FAR 52.211-7 - Alternatives to Government-Unique Standards

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Prescribed in 11.107(b)
Effective Date:	1 November 1999
Clause or Provision:	Provision
Provision or Clause Number:	52.211-7 - Alternatives to Government-Unique Standards
Principle Type And/Or Purpose of Contract:
Required:
Applicable:	Time and Materials/Labor Hour; Facilities; Architect-Engineering; Dismantling, Demolition or Removal of Improvements; Fixed Price, Supply; Cost Reimbursement, Supply; Communication Services; Leasing of Motor Vehicles; Time & Material/Labor Hour; Cost Reimbursement, Construction; Fixed Price, Construction; Cost Reimbursement, Service; Fixed Price, Service; Cost Reimbursement, R&D; Fixed Price, R&D; Indefinite Delivery; Transportation; Simplified Acquisition Procedures (Excludes Micro-Purchase); Utility Services
Optional:
Subject:	Specifications/Standards
ProcurementType:
Contract Threshold:	0
Prescription Overview:	Prescription (b) Insert the provision at 52.211-7, Alternatives to Government-Unique Standards, in solicitations that use Government-unique standards when the agency uses the transaction-based reporting method to report its use of voluntary consensus standards to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (see OMB Circular A-119, “Federal Participation in the Development and Use of Voluntary Consensus Standards and in Conformity Assessment Activities”). Use of the provision is optional for agencies that report their use of voluntary consensus standards to the National Institute of Standards and Technology using the categorical reporting method. Agencies that manage their specifications on a contract-by-contract basis use the transaction-based method of reporting. Agencies that manage their specifications centrally use the categorical method of reporting. Agency regulations regarding specification management describe which method is used.
Clause Overview:	Provision (a) This solicitation includes Government-unique standards. The offeror may propose voluntary consensus standards that meet the Government’s requirements as alternatives to the Government-unique standards. The Government will accept use of the voluntary consensus standard instead of the Government-unique standard if it meets the Government’s requirements unless inconsistent with law or otherwise impractical. (b) If an alternative standard is proposed, the offeror must furnish data and/or information regarding the alternative in sufficient detail for the Government to determine if it meets the Government’s requirements. Acceptance of the alternative standard is a unilateral decision made solely at the discretion of the Government. (c) Offers that do not comply with the Government-unique standards specified in this solicitation may be determined to be nonresponsive or unacceptable. The offeror may submit an offer that complies with the Government-unique standards specified in this solicitation, in addition to any proposed alternative standard(s).
Important Notes/Requirements:	The Offeror may propose voluntary consensus standards that meet the Government's requirements as alternatives to the Government-unique standards.
Subcontract Threshold:	0
Incorporated by Reference:	Yes
Uniform Contract Format:	L
Editor:	Marshall

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Personal notes.