GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS
DOC Issues Final Rule Regarding Federal Awarding Agency Regulatory Implementation of OMB’s Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards
The Department of Commerce published a final rule without change to a joint interim final rule published with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for all Federal award-making agencies that implemented guidance on Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance). The final rule is necessary to incorporate into regulation and thus bring into effect the Uniform Guidance as required by OMB for the Department of Commerce, 80 Fed. Reg. 44829. The final rule will become effective August 27, 2015.
GSA Issues Proposed Rule to Amend GSAR: Removal of Unnecessary Construction Clauses and Editorial Changes
The General Services Administration (GSA) issued a proposed rule to amend the General Services Administration Acquisition Regulation (GSAR) coverage on Construction and Architect-Engineer Contracts, including provisions and clauses for solicitations and resultant contracts, to remove unnecessary regulations, 80 Fed. Reg. 45498. Comments on the proposed rule are due September 28, 2015.
Congressional Research Service Issues GAO Bid Protest Trends and Analysis
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) issued a report regarding the trends in GAO bid protests, showing that protests are filed more frequently and sustained less often as government spending has declined since 2008. From FY2008-FY2014, total government spending dropped 25% while total protests increased 45%. Over the same time period, the rate that GAO sustained protests dropped from 22% to 17%. CRS also pointed out in the report that the GAO’s “effectiveness rate”, which measures the number protests that are sustained or result in agency corrective action, has remained stable at an average of 42% over the past five years. GAO Bid Protests: Trends and Analysis.
LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT
DOL Issues Final Rule Regarding Implementation of Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Provisions of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a final rule regarding nondiscrimination and equal opportunity regulations to implement Section 188 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), 80 Fed. Reg. 43872. Under Section 188(e) of WIOA, Congress required DOL to issue regulations implementing Section 188 no later than one year after enactment of WIOA. The final rule creates a new part in the CFR, which mirrors the regulations published in the CFR in 1999 to implement Section 188 of WIA. DOL has made no substantive changes in the final rule, the changes are technical in nature. The final rule adopts DOL’s regulatory scheme for Section 188 of WIA verbatim, with technical revisions to conform to WIOA. The final rule became effective July 22, 2015.
NOTICES
Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled
The Following Notices Were Issued:
80 Fed. Reg. 44077, July 24, 2015, to add products (Pen, Retractable Gel; Kit, Cleaning, Bucket and Caddy; Guard, Gun Barrel, Black, One Size Fits All; Note Pad, Self-Stick, Fanfold, Yellow, 3'' x 3''; Hearing Protection, Over-The-Head Earmuff) to the Procurement List. The additions will become effective August 24, 2015.
80 Fed. Reg. 44078, July 24, 2015, to delete products (Card, Index, Unruled, White, 5'' x 8''; Card, Index, Ruled, White, 5'' x 8''; Card, Index, Ruled, Green, 5'' x 8''; Card, Index, Unruled, Buff, 4'' x 6''; Card, Index, Unruled, Green, 3'' x 5''; Card, Index, Unruled, Salmon, 3'' x 5''; Card, Index, Unruled, White, 4'' x 6''; Card, Index, Ruled, Buff, 3'' x 5''; Card, Index, Ruled, Buff, 5'' x 8''; Card, Index, Ruled, Salmon, 5'' x 8''; Card, Index, Ruled, White, 3'' x 5''; Card, Index, Ruled, White, 4'' x 6''; Card, Index, Unruled, Pink, 5'' x 8''; Card, Index, Unruled, Salmon, 5'' x 8'') from the Procurement List. Comments on the proposed deletions are due August 24, 2015.
