This subpart prescribes general policies and procedures for the use of determinations and findings (D&F's). Requirements for specific types of D&F's can be found with the appropriate subject matter.
Determination and Findings (D&F) means a special form of written approval by an authorized official that is required by statute or regulation as a prerequisite to taking certain contract actions. The determination is a conclusion or decision supported by the findings. The findings are statements of fact or rationale essential to support the determination and must cover each requirement of the statute or regulation.
[50 FR 1726, Jan. 11, 1985, and 50 FR 52429, Dec. 23, 1985, as amended at 67 FR 13053, Mar. 20, 2002]
(a) A D&F shall ordinarily be for an individual contract action. Unless otherwise prohibited, class D&F's may be executed for classes of contract action (see 1.703). The approval granted by a D&F is restricted to the proposed contract action(s) reasonably described in that D&F. D&F's may provided for a reasonable degree of flexibility. Furthermore, in their application, reasonable variations in estimated quantities or prices are permitted, unless the D&F specifies otherwise.
(b) When an option is anticipated, the D&F shall state the approximate quantity to be awarded initially and the extent of the increase to be permitted by the option.
(a) A class D&F provides authority for a class of contract actions. A class may consist of contract actions for the same or related supplies or services or other contract actions that require essentially identical justification.
(b) The findings in a class D&F shall fully support the proposed action either for the class as a whole or for each action. A class D&F shall be for a specified period, with the expiration date stated in the document.
(c) The contracting officer shall ensure that individual actions taken pursuant to the authority of a class D&F are within the scope of the D&F.
[50 FR 1726, Jan. 11, 1985, and 50 FR 52429, Dec. 23, 1985 , as amended at 67 FR 13053, Mar. 20, 2002]
Each D&F shall set forth enough facts and circumstances to clearly and convincingly justify the specific determination made. As a minimum, each D&F shall include, in the prescribed agency format, the following information:
(a) Identification of the agency and of the contracting activity and specific identifications of the document as a Determination and Findings.
(b) Nature and/or description of the action being approved.
(c) Citation of the appropriate statute and/or regulation upon which the D&F is based.
(d) Findings that detail the particular circumstances, facts, or reasoning essential to support the determination. Necessary supporting documentation shall be obtained from appropriate requirements and technical personnel.
(e) A determination, based on the findings, that the proposed action is justified under the applicable statute or regulation.
(f) Expiration date of the D&F, if required (see 1.706(b)).
(g) The signature of the official authorized to sign the D&F (see 1.706) and the date signed.
(a) If a D&F is superseded by another D&F, that action shall not render invalid any action taken under the original D&F prior to the date of its supersession.
(b) The contracting officer need not cancel the solicitation if the D&F, as modified, supports the contract action.
[50 FR 1726, Jan. 11, 1985, and 50 FR 52429, Dec. 23, 1985, as amended at 67 FR 13053, Mar. 20, 2002]
Expiration dates are required for class D&F's and are optional for individual D&F's. Authority to act under an individual D&F expires when it is exercised or on an expiration date specified in the document, whichever occurs first. Authority to act under a class D&F expires on the expiration date specified in the document. When a solicitation has been furnished to prospective offerors before the expiration date, the authority under the D&F will continue until award of the contract(s) resulting from that solicitation.
When a D&F is required, it shall be signed by the appropriate official in accordance with agency regulations. Authority to sign or delegate signature authority for the various D&F's is as shown in the applicable FAR part.