a), ``Planning considerations and requirements; requirements for 
publication.'' The commenter recommended management policies take into 
account the manner in which ``contractor personnel'' are defined in 
contract requirements. The rationale was that such distinctions may 
allow for more accurate policies to account for differences that exist 
within the contractor labor pool from which contractors authorized to 
accompany the force (CAAF) may be recruited, and also permit 
contractors to more readily and competitively respond to those 
requirements.
    Response: The rule is written to be sufficiently broad to permit 
all Commanders, regardless of their location outside the United States 
and in a variety of scenarios, to tailor specific policies and 
procedures to best meet their operational and mission needs.
    Comment: The DoD received one comment regarding emergency medical 
care for contractor personnel. The commenter asserted that in austere 
environments, there can be challenges in providing basic medical care 
below the ``life and limb'' medical services provided by the military. 
The recommendation was that the final rule require the contracting 
officer to evaluate whether or not to grant ``primary care'' in the 
letter of authorization, and that additional scope be added to the 
contract to address basic medical care.
    Response: The rule includes provisions in Sec.  158.4(d) regarding 
the contracting officer's latitude, consistent with DoDI 3020.41, 
``Operational Contract Support (OCS)'' (available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/302041p.pdf?ver=2019-02-25-133949-097) to allow for selected life, 
mission, medical, logistics, and administrative support to be provided 
in certain austere, hostile, and/or non-permissive environments. No 
changes to the proposed rule were required to address this comment.
    Comment: The DoD received a comment regarding the significant 
delays at deployment processing facilities due to the COVID-19 global 
pandemic and the impacts of these delays on contractor personnel 
deployment. The commenter noted significant wait times created staffing 
shortages on overseas contracts because replacement personnel could not 
be deployed in a timely manner. The commenter recommended the final 
rule clarify contracting officers have the authority to modify 
contracts and permit contractor-performed deployment processing when 
necessary to maintain continuity of services.
    Response: Section 158.5(i)(1) of the rule establishes a process 
through which the contract can stipulate an alternative, Government-
approved deployment/redeployment processing center. No changes to the 
proposed rule were required to address this comment.
    Comment: The DoD received a comment that the proposed rule only 
differentiated between CAAF and non-CAAF in terms of medical and dental 
fitness requirements, while the U.S. Central Command medical standard 
``Mod 15'' differentiates requirements for U.S. citizen, third country 
nationals, and local national contractor personnel. The commenter 
recommended that the final rule defer to any regional medical standards 
as the governing medical standard.
    Response: The rule is purposefully written to provide sufficient 
latitude for Commanders to make decisions that are in the best 
interests of all personnel serving in the area of operation. The 
proposed rule addressed the requirements and procedures for 
communicating Command-specific policies and requirements to contractor 
personnel in Sec.  158.5(a) and (b).
    Comment: The DoD received one comment related to the requirement 
for CAAF to complete a post-deployment health assessment in the Defense 
Medical Surveillance System. The commenter noted that DoDI 6490.03, 
``Deployment Health'' (available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/649003p.pdf?ver=2019-06-19-134540-850) 
states that post-deployment medical screenings ``are the responsibility 
of the contractor'' and that, unless contractor personnel re-deploy via 
a DoD deployment center, contractors may have little or no ability to 
conduct these medical screenings for personnel who are ending their 
employment. The commenter recommended that the final rule clarify that 
contractor personnel cannot be compelled to participate in post-
deployment screenings.
    Response: This recommendation is addressed in the proposed rule 
Sec.  158.6(b) by reference to DoD Instruction 6490.03, ``Deployment 
Health.'' Per DoD Instruction 6490.03, ``all pre-, during-, and post-
deployment medical assessments, examinations, treatments, and 
preventive measures are the responsibility of the contractor unless 
otherwise stated in the contract.'' Contracts may require post-
deployment assessments for the benefit of deploying contractor 
personnel, and contractors should review the requirements in their 
contracts for such screenings.
    Comment: The DoD received one comment regarding medical waivers. 
The commenter noted the proposed rule indicates waivers should be 
submitted through the contracting officer; however, within the U.S. 
Central Command, requests for waivers can be sent directly to the 
combatant commander, rather than through the contracting officer. The 
commenter recommends that the final rule be amended to align with the 
U.S. Central Command procedures.
    Response: The policy described in the rule and the companion DoD 
Instruction 3020.41, ``Operational Contract Support,'' is meant to be 
applied broadly across the Military Departments and Combatant Commands. 
Commanders have the authority to tailor these processes to best meet 
the unique nature of operations in their areas of operation as stated 
in Sec.  158.6(a)(2) of the proposed rule.

Changes From the Proposed Rule

    Based on public comment and final internal coordination, several 
substantive changes were made to the rule. This final rule:
    (1) broadens the types of operations when this rule applies to 
contracted support supporting operations beyond contingency operations;
    (2) describes and clarifies contractors' responsibilities related 
to theater admission requirements for their

[[Page 26479]]

personnel deploying in support of operations outside the United States;
    (3) clarifies contractors' responsibilities to provide personnel 
who meet specific medical and dental fitness standards;
    (4) provides clarity regarding the services the U.S. Government is 
authorized to provide to contractors; and
    (5) removes all internally facing information to promote efficiency 
and streamline communication with the public.
    These changes are explained in detail below.
     Language was added to Sec.  158.4(g) (Policy) during 
internal coordination to specify that the Under Secretary of Defense 
for Acquisition and Sustainment will coordinate with the Under 
Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security on requests to waive 
the requirements of this rule for highly sensitive, classified, 
cryptologic, or intelligence projects and programs.
     A new paragraph including references regarding policy and 
reporting procedures on combating trafficking in persons was added to 
Sec.  158.5(d) as a result of internal coordination.
     Additional language was added to Sec. Sec.  158.3 and 
158.5(e) to support compliance with DoD Directive 2311.01, ``DoD Law of 
War Program'' (available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodd/231101p.pdf?ver=2020-07-02-143157-007) 
reissued on July 2, 2020.
     To address five GAO recommendations across four reports, 
GAO-16-105 ``Operational Contract Support: Additional Actions Needed to 
Manage, Account for, and Vet Defense Contractors in Africa'' (available 
at https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-16-105), GAO-15-243 ``Operational 
Contract Support: Actions Needed to Enhance the Collection, 
Integration, and Sharing of Lessons Learned'' (available at https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-15-243), GAO-15-250 ``Contingency Contracting: 
Contractor Personnel Tracking System Needs Better Plans and Guidance'' 
(available at https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-15-250), and GAO-17-428 
``Operational Contract Support: Actions Needed to Enhance Capabilities 
in the Pacific Region'' (available at https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-17-428), to improve the ability to account for and maintain visibility 
of contractor personnel in contingency and other operations, ensure DoD 
possesses the capability to collect and report statutorily required 
information, and clarify responsibilities and procedures, Sec.  
158.5(h) was updated to address SPOT-ES minimum reporting requirements, 
system requirements, and includes references to the SPOT-ES business 
rules that include area specific requirements.

Expected Impact of the Final Rule

    Community Impact. The existing rule provides information relevant 
to contractors and their personnel who may provide contracted support 
to the DoD during applicable operations outside the United States. The 
primary stakeholder populations impacted by this rulemaking are 
contractor personnel and the companies or organizations that employ 
these personnel in support of DoD contracts. There are no impacts to 
State or local governments.
    Contractor personnel--Provides information and describes the 
requirements the DoD imposes on employees of commercial industry 
partners who may be employed in support of DoD operations conducted 
outside the United States.
    Companies or organizations--Provides information for commercial 
industry partners to understand how contractor personnel are managed 
and accounted for and includes deployment requirements necessary to 
provide support to DoD in applicable operations. A negligible burden 
reduction to the public may be achieved by the clarifications and 
increased transparency provided by this revision. Contractors may save 
time by having increased access to DoD policy requirements and in 
avoiding unnecessary duplication or providing personnel not suitable or 
prepared to support applicable operations outside the United States.
    A negligible burden reduction to the public may be achieved by the 
clarifications and increased transparency provided by this revision. 
Contractors may save time by having increased access to DoD policy 
requirements and in avoiding unnecessary duplication or providing 
personnel not suitable or prepared to support applicable operations 
outside the United States.
    The changes implemented by this rule are not expected to alter 
significantly the baseline burden that was calculated as part of the 
most recent SPOT-ES system collection, Control Number 0704-0460, 
approved by the OMB in 2019 in accordance with the Public Law 96-511, 
``Paperwork Reduction Act.'' This total burden was calculated to be 
$1,197,077 annually.
    Benefits. Operational contract support, when properly planned for 
and integrated into operations, can be leveraged to support the 
Secretary of Defense's objective of restoring military readiness and to 
close any gaps in fulfilling requirements associated with maintenance, 
material, intelligence information, or translation services, which can 
be filled by either short- or long-term commercial capabilities. This 
rule most significantly improves and refines DoD policy for planning 
and integrating contracted support in applicable operations. The 
Department has been working for more than a decade to establish OCS as 
a core defense capability; one that minimizes risk, increases readiness 
and flexibility, and improves effectiveness. This rule codifies policy 
that implements a programmatic approach and improves oversight of 
contracted support, reducing the likelihood that historical instances 
of waste, fraud, and abuse will be repeated. This rule furthermore 
ensures contractors supporting applicable operations are fully prepared 
to meet the requirements necessary to support operations outside the 
United States.

                     Total Costs for Non-Government
------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Collection instrument (SPOT      2016 Approved       2019 Approved
            database)                 estimates           estimates
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Estimation of Respondent Burden Hours
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Respondents............             1670  964.
Number of Responses per                         56  77.
 Respondent.
Number of Total Annual Responses.           93,520  74,561.
Response Time (Amount of time                   .5  .5.
 needed to complete the
 collection instrument).

[[Page 26480]]

 
Respondent Burden Hours (Total              46,760  37,291.
 Annual Responses multiplied by
 Response Time) Please compute
 these into hours).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Labor Cost of Respondent Burden
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Responses..............           93,520  74,561 (decrease of
                                                     18,959).
Response Time per Response.......               .5  .5.
Respondent Hourly Wage...........           $36.00  $32.11 (reduction
                                                     due to category
                                                     change).
Labor Burden per Response                   $18.00  $16.06.
 (Response Time multiplied by
 Respondent Hourly Wage).
Total Labor Burden (Number of           $1,683,360  $1,197,077 (decrease
 Respondents multiplied by                           of $486,283).
 Response Time multiplied by
 Respondent Hourly Wage).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulatory Compliance Analysis

A. Executive Order 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and Review,'' and 
Executive Order 13563, ``Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review''

    These Executive orders direct agencies to assess all costs, 
benefits, and available regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is 
necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits 
(including potential economic, environmental, public health, safety 
effects, distributive impacts, and equity). These Executive orders 
emphasize the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, of 
reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility. 
This rule has been designated as significant under E.O. 12866.

B. Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.)

    Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act, this rule has not been 
designated a major rule, as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).

C. Public Law 96-354, ``Regulatory Flexibility Act'' (5 U.S.C. 601)

    The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment 
certifies that this rule is not subject to the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act (5 U.S.C. 601) because it would not, if promulgated, have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
Based on data from the Federal Procurement Data System--Next Generation 
for contract actions for fiscal year 2019 with a place of performance 
outside the United States, approximately 15,742 of 2.4 million (or 1 
percent), are to small businesses. This amounts to $2,438,406,319 of 
$36,747,264,771 (or less than 8 percent) of contracts obligated to 
small businesses worldwide. Therefore, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 
as amended, does not require us to prepare a regulatory flexibility 
analysis.

D. Sec. 202, Public Law 104-4, ``Unfunded Mandates Reform Act''

    Section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 
1532) requires agencies to assess anticipated costs and benefits before 
issuing any rule whose mandates require spending in any 1 year of $100 
million in 1995 dollars, updated annually for inflation. This rule will 
not mandate any requirements for State, local, or tribal governments, 
and will not affect private sector costs.

