[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 185 (Tuesday, September 24, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 59799]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-24173]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

48 CFR Chapters 1, 2, and 5


Federal Acquisition Regulation; Federal Acquisition Regulation 
Supplements; Contract Closeout

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

ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense 
Acquisition Regulations Council are requesting comments from both 
Government and industry on how the Federal Acquisition Regulation 
(FAR), Defense FAR Supplement (DFARS), and General Services 
Administration Acquisition Regulation (GSAR) can be revised to 
facilitate timely contract closeout.

DATES: Comments are due on or before November 25, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties should submit written comments to: 
General Services Administration, FAR Secretariat (MVA), 1800 F Street, 
NW., Room 4035, ATTN: Laurie Duarte, Washington, DC 20405.
    Address e-mail comments submitted via the Internet to: 
[email protected].
    Please cite ANPR Contract Closeout in all correspondence related to 
this issue.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Rick Layser at (703) 602-0293.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Although the vast majority of contracts are 
generally closed timely, there is a backlog of contracts that have not 
been closed out within the timeframes required by FAR 4.804, Closeout 
of contract files. The Department of Defense has analyzed the contract 
closeout process to identify obstacles to timely contract closeout. 
Many causes of the backlog have been identified and are being focused 
upon. Some of the causes include process related delays like late 
submittal of final vouchers, final price redetermination proposals, 
royalty/patents submittals and approvals, final audits, overhead rate 
negotiations, disposition of Government property and classified 
materials; other causes include lack of contract funding and agency 
resources.
    In this advance notice of proposed rulemaking we are seeking input 
on whether any FAR, DFARS, or GSAR requirements can be considered for 
change to help facilitate the contract closeout process. In order to 
ensure that the FAR, DFARS, and GSAR do not unduly impede timely 
closeout of contracts, an interagency team has been established that 
will review the FAR, DFARS, and GSAR relating to contract closeout to 
determine what changes, if any, can be made to facilitate timely 
contract closeout. FAR, DFARS, and GSAR requirements relating to 
contract closeout that are not required by statute, not needed to 
ensure adequately standardized Government business practices, or not 
needed to protect the public interest will be considered for revision 
or elimination.

    Dated: September 18, 2002.
Al Matera,
Director, Acquisition Policy Division.
[FR Doc. 02-24173 Filed 9-23-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-EP-P