Department of the Interior Acquisition Policy Release (DIAPR) 2006-07

SUBJECT: Federal Technical Data Solution (FedTeDS)

1. Purpose:

This policy release issues the Senior Procurement Executive’s written determination to exempt all Department of the Interior (DOI) acquisition personnel from using the Federal Technical Data Solution (FedTeDS) website as permitted under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 5.102(a)(4)(iii).

2. Effective Date:

Effective immediately.

3. Expiration Date:

This policy release shall remain in effect for each bureau\office until such time as that bureau\office transitions to the new contract writing system under the Financial and Business Management System (FBMS).

4. Background and Explanation:

The Federal Technical Data Solution (FedTeDS) website is part of the Integrated Acquisition Environment (IAE), one of the President’s Management Agenda’s 24 e-gov initiatives. FedTeDS provides secure, user identification and password protected access to solicitation-related data that should not be made available to the public on the Governmentwide Point of Entry (GPE) website. The issuance of Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2005-09 made its use mandatory when sensitive but unclassified information is involved. DOI is currently transitioning from one contract writing system (IDEAS) to another (PRISM) with the advent of DOI’s FBMS. DOI would have to modify IDEAS in order to implement FedTeDs. Providing funding to enhance a software system that is scheduled to be replaced in the short term is not fiscally prudent. FAR 5.102(a)(4)(iii) states that the Senior Procurement Executive can issue a written determination stating that access through the GPE is not in the Government’s interest. This determination only applies to GPE exemption in terms of its relation to FedTeDS usage and in no way exempts users from posting actions to FedBizOpps as provided in FAR part 5.

5. Action Required:

Effective immediately:
a. All DOI solicitations involving sensitive but unclassified information are exempt from the FedTeDS posting requirements;
b. For all procurements that involve sensitive but unclassified information, the Contracting Officer must place a copy of the attached written determination in the contract file.
c. Sensitive but unclassified information related to procurements must still be handled in accordance with FAR 5.102 paragraphs (b) through (f), as well as, Governmentwide, Departmentwide, and bureau\office security requirements.
d. Users must continue to post applicable actions to FedBizOpps as required in part 5 of the FAR.

6. Additional Information:

If you have questions about this matter, please contact Kate Oliver at (202) 208-3345.