Department of the Interior Acquisition Policy Release (DIAPR) 2008-09

SUBJECT: Test Program for Certain Commercial Items

Reference: Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13

1. Purpose:

This DIAPR grants permission to deviate from FAR 13.500(d) in order to implement Section 822 of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 National Defense Authorization Act.

2. Effective Date:

The instructions contained in this release are applicable to awards made after January 1, 2008.

3. Expiration Date:

This class deviation will remain in effect until publication of the corresponding revisions to the FAR.

4. Background and Explanation:

Section 822 of the FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act extended the expiration date of the test program for certain commercial items that is implemented in FAR 13.5. The program expired on January 1,2008, and was extended by Public Law 110-181 to January 1,2010. A revision to the FAR is underway, but was not issued in time to comply with the statute's implementation date of January 1,2008. Therefore, this class deviation authorizes the temporary procedures necessary to ensure compliance with Section 822.

5. Action Required:

Contracting officers must comply with the attached version of FAR 13.5 in lieu of that currently published in the FAR.

Bureau Procurement Chiefs will provide a copy of this policy and any supplemental bureau information to all acquisition and other key personnel within their organizations. Questions may be referred to Dee Emmerich on (202) 208 3348 or at delia_emmerich@os.doi.gov.

Substitute the following guidance for that currently published in FAR.

Part 13 – Simplified Acquisition Procedures.

Subpart 13.5 – Test Program for Certain Commercial Items.

13.500 General.

(a) *****

(b) *****

(c) *****

(d) The authority t issue solicitations under this subpart expires on January 1,2010. Contracting officers may award contracts after the expiration of this authority for solicitations issued before the expiration of the authority.

(e) *****