and the procuring activity to determine whether it should be withdrawn (see § 1-1.706-3 for withdrawal procedures); (3) provides that it does not apply to any Individual procurement for which small purchase procedures are to be used; and (4) provides that such class set-aside applies only to the procuring activity making or participating in the set-aside determination. Any class of procurements proposed to be totally set aside shall satisfy the requirements of § 1-1.706-5(a). With respect to any class of procurements proposed to be partially set aside, the set-aside determination shall specify that it is not applicable to any individual procurement which is not severable into two or more economic production runs or reasonable lots.

(a) Each individual procurement governed by a class set-aside shall be carefully reviewed to insure that any changes in the magnitude of anticipated requirements, specifications for the items or services, delivery requirements, or competitive market conditions, since the initial approval of the class set-aside, are not of such material nature as to result in the probable payment of an unreasonable price by the Government or in a change in small business capability.

(b) If, prior to the award of a contract involving an individual or class set-aside for small business, the contracting officer considers the procurement of the setaside portion from a small business concern would be detrimental to the public interest (e.g., because of unreasonable price), the contracting officer may withdraw either a joint or a unilateral setaside determination. In the case of (1) a joint set-aside determination, or (2) a unilateral set-aside determination where SBA has designated either a resident or a liaison representative for the agency, the contracting officer shall initiate the withdrawal thereof by giving notice, containing the reason therefor, to the SBA representative (by telephone where liaison representatives are involved). Similarly, a class set-aside may be modified so as to withdraw one or more individual procurements therefrom. If the SBA representative does not agree to a withdrawal or modification, the action may be appealed in accordance with the procedures set forth in § 1-1.706-2(a). This

procedure is not applicable to automatic dissolutions of set-asides as provided in § 1-1.706-7. In all cases where SBA has not designated either resident or liaison representatives for the agency, the contracting officer shall withdraw a unilateral set-aside determination where he considers that procurement of the setaside from a small business concern would be detrimental to the public interest (e.g., because of unreasonable price).

(c) A statement supporting any withdrawal or modification of a set-aside shall be made by the procuring activity and retained in the contract file.

[29 FR 10104, July 24, 1964, as amended at 37 FR 1363, Jan. 28, 1972]

§ 1-1.706-4 Reporting for Department of Commerce Procurement Synopsis. Section 1-1.1003-7 contains special instructions concerning reporting of procurements involving small business setasides to the Department of Commerce for publication in the "Commerce Business Daily."

§ 1-1.706-5 Total set-asides.

(a) Subject to the conditions set forth In §§ 1-1.706-1 and 1-1.706-2, the entire amount of an individual procurement or class of procurements shall be set aside for exclusive small business participation where there is a reasonable expectation that bids or proposals will be obtained from a sufficient number of responsible small business concerns so that awards will be made at reasonable prices. Total set-asides shall not be made unless such a reasonable expectation exists; however, in the absence of such expectation, a partial set-aside shall be considered pursuant to § 1-1.706-6. Although past procurement history of the item or similar items is always important, it is not the only controlling factor which should be considered in determining whether a reasonable expectation exists.

(b) Contracts involving total small business set-asides shall be entered into by conventional negotiation or by a special method of procurement known as "Small Business Restricted Advertising." Whenever possible, the small business restricted advertising method, as defined in § 1-1.701-9, shall be used. Invitations for bids and requests for proposals involving total small business set-asides shall be restricted to small business concerns. Bids received from firms which

do not qualify as small business concerns shall be considered nonresponsive and shall be rejected.

(c) In procurements involving total set-asides for small business, each invitation for bids or request for proposals shall contain the following notice. The applicable small business size standard shall be set forth in the schedule.

NOTICE OF TOTAL SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE

(a) Restriction. Bids or proposals under this procurement are solicited from small business concerns only and this procurement is to be awarded only to one or more small business concerns. This action is based on a determination by the Contracting Officer. alone or in conjunction with a representative of the Small Business Administration, that it is in the interest of maintaining or mobilizing the Nation's full productive capacity, in the interest of war or national defense programs, or in the interest of assuring that a fair proportion of Government procurement is placed with small business concerns. Bids or proposals received from firms which are not small business concerns shall be considered nonresponsive.

(b) Definition. A "small business concern" is a concern, including its affiliates, which is independently owned and operated is not dominant in the field of operation in which it is bidding on Government contracts. and can further qualify under the criteria set forth in regulations of the Small Business Administration (13 CFR 121.3-8). In addition to meeting these criteria, a manufacturer or a regular dealer submitting bids or proposals in his own name must agree to furnish in the performance of the contract end items manufactured or produced in the United States, its possessions, or Puerto Rico, by small business concerns: Provided, That this additional requirement does not apply in connection with construction or service

contracts.