E. Public Law 96-511, ``Paperwork Reduction Act'' (44 U.S.C. Chapter 
35)

    This rule imposes reporting and recordkeeping requirements under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 under OMB Control Number 0704-0460, 
Synchronized Predeployment Operational Tracker-Enterprise Suite (SPOT-
ES). The Department does not anticipate any changes to the cost or 
burden associated with collection with the publication of this final 
rule.
    The applicable System of Records Notice (SORN) and Privacy Impact 
Assessments (PIA) are available at https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/appj/dwp/documents.jsp) under SORN Identifier DMDC 18 DoD (available at https://dpcld.defense.gov/Privacy/SORNsIndex/DOD-wide-SORN-Article-View/Article/570569/dmdc-18-dod/), ``Synchronized Predeployment and 
Operational Tracker--Enterprise Suite.''

F. Executive Order 13132, ``Federalism''

    Executive Order 13132 establishes certain requirements that an 
agency must meet when it promulgates a proposed rule (and subsequent 
final rule) that imposes substantial direct requirement costs on State 
and local governments, preempts State law, or otherwise has federalism 
implications. This rule will not have a substantial effect on State and 
local governments.

G. Executive Order 13175, ``Consultation and Coordination With Indian 
Tribal Governments''

    Executive Order 13175 establishes certain requirements that an 
agency must meet when it promulgates a proposed rule (and subsequent 
final rule) that imposes substantial direct compliance costs on one or 
more Indian Tribes, preempts Tribal law, or effects the distribution of 
power and responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian 
Tribes. This rule will not have a substantial effect on Indian Tribal 
governments.

List of Subjects in 32 CFR Part 158

    Accountability/visibility, Accounting, Armed forces, Combating 
trafficking in persons, Deployment and redeployment, Government 
contracts, Medical clearances, Passports and visas, Planning, Security 
measures, Support to contractors, Transportation.


0
Accordingly, 32 CFR part 158 is revised to read as follows:

PART 158--OPERATIONAL CONTRACT SUPPORT (OCS) OUTSIDE THE UNITED 
STATES

Sec.
158.1 Purpose.
158.2 Applicability.
158.3 Definitions.
158.4 Policy.
158.5 Procedures.
158.6 Guidance for contractor medical and dental fitness.
Appendix A to Part 158--Related Policies

    Authority: Pub. L. 110-181; Pub. L. 110-417.


Sec.  158.1  Purpose.

    This part establishes policy, assigns responsibilities, and 
provides procedures for operational contract support (OCS), including 
contract support integration, contracting support,

[[Page 26481]]

management, and deployment of defense contractor personnel in 
applicable operations outside the United States.


Sec.  158.2  Applicability.

    This part applies to contracts and contractor personnel supporting 
DoD Components operating outside the United States in contingency 
operations, humanitarian assistance, or peace operations and other 
activities, including operations and exercises as determined by a 
Combatant Commander or as directed by the Secretary of Defense.


Sec.  158.3  Definitions.

    Unless otherwise noted, the following terms and their definitions 
are for the purposes of this part.
    Acquisition. The acquiring by contract with appropriated funds of 
supplies or services (including construction) by and for the use of the 
Federal Government through purchase or lease, whether the supplies or 
services are already in existence or must be created, developed, 
demonstrated, and evaluated. Acquisition begins at the point when 
agency needs are established and includes the description of 
requirements to satisfy agency needs, solicitation and selection of 
sources, award of contracts, contract financing, contract performance, 
contract administration, and those technical and management functions 
directly related to the process of fulfilling agency needs by contract.
    Applicable operations. Contingency operations, humanitarian 
assistance, or peace operations conducted outside the United States and 
other activities, including operations and exercises outside the United 
States as determined by a combatant commander (CCDR) or as directed by 
the Secretary of Defense.
    Austere environment. Areas where applicable operations may be 
conducted that are in remote, isolated locations, where access to 
modern comforts and resources may be limited or non-existent.
    Civil augmentation program. External support contracts designed to 
augment Military Department logistics capabilities with contracted 
support in both preplanned and short-notice operations.
    Contingency contract. A legally binding agreement for supplies, 
services, and/or construction let by a U.S. Government contracting 
officer in the operational area, or that has a prescribed area of 
performance within an operational area.
    Contingency operation. A military operation that is either 
designated by the Secretary of Defense as a contingency operation or 
becomes a contingency operation as a matter of law as defined in 10 
U.S.C. 101(a)(13).
    Contract administration. The processes and procedures of 
contracting, from contract award through closeout, that includes 
oversight efforts by contracting professionals and designated non-
contracting personnel to ensure that supplies, services, and/or 
construction are delivered and/or performed in accordance with the 
terms and conditions of the contract.
    Contract support integration. The coordination and synchronization 
of contracted support executed in a designated operational area in 
support of military operations.
    Contracting. Purchasing, renting, leasing, or otherwise obtaining 
supplies or services from nonfederal sources. Contracting includes 
description (but not determination) of supplies and services required, 
selection, and solicitation of sources, preparation and award of 
contracts, and all phases of contract administration. It does not 
include making grants or cooperative agreements.
    Contracting officer. A person with the authority to enter into, 
administer, and/or terminate contracts and make related determinations 
and findings. The term includes certain authorized representatives of 
the contracting officer acting within the limits of their authority as 
delegated by the contracting officer. ``Administrative contracting 
officer (ACO)'' refers to a contracting officer who is administering 
contracts. ``Termination contracting officer (TCO)'' refers to a 
contracting officer who is settling terminated contracts. A single 
contracting officer may be responsible for duties in any or all of 
these areas.
    Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). An individual, 
including a contracting officer's technical representative (COTR), 
designated and authorized in writing by the contracting officer to 
perform specific technical or administrative functions.
    Contracting support. The coordination of contracts and execution of 
contracting authority by a warranted contracting officer that legally 
binds commercial entities to perform contractual requirements in 
support of DoD operational requirements.
    Contractor management. The oversight and integration of contractor 
personnel and associated equipment providing support to military 
operations.
    Contractor personnel. Any individual, employed by a firm, 
corporation, partnership, or association, employed under contract with 
the DoD to furnish services, supplies, or construction. Contractor 
personnel may include U.S. citizens and host nation and third country 
national (TCN) individuals.
    Contractor personnel accountability. The process of identifying, 
capturing, and recording the personally identifiable information and 
assigned permanent duty location of an individual contractor employee 
through the use of a designated database.
    Contractor personnel visibility. Information on the daily location, 
movement, status, and identity of contractor personnel.
    Contractors Authorized to Accompany the Force (CAAF). Contractor 
personnel and all tiers of subcontractor personnel authorized to 
accompany U.S. Armed Forces in applicable operations outside of the 
United States who have been afforded this status through the issuance 
of a Letter of Authorization (LOA). CAAF generally include all U.S. 
citizen and TCN employees not normally residing within the operational 
area whose area of performance is in the direct vicinity of the U.S. 
Armed Forces and who are routinely co-located with the U.S. Armed 
Forces. In some cases, CCDR subordinate commanders may designate 
mission-essential host nation (HN) or local national (LN) contractor 
personnel (e.g., interpreters) as CAAF. CAAF includes contractor 
personnel previously identified as contractors deploying with the 
force. CAAF status does not apply to contractor personnel within U.S. 
territory working in support of contingency operations outside the 
United States.
    Defense contractor. Any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, 
association, or other legal non-Federal entity that enters into a 
contract directly with the DoD to furnish services, supplies, or 
construction.
    DoD Components. Includes the Office of the Secretary of Defense, 
the Military Departments, the Office of the Chairman of the Joint 
Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands 
(CCMDs), the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of 
Defense, the Defense Agencies, and the DoD Field Activities.
    Essential contractor service. A service provided by a firm or an 
individual under contract to the DoD to support mission-essential 
functions, such as support of vital systems, including ships owned, 
leased, or operated in support of military missions or roles at sea; 
associated support activities, including installation, garrison, and 
base support services; and similar services provided to foreign 
military sales customers under the Security Assistance Program. 
Services are essential if the effectiveness

[[Page 26482]]

of defense systems or operations has the potential to be seriously 
impaired by the interruption of these services, as determined by the 
appropriate functional commander or civilian equivalent.
    Expeditionary Contract Administration (ECA). Contract 
administration conducted during joint or other expeditionary 
operations. Formerly known as the Contingency Contract Administrative 
Services or CCAS.
    Expeditionary operations. Activities organized to achieve a 
specific objective in a foreign country.
    External support contracts. Contracts awarded by contracting 
organizations whose contracting authority does not derive directly from 
the theater support contracting head(s) of contracting activity or from 
systems support contracting authorities.
    Host nation (HN). A nation that permits, either in writing or 
through other official provision of consent, government representatives 
or agencies and/or agencies of another nation to operate, under 
specified conditions, within its territory.
    Hostile environment. Operational environment in which local 
government forces, whether opposed to or receptive to operations that a 
unit intends to conduct, do not have control of the territory and 
population in the intended operational area.
    Isolated personnel. U.S. military, DoD civilians, and contractor 
personnel (and others designated by the President or Secretary of 
Defense) who are unaccounted for as an individual or a group while 
supporting an applicable operation and are, or may be, in a situation 
where they must survive, evade, resist, or escape.
    Law of war. The treaties and customary international law binding on 
the United States that regulate: the resort to armed force; the conduct 
of hostilities and the protection of war victims in international and 
non-international armed conflict; belligerent occupation; and the 
relationships between belligerent, neutral, and non-belligerent States. 
Sometimes also called the ``law of armed conflict'' or ``international 
humanitarian law,'' the law of war is specifically intended to address 
the circumstances of armed conflict. Consult the DoD Law of War Manual 
(available at https://dod.defense.gov/Portals/1/Documents/pubs/DoD%20Law%20of%20War%20Manual%20-%20June%202015%20Updated%20Dec%202016.pdf?ver=2016-12-13-172036-190) 
for an authoritative statement on the law of war.
    Letter of authorization (LOA). A document issued by a contracting 
officer or his or her designee that authorizes contractor personnel to 
accompany the force to travel to, from, and within an operational area, 
and outlines U.S. Government authorized support authorizations within 
the operational area, as agreed to under the terms and conditions of 
the contract. For more information, see 48 CFR subpart 225.3.
    Local national (LN). An individual who is a permanent resident of 
the nation in which the United States is conducting operations.
    Long-term care. A variety of services that help a person with 
comfort, personal, or wellness needs. These services assist in the 
activities of daily living, including such things as bathing and 
dressing. Sometimes known as custodial care.
    Mission-essential functions. Those organizational activities that 
must be performed under all circumstances to achieve DoD component 
missions or responsibilities, as determined by the appropriate 
functional commander or civilian equivalent. Failure to perform or 
sustain these functions would significantly affect the DoD's ability to 
provide vital services or exercise authority, direction, and control.
    Non-CAAF. Personnel who are not designated as CAAF, such as LN 
employees and non-LN employees who are permanent residents in the 
operational area or TCNs not routinely residing with the U.S. Armed 
Forces (and TCN expatriates who are permanent residents in the 
operational area), who perform support functions away from the close 
proximity of, and do not reside with, the U.S. Armed Forces. U.S. 
Government-furnished support to non-CAAF is typically limited to force 
protection, emergency medical care, and basic human needs (e.g., 
bottled water, latrine facilities, security, and food when necessary) 
when performing their jobs in the direct vicinity of the U.S. Armed 
Forces.
    Operational area. An overarching term encompassing more descriptive 
terms (such as area of responsibility and joint operations area) for 
geographic areas where military operations are conducted.
    Operational contract support (OCS). The ability to orchestrate and 
synchronize the provision of integrated contract support and management 
of contractor personnel providing support to command-directed 
operations within a designated operational area.
    Operationally critical support. A critical source of supply for 
airlift, sealift, intermodal transportation services, or logistical 
support that is essential to the mobilization, deployment, or 
sustainment of the U.S. Armed Forces in applicable operations.
    Prime contractor. Any supplier, distributor, vendor, or firm that 
has entered into a contract with the United States government.
    Replacement centers. Centers at selected installations that ensure 
necessary accountability, training, and processing actions are taken to 
prepare personnel for onward movement and deployment to a designated 
operational area.
    Requiring activity. A military or other designated supported 
organization that identifies the need for and receives contracted 
support to meet mission requirements during military operations.
    Subcontractor. Any supplier, distributor, vendor, or firm that 
furnishes supplies or services to or for a prime contractor or another 
subcontractor.
    Synchronized Predeployment and Operational Tracker-Enterprise Suite 
(SPOT-ES). A common joint database used to maintain contractor 
personnel visibility and accountability in applicable operations. 
References to SPOT-ES in this part will refer to that system or any 
database system that supersedes it.
    Systems support contract. Contracts awarded by Military Service 
acquisition program management offices that provide fielding support, 
technical support, maintenance support, and, in some cases, repair 
parts support, for selected military weapon and support systems.
    Theater business clearance. A CCDR policy or process to ensure 
visibility of and control over systems support and external support 
contracts executing or delivering support in designated areas of 
operations.
    Theater support contract. A type of contract awarded by contracting 
officers deployed to an operational area serving under the direct 
contracting authority of the Military Service component, special 
operations force command, or designated joint contracting authority for 
the designated operation.
    Total force. The organizations, units, and individuals that 
comprise the DoD resources for implementing the National Security 
Strategy. It includes DoD Active and Reserve Component military 
personnel, military retired members, DoD civilian personnel (including 
foreign national direct- and indirect-hires, as well as nonappropriated 
fund employees), contractor personnel, and host-nation support 
personnel. (For source information, see paragraph (a) of appendix A to 
this part.)

