81 FR 36245 - Federal Acquisition Regulation; Removal of Regulations Relating to Telegraphic Communication

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 108 (June 6, 2016)

DoD, GSA, and NASA are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to delete the use of ``telegram'', ``telegraph'', and related terms. The objective is to delete reference to obsolete technologies no longer in use and replace with references to electronic communications. In addition, conforming changes are proposed covering expedited notice of termination and change orders.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 108 (Monday, June 6, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36245-36251]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-13189]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

48 CFR Parts 5, 14, 19, 22, 25, 28, 43, 47, 49, 52, and 53

[FAR Case 2015-035; Docket 2015-0035; Sequence 1]
RIN 9000-AN23


Federal Acquisition Regulation; Removal of Regulations Relating 
to Telegraphic Communication

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

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: DoD, GSA, and NASA are proposing to amend the Federal 
Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to delete the use of ``telegram'', 
``telegraph'', and related terms. The objective is to delete reference 
to obsolete technologies no longer in use and replace with references 
to electronic communications. In addition, conforming changes are 
proposed covering expedited notice of termination and change orders.

DATES: Interested parties should submit written comments to the 
Regulatory Secretariat Division at one of the addresses shown below on 
or before August 5, 2016 to be considered in the formulation of a final 
rule.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in response to FAR Case 2015-035 by any of 
the following methods:
     Regulations.gov: http://www.regulations.gov. Submit 
comments via the Federal eRulemaking portal by searching for ``FAR Case 
2015-035''. Select the link ``Comment Now'' that corresponds with FAR 
Case 2015-035. Follow the instructions provided at the ``Comment Now'' 
screen. Please include your name, company name (if any), and ``FAR Case 
2015-035'' on your attached document.
     Mail: General Services Administration, Regulatory 
Secretariat Division (MVCB), ATTN: Ms. Flowers, 1800 F Street NW., 2nd 
Floor, Washington, DC 20405.
    Instructions: Please submit comments only and cite FAR Case 2015-
035, in all correspondence related to this case. Comments received 
generally will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, 
including any personal and/or business confidential information 
provided. To confirm receipt of your comment(s), please check 
www.regulations.gov, approximately two to three days after submission 
to verify posting (except allow 30 days for posting of comments 
submitted by mail).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Zenaida Delgado, Procurement 
Analyst, at 202-969-7207, for clarification of content. For information 
pertaining to status or publication schedules, contact the Regulatory 
Secretariat Division at 202-501-4755. Please cite FAR case 2015-035.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    DoD, GSA, and NASA are proposing to amend the FAR to delete the use 
of the terms ``telegram'', ``telegraph'', ``telegraphic'', and related 
terminology.
    The word ``telegram'' emerged shortly after the invention of the 
electrical telegraph in the 1840s. This terminology and way of 
communicating was incorporated into the first issue of the FAR, 
effective April 1, 1984. The emergence of electronic means of 
communication, starting with the facsimile machine, and then followed 
by email and mobile-phone text

[[Page 36246]]

messages in the 1990s, resulted in the sparing use of telegraph 
services and use of telegrams. On this basis, the Councils are 
proposing to delete telegraphic services from the FAR and replace these 
terms with an option for electronic communications.
    This case is consistent with the Office of Federal Procurement 
Policy (OFPP) Memorandum dated December 4, 2014 on transforming the 
marketplace, which describes ongoing actions to support the needs of a 
21st century Government.

II. Discussion and Analysis

    (1) This rulemaking proposes to delete all references to 
``telegraph'' and ``telegram'' and replace these terms with an option 
for electronic communication.
    (2) At FAR 49.601-1, a revised policy statement is added to allow 
the use of electronic means to notify the contractor of a termination 
for convenience. The objective is to provide an expeditious way to 
notify the contractor of the termination. This change is necessary 
because the abbreviated version of the notice of termination for the 
convenience of the Government is currently linked with the telegraphic 
notice procedure.
    (3) At FAR 49.102, a conforming change is added to allow the use of 
electronic means to notify the contractor of a termination whether the 
termination is for convenience or default.

III. Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

    Executive Orders (E.O.s) 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess 
all costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public 
health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). E.O. 
13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, 
of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility. 
This is not a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was not 
subject to review under section 6(b) of E.O. 12866, Regulatory Planning 
and Review, dated September 30, 1993. This proposed rule is not a major 
rule under 5 U.S.C. 804.

IV. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    DoD, GSA, and NASA do not expect this proposed rule to have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities 
within the meaning of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et 
seq. However, an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) has 
been prepared consistent with 5 U.S.C. 603. The analysis is summarized 
as follows:

    The reason for this action is to delete the use of ``telegram'', 
``telegraph'', and related terms. The Councils are proposing to 
replace these terms with an option for electronic communications. 
The objective is to delete reference to obsolete technologies no 
longer in use within the context of the FAR requirements. The 
proposed rule would apply to all entities, both small and other than 
small, performing as contractors or subcontractors on U.S. 
Government contracts. In 2014 there were about 350,000 active 
registrants in the System for Award Management (SAM). DoD, GSA, and 
NASA estimate approximately half of the registrants in SAM (175,000) 
are small entities that will receive a contract or subcontract in a 
given year. In 2014 small entities received 1,398,605 or about 9 
percent of all actions in that year per the Federal Procurement Data 
System (FPDS). However, the small entities will not be materially 
affected by this rule, as the only change provided in this rule is 
recognition of current options for transmitting documents between 
the Government and contractors. It does not change the policy 
requiring the Government to notify contractors of a contract 
termination. The Government is still responsible to obtain evidence 
of receipt of termination from the contractor.
    There are no reporting or recordkeeping requirements associated 
with this rule.
    The rule does not duplicate, overlap, or conflict with any other 
Federal rules.
    There were no significant alternatives identified that would 
meet the objective of the rule.

    The Regulatory Secretariat Division has submitted a copy of the 
IRFA to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
Administration. A copy of the IRFA may be obtained from the Regulatory 
Secretariat Division. DoD, GSA, and NASA invite comments from small 
business concerns and other interested parties on the expected impact 
of this proposed rule on small entities.
    DoD, GSA, and NASA will also consider comments from small entities 
concerning the existing regulations in subparts affected by the 
proposed rule in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610. Interested parties must 
submit such comments separately and should cite 5 U.S.C. 610 (FAR Case 
2015-035), in correspondence.

V. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The proposed rule does not contain any information collection 
requirements that require the approval of the Office of Management and 
Budget under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35).

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 5, 14, 19, 22, 25, 28, 43, 47, 49, 
52, and 53

    Government procurement.

    Dated: May 31, 2016.
William Clark,
Director, Office of Government-wide Acquisition Policy, Office of 
Acquisition Policy, Office of Government-wide Policy.
    Therefore, DoD, GSA, and NASA propose amending 48 CFR parts 5, 14, 
19, 22, 25, 28, 43, 47, 49, 52, and 53 as set forth below:

0
1. The authority citation for 48 CFR parts 5, 14, 19, 22, 25, 28, 43, 
47, 49, 52, and 53 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 40 U.S.C. 121(c); 10 U.S.C. chapter 137; and 51 
U.S.C. 20113.

PART 5--PUBLICIZING CONTRACT ACTIONS


5.504  [Amended]

0
2. Amend section 5.504 by removing from paragraph (d) ``, telegrams,''.

PART 14--SEALED BIDDING


14.201-6  [Amended]

0
3. Amend section 4.201-6 by removing and reserving paragraph (g).


