Federal Acquisition Regulation; Submission for OMB Review; Mistakes in Bids

AGENCIES:

Department of Defense (DOD), General Services Administration (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION:

Notice of request for public comments regarding an extension to an existing OMB clearance (9000-0038).

SUMMARY:

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Secretariat has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a currently approved information collection requirement concerning mistakes in bids. A request for public comments was published at 66 FR 58474, November 21, 2001. No comments were received.

Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the FAR, and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

DATES:

Submit comments on or before March 11, 2002.

ADDRESSES:

Submit comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to: FAR Desk Officer, OMB, Room 10102, NEOB, Washington, DC 20503, and a copy to the General Services Administration, FAR Secretariat (MVP), 1800 F Streets, NW., Room 4035, Washington, DC 20405.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ralph DeStefano, Acquisition Policy Division, GSA (202) 501-1758.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Purpose

When a mistake in bid is discovered by the contracting officer (CO) after bid opening but before award, the CO obtains verification of the bid intended. This verification is needed to establish the bidder's correct bid. If the bidder requests permission to correct the bid, the bidder must submit clear and convincing evidence that a mistake was made. If the bidder requests permission to correct the bid and submits evidence that a mistake was made, the evidence is analyzed by the CO to determine whether or not the bidder should be allowed to correct the bid. The data (evidence) submitted by the bidder is attached to the bidder's bid and placed in the contract file along with the CO's determination.

The verification of the correct bid is attached to the original bid and a copy of the verification is attached to the duplicate bid and placed in the contract file.

B. Annual Reporting Burden

Respondents: 4,673.

Responses Per Respondent: 1.

Total Responses: 4,673.

Hours Per Response: .5.

Total Burden Hours: 2,337.

Obtaining Copies of Proposals: Requesters may obtain a copy of the proposal from the General Services Administration, FAR Secretariat (MVP), 1800 F Street, NW, Room 4035, Washington, DC 20405, telelphone (202) 501-4755. Please cite OMB Control No. 9000-0038, Mistakes in Bids, in all correspondence.