[[Page 26483]]

    Uncertain environment. Operational environment in which host 
government forces, whether opposed to or receptive to operations that a 
unit intends to conduct, do not have totally effective control of the 
territory and population in the intended operational area.


Sec.  158.4  Policy.

    It is DoD policy that:
    (a) Defense contractor personnel are part of the total force. (See 
paragraph (a) of appendix A of this part).
    (b) DoD Components implement OCS functions, including contract 
support integration, contracting support, and contractor management, 
during applicable operations.
    (c) DoD Components will use contracted support only in appropriate 
situations, consistent with 48 CFR subpart 7.5, 48 CFR subpart 207.5, 
and Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) Policy Letter 11-01 
(available at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2011/09/12/2011-23165/publication-of-the-office-of-federal-procurement-policy-ofpp-policy-letter-11-01-performance-of), and paragraph (b) of appendix 
A to this part.
    (d) Generally, contractors are responsible for providing their 
employees with all life, mission, medical, logistics, and 
administrative support necessary to perform the contract. However, in 
many operations, especially in those in which conditions are austere, 
hostile, and/or non-permissive, the decision may be made that it is in 
the interest of the U.S. Government to allow for selected life, 
mission, medical, logistics, and administrative support to be provided 
to contractor personnel to ensure continuation of essential contractor 
services, consistent with DoD regulations. Contractors authorized to 
accompany the force (CAAF) may receive U.S. Government-furnished 
support commensurate with the operational situation in accordance with 
the terms of the contract.
    (e) A common joint database (i.e., the Synchronized Predeployment 
and Operational Tracker-Enterprise Suite (SPOT-ES) or its successor) 
will be used to maintain contractor personnel visibility and 
accountability in applicable operations. References to SPOT-ES in this 
part will refer to that system or any database system that supersedes 
it for contractor personnel visibility and accountability.
    (f) Solicitations and contracts will:
    (1) Require defense contractors to provide personnel who are ready 
to perform contract duties in applicable operations and environments by 
verifying the medical, dental, and psychological fitness of their 
employees and, if applicable, by ensuring currency of any professional 
qualifications and associated certification requirements needed for 
employees to perform contractual duties.
    (2) Incorporate contractual terms and clauses into the contract 
that are consistent with applicable host nation (HN) laws and 
agreements or designated operational area performance considerations.
    (g) Contracts for highly sensitive, classified, cryptologic, or 
intelligence projects and programs must implement this rule to the 
maximum extent possible, consistent with applicable laws, Executive 
orders, presidential directives, and relevant DoD issuances. To the 
extent that contracting activities are unable to comply with this rule, 
they should submit a request for a waiver to the Under Secretary of 
Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (USD(A&S)). Waiver requests 
should include specific information providing the rationale regarding 
the inability to comply with this rule. The USD(A&S) will consider 
these requests in coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense for 
Intelligence and Security.


Sec.  158.5  Procedures.

    (a) Planning considerations and requirements; requirements for 
publication. CCDRs will make management policies and specific OCS 
requirements for contractual support available to affected contractor 
personnel. The Geographic Combatant Commander (GCC) OCS web page will 
set forth the following:
    (1) Theater business clearance (TBC) requirements for contracts 
currently being performed and delivering contracted support in the 
CCDR's AOR.
    (2) Restrictions imposed by applicable local laws, international 
law, status of forces agreements (SOFAs), and other agreements with the 
HN.
    (3) CAAF-related deployment requirements, including, but not 
limited to:
    (i) Pre-deployment and required individual protective equipment 
(IPE) training.
    (ii) Physical health standards.
    (iii) Immunization and medical requirements.
    (iv) Deployment procedures and theater reception.
    (4) Reporting requirements for accountability and visibility of 
contractor personnel and associated contracts.
    (5) Operational security (OPSEC) plans and restrictions.
    (6) Force protection policies.
    (7) Personnel recovery procedures.
    (8) Availability of medical and other authorized U.S. Government 
support (AGS).
    (9) Redeployment procedures, including disposition of U.S. 
Government-furnished equipment.
    (b) Contractual relationships. The contract provides the only legal 
basis for the contractual relationship between the DoD and the 
contractor. The contracting officer is the only individual with the 
legal authority to enter into such a binding relationship with the 
contractor.
    (1) Commanders have the ability to restrict installation access, 
and contractor personnel must comply with applicable CCDR and local 
commander force protection policies. However, military commanders or 
unit personnel do not have contracting authority over contractors or 
contractor personnel and may not direct contractors or contractor 
personnel to perform contractual tasks. Moreover, the contract does not 
provide a basis for commanders to exercise operational control or 
tactical control over contractors or their personnel or to assign or 
attach contractors or their personnel to a command or organization.
    (2) The contract must specify:
    (i) The terms and conditions under which the contractor is to 
perform, including minimum acceptable professional and technical 
standards.
    (ii) The method by which the contracting officer will notify the 
contractor of the deployment procedures to process contractor personnel 
who are deploying to the operational area.
    (iii) The specific contractual support terms and agreement between 
the contractor and DoD.
    (iv) The appropriate flow-down of provisions and clauses to 
subcontractors and state that the service performed by contractor 
personnel is not considered to be active duty or active service. For 
more information, see paragraph (c) in appendix A to this part, and 38 
U.S.C. 106, ``Active Duty Service Determinations for Civilian or 
Contractual Groups.''
    (3) The contract must contain applicable clauses to ensure 
efficient deployment, accountability, visibility, protection, and 
redeployment of contractor personnel and detail authorized levels of 
health service, sustainment, and other support that is authorized to be 
provided to contractor personnel supporting applicable operations 
outside the United States.
    (c) Restrictions on contractors performing inherently governmental 
functions. (1) Paragraph (b) of appendix

[[Page 26484]]

A of this part, 48 CFR subpart 7.5, 48 CFR subpart 207.5; Public Law 
105-270 and Office of Management and Budget Circular No. A-76 
(available at https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/whitehouse.gov/files/omb/circulars/A76/a76_incl_tech_correction.pdf) bar inherently 
governmental functions and duties from private sector performance.
    (2) Contractor personnel may provide support during applicable 
operations, including, but not limited to:
    (i) Transporting munitions and other supplies.
    (ii) Providing communications support.
    (iii) Performing maintenance functions for military equipment.
    (iv) Providing force protection and private security services.
    (v) Providing foreign language interpretation and translation 
services.
    (vi) Providing logistics services, such as billeting and messing.
    (vii) Intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance support.
    (viii) Commercial air assets.
    (3) The requiring official will review each service performed by 
contractor personnel in applicable operations on a case-by-case basis 
to ensure compliance with paragraph (b) of appendix A of this part and 
applicable laws and international agreements.
    (4) Restrictions on use of contractor personnel for private 
security services. A contractor may be authorized to provide private 
security services only if such authorization is consistent with 
applicable U.S., local, and international law, including applicable 
agreements with the HN or other applicable international agreements, 
and 32 CFR part 159. For more information, see paragraph (b) of 
appendix A of this part and 48 CFR subpart 252.2, which provide 
specific procedures and guidance.
    (d) Combating trafficking in persons. Trafficking in persons is a 
violation of U.S. law and internationally recognized human rights, and 
is incompatible with DoD core values.
    (1) 48 CFR subpart 222.17 and 48 CFR 52.222-50 also known and 
referred to as Combating Trafficking in Persons, describe how 
contractors, contracting officers and their representatives, and 
commanders must deter activities such as prostitution, forced labor, 
and other related activities contributing to trafficking in persons. 
For more information, see paragraph (d) of appendix A to this part.
    (2) Contracts in support of applicable operations will include 
terms and provisions that require that the contractor remove personnel 
from the performance of the contract and return any of its personnel 
who have been determined to have engaged in any of the activities 
mentioned in paragraph (h)(4)(v)(H) of this section from the 
operational area to the home of record, point of origin, or an 
authorized location at the end of contract performance or sooner as 
directed by the contracting officer. Once notified of such an incident, 
the contracting officer will notify the commander responsible in the 
AOR and provide any information required to support an investigation. 
For more information, see 48 CFR subpart 222.17 and 48 CFR subpart 
42.15.
    (e) Law of war compliance. Contract work statements for contractors 
and their subcontractors must comply with the policies in paragraph 
(gg) of appendix A to this part and require contractors that engage in 
activities governed by the law of war to implement effective programs 
to prevent violations of the law of war by their employees and 
subcontractors, including programs for law of war dissemination and 
periodic training commensurate with each individual's duties and 
responsibilities. Paragraph (gg) of appendix A includes, among others, 
DoD policy that ``[a]ll military and U.S. civilian employees, 
contractor personnel, and subcontractors assigned to or accompanying a 
DoD Component must report through their chain of command all reportable 
incidents, including those involving allegations of non-DoD personnel 
having violated the law of war.'' Contracts in support of applicable 
operations must include provisions to require contractor employees to 
report reportable incidents as defined in paragraph (gg) of appendix A 
to this part to the appropriate Commander (e.g., the commander of the 
unit they are accompanying or the installation to which they are 
assigned) or command-designated office.
    (f) CAAF designation, legal status, credentialing, and security 
clearance requirements--(1) CAAF designation. (i) CAAF designation is 
provided to contractor personnel, including all tiers of subcontractor 
personnel, through a letter of authorization (LOA). CAAF generally 
include all U.S. citizen and third country national (TCN) employees not 
normally residing within the operational area whose area of performance 
is in the direct vicinity of the U.S. Armed Forces and who routinely 
are co-located with the U.S. Armed Forces, especially in non-permissive 
environments. Personnel co-located with the U.S. Armed Forces will be 
afforded CAAF status through an LOA.
    (ii) In some cases, CCDRs or subordinate commanders may designate 
mission-essential HN or LN contractor personnel as CAAF unless 
otherwise precluded by HN law, a SOFA, or other agreement. In general, 
LNs are only afforded CAAF status when they assume great personal risk 
to perform an essential function.
    (iii) Personnel who do not receive a CAAF designation are referred 
to as non-CAAF. Individuals' CAAF status may change depending on where 
their employers or the provisions of their contract details them to 
work. CAAF designation may affect, but does not necessarily affect, a 
person's legal status under the law of war and the treatment to which 
that person is entitled under the 1949 Geneva Conventions if that 
person falls into the power of the enemy during international armed 
conflict. Although CAAF are regarded as ``persons authorized to 
accompany the armed forces,'' personnel who are not CAAF may also 
receive this status under the law of war. For more information, see 
section 4.15 of paragraph (e) of appendix A of this part. In addition, 
although CAAF designation and access to AGS often coincide, CAAF status 
does not determine AGS provided.
    (2) Legal status. In implementing this part, the DoD Component 
heads must abide by applicable laws, regulations, international 
agreements, and DoD policy as they relate to contractor personnel 
performing contractual support in support of applicable operations.
    (i) HN and third country laws. All contractor personnel must comply 
with applicable HN and third country laws. The applicability of HN and 
third country laws may be affected by international agreements (e.g., 
agreements between the United States and the HN) and customary 
international law (e.g., limits imposed by customary international law 
on the reach of third country laws).
    (A) The United States, HN, or other countries may hire contractor 
personnel whose status may change (e.g., from non-CAAF to CAAF) 
depending on where in the operational AOR their employers or the 
provisions of their contracts detail them to work.
    (B) CCDRs, as well as subordinate commanders, Military Service 
Component commanders, the Directors of the Defense Agencies, and 
Directors of DoD Field Activities should recognize limiting factors 
regarding the employment of LN and TCN personnel. Limiting factors 
include, but are not limited to:
    (1) Imported labor worker permits.
    (2) Workforce and hour restrictions.
    (3) Medical, life, and disability insurance coverage.