[29 F.R. 10104, July 24, 1964, as amended at 30 F.R. 9591, July 31, 1965]

§ 1-1.706-6 Partial set-asides.

(a) General. Subject to the conditions set forth in § 1-1.706-1, a portion of a procurement shall be set aside for exclusive small business participation where

(1) The procurement is not appropriate for total set-aside pursuant to § 1-1.706-5;

(2) The procurement is severable into two or more economic production runs or reasonable lots; and

(3) One or more small business concerns are expected to have the technical competence and productive capacity to

furnish a severable portion of the procurement at a reasonable price.

Similarly, a class of procurements (including but not limited to contracts for maintenance, repair, and construction) may be partially set aside in accordance with § 1-1.706-2(c).

(b) Dividing the procurement. Where a portion of a procurement is to be set aside for small business pursuant to (a) of this § 1-1.706-6, the procurement shall be divided into a set-aside portion and a non-set-aside portion, each of which shall be not less than an economic production run or reasonable lot. Insofar as practicable, the set-aside portion will be such as to make maximum use of small business capacity. Delivery and other terms applicable to the set-aside portion of an item and those applicable to the non-set-aside portion of that item shall be comparable.

(c) Notice. Invitations for bids or requests for proposals involving partial set-asides pursuant to this subpart shall contain a notice substantially as set forth in this paragraph. The applicable small business size standard shall be set forth in the schedule.

NOTICE OF PARTIAL SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE

(a) General. A portion of this procurement, as identified elsewhere in the Schedule, has been set aside for award only to one or more small business concerns. Negotiations for award of this set-aside portion will be conducted only with responsible small business concerns who have submitted responsive bids on the non-set-aside portion at a unit price within 130 percent of the highest award made on the non-set-aside portion. (For the purpose of this paragraph (a), such "unit price" in the case of award of the non-setaside portion to a foreign bidder or the supplier of a foreign product shall be the evaluated unit price established under applicable Buy American Act procedures. See 41 CFR 1-6.104-4.) Negotiations shall be conducted with such small business concerns in the following order of priority:

Group 1. Small business concerns which are also certified-eligible concerns with a first preference.

Group 2. Small business concerns which are also certified-eligible concerns with a second preference.

Group 3. Small business concerns which are also persistent or substantial labor surplus area concerns.

Group 4. Small business concerns which are not labor surplus area concerns.

Within each of the above groups, negotiations with such concerns will be in the order of their bids on the non-set-aside portion, beginning with the lowest responsive bid.

The set-aside shall be awarded at the highest unit price awarded on the non-set-aside portion, adjusted to reflect transportation and other cost factors which were considered in evaluating bids on the non-set-aside portion. However, the Government reserves the right not to consider token bids or other devices designed to secure an unfair advantage over other bidders eligible for the set-aside portion. The partial set-aside of this procurement for small business concerns is based on a determination by the Contracting Officer, alone or in conjunction with a representative of the Small Business Administration, that it is in the interest of maintaining or mobilizing the Nation's full productive capacity, or in the interest of war or national defense programs, or in the interest of ensuring that a fair proportion of Government procurement is placed with small business

concerns.

(b) Definitions. (1) A "small business concern" is a concern, including its affiliates, which is independently owned and operated, is not dominant in the field of operation in which it is bidding on Government contracts, and can further qualify under the criteria set forth in regulations of the Small Business Administration (13 CFR 121.3-8). In addition to meeting these criteria, a manufacturer or a regular dealer submitting bids or proposals in his own name must agree to furnish in the performance of the contract end items manufactured or produced in the United States, its territories and possessions, Puerto Rico, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, or the District of Columbia, by small business concerns: Provided, That this additional requirement does not apply in connection with construction or service contracts.

(2) The term "labor surplus area" means a geographical area which is either a section of concentrated unemployment or underemployment, a persistent labor surplus area, or a substantial labor surplus area, as defined below:

(1) "Section of concentrated unemployment or underemployment" means appropriate sections of States or "labor areas" so classified by the Secretary of Labor.

(11) "Persistent labor surplus area" means an area which (A) is classified by the Department of Labor as an "Area of Substantial and Persistent Labor Surplus" (also called "Area of Substantial and Persistent Unemployment") and is listed as such by that Department in conjunction with its publication "Area Trends in Employment and Unemployment," or (B) is certified as an area of substantial and persistent labor surplus by the appropriate State Employment Security Agency or the Department of Labor pursuant to a request by a prospective contractor.

(111) "Substantial labor surplus area" means an area which (A) is classified by the Department of Labor as an "Area of Substantial Labor Surplus" (also called "Area

of Substantial Unemployment") and which is listed as such by that Department in conJunction with its publication "Area Trends in Employment and Unemployment," or (B) is certified as an area of substantial labor surplus by the appropriate State Employment Security Agency or the Department of Labor pursuant to a request by a prospective contractor.

