DFARS Change Notice 20050524.

DoD published the following interim and proposed changes to the DFARS on May 24, 2005. Access the Federal Register notices for these changes through links on the Director, Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy Web site at <http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/dars/dfars/changenotice/index.htm>.

Interim Rules

DoD Pilot Mentor-Protege Program (DFARS Case 2004-D028)

Amends the DoD Pilot Mentor-Protege Program to extend, through Sept. 30, 2010, the period during which companies may enter into agreements under the program; and to permit service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns and HUBZone small business concerns to participate in the program as protege firms. The program provides incentives for DoD contractors to assist protege firms in enhancing their capabilities and increasing their participation in government and commercial contracts. The changes to the program implement Sections 841 and 842 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005.

Approval of Service Contracts and Task and Delivery Orders/Proper Use of Non-DoD Contracts (DFARS Case 2002-D024)

Requires departments and agencies to comply with review and approval requirements when acquiring supplies or services through the use of non-DoD contracts in amounts exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold. Amends the interim rule published on Oct. 1, 2003 (DFARS Change Notice 20031001), which contained approval requirements for the acquisition of services. This second interim rule contains more comprehensive review and approval requirements and applies to the acquisition of both supplies and services. The rule implements Section 801 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002; Section 854 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005; and the USD(AT & L)/PDUSD(C) policy memorandum of Oct. 29, 2004, on proper use of non-DoD contracts, which became effective on Jan. 1, 2005.

Incentive Proaram for Purchase of Capital Assets Manufactured in the United States (DFARS Case 2005-D003)

Adds requirements for consideration of the use of capital assets (including machine tools) manufactured in the United States, when conducting source selections and making award fee determinations for major defense acquisition programs. Implements Section 822 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004.

Proposed Rule--DFARS Transformation

Quality Assurance (DFARS Case 2003-D027)

Updates and clarifies requirements for government contract quality assurance and use of warranties; deletes unnecessary definitions and unnecessary text on technical requirements matters, responsibilities of contract administration offices, and material inspection and receiving reports; and relocates to PGI, procedures for preparation of quality assurance instructions, procedures for use of quality inspection approval stamps, and information on types of quality evaluation data.