[[Page 26485]]

    (4) Taxes, customs, and duties.
    (5) Cost of living allowances.
    (6) Hardship differentials.
    (7) Access to classified information.
    (8) Hazardous duty pay.
    (ii) U.S. laws. U.S. citizens and CAAF, with some exceptions, are 
subject to U.S. laws and U.S. Government regulations.
    (A) All U.S. citizen and TCN CAAF are subject to potential 
prosecutorial action under the criminal jurisdiction of the United 
States, including, but not limited to, 18 U.S.C. 3261, also known and 
referred to in this part as the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction 
Act of 2000 (MEJA). MEJA extends U.S. federal criminal jurisdiction to 
certain contractor personnel for offenses committed outside U.S. 
territory.
    (B) The March 10, 2008, Secretary of Defense Memorandum states that 
contractor personnel are subject to prosecution pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 
Chapter 47, also known and referred to in this part as the Uniform Code 
of Military Justice (UCMJ), when serving overseas in support of a 
declared war or contingency, and provides guidance to commanders on the 
exercise of this UCMJ jurisdiction.
    (C) Other U.S. law may allow prosecution of offenses by contractor 
personnel (e.g., 18 U.S.C. 7).
    (3) 1949 Geneva Conventions. The 1949 Geneva Conventions, including 
the Geneva Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, 
may be applicable to certain contractor personnel who fall into the 
power of the enemy during international armed conflict.
    (i) All contractor personnel may be at risk of injury or death 
incidental to enemy actions while supporting military operations.
    (ii) Contractor personnel with CAAF status and other contractor 
personnel who have been authorized to accompany the U.S. Armed Forces 
and who are at risk of capture and detention by the enemy as prisoners 
of war will receive an appropriate identification card required by the 
Geneva Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, 
consistent with paragraph (f) of appendix A to this part.
    (iii) CAAF may be used in support of applicable operations, 
consistent with the terms of U.S. Government authorization. If they 
fall into the power of the enemy during international armed conflict, 
contractor personnel with CAAF status are entitled to prisoner of war 
status.
    (4) Credentialing. Contracts must require CAAF to receive an 
identification card with the Geneva Convention's category of persons 
authorized to accompany the armed forces. For more information, see 
paragraphs (f) through (h) of appendix A to this part. At the time of 
identification card issuance, CAAF must present their SPOT-ES-generated 
LOA as proof of eligibility.
    (i) Sponsorship must incorporate the processes for confirming 
eligibility for an identification card. The sponsor is the person 
affiliated with the DoD or another Federal agency that takes 
responsibility for verifying and authorizing an applicant's need for a 
Geneva Convention identification card. A DoD official or employee must 
sponsor applicants for a common access card (CAC).
    (ii) Individuals who have multiple DoD personnel category codes 
(e.g., an individual who is both a reservist and a contractor) will 
receive a separate identification card in each personnel category for 
which they are eligible. Individuals under a single personnel category 
code may not hold multiple current identification cards of the same 
form.
    (5) Security clearance requirements. To the extent necessary, the 
contract must require the contractor to provide personnel who have the 
appropriate security clearance or who are able to satisfy the 
appropriate background investigation requirements to obtain access 
required to perform contractual requirements in support of the 
applicable operation.
    (g) Considerations for support to contractors--(1) U.S. Government 
support. Generally, contracts supporting applicable operations must 
require contractors to provide to their personnel all life, mission, 
medical, and administrative support necessary to perform the 
contractual requirements and meet CCDR guidance posted on the GCC OCS 
web page. In some operations, especially those in which conditions are 
austere, uncertain, or non-permissive, the CCDR may decide it is in the 
U.S. Government's interest for the DoD to allow contractor personnel 
access, consistent with DoD regulations, to selected AGS. The contract 
must state the level of access to AGS in its terms and conditions.
    (i) In operations where conditions are austere, uncertain, or non-
permissive, the contracting officer will consult with the requiring 
activity to determine if it is in the U.S. Government's interests to 
allow for selected life, mission, medical, and administrative support 
to certain contractor personnel.
    (ii) The solicitation and contract must specify the level of AGS 
that the U.S. Government will provide to contractor personnel and what 
support provided to the contractor personnel is reimbursable to the 
U.S. Government.
    (iii) Access to DoD benefits facilitated by the identification card 
may be granted to contractors under certain circumstances. For more 
information, see paragraph (i) of appendix A to this part.
    (2) IPE. When necessary or directed by the CCDR, the contracting 
officer will include language in the contract authorizing the issuance 
of military IPE (e.g., chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear 
(CBRN) protective ensemble, body armor, ballistic helmet) to contractor 
personnel as part of AGS.
    (i) Typically, IPE will be issued by the central issue facility at 
the deployment center before deployment to the designated operational 
area and must be accounted for and returned to the U.S. Government or 
otherwise accounted for, in accordance with appropriate DoD Component 
regulations, directives, and instructions.
    (ii) Contractor personnel deployment training will include training 
on the proper care, fitting, and maintenance of protective equipment, 
whether issued by the U.S. Government or provided by the contractor in 
accordance with the contractual requirements. This training will 
include practical exercises within mission-oriented protective posture 
levels.
    (iii) When the terms and conditions of a contract require a 
contractor to provide IPE, such IPE must meet minimum standards as 
defined by the contract.
    (3) Clothing. Contractors, or their personnel, must provide their 
own personal clothing, including casual and work clothing required to 
perform the contract requirements.
    (i) Generally, CCDRs will not authorize the issuance of military 
clothing to contractor personnel or will not allow the wearing of 
military or military look-alike uniforms. Contractor personnel are 
prohibited from wearing military clothing unless specifically 
authorized in writing by the CCDR. However, a CCDR or subordinate joint 
force commander (JFC) deployed forward may authorize contractor 
personnel to wear standard uniform items for operational reasons. 
Contracts must include terms and clauses that require that this 
authorization be provided in writing by the CCDR and that the uniforms 
are maintained in the possession of authorized contractor personnel at 
all times.
    (ii) When commanders issue any type of standard uniform item to 
contractor personnel, care must be taken to ensure that contractor 
personnel are distinguishable from military personnel

[[Page 26486]]

through the use of distinctive patches, arm bands, nametags, or 
headgear, consistent with force protection measures, and that 
contractor personnel carry the CCDR's written authorization with them 
at all times.
    (4) Weapons. Contractor personnel are not authorized to possess or 
carry firearms or ammunition during applicable operations, except as 
provided in paragraph (h)(2)(ii) of this section and 32 CFR part 159. 
The contract will provide the terms and conditions governing the 
possession of firearms by contractor personnel. Information on all 
weapons authorized for contractors and their personnel will be entered 
into the SPOT-ES database.
    (5) Mortuary affairs. The DoD Mortuary Affairs Program, as 
described in paragraph (j) of appendix A to this part, covers all CAAF 
who die while performing contractual requirements in support of the 
U.S. Armed Forces. Mortuary affairs support and transportation will be 
provided on a reimbursable basis for the recovery, identification, and 
disposition of remains and personal effects of CAAF.
    (i) Every effort must be made to identify remains and account for 
un-recovered remains of contractor personnel and their dependents who 
die in military operations, training accidents, and other incidents. 
The remains of contractor personnel who die as the result of an 
incident in support of military operations are afforded the same 
dignity and respect afforded to remains of service members. For more 
information, see paragraph (k) of appendix A to this part.
    (ii) The DoD may provide mortuary affairs support and 
transportation on a reimbursable basis for the recovery, 
identification, and disposition of remains and personal effects of non-
CAAF at the request of the Department of State (DOS) and in accordance 
with this rule, applicable agreements with the HN, and applicable 
contract provisions. The Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and 
Readiness (USD(P&R)) will coordinate this support with the DOS, 
including for cost reimbursement to the DoD Component for the provision 
of this support.
    (iii) The responsibility for coordinating the transfer of non-CAAF 
remains to the HN or affected nation resides with the GCC in 
coordination with the DOS, through the respective embassies, or through 
the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International 
Federation of the Red Cross or Red Crescent Societies, as appropriate, 
and in accordance with applicable contract clauses.
    (6) Medical support and evacuation. Generally, the DoD will provide 
only resuscitative care, stabilization, and hospitalization at military 
medical treatment facilities (MTFs) and assistance with patient 
movement in emergencies where loss of life, limb, or eyesight could 
occur. The DoD Foreign Clearance Guide (FCG) and the GCC OCS web pages 
contain theater-specific contract language to provide contract terms to 
clarify available healthcare for contractor personnel. During 
operations in austere, uncertain, or hostile environments, CAAF may 
encounter situations in which they cannot access adequate medical 
support in the local area.
    (i) All costs associated with the treatment and transportation of 
contractor personnel to the selected civilian facility are reimbursable 
to the U.S. Government and are the responsibility of contractor 
personnel, their employers, or their health insurance providers. For 
more information, see paragraph (l) of appendix A to this part. Nothing 
in this paragraph is intended to affect the allowability of costs 
incurred under a contract.
    (ii) Medical support and evacuation procedures:
    (A) All CAAF will normally be afforded emergency medical and dental 
care if injured while supporting applicable operations. Additionally, 
non-CAAF who are injured while in the vicinity of the U.S. Armed Forces 
while supporting applicable operations also normally will receive 
emergency medical and dental care. Emergency medical and dental care 
includes medical care situations in which life, limb, or eyesight is 
jeopardized. Examples of emergency medical and dental care include:
    (1) Examination and initial treatment of victims of sexual assault.
    (2) Refills of prescriptions for life-dependent drugs.
    (3) Repair of broken bones, lacerations, and infections.
    (4) Traumatic injuries to the teeth.
    (B) MTFs normally will not authorize or provide primary medical or 
dental care to CAAF. When required and authorized by the CCDR or 
subordinate JFC, this support must be specifically authorized under the 
terms and conditions of the contract and detailed in the corresponding 
LOA. Primary care is not authorized for non-CAAF. Primary care 
includes:
    (1) Routine inpatient and outpatient services.
    (2) Non-emergency evacuation.
    (3) Pharmaceutical support (with the exception of emergency refills 
of prescriptions for life-dependent drugs).
    (4) Non-emergency dental services.
    (5) Other medical support, as determined by the CCDR or JFC based 
on recommendations from the cognizant medical authority and the 
existing capabilities of the forward-deployed MTFs.
    (C) The DoD will not provide long-term care to contractor 
personnel.
    (D) The CCDR or subordinate commander has the authority to 
quarantine or restrict movement of contractor personnel. For more 
information, see paragraph (m) of appendix A to this part.
    (E) When CAAF are evacuated for medical reasons from the designated 
operational area to MTFs funded by the Defense Health Program, normal 
reimbursement policies will apply for services rendered by the 
facility. If CAAF require medical evacuation outside the United States, 
the sending MTF staff will assist the CAAF in making arrangements for 
transfer to a civilian facility of the CAAF's choice. When U.S. forces 
provide emergency medical care to LN contractor personnel, these 
patients will use HN transportation means, when possible, for 
evacuation or transportation to their local medical systems. For more 
information, see paragraph (n) of appendix A to this part.
    (7) Other AGS. 48 CFR subpart 225.3 lists types of support that may 
be authorized for contractor personnel who are deployed with or 
otherwise provide support to applicable operations, which may include 
transportation to and within the operational area, mess operations, 
quarters, phone service, religious support, and laundry.
    (i) Contractor personnel of U.S. owned-contractors who are 
supporting DoD activities may be authorized the use of the military 
postal service. For more information, see paragraph (o) of appendix A 
to this part. The extent of postal support will be set forth in the 
contract. The provisions for postal support in such contracts must be 
reviewed and approved by the applicable CCDR, or the designated 
representative, and the Military Department concerned before execution 
of the contract.
    (ii) Morale, welfare, and recreation and exchange services are 
authorized for contractor personnel who are U.S. citizens supporting 
DoD activities outside the United States. For more information, see 
paragraphs (p) and (q) of appendix A to this part.
    (h) Accountability and visibility of contracts and contractor 
personnel. (1)

