Veterans' Administration acquisition policies and procedures.

801.104-3 Copies.

Cumulative editions of Chapter 8 of Title 48, Code of Federal Regulations are printed annually and may be purchased by the public from the Super intendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.

Subpart 801.2—Administration

801.201 Maintenance of the FAR.

This subpart describes the Veterans Administration's participation in the maintenance of the FAR. 801.201-1 The two councils.

A designee of the Office of Procure ment and Supply will represent the Veterans Administration on the CAA (Civilian Agency Acquisition) Council

Subpart 801.3-Agency Acquisition Regulations

801.301 Policy.

(a) VAAR, amendments and interim changes thereto will be issued by the Administrator of Veterans Affairs after necessary reviews by cognizant VA officials.

(b) Implementing procedures, instructions and guidelines necessary to implement the VAAR and the FAR may be issued by the heads of contracting activities. Such issuances may include delegations of authority. review and approval for acquisition action up to the dollar level delegated to that contracting activity by this regulation as well as providing procedural guidance for users. Such tssuances will be the minimum necessary to provide a logical implementa tion of FAR and VAAR requirements and will be internal to the facility, Le. it will not specify reporting/recordkeeping requirements for the public (see 801.301-70(b)).

(c) As required by the Small Busi ness and Federal Procurement Competition Enhancement Act (Pub. L. 98577), any acquisition policy, form or procedure must be published in the

FEDERAL REGISTER for public comment if it has:

(1) A significant effect beyond the internal procedures of the agency issuing the procurement policy, regulation, procedure or form, or

(2) A significant cost or administrative impact on contractors or offers.

Any facility or Central Office element having or proposing to issue a policy, form or procedure requiring public comment shall arrange for the necessary FEDERAL REGISTER publication through the Director, Office of Procurement and Supply (91).

[49 FR 12583, Mar. 29, 1984 and 52 FR 28559, July 31, 19871

801.301-70 Paperwork Reduction Act requirements.

(a) It is the policy of the Government to keep to the minimum the amount of recordkeeping and reporting required of the public. This objective applies to the Veterans Administration acquisition system.

(b)1) Contractors will not be requested to maintain systems of records unless prescribed in FAR or this VAAR. A deviation to this prohibition may be processed in accordance with 801.403 in order to allow the contracting officer to require contractor reporting or recordkeeping beyond that prescribed in FAR and VAAR. The request for deviation will clearly specify what information or recordkeeping will be required and why it is required. The request will be signed by the head of the contracting activity.

(2) The Director, Office of Procurement and Supply (91) will review the request and upon concurrence will likewise submit the request to OMB (Office of Management and Budget) for approval as prescribed by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980. If approved, the Director, Office of Procurement and Supply will send the approval back to the requester with the OMB clearance number.

(c) In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-511), the reporting or recordkeeping provisions that are included in this VAAR have been approved by OMB and have been given the following approval numbers:

801.303 Codification and public participation.

The VAAR is codified as Chapter 8 of Title 48, Code of Federal Regulations. Codified changes to the VAAR will be published in the FEDERAL REGISTER. The Director, Office of Procurement and Supply, arranges distribution of the issues to VA contracting activities and the Office of Procurement and Supply should be notified of changes to the distribution list.

801.304 Agency control and compliance procedures.

Office of Procurement and Supply is responsible for ensuring that the VAAR and amendments thereto are developed as prescribed by the FAR.

(a) When contracting officers, other than those assigned to the Office of Facilities, consider it necessary to deviate from the policies set forth in the FAR or VAAR, a request for authority to do so will be submitted to the Director, Office of Procurement and Supply (91). The request will clearly set forth the circumstances warranting the deviation and the nature of the deviation.

(b) Contracting officers assigned to the Office of Facilities will, in individual cases, secure prior authorization from the Director, Office of Facilities (08) before any deviation is taken. A copy of each such authorization that is granted will be furnished the Director, Office of Procurement and Supply (91).