Federal Acquisition Regulation; Reform of Affirmative Action in Federal Procurement; Corrections

The Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration have agreed to issue an addendum to correct Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 97-07 to make amendments to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) concerning programs for small disadvantaged business (SDB) concerns. These changes are needed to provide additional time for subcontractors to become certified under rules issued by the Small Business Administration. These amendments allow contractors acting in good faith to accept the self-representation of subcontractors as to their status as small disadvantaged business concerns. It is anticipated that by July 1, 1999, a sufficient number of firms will have been certified and the changes made by this rule rescinded. After that date, solicitations will require contractors to use certified SDBs as subcontractors to take advantage of the SDB Participation Program. No other aspects of FAC 97-07 are being modified.