[[Page 26487]]

During applicable operations, contractors will use SPOT-ES as follows:
    (i) All CAAF will register in SPOT-ES by name.
    (ii) Non-CAAF will be registered in SPOT-ES by name if they are 
performing on a DoD contract for at least 30 consecutive days unless a 
lesser number of days is requested by the CCDR or if they require 
access to a U.S. or coalition-controlled installation. Contracting 
officers will ensure non-CAAF who require access to U.S. or coalition-
controlled installations are registered in SPOT-ES before requesting or 
receiving installation access.
    (iii) All private security contractor personnel and all other 
contractor personnel authorized to carry weapons, regardless of the 
length of the performance or contract value, will register in SPOT-ES 
by name.
    (iv) During operations other than contingency operations, 
humanitarian assistance, or peace operations, contractors will use 
SPOT-ES in situations required by the CCDR and as follows:
    (2) To account for:
    (i) All U.S. citizen and TCN contractor personnel.
    (ii) All private security contractor personnel and all other 
contractor personnel authorized to carry weapons, where the designated 
area and place of performance are outside the United States, regardless 
of the length of performance or contract value.
    (3) The contracting officer will account for an estimated total 
number of LNs employed under the contract, by country or on a monthly 
basis.
    (4) Contract linguists will register in SPOT-ES in the same manner 
as other contractor personnel and will also be tracked using the 
Contract Linguist Enterprise-wide Database. For more information, see 
paragraph (r) of appendix A to this part.
    (5) LNs should be registered in SPOT-ES by name to improve data 
quality and reduce confusion during a transition to accountability 
requirements during a contingency operation, which will require by-name 
accountability.
    (6) The DoD has designated SPOT-ES as the joint web-based database 
to assist the CCDRs in maintaining awareness of the nature, extent, and 
potential risks and capabilities associated with contracted support for 
contingency operations, humanitarian assistance, and peacekeeping 
operations, or military exercises designated by the CCDR. To facilitate 
integration of contractors and other personnel, as directed by the 
USD(A&S) or the CCDR, and to ensure the accurate forecasting and 
provision of accountability, visibility, force protection, medical 
support, personnel recovery, and other related support, the following 
procedures will help establish, maintain, and validate the accuracy of 
information in the database.
    (i) SPOT-ES will:
    (A) Serve as the central repository for deployment status and 
reporting on the contractor personnel as well as other U.S. Government 
agency contractor personnel, as applicable. For additional information, 
see paragraph (s) of appendix A to this part.
    (B) Track information for all DoD contracts that are awarded in 
support of applicable operations outside of the United States, in 
accordance with the SPOT Business Rules and as directed by the 
USD(A&S), 48 CFR subpart 225.3, or the CCDR. SPOT-ES will collect and 
report on:
    (1) The total number of contractor personnel working under 
contracts entered into as of the end of each calendar quarter.
    (2) The total number of contractor personnel performing security 
functions under contracts entered into with the DoD.
    (3) The total number of contractor personnel killed or wounded who 
were performing under any contracts entered into with the DoD.
    (C) Provide personnel accountability via unique identifier (e.g., 
Electronic Data Interchange Personnel Identifier or Foreign 
Identification Number) of contractor personnel and other personnel, as 
directed by the USD(A&S), 48 CFR subpart 225.3, or the CCDR.
    (D) Contain, or link to, minimum contract information necessary to:
    (1) Establish and maintain accountability of the personnel in 
paragraph (g) of this section.
    (2) Maintain information on specific equipment related to the 
performance of private security contracts.
    (3) Maintain oversight information on the contracted support in 
applicable operations.
    (E) Comply with:
    (1) The personnel identity protection program requirements found in 
paragraphs (t) and (u) of appendix A to this part.
    (2) The DoD Information Enterprise architecture. For more 
information, see paragraph (v) of appendix A to this part.
    (3) The interoperability and secure sharing of information 
requirements found in paragraphs (w) through (y) of appendix A to this 
part.
    (ii) Before registering in SPOT-ES, contracting officers, company 
administrators, and U.S. Government administrators or authorities must 
meet minimum training requirements in the SPOT Business Rules.
    (iii) The contractor must enter all required data into SPOT-ES 
before its employees may deploy to or enter a theater of operations, 
and maintain such data, as directed by the USD(A&S), 48 CFR subpart 
225.3, or the CCDR.
    (iv) The contracting officer will enter the DoD contract services 
or capabilities for all contracts that are awarded in support of 
applicable operations, including theater support, external support, and 
systems support contracts, into SPOT-ES consistent with 48 CFR 252.225-
7040.
    (v) In accordance with applicable acquisition policy and 
regulations and under the terms and conditions of each affected 
contract, all contractors awarded contracts that support applicable 
operations must input employee data and maintain accountability, by 
name, of designated contractor personnel in SPOT-ES as required by 48 
CFR 252.225-7040.
    (A) Contractors must maintain current status of the daily location 
of their employees and, when requested, submit to the COR up-to-date, 
real-time information reflecting all personnel deployed or to be 
deployed in support of applicable operations.
    (B) Prime contractors must enter up-to-date information regarding 
their subcontractors at all tiers into SPOT-ES.
    (vi) In all cases, users providing classified information in 
response to the requirements of this part must report and maintain that 
information on systems approved for the level of classification of the 
information provided.
    (7) The contracting officer or his or her designee will ensure a 
SPOT-ES-generated LOA has been issued to all CAAF who are approved to 
deploy, as required by 48 CFR 252.225-7040, and selected non-CAAF 
(e.g., LN and non-LN employees who are permanent residents in the 
operational area, or TCNs not routinely residing with the U.S. Armed 
Forces who perform support functions away from the close proximity of, 
and do not reside with, the U.S. Armed Forces, and private security 
contractors), pursuant to 48 CFR subpart 225.3, or as otherwise 
designated by the CCDR.
    (i) The contract will require that all contractor personnel issued 
an LOA carry the LOA with them at all times.
    (ii) [Reserved].
    (i) Theater admission requirements. Special area, country, and 
theater personnel clearance documents must be current, in accordance 
with the DoD FCG, and coordinated with affected agencies to ensure that 
entry

[[Page 26488]]

requirements do not adversely affect accomplishment of mission 
requirements.
    (1) CAAF employed in support of DoD missions are considered DoD-
sponsored personnel for DoD FCG purposes.
    (2) Contracting officers must ensure contracts include a 
requirement for contractor personnel to meet theater personnel 
clearance requirements and obtain personnel clearances through the 
Aircraft and Personnel Automated Clearance System before entering a 
designated theater of operations. For more information, see paragraph 
(z) of appendix A to this part.
    (3) Contracts must require contractor personnel to obtain proper 
identification credentials, such as passports, visas, and other 
documents required to enter and exit a designated operational area, and 
have a required Geneva Conventions identification card, or other 
appropriate DoD credential from the deploying center.
    (j) Deployment procedures. Contracts must contain terms and 
conditions that detail the need for contractors to follow these 
credentialing requirements, as required by 48 CFR subpart 225.3, 48 CFR 
252.225-7040, and as outlined in the DoD FCG. At a minimum, contracting 
officers must ensure that contracts address operational area-specific 
contract requirements and the means by which the DoD will inform 
contractor personnel of the requirements and procedures applicable to 
their deployment.
    (1) Deployment center designation. A formally designated group, 
joint, or Military Department deployment center will be used to conduct 
deployment and redeployment processing for CAAF, unless contractor-
performed theater admission preparation is authorized or waived by the 
CCDR or designee pursuant to DoDI 3020.41, ``Operational Contract 
Support (OCS).'' If the contract contains clauses that specify another 
U.S. Government-authorized process that incorporates all the functions 
of a deployment center, such process may also be used by a contractor 
to conduct deployment and redeployment processing for CAAF.
    (2) Medical preparation. (i) In accordance with Sec.  158.6, 
contracts must require that contractors provide medically and 
physically qualified contractor personnel to perform duties in 
applicable operations, as outlined in the contract.
    (A) Any CAAF deemed unsuitable to deploy during the deployment 
process due to medical or dental reasons will not be authorized to 
deploy.
    (B) The Secretary of Defense may direct immunizations as mandatory 
for CAAF performing essential contractor services.
    (C) For contracts that employ CAAF who are U.S. citizens, the 
contract must require that contractors make available the medical and 
dental records of deploying employees who authorize release for this 
purpose based on this section, applicable cognizant medical authority 
guidance, and relevant Military Department policy. These records should 
include current panographic x-rays. For more information, see paragraph 
(aa) of appendix A to this part.
    (ii) U.S. Government personnel may not involuntarily immunize 
contractor personnel or require contractor personnel to involuntarily 
disclose their medical records. Therefore, the contracting officer will 
provide contractors time to notify and/or hire employees who 
voluntarily consent to U.S. Government medical requirements, including 
to receiving U.S. Government-required immunizations and disclosing 
their private medical information to the U.S. Government.
    (iii) All CAAF will receive medical threat pre-deployment briefings 
at the deployment center to communicate health risks and 
countermeasures in the designated operational area. For more 
information, see paragraph (bb) of appendix A to this part.
    (A) In accordance with GCC or JFC plans and orders, contracts must 
include terms and conditions that fully specify health readiness and 
force health protection capability, either as a responsibility of the 
contractor or the DoD Components, to ensure appropriate medical 
staffing in the operational area.
    (B) Health surveillance activities must include plans for CAAF. For 
more information, see paragraphs (bb) and (cc) of appendix A to this 
part. Section 158.6 of this rule further addresses deoxyribonucleic 
acid (DNA) collection and other medical requirements.
    (3) Training. Joint training policy and guidance applies to both 
members of the Military Services and contractor personnel. For more 
information, see paragraph (dd) of appendix A to this part. CCDRs will 
place standing training requirements on the GCC OCS web pages for 
reference by contractors. Other training requirements that are specific 
to an applicable operation will be placed on the GCC OCS web pages 
shortly after identifying the requirement so that contracting officers 
can incorporate the training requirement into the appropriate contracts 
as soon as possible. Training requirements:
    (i) Must be included, or incorporated by reference, in contracts 
employing contractor personnel supporting applicable operations.
    (ii) Include specific requirements established by the CCDR and 
training required in accordance with this rule, 32 CFR part 159, and 
paragraphs (ee) through (hh) of appendix A to this part.
    (4) Deployment center procedures. Affected contracts must require 
that all CAAF deploying from outside the operational area process 
through a designated deployment center or a U.S. Government-authorized, 
contractor-performed deployment processing facility before deploying to 
an applicable operation and redeploy in the same manner. Upon receiving 
the contracted company's certification that employees meet 
deployability requirements, the contracting officer or representative 
will digitally sign the LOA, which CAAF will then present to officials 
at the deployment center. The deployment process includes, but is not 
limited to:
    (i) Verifying registration in SPOT-ES.
    (ii) Issuing applicable U.S. Government-furnished equipment.
    (iii) Verifying the completion of medical and dental screening 
before arrival.
    (iv) Administering required theater-specific immunizations and 
medications not available through healthcare providers in the general 
public.
    (v) Verifying and, when necessary, providing required training, 
country and cultural awareness briefings, and other training and 
briefings, as required by the CCDR. Examples of required training 
include, but are not limited to:
    (A) Law of war, including the 1949 Geneva Conventions and DoD 
policy to implement the law of war.
    (B) Law and policy applicable to detainee operations and 
intelligence interrogation operations, as appropriate.
    (C) General orders.
    (D) Standards of conduct.
    (E) Force protection.
    (F) Personnel recovery.
    (G) First aid.
    (H) Combating trafficking in persons.
    (I) OPSEC.
    (J) Anti-terrorism.
    (K) Counterintelligence reporting.
    (L) The use of CBRN protective ensemble.
    (M) Deployment health threats briefing.
    (5) Certification. Contracts supporting applicable operations must 
include terms and conditions requiring contractors to certify to the 
authorized U.S. Government representative, before deployment, that each 
individual has completed all required deployment processing actions.
    (6) Legal. Contractor personnel are not entitled to military legal 
assistance in-

