Feds change buying rules

The government Oct. 1 released seven new procurement rules.

Among them was a proposed rule authorizing governmentwide use of share-in-savings contracts for information technology. (See story, page 18.)

Other rules:

• The Defense Department must use performance-based contracts when buying services. This is an interim rule. Comments are due Dec. 1.


• A final rule simplifies procurement procedures for products or services used to defend or recover from terrorism or nuclear, biological, chemical or radiological attack.


• A final rule requires contractors to notify agency contracting officers if the government overpays. The rule goes into effect Oct. 31.


• Contractors are now required to register in the Central Contractor Registration database before being eligible for an award.


• Under an interim rule, agencies must assign a unique identifier for every transaction reported to the Federal Procurement Data System.


• The FedBizOpps Web site is now the governmentwide point of entry for all contracts worth more than $25,000.