On January 9, 2018, Department of Defense (“DoD”) issued Class Deviation 2018-O0009, designed to reduce barriers to entry for innovative entities through streamlining the awards process for research and development contracts.
This Class Deviation allows for the use of simplified acquisition procedures and excuses certain procurement obligations when DoD awards contracts and subcontracts valued at less than $7.5 million to “nontraditional defense contractors” or small businesses. The Class Deviation implements Section 873 of the National Defense Authorization Act (“NDAA”) for FY 2016, Pub. L. 114-92, as amended by Section 896 of the NDAA for FY 2017 (Pub. L. 114-328).
The Class Deviation, titled “Pilot Program for Streamlining Awards for Innovative Technology,” expands exceptions to certified cost or pricing data requirements under FAR 15.403-1(b) to include contracts or subcontracts valued at less than $7.5 million awarded to small businesses or nontraditional defense contractors. The exceptions apply to awards pursuant to: 1) a broad agency announcement for the acquisition of basic or applied research (see FAR 35.016(b)(2)); 2) the Small Business Innovation Research (“SBIR”) Program; and 3) the Small Business Technology Transfer (“SBTT”) Program. Nontraditional defense contractors and small businesses awarded contracts or subcontracts valued at less than $7.5 million pursuant to a broad agency announcement under FAR 35.106 or the SBIR Program are also exempted from requirements for audits and records examination under FAR 52.215-2. The exceptions expire on October 1, 2020.
Keep reading this article at: https://www.insidegovernmentcontracts.com/2018/01/dod-implements-streamlining-awards-for-innovative-technology-projects/