[[Page 26489]]

theater or at the deployment center. Individual contractor personnel 
must have their personal legal affairs in order (e.g., preparing and 
completing powers of attorney, wills, trusts, and estate plans) before 
reporting to deployment centers.
    (7) Waivers. For required contracted support of 17 days or less in 
an operational area, the CCDR or designee may waive a portion of the 
formal procedural requirements pursuant to DoDI 3020.41, ``Operational 
Contract Support (OCS),'' which may include the CCDR or designee 
waiving the requirement in writing for processing through a deployment 
center. However, the CCDR or designee may not waive the requirements to 
possess proper identification cards and to establish and maintain 
accountability for all contractor personnel, or any medical requirement 
without the prior approval of the cognizant medical authority or their 
designee. If a contract authorizes contractor personnel to be armed, 
the requirements of paragraphs (c)(4) and (k)(2) of this section may 
not be waived.
    (k) Reception--(1) Designated reception site. In applicable 
operations, all CAAF must enter into the operational area through a 
designated reception site.
    (i) Based upon a visual inspection of the LOA, the site will verify 
that contractor personnel are entered in SPOT-ES and meet theater-
specific entry requirements.
    (ii) Contractor personnel already in the designated operational 
area when a contingency is declared must report to the designated 
reception site as soon as it is operational based on the terms and 
conditions of the contract.
    (iii) When entering a designated reception site for theater entry 
processing, if any CAAF does not have the proper documentation to 
perform in an area, he or she will be refused entry into the theater, 
and the contracting officer will notify the contractor to take the 
necessary action to resolve the issue. Should the contractor fail to 
take action, the CAAF individual will be sent back to his or her 
departure point, or directed to report to the Military Service 
Component command or Defense Agency responsible for that specific 
contract, for theater entrance processing.
    (2) Contractor integration. It is critical that CAAF brought into 
an operational area are properly integrated into the military operation 
through a formal reception process. At a minimum, they will:
    (i) Meet theater entry requirements and be authorized to enter the 
theater.
    (ii) Be accounted for in SPOT-ES.
    (iii) Possess any required IPE, including CBRN protective ensemble.
    (iv) Be authorized any contractually required AGS and force 
protection.
    (l) In-theater management--(1) Conduct and discipline. Contract 
terms and conditions must require that CAAF comply with CCDR theater 
orders, applicable directives, laws, and regulations. Non-CAAF who 
require base access to perform contractual requirements must follow 
base force protection and security-related procedures, as applicable.
    (i) The contracting officer may appoint a designee (usually a COR) 
as a liaison between the contracting officer and the contractor and 
requiring activity. This designee monitors and reports contractor 
performance and requiring activity concerns to the contracting officer. 
In emergency situations (e.g., enemy or terrorist actions or natural 
disaster), the cognizant military commander may recommend or issue 
warnings or messages urging contractor personnel to take emergency 
actions to remove themselves from harm's way or to take other 
appropriate self-protective measures. During armed conflict, contractor 
personnel are not exempt from the authority that commanders may 
exercise to control the movement of persons and vehicles within the 
immediate vicinity of operations. For more information, see sections 
5.2.2.1, 13.8, and 14.6 of paragraph (e) of appendix A to this part.
    (ii) The contractor is responsible for disciplining contractor 
personnel, as necessary and appropriate. However, in accordance with 48 
CFR 252.225-7040(h)(1), the contracting officer may direct the 
contractor, at its own expense, to remove and replace any contractor 
personnel who jeopardize or interfere with mission accomplishment, who 
threaten force protection measures, or who fail to comply with or 
violate applicable requirements of the contract. Such action may:
    (A) Include contractor personnel whose actual field performance 
(certification or professional standard) is below the contractual 
requirement.
    (B) Be taken at U.S. Government discretion without prejudice to the 
contractor's rights under any other provision of the contract. A 
commander also has the authority to take certain actions affecting 
contractor personnel, such as the ability to revoke or suspend security 
access or impose restrictions from access to military installations or 
specific worksites.
    (iii) CAAF, or individuals employed by or accompanying the Military 
Services outside the United States, are subject to potential 
prosecutorial action under the criminal jurisdiction of the United 
States, pursuant to sections 7, 2441, 2442, or 3261 of Title 18, 
U.S.C., or other provisions of U.S. law, including the UCMJ.
    (A) Commanders possess significant authority to act whenever 
criminal acts are committed by anyone subject to the MEJA and UCMJ that 
relates to or affects the commander's responsibilities. This includes 
situations in which the alleged offender's precise identity or actual 
affiliation is undetermined. The March 10, 2008, Secretary of Defense 
Memorandum provides guidance to commanders on the exercise of this UCMJ 
jurisdiction over DoD contractor personnel serving with or accompanying 
the U.S. Armed Forces overseas during declared war and in contingency 
operations.
    (B) Contracting officers will ensure that contractors are aware of 
their employees' status and liabilities as CAAF and the required 
training associated with this status.
    (C) CCDRs retain authority to respond to an incident, restore 
safety and order, investigate, apprehend suspected offenders, and 
otherwise address the immediate needs of the situation.
    (iv) The Department of Justice may prosecute misconduct under 
applicable Federal laws, including MEJA and 18 U.S.C. 2441. Contractor 
personnel also are normally subject to the domestic criminal law of the 
local country. When confronted with disciplinary problems involving 
contractor personnel, commanders should seek the assistance of their 
legal staff, the contracting officer responsible for the contract, and 
the contractor's management team.
    (v) In the event of an investigation of reported offenses allegedly 
committed by or against contractor personnel, appropriate investigative 
authorities will keep the contracting officer informed, to the extent 
possible without compromising the investigation, if the alleged offense 
has a potential contract performance implication.
    (2) Force protection and weapons issuance. CCDRs must include 
contractor personnel in their force protection planning and communicate 
the results to contracting activities and contractors via the GCC OCS 
web page. In general, contractors are responsible for the security of 
their own personnel. Contractor personnel working within a U.S. 
military facility or in close proximity to the U.S. Armed Forces may 
receive incidentally the benefits of measures taken to protect the U.S. 
Armed Forces. For more information, see paragraph (ee) of appendix A to 
this part. However, where additional

[[Page 26490]]

security is needed to achieve force protection, and it is not 
operationally or cost effective for contractors to do so individually, 
the commander may determine it is in the interests of the U.S. 
Government to provide security for contractor personnel. When security 
is provided through military means, contractor personnel should receive 
a level of force protection equal to that of DoD civilian employees.
    (i) When the CCDR deems military force protection and legitimate 
civil authority are unavailable or insufficient, he or she may 
authorize, in writing, contractor personnel to be armed for self-
defense purposes only. In authorizing contractor personnel to be armed, 
the contractor, the armed contractor personnel, and the U.S. military 
must adhere to:
    (A) Applicable U.S., HN, and international law;
    (B) Relevant SOFAs and other agreements;
    (C) Other arrangements with local authorities; and
    (D) The rules for the use of force, and guidance and orders 
regarding the possession, use, safety, accountability of weapons and 
ammunition that are issued by the CCDR.
    (ii) Depending on the operational situation and the specific 
circumstances of contractor personnel, the contractor may apply for its 
personnel to be armed for self-defense purposes on a case-by-case 
basis. The appropriate Staff Judge Advocate (or their designee) to the 
CCDR will review all applications to ensure there is a legal basis for 
approval. In reviewing applications, CCDRs will apply the criteria 
mandated for arming contractor personnel for private security services 
consistent with 32 CFR part 159.
    (A) In such cases, the contractor will validate to the contracting 
officer, or designee, that the contractor personnel have received 
weapons familiarization, qualification, and briefings regarding the 
rules for the use of force, in accordance with CCDR policies.
    (B) Acceptance of weapons by contractor personnel is voluntary. In 
accordance with paragraph (j) of 48 CFR 252.225-7040, the contract must 
require contractors to ensure that applicable U.S. law does not 
prohibit personnel from possessing firearms.
    (C) Contracts must require all contractor personnel to comply with 
applicable CCDR and local commander force protection policies. When 
armed for personal protection, the contract may only authorize 
contractor personnel to use force for self-defense and must require 
contractors to ensure that U.S. law does not prohibit its personnel 
from possessing firearms, in accordance with 48 CFR 252.225-7040(j). 
Unless not subject to local laws or HN jurisdiction by virtue of an 
international agreement or customary international law, the contract 
must include terms and conditions setting forth that the inappropriate 
use of force could subject contractor personnel to U.S. and/or local or 
HN prosecution and civil liability.
    (3) Personnel recovery, missing persons, and casualty reporting. 
(i) The DoD personnel recovery program applies to all CAAF regardless 
of their citizenship. For more information, see paragraph (ii) of 
appendix A to this part. If a CAAF individual becomes isolated or 
unaccounted for, the contractor must promptly file a search and rescue 
incident report to the theater's personnel recovery architecture (e.g., 
the component personnel recovery coordination cell or the CCMD joint 
personnel recovery center).
    (ii) Upon recovery following an isolating event, a CAAF returnee 
must enter the first of the three phases of reintegration. For more 
information, see paragraph (jj) of appendix A to this part. The 
contractor must offer the additional phases of reintegration to the 
returnee to ensure his or her physical and psychological well-being 
while adjusting to the post-captivity environment.
    (iii) The contractor must report all CAAF and non-CAAF casualties. 
For more information, see paragraph (s) of appendix A to this part.
    (m) Redeployment procedures. The considerations in this section 
apply during the redeployment of CAAF. At the end of the performance 
period of a contract, or in cases of early redeployment, CAAF must 
complete the redeployment process to adjust AGS requirements and turn 
in U.S. Government-provided equipment.
    (1) Preparation for redeployment. CAAF must complete intelligence 
out-briefs and customs and immigration briefings and inspections in 
accordance with CCDR policy and applicable HN law. CAAF are subject to 
customs and immigration processing procedures at all designated stops 
and their final destination during their redeployment. CAAF returning 
to the United States are subject to U.S. reentry customs requirements 
in effect at the time of reentry.
    (2) Transportation out of theater. The terms and conditions of the 
contract will state whether the U.S. Government will provide 
transportation out of theater.
    (i) Upon completion of the deployment or other authorized release, 
the U.S. Government must provide contractor personnel transportation 
from the theater of operations to the location from which they 
deployed, in accordance with each individual's LOA and unless otherwise 
directed. If commercial transportation is not available, it should be 
stated in the LOA in accordance with paragraph (l) of appendix A to 
this part. CAAF are also required to depart from the operational area 
through the designated reception site.
    (ii) Before redeployment, the contractor personnel, through his or 
her contractor, will coordinate exit times and transportation with the 
continental U.S. replacement center or designated reception site.
    (3) Redeployment center procedures. In most instances, the 
deployment center or site that prepared the CAAF for deployment will 
serve as the return processing center. As part of CAAF redeployment 
processing, the designated reception site personnel will screen 
contractor records, recover U.S. Government-issued identification cards 
and equipment, and conduct debriefings, as appropriate. The returning 
CAAF will spend the minimum amount of time possible at the return 
processing center in order to complete the necessary administrative 
procedures.
    (i) Contractor personnel must return all U.S. Government-issued 
identification and access badges (e.g., badges, key cards, and other 
access devices, including CACs).
    (ii) Contractor personnel must return any issued clothing and 
equipment and report any lost, damaged, or destroyed clothing and 
equipment in accordance with procedures of the issuing facility. 
Contractor personnel also will receive a post-deployment medical 
briefing on signs and symptoms of potential diseases (e.g., 
tuberculosis (TB)). As some countries hosting an intermediate staging 
base may not permit certain items to enter their territory, certain 
clothing and equipment, whether issued by the contractor, purchased by 
the employee, or provided by the DoD, may not be permitted to be 
removed from the AOR. In this case, CCDR or JFC guidance and contract 
terms and conditions will provide alternate methods of accounting for 
U.S. Government-issued equipment and clothing.
    (4) Update to SPOT-ES. Contracting officers or their designated 
representatives must verify that contractors have updated SPOT-ES to 
reflect their employee's change in status within three days of a 
contractor employee's redeployment, close out the

[[Page 26491]]

deployment, and collect or revoke the LOA.
    (5) Transportation to home destination. Transportation of CAAF from 
the deployment center or site to their home destinations is the 
employer's responsibility.