(3) The term "labor surplus area concern" Includes certified-eligible concerns with a Arst preference, certified-eligible concerns with a second preference, and persistent or substantial labor surplus area concerns as defined below:

(1) "Certified-eligible concern with a first preference" means a concern (located in or near a section of concentrated unemployinent or underemployment or in an area of persistent or substantial labor surplus) which has been certified by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with 29 CFR 8.7(b) and 8.9 (c) with respect to the employment of disadvantaged individuals residing within such sections or areas, and which will agree to perform, or cause to be performed by certified concerns with a first preference, a substantial proportion of a contract in or near such sections or in such areas; it includes a concern which, though not so certified, agrees to have a substantial proportion of a contract performed by certified concerns with a first preference in or near such sections or in such areas. A concern shall be deemed to perform a substantial proportion of a contract in or near such sections or in such areas if the costs that the concern will incur on account of manufacturing or production in or near such sections or in such areas (by itself, if a certified concern, or by certified concerns with a first preference acting as first-tier subcontractors) amount to more than 25 percent of the contract price.

(11) "Certified-eligible concern with a second preference" means a concern (located in any area) which has been certified by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with 29 CFR 8.7(c) and 8.9(d) with respect to the employment of disadvantaged individuals and which will agree to perform, or cause to be performed by certified concerns with first or second preferences, a substantial proportion of a contract; it includes a concern which, though not so certified, agrees to have a substantial proportion of a contract performed by such certified concerns. A concern shall be deemed to perform a substantial proportion of a contract if the costs that the concern will incur on account of manufacturing or production (by itself, if a certified concern, or by certified concerns with a first or second preference acting as first-tier subcontractors) amount to more than 25 percent of the contract price.

(111) "Persistent or substantial labor surplus area concern" means a concern that agrees to perform, or cause to be performed, a substantial proportion of a contract in

persistent or substantial labor surplus areas. A concern shall be deemed to perform a substantial proportion of a contract in persistent or substantial labor surplus areas if the costs that will be incurred by the concern on account of manufacturing or production performed in such areas (by itself or its firsttier subcontractors) or in any area (by itself is a certified concern or its first-tier certified subcontractors) amount to more than 50 percent of the contract price.

(c) Identification of Areas of Performance. Each bidder desiring to be considered for award as a small business labor surplus area concern on the set-aside portion of this procurement shall identify in his bid the geographical areas in which he proposes to perform, or cause to be performed, a substantial proportion of the production of the contract. If the Department of Labor classification of any such area changes after the bidder has submitted his bid, the bidder may change the areas in which he proposes to perform: Provided, That he so notifies the Contracting Officer before award of the setaside portion. Priority for negotiation will be based upon the labor surplus classification of the designated production areas as of the time of the proposed award.

(d) Eligibility Based on Certification. Where eligibility for preference is based upon the status of the bidder, or bidder's subcontractors, as a "certified-eligible concern," the bidder shall furnish with his bid evidence of certification by the Secretary of Labor.

(e) Agreement. The bidder agrees that: (1) If awarded a contract as a certifiedeligible small business concern with a first preference under the set-aside portion of this procurement, he will perform, or cause to be performed, a substantial proportion of the contract in or near sections of concentrated unemployment or underemployment or in persistent or substantial labor surplus areas; and in the performance of such contract will employ, or require certified first-tier subcontractors with first preferences to employ. a proportionate number of disadvantaged individuals, as defined by the Department of Labor in 29 CFR 8.2(d), residing within such sections or areas in accordance with plans approved by the Secretary of Labor.

(2) If awarded a contract as a certifiedeligible small business concern with a second preference under the set-aside portion of this procurement, he will perform, or cause to be performed, a substantial proportion of the contract in certified facilities, and in the performance of such contract will employ, or require certified first-tier subcontractors with first or second preferences to employ disadvantaged individuals in accordance with plans approved by the Secretary of Labor.

(3) If awarded a contract as a small business persistent or substantial labor surplus area concern under the set-aside portion of this procurement, he will perform, or cause to be performed, a substantial proportion of

the contract (1) in areas classified at the time of the award, or at the time of performance of the contract, as persistent or substantial labor surplus areas or (11) in any area (by himself if certified or by first-tier certified subcontractors).

(End of Notice)

(d) [Reserved]

(e) Award procedures—(1) Awarding the non-set-aside portion. Awards of the non-set-aside portion shall be made in accordance with normal procurement procedures.