14.202-2  [Removed and Reserved]

0
4. Remove and reserve section 14.202-2.
0
5. Amend section 14.208 by revising paragraph (b) to read as follows:


14.208  Amendment of invitation for bids.

* * * * *
    (b) Before amending an invitation for bids, the contracting officer 
shall consider the period of time remaining until bid opening and the 
need to extend this period.
* * * * *


14.301  [Amended]

0
6. Amend section 14.301 by removing and reserving paragraph (b).
0
7. Revise section 14.302 to read as follows:


14.302  Bid submission.

    Bids shall be submitted so that they will be received in the office 
designated in the invitation for bids not later than the exact time set 
for opening of bids.
0
8. Amend section 14.303 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:


14.303  Modification or withdrawal of bids.

    (a)(1) Bids may be modified or withdrawn by any method authorized 
by the solicitation, if notice is received in the office designated in 
the solicitation not later than the exact time set for opening of bids. 
If the solicitation authorizes facsimile bids, bids may be modified or 
withdrawn via facsimile received at any time before the exact time set 
for receipt of bids, subject to the conditions specified in the 
provision prescribed in 14.201-6(v). Modifications

[[Page 36247]]

received by facsimile shall be sealed in an envelope by a proper 
official. The official shall write on the envelope:
    (i) The date and time of receipt and by whom; and
    (ii) The number of the invitation for bids, and shall sign the 
envelope.
    (2) No information contained in the envelope shall be disclosed 
before the time set for bid opening.
* * * * *


14.407-3  [Amended]

0
9. Amend section 14.407-3 by removing paragraph (g)(4), and 
redesignating paragraph (g)(5) as (g)(4).


14.408-1  [Amended]

0
10. Amend section 14.408-1 by removing from paragraph (d)(2) 
``telegrams or electronic transmissions,'' and adding ``electronic 
communications,'' in its place.

PART 19--SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAMS


19.302  [Amended]

0
11. Amend section 19.302 by removing from paragraph (d)(1)(ii) 
``telegram,''.

PART 22--APPLICATION OF LABOR LAWS TO GOVERNMENT ACQUISITIONS


22.1003-3  [Amended]

0
12. Amend section 22.1003-3 by removing from paragraph (d) 
``telegraph,''.

PART 25--FOREIGN ACQUISITION


25.401  [Amended]

0
13. Amend section 25.401 in the table, by removing from paragraph 
(b)(2)(iii) the words ``telegraph services,'', and removing ``47 U.S.C. 
153(20))'' and adding ``47 U.S.C. 153(24))'' in its place.

PART 28--BONDS AND INSURANCE


28.101-4  [Amended]

0
14. Amend section 28.101-4 by removing paragraph (c)(6), and 
redesignating paragraphs (c)(7) through (9) as paragraphs (c)(6) 
through (8), respectively.

PART 43--CONTRACT MODIFICATIONS

0
15. Amend section 43.201 by revising paragraph (c) to read as follows:


43.201  General.

* * * * *
    (c) The contracting officer may issue a change order by electronic 
means without a SF 30 under unusual or urgent circumstances, provided 
that the message contains substantially the information required by the 
SF 30 and immediate action is taken to issue the SF 30.

PART 47--TRANSPORTATION

0
16. Amend section 47.305-10 by revising paragraph (c) to read as 
follows:


47.305-10  Packing, marking, and consignment instructions.

* * * * *
    (c) If necessary to meet required delivery schedules, the 
contracting officer may issue instructions by telephone or electronic 
means. The contracting officer shall confirm telephonic instructions in 
writing, and confirm electronic instructions if the contracting officer 
did not receive confirmation of receipt.
* * * * *

PART 49--TERMINATION OF CONTRACTS

0
17. Amend section 49.102, paragraph (a), by revising the first and 
second sentences of the introductory text, to read as follows:


49.102  Notice of termination.

    (a) General. The contracting officer shall terminate contracts for 
convenience or default only by a written notice to the contractor. The 
notice of termination may be expedited by means of electronic 
communication capable of providing confirmation of receipt by the 
contractor. When the notice is mailed, it shall be sent by certified 
mail, return receipt requested. * * *
* * * * *
0
18. Amend section 49.601-1 by--
0
a. Revising the section heading; and adding an introductory paragraph;
0
b. Removing from paragraph (a) ``telegraphic'', ``[insert 
``immediately'' '', and ``Telegraph'', and adding ``electronic'', 
``[insert ``immediately'', (today's date)'', and ``Provide by 
electronic means'' in their places, respectively; and
0
c. Removing from paragraph (b) ``telegraphic'', ``[insert 
``immediately'' '', and ``Telegraph'', and adding ``electronic'', 
``[insert ``immediately'', (today's date)'', and ``Provide by 
electronic means'' in their places, respectively.
    The revision and addition reads as follows:


49.601-1  Electronic notice.

    The contracting officer may provide expedited notice of 
termination, by electronic means, that includes a requirement for the 
contractor to confirm receipt. If the contractor does not confirm 
receipt promptly, the contracting officer shall resend the notice 
electronically, and expedite the letter notice described in 49.601-2. 
If confirmation of the electronic notice is received, and the 
electronic notice includes all content in 49.601-2, the contracting 
officer, at her or his discretion, need not send the letter notice 
described in 49.601-2.
* * * * *
0
19. Amend section 49.601-2 by--
0
a. Revising the third and fourth sentences of the introductory 
paragraph;
0
b. Removing from paragraph (a) ``telegram'' and adding ``electronic 
notice'' in their places, two times; and
0
c. Revising the introductory paragraph of the Alternate notice.
    The revisions read as follows:


49.601-2  Letter notice.

    * * * This notice shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt 
requested, or electronically, provided evidence of receipt is received 
by the contracting officer. If no prior electronic notice was issued, 
or if no confirmation of an electronic notice was received, use the 
alternate notice that follows this notice.
* * * * *
    Alternate notice. Substitute the following paragraph (a) for 
paragraph (a) of 49.601-2, Notice of Termination to Prime Contractors, 
if no prior electronic notice was issued, or if no confirmation of an 
electronic notice was received:
* * * * *

PART 52--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

0
20. Amend section 52.214-3 by--
0
a. Revising the date of the provision; and
0
b. Revising paragraph (b).
    The revisions read as follows:


52.214-3  Amendments to Invitations for Bids.

* * * * *

Amendments to Invitations for Bids (Date)

* * * * *
    (b)(1) Bidders shall acknowledge receipt of any amendment to this 
solicitation:
    (i) By signing and returning the amendment;
    (ii) By identifying the amendment number and date in space provided 
for this purpose on the form for submitting a bid;
    (iii) By letter;
    (iv) By facsimile, if facsimile bids are authorized in the 
solicitation; or
    (v) By email, if email bids are authorized in the solicitation.

[[Page 36248]]

    (2) The Government must receive the acknowledgment by the time and 
at the place specified for receipt of bids.
0
21. Amend section 52.214-5 by--
0
a. Revising the date of the provision;
0
b. Removing paragraph (c); and
0
c. Redesignating paragraphs (d) and (e), as paragraphs (c) and (d), 
respectively.
    The revision reads as follows:


52.214-5  Submission of Bids.

* * * * *

Submission of Bids (Date)

* * * * *


52.214-13  [Removed and Reserved]

0
22. Remove and reserve section 52.214-13.

PART 53--FORMS


53.213  [Amended]

0
23. Amend section 53.213 by removing from paragraph (b) ``(10/83)'' and 
adding ``(Date)'' in its place.


53.215-1  [Amended]

0
24. Amend section 53.215-1 by removing from paragraph (b) ``(10/83)'' 
and adding ``(Date)'' in its place.


53.243  [Amended]

0
25. Amend section 53.243 introductory text by removing ``(10/83)'' and 
adding ``(Date)'' in its place.
0
26. Revise section 53.301-30 to read as follows:


53.301-30  Standard Form 30, Amendment of Solicitation/Modification of 
Contract.

 BILLING CODE 6820-EP-P

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[FR Doc. 2016-13189 Filed 6-3-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6820-EP-C