Sec.  158.6   Guidance for contractor medical and dental fitness.

    (a) General. (1) DoD contracts requiring the deployment of CAAF 
must include medical and dental fitness standards as specified in this 
section. Under the terms and conditions of their contracts, contractors 
will employ personnel who meet such medical and dental fitness 
standards. With respect to contractor personnel covered by the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 U.S.C. 791, et seq. or the 
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, 29 U.S.C. 12101, 
et seq., these medical and dental fitness standards do not alter the 
legal obligations of DoD Components and contractors (as employers). 
Replacement of non-medically qualified contractor personnel already 
deployed to theater will be at the contractor's cost.
    (2) The GCC concerned will establish force health protection 
policies and programs for the protection of all forces assigned or 
attached to the command in accordance with applicable force health 
protection (FHP) requirements and medical and dental fitness standards 
in order to promote and sustain a healthy and ready force. For more 
information, see paragraph (kk) of appendix A to this part. The GCC 
concerned will establish a process for reviewing requests for 
exceptions to such requirements, on an individualized basis, and will 
ensure that a mechanism is in place to appropriately maintain records 
related to all approved and denied waivers, including any medical 
records.
    (3) The GCC concerned will ensure that medical fitness processes 
and procedures, to include those pertaining to removal of contractor 
personnel from the theater who are no longer medically qualified, at 
the contractor's expense, are posted on the GCC OCS web page. 
Contracting officers will incorporate the language concerning these 
processes and procedures into clauses for all contracts for performance 
in the AOR.
    (4) Unless otherwise stated in the contract terms and conditions, 
all medical evaluations and treatment are the contractor's 
responsibility.
    (b) Medical and dental evaluations. (1) All CAAF deploying in 
support of an applicable operation are subject to medical and dental 
fitness standards pursuant to paragraph (kk) of appendix A to this part 
and CCDR guidance. Fitness standards pertain to the individual's 
ability to accomplish the tasks and duties unique to a particular 
operation and the ability to tolerate the environmental and operational 
conditions of the deployed location.
    (2) All CAAF must undergo a screening medical and dental assessment 
within 12 months before arrival at the designated deployment center or 
U.S. Government-authorized contractor-performed deployment processing 
facility. This screening assessment, conducted by the contractor's 
medical health provider, should emphasize diagnosing system disease 
conditions (e.g., cardiovascular, pulmonary, orthopedic, neurologic, 
endocrinologic, dermatologic, psychological, visual, auditory, dental) 
that may preclude the CAAF from performing the functional requirements 
of the contract, especially in the austere work environments 
encountered in some applicable operations.
    (3) CAAF will receive a health threat and countermeasures briefing 
from the applicable Military Service before deployment to the 
operational area. For more information, see paragraph (bb) of appendix 
A to this part.
    (4) CAAF whose initial screening assessment or subsequent medical 
evaluation identifies any of the medical conditions listed in paragraph 
(j) of this section or identifies a requirement for extensive 
preventive dental case (see paragraph (j)(2)(xxv) of this section) are 
considered ``not medically fit'' for deployment unless their deployment 
is approved by a waiver.
    (5) Individuals who are deemed ``not medically fit,'' including 
those whose request for a waiver has been denied, following an 
individual assessment by a licensed medical provider are not authorized 
to deploy.
    (6) Non-CAAF shall be medically screened by a U.S. Government 
designee when required by the requiring activity and the contract, for 
the class of labor under consideration (e.g., LNs working in a dining 
facility).
    (7) Contracts will require contractors to replace individuals who 
develop conditions that cause them to become medically unqualified to 
perform contractual requirements at any time during contract 
performance.
    (8) Contracts will require that CAAF complete a post-deployment 
health assessment in the Defense Medical Surveillance System at the end 
of their deployment or within 30 days of redeployment. For more 
information, see paragraph (bb) of appendix A to this part.
    (c) Glasses and contact lenses. (1) If contractor personnel require 
vision correction, they must have two pairs of glasses, and if 
applicable, eyeglass inserts for a chemical protective mask. The 
contractor personnel may also provide a written prescription to the 
supporting military medical component in order to prepare eyeglass 
inserts for use in a compatible chemical protective mask. If the type 
of protective mask to be issued is known and time permits, the military 
medical component should attempt to complete the preparation of 
eyeglass inserts before deployment.
    (2) Wearing contact lenses in a field environment is not 
recommended and is at the contractor personnel's own risk due to the 
potential for irreversible eye damage caused by debris, chemical or 
other hazards present, and the lack of ophthalmologic care in a field 
environment.
    (d) Medications. Other than those force health protection 
prescription products provided by the U.S. Government to CAAF and 
selected non-CAAF, contracts must require that contractor personnel 
deploy with a minimum 90-day supply of any required medications 
obtained at their own expense. For more information, see paragraph (bb) 
of appendix A to this part.
    (1) Contractor personnel must be informed that deployed medical 
units are equipped and staffed to provide emergency care to healthy 
adults and are unable to provide or replace many medications required 
for routine treatment of chronic medical conditions, such as high blood 
pressure, heart conditions, and arthritis.
    (2) The contract must require contractor personnel to review both 
the amount of the medication and its suitability in the foreign area 
with their personal physician and make any necessary adjustments before 
deploying. The contract must also hold the contractor personnel 
responsible for the re-supply of required medications.
    (e) Comfort items. The contract must require that contractor 
personnel take spare hearing-aid batteries, sunglasses, insect 
repellent, sunscreen, and any other supplies related to their 
individual physical requirements. DoD sources will not provide these 
items.
    (f) Immunizations. A list of immunizations, including those 
required for entry into the designated area of operations and those 
recommended by medical authorities, will be produced by the cognizant 
medical authority for each deployment; posted to the GCC OCS web page 
and DoD FCG; and incorporated in contracts for performance in the 
designated AOR.
    (1) The GCC, upon the recommendation of the cognizant

[[Page 26492]]

medical authority, will provide contractor personnel who are deploying 
to the applicable theater of operation a list of the immunizations 
necessary to protect against the communicable diseases assessed to be a 
potential hazard in the applicable theater. The cognizant medical 
authority will prepare and maintain this list.
    (2) The contract must require that CAAF complete any mandatory 
immunizations, subject to any legally required exemptions, to complete 
the pre-deployment process.
    (3) During pre-deployment processing, the DoD will provide 
contractor personnel, at no cost to the contractor, any theater-
specific immunizations and medications not available to the general 
public. Contractor personnel must obtain all other immunizations before 
arrival at the deployment center, documented on the International 
Certificate of Vaccinations of Prophylaxis as approved by the World 
Health Organization or the Department of Health and Human Services 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Form 731. However, the 
contract must stipulate that CAAF and selected non-CAAF obtain all 
other necessary immunizations before their arrival at the deployment 
center. The TB skin test is required for all contractor personnel 
within three months before they are deployed.
    (4) The DoD will provide theater-specific medical supplies and 
force health protection prescription products to CAAF and selected non-
CAAF. Additionally, these personnel will receive deployment medication 
information sheets for all vaccines or deployment-related medications 
that are to be dispensed or administered.
    (5) Contractors will ensure that individuals with a positive TB 
skin test be evaluated for targeted diagnosis and treatment of latent 
TB infection in accordance with the procedures outlined in the World 
Health Organization Guidelines on the Management of Latent Tuberculosis 
Infection.
    (6) The contract must stipulate that CAAF and selected non-CAAF 
bring a current copy of the International Certificate of Vaccination or 
Prophylaxis to the pre-deployment processing center and to the 
operational area.
    (g) Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Testing. HIV testing is not 
mandatory for contractor personnel unless specified by the GCC CCDR or 
by host nation requirements. HIV testing, if required, must occur 
within one year before deployment.
    (h) Armed Forces Repository of Specimen Samples for the 
Identification of Remains (AFRSSIR). For identification of remains 
purposes, contractors whose CAAF members are U.S. citizens will obtain 
a dental panograph and will forward a specimen sample suitable for DNA 
analysis to, and ensure it is on file with, the AFRSSIR before or 
during deployment processing and recorded in SPOT-ES. The DoD 
Components must ensure that all contracts require CAAF who are U.S. 
citizens to provide DNA specimen samples for AFRSSIR as a condition of 
deployment. For more information, see paragraph (ll) of appendix A to 
this part.
    (1) All CAAF who are U.S. citizens processing through a deployment 
center will have a DNA specimen sample collected and forwarded to the 
AFRSSIR for storage. Contracts must require contractors to verify in 
SPOT-ES or its successor that AFRSSIR has received the DNA specimen 
sample or that the contractor has collected the DNA specimen sample.
    (2) If CAAF who are U.S. citizens do not process through a 
deployment center, or the contractor is authorized to process its own 
personnel, the contract must require that the contractor collect and 
forward DNA specimen samples for all contractor personnel who are 
deployed as CAAF to the AFRSSIR. Regardless of what specimen collection 
and storage arrangements are made, all contractors deploying CAAF who 
are U.S. citizens must provide the CAAF's name and Social Security 
number, location of the DNA specimen sample, facility contact 
information, and retrieval plan to AFRSSIR. If the AFRSSIR is not used 
and a CAAF who is a U.S. citizen becomes a casualty, the contractor 
must be able to retrieve identification media for use by the Armed 
Forces Medical Examiner (AFME) or other competent authority to conduct 
a medical-legal investigation of the incident and identification of the 
victim or victims. These records must be retrievable within 24 hours 
for forwarding to the AFME when there is a reported incident that would 
necessitate their use for identifying human remains. The contractor 
shall have access to the location of its employees' fingerprint, 
medical, and dental records, including panographs.
    (3) AFRSSIR is responsible for implementing special rules and 
procedures to ensure the protection of privacy interests in regards to 
the specimen samples and any DNA analysis of those samples. Specimen 
samples shall only be used for the purposes outlined in paragraph (ll) 
of appendix A to this part.
    (i) Waivers related to medical and dental fitness standards. Based 
on an individualized assessment, waivers may be appropriate for 
contractor personnel who have potentially disqualifying medical 
conditions if, with or without a reasonable accommodation:
    (1) The condition is not of such a nature it is likely to have a 
medically grave outcome or a negative impact on mission execution if it 
unexpectedly worsens.
    (2) The condition is stable and reasonably anticipated by the 
medical evaluator not to worsen during the deployment under contractor-
provided medical care in-theater in light of the physical, 
physiological, psychological, environmental, and nutritional effects of 
the duties and location.
    (3) Any required ongoing health care or medications must be 
available or accessible to contractor personnel, independent of the 
military health system, and not be subject to special handling, 
storage, or other requirements (e.g., refrigeration requirements and/or 
cold chain, electrical power requirements) that cannot be met in the 
specific theater of operations.
    (4) The condition does not and is not anticipated to require duty 
limitations that would preclude performance of contractual requirements 
or to require accommodation by the DoD component or requiring activity. 
When necessary, the cognizant medical authority (or delegated 
representative) is the appropriate authority to evaluate the 
suitability of an individual's limitations in theater.
    (5) There is no need for routine out-of-theater evacuation for 
continuing diagnostics or other evaluations.
    (j) Conditions usually precluding medical clearance. This section 
is not intended to be comprehensive. A list of all possible diagnoses 
would be too expansive to list in this part. These are minimum 
requirements. Contractor personnel may have additional medical 
clearance requirements based on their occupation and local laws. It is 
the responsibility of the contractor to ensure that its employees' 
medical clearances comply with any applicable local occupation-specific 
medical requirements.
    (1) In general, the conditions in paragraph (b) of this section, 
based on an individual assessment pursuant to paragraph (bb) of 
appendix A to this part, are disqualifying. The medical evaluator will 
carefully consider whether climate; altitude; the nature of available 
food and housing available; the nature of medical, behavioral health, 
and dental services; or other environmental or operational factors