(2) Awarding the set-aside portion. After all awards have been made on the non-set-aside portion, award of the setaside portion shall be effected by negotiation with eligible concerns as provided in the applicable Notice used. If equal low bids were received on the non-setaside portion from concerns which are equally eligible for the set-aside portion, the concern which is awarded the nonset-aside portion (under the equal low bid procedures of § 1-2.407-6) shall have first priority with respect to negotiations for the set-aside portion.

129 F.R. 10104, July 24, 1964, as amended at 30 F.R. 16110, Dec. 28, 1965; 35 F.R. 8482, June 2, 1970]

If the entire set-aside portion is not procured by the method set forth in § 1-1.706-5, as to total set-asides, or § 1-1.706-6, as to partial set-asides, the determination referred to in § 1-1.706-1 is automatically dissolved as to the unawarded portion of the set-aside, and such unawarded portion may be procured by advertising or negotiation, as appropriate, in accordance with applicable regulations. However, prior to issuing an invitation to bid or a request for proposals following the dissolution of a small business set-aside, the contracting officer shall review the required delivery schedule for the supplies or services to be resolicited to insure that the delivery schedule is realistic in the light of all relevant factors, including the capabilities of small business concerns. [34 F.R. 19075, Dec. 2, 1969]

§ 1-1.706-8 Contract authority.

(a) Joint small business set-asides. Contracts resulting from either total or partial joint small business set-asides (see § 1-3.215), whether entered into by conventional negotiation or by Small

Business Restricted Advertising, shall cite as legal authority for negotiation section 302(c) (15) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (41 U.S.C_252(c) (15)), the revised Armed Services Procurement Act of 1947 (10 U.S.C. 2304(a) (17)), or other applicable proper authority, together with section 15 of the Small Business Act.

(b) Unilateral small business setasides. Contracts resulting from unilateral small business set-asides shall cite the applicable legal authority for negotiation (see §1-3.201) § 1-1.707

[Reserved]

§ 1-1.708 Certificate of Competency

program.

§ 1-1.708-1 General.

Pursuant to authority of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(b) (7)), SBA is empowered to certify to Government procurement officers the competency as to capacity and credit of any small business concern or group of such concerns to perform a specific Government contract. As used in this section, "capacity" means the overall ability of a prospective small business contractor to meet quality, quantity, and time requirements of a proposed contract and includes ability to perform, organization, experience, technical knowledge, skills, "knowhow," technical equipment, and facilities. § 1-1.708-2 Applicability and procedure.

(a) If a small business concern has submitted an otherwise acceptable bid or proposal but has been found by the contracting officer not to be responsible as to capacity or credit, and if the bid or proposal is to be rejected for this reason alone, SBA shall be notified of the circumstances so as to permit it to issue a certificate of competency. If a partial set-aside is involved and the bid of a small business concern on the unreserved portion is to be rejected for lack of capacity or credit and the same small business concern is entitled to consideration on the reserved portion of the set-aside if a certificate of competency is issued by SBA, the entire quantity of the procurement (reserved and unreserved) for which that small business concern may be entitled, if competent, shall be referred to SBA and the referral papers so noted, in which event SBA may certify the small business concern for the maximum in quantity for which it is

eligible under the procurement. The award shall be withheld pending either SBA issuance of a certificate of competency or the expiration of 15 working days after SBA is so notified, whichever is earlier, subject to the following:

(1) This procedure is not mandatory if the contracting officer certifies in writing, and such certificate is approved by higher authority within his agency, that the award must be made without delay. includes such certificate and supporting documentation in the contract file, and promptly furnishes a copy to SBA. Referral of a case to SBA or execution of a certificate of urgency shall not be deferred pending investigation and determination of the responsibility of other offerors.

(2) This procedure does not apply to proposed awards of less than $2,500.

(3) This procedure is optional, withIn the discretion of the contracting officer, as to proposed awards of more than $2,500, but less than $10,000.

(4) This procedure does not apply where the contracting officer has found a small business concern not to be responsible for a reason other than lack of capacity or credit.

(5) A determination by the contracting officer that a smal! business concern is not responsible for reasons other than deficiencies in capacity or credit (e.g., lack of integrity, business ethics, or persistent failure to apply necessary tenacity or perseverence to do an acceptable jobnot whether the bidder can perform but whether he will perform) must be supported by substantial evidence documented in the contract file. These factors of responsibility are not covered by the certificate of competency procedure, but are for determination by the contracting officer and approval by the head of the procuring activity or his designee.

(i) Prior to submission of the contracting officer's determination of nonresponsibility to the head of the procuring activity or his designee for approval, the contracting officer shall transmit a copy of the documentation supporting the determination that a small business concern is not responsible, for reasons other than deficiencies in capacity or credit, to the appropriate SBA Regional Office and to the appropriate agency official concerned with small business affairs in accordance with agency procedures.

(ii) The SBA office receiving the documentation will, within 5 workdays after receipt of the documentation, notify the