[[Page 26493]]

may prove hazardous to the deploying person's heath because of a known 
physical or mental condition.
    (2) Medical clearance for deployment of persons with any of the 
conditions in this section may be granted by the contracting officer 
only after consultation with and approval of a waiver by the 
appropriate cognizant medical authority on behalf of the CCDR. The 
cognizant medical authority makes recommendations and serves as the 
CCDR's advisor on conditions precluding the medial clearance of 
deploying personnel; however, the CCDR is the final approval or 
disapproval authority except as provided in paragraph (k)(3) of this 
section. The cognizant medical authority or designated representative 
may determine if adequate treatment facilities and specialist support 
are available at the duty station for:
    (i) Physical or psychological conditions resulting in the inability 
to wear IPE effectively, if wearing IPE may be reasonably anticipated 
or required in the deployed location.
    (ii) Conditions that prevent safe administration of applicable 
immunizations, prescription products, or other health protection 
measures, including atropine, epinephrine, and/or 2-pam chloride auto-
injectors, certain antimicrobials, antimalarials, and/or pyridostigmine 
bromide.
    (iii) Any chronic medical conditions that require frequent clinical 
visits, fail to respond to adequate conservative treatment, or 
necessitate significant limitation of physical activity.
    (iv) Any medical conditions that require durable medical equipment 
or appliances or periodic evaluation or treatment by medical 
specialists not readily available in theater (e.g., Continuous Positive 
Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine for sleep apnea).
    (v) Any unresolved acute or chronic illness or injuries that would 
impair duty performance in a deployed environment during the duration 
of the deployment.
    (vi) Active TB or known blood-borne diseases that may be 
transmitted to others in a deployed environment. (For HIV infections, 
see paragraph (j)(2)(xvii) of this section.)
    (vii) An acute exacerbation of a physical or mental health 
condition that could affect duty performance.
    (viii) Recurrent loss of consciousness for any reason.
    (ix) Any medical condition that could result in sudden 
incapacitation including a history of stroke within the last 24 months, 
seizure disorders, and diabetes mellitus type I or II, treated with 
insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents.
    (x) Hypertension not controlled with medication or that requires 
frequent monitoring to achieve control.
    (xi) Pregnancy.
    (xii) Cancers for which individuals are receiving continuing 
treatment or that require periodic specialty medical evaluations during 
the anticipated duration of the deployment.
    (xiii) Precancerous lesions that have not been treated or evaluated 
and that require treatment or evaluation during the anticipated 
duration of the deployment.
    (xiv) Any medical conditions that require surgery or for which 
surgery has been performed that requires rehabilitation or additional 
surgery to remove devices.
    (xv) Asthma that has a Forced Expiratory Volume-1 (FEV-1) of less 
than or equal to 50 percent of predicted FEV-1 despite appropriate 
therapy, that has required hospitalization at least two times in the 
last 12 months, or that requires daily systemic oral or injectable 
steroids.
    (xvi) Any musculoskeletal conditions that significantly impair 
performance of duties in a deployed environment.
    (xvii) HIV antibody positive with the presence of progressive 
clinical illness or immunological deficiencies. The contracting officer 
should consult the cognizant medical authority in all instances of HIV 
seropositivity before medical clearance for deployment.
    (xviii) Hearing loss. The requirement for use of a hearing aid does 
not necessarily preclude deployment. However, the individual must have 
sufficient unaided hearing to perform duties safely.
    (xix) Loss of vision. Best corrected visual acuity must meet job 
requirements to perform duties safely.
    (xx) Symptomatic coronary artery disease.
    (xxi) History of myocardial infarction within one year of 
deployment.
    (xxii) History of coronary artery bypass graft, coronary artery 
angioplasty, carotid endarterectomy, other arterial stenting, or 
aneurysm repair within one year of deployment.
    (xxiii) Cardiac dysrhythmias or arrhythmias, either symptomatic or 
requiring medical or electrophysiologic control, such as the presence 
of an implanted defibrillator and/or pacemaker.
    (xxiv) Heart failure.
    (xxv) Individuals without a dental exam within the last 12 months 
or who are likely to require dental treatment or reevaluation for oral 
conditions that are likely to result in dental emergencies within 12 
months.
    (xxvi) Psychotic and/or bipolar disorders. For detailed guidance on 
deployment-limiting psychiatric conditions or psychotropic medications, 
see paragraph (mm) of appendix A to this part.
    (xxvii) Psychiatric disorders under treatment with fewer than three 
months of demonstrated stability.
    (xxviii) Clinical psychiatric disorders with residual symptoms that 
impair duty performance.
    (xxix) Mental health conditions that pose a substantial risk for 
deterioration or recurrence of impairing symptoms in the deployed 
environment.
    (xxx) Chronic medical conditions that require ongoing treatment 
with antipsychotics, lithium, or anticonvulsants.
    (k) Exceptions to medical standards (waivers). If a contractor 
believes an individual CAAF with one of the conditions listed in 
paragraphs (j)(2)(i) through (xxx) of this section can, with or without 
reasonable accommodation, accomplish the essential duties of his or her 
tasks and duties and tolerate the environmental and operational 
conditions of the deployed location, the contractor may request a 
waiver for that individual through the contracting officer, using the 
process and procedures established by the GCC.
    (1) Contractors will include a summary of a detailed medical 
evaluation or consultation concerning the medical condition or 
conditions in the requests for waivers. Since maximization of mission 
accomplishment and the protection of the health of personnel are the 
ultimate goals, justification for the waiver will include:
    (i) Statement indicating the CAAF individual's qualifications and 
experience.
    (ii) The position the CAAF individual will occupy and the nature 
and scope of contractual duties assigned.
    (iii) Any known specific hazards of the position.
    (iv) Anticipated availability and need for care while deployed.
    (2) Waivers to deploy or permit continued service in a deployed 
environment by persons with any of the conditions in paragraphs 
(j)(2)(i) through (xxx) of this section require an individualized 
assessment and a recommendation from a cognizant medical authority. The 
GCC, or designee, is the final decision authority for medical waiver 
requests, except as provided in paragraph (k)(3) of this section.
    (3) For CAAF individuals working with Special Operations Forces 
personnel, the Theater Special

[[Page 26494]]

Operations Command Commander is the final decision authority for 
medical waiver requests.

Appendix A to Part 158--Related Policies

    The Operational Contract Support Outside the United States 
Program is supported by the following policies:
    (a) DoD Directive 5124.02, ``Under Secretary of Defense for 
Personnel and Readiness (USD(P&R))'' (available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodd/512402p.pdf).
    (b) DoD Instruction 1100.22, ``Policy and Procedures for 
Determining Workforce Mix'' (available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/110022p.pdf).
    (c) DoD Directive 1000.20, ``Active Duty Service Determinations 
for Civilian or Contractual Groups'' (available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodd/100020p.pdf).
    (d) DoD Instruction 2200.01, ``Combating Trafficking in Persons 
(CTIP)'' (available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/220001p.pdf).
    (e) DoD Law of War Manual (June 2015, Updated Dec. 2016) 
(available at https://dod.defense.gov/Portals/1/Documents/pubs/DoD%20Law%20of%20War%20Manual%20-%20June%202015%20Updated%20Dec%202016.pdf?ver=2016-12-13-172036-190).
    (f) DoD Instruction 1000.01, ``Identification (ID) Cards 
Required by the Geneva Conventions'' (available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/100001p.pdf).
    (g) DoD Instruction 1000.13, ``Identification (ID) Cards for 
Members of the Uniformed Services, Their Dependents, and Other 
Eligible Individuals'' (available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/100013p.pdf).
    (h) DoD Manual 1000.13, ``DoD Identification (ID) Cards: ID Card 
Life-Cycle'' Volume 1 (available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodm/100013_vol1.pdf).
    (i) DoD Manual 1000.13, ``DoD Identification (ID) Cards: ID Card 
Life-Cycle'', Volume 2 (available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodm/100013_vol2.pdf).
    (j) DoD Directive 1300.22, ``Mortuary Affairs Policy'' 
(available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodd/130022p.pdf).
    (k) DoD Instruction 1300.18, ``Department of Defense (DoD) 
Personnel Casualty Matters, Policies, and Procedures'' (available at 
https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/130018p.pdf).
    (l) DoD Instruction 4515.13, ``Air Transportation Eligibility'' 
(available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/451513p.PDF).
    (m) DoD Instruction 6200.03, ``Public Health Emergency 
Management (PHEM) within the DoD'' (available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/620003p.pdf).
    (n) DoD Instruction 6000.11, ``Patient Movement (PM)'' 
(available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/600011p.pdf).
    (o) DoD Instruction 4525.09, ``Military Postal Service'' 
(available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/452509p.pdf).
    (p) DoD Instruction 1015.10, ``Military Morale, Welfare, and 
Recreation (MWR) Programs'' (available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/101510p.pdf).
    (q) DoD Instruction 1330.21, ``Armed Services Exchange 
Regulations'' (available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/133021p.pdf).
    (r) DoD Directive 5160.41E, ``Defense Language, Regional 
Expertise, and Culture (LREC) Program'' (available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodd/516041Ep.pdf).
    (s) Synchronized Predeployment and Operational Tracker (SPOT) 
Business Rules (available at https://www.acq.osd.mil/log/LOG_CSD/spot.html).
    (t) DoD 5400.11-R, ``Department of Defense Privacy Program'' 
(available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodm/540011r.pdf).
    (u) DoD Manual 6025.18, ``Implementation of the Health Insurance 
Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) Privacy Rule in DoD 
Health Care Programs'' (available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodm/602518m.pdf).
    (v) DoD Directive 8000.01, ``Management of the Department of 
Defense Information Enterprise (DoD IE)'' (available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodd/800001p.pdf).
    (w) DoD Instruction 8320.02, ``Sharing Data, Information, and 
Information Technology (IT) Services in the Department of Defense'' 
(available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/832002p.pdf).
    (x) DoD Instruction 8330.01, ``Interoperability of Information 
Technology, Including National Security Systems'' (available at 
https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/833001p.pdf).
    (y) DoD Instruction 8500.01, ``Cybersecurity'' (available at 
https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/850001_2014.pdf).
    (z) DoD Directive 4500.54E, ``DoD Foreign Clearance Program'' 
(available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodd/450054E.pdf).
    (aa) DoD Directive 6485.02E, ``DoD Human Immunodeficiency Virus 
(HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Prevention Program 
(DHAPP) to Support Foreign Militaries'' (available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodd/648502E.pdf).
    (bb) DoD Instruction 6490.03, ``Deployment Health'' (available 
at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/649003p.pdf).
    (cc) DoD Directive 6490.02E, ``Comprehensive Health 
Surveillance'' (available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodd/649002Ep.pdf).
    (dd) CJCS Instruction 3500.01J, ``Joint Training Policy for the 
Armed Forces of the United States'' (available at https://www.jcs.mil/Portals/36/Documents/Library/Instructions/CJCSI%203500.01J.pdf?ver=_ah_rbO2yB6Uw6QbvzC8pw%3d%3d).
    (ee) DoD Instruction 2000.12, ``DoD Antiterrorism (AT) Program'' 
(available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/200012p.pdf).
    (ff) DoD Directive 2310.01E, ``DoD Detainee Program'' (available 
at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodd/231001e.pdf).
    (gg) DoD Directive 2311.01, ``DoD Law of War Program'' 
(available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodd/231101p.pdf?ver=2020-07-02-143157-007).
    (hh) DoD Directive 3115.09, ``DoD Intelligence Interrogations, 
Detainee Debriefings, and Tactical Questioning'' (available at 
https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodd/311509p.pdf).
    (ii) DoD Directive 3002.01, ``Personnel Recovery in the 
Department of Defense'' (available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodd/300201p.pdf).
    (jj) DoD Instruction 3002.03, ``DoD Personnel Recovery--
Reintegration of Recovered Personnel'' (available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/300203p.pdf).
    (kk) DoD Directive 6200.04, ``Force Health Protection (FHP)'' 
(available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodd/620004p.pdf).
    (ll) DoD Instruction 5154.30, ``Armed Forces Medical Examiner 
System (AFMES) Operations'' (available at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/515430p.pdf).
    (mm) Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs 
Memorandum, Clinical Practice Guidance for Deployment-Limiting 
Mental Disorders and Psychotropic Medications'' October 7, 2013 
(available at https://health.mil/Reference-Center/Policies?query=deployment&isDateRange=0&broadVector=000&newsVector=00000000&refVector=000000000100000&refSrc=1.

    Dated: April 25, 2023.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2023-09020 Filed 4-28-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P


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