[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 171 (Tuesday, September 5, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 46114]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-21889]



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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Defense Logistics Agency


Proposed DoD/NASA Initiative: Use of Common Processes at 
Contractor Facilities

AGENCY: Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), Department of Defense (DoD).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Defense (DoD) and National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration (NASA) desire to achieve cost and schedule 
benefits, and improve quality, from maximum use of common processes for 
all programs in a contractor facility. Mutual recognition and 
acceptance of common processes will require concerted effort by 
interested contractors, their principal customers, and contract 
administration personnel. NASA, as well as other agencies, have 
committed to join with DoD in using common quality processes at shared 
contractor facilities.
    The quality process is an ideal starting point for implementation 
because of its potential to apply commercial standards (e.g., ISO-9000/
ANSI-ASQC Q9000) and advanced quality practices. Other common process 
opportunities also exist which may offer significant potential as well.
    Initial contractor response to this announcement should be in the 
form of a brief concept paper outlining the transition approach and 
process that is proposed. The proposed process(es) should result in 
significant cost, schedule, or performance benefits. The concept paper 
should be submitted to the DPRO, the cognizant Defense Contract 
Management Area Office (DCMAO), or other Contract Administration 
Service (CAS) activity. The DPRO, DCMAO or cognizant CAS activity will 
work with the principal plant customers and contractor to achieve 
concurrence on the concept paper.
    Once the approach for transitioning to common process has been 
established contractors may develop preliminary proposals. Contractor 
preliminary proposals for a common process should include the following 
information: Specify those processes that would be candidates for 
facility-wide application, describe the impact on your present system 
(contracts, programs and buying offices affected) any associated risks 
and/or anticipated benefits to you and the Government.
    Submit your preliminary proposal to affected principal Government 
buying activities and the cognizant Contract Administration Services 
office. Proposals will be evaluated in order of receipt.
    Should a common process be defined and accepted, individual 
contracts will be modified as appropriate. The Defense Contract 
Management Command (DCMC) office (or cognizant CAS activity) will 
facilitate the formulation of interface teams at the facility level to 
coordinate customer review and approval.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Richard Zell, HQ Defense Contract Management Command, Product and 
Manufacturing Team, (703) 767-3395.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

A. Background

    DoD is committed to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of 
our suppliers. The proposed initiative will facilitate the elimination 
of military unique process reviews.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The proposed guidance will not have a significant economic impact 
on small businesses within the meaning of the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., because it does not require any additional 
time or cost on the part of the contractor. Any contractor effort is 
voluntary.
    C. The proposed notice does not impose any reporting or record 
keeping requirements which require the approval of OMB under 44 U.S.C. 
3501 et seq. and as such, the Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply.
John A. Merkwan,
LTC, USA, Executive Officer.
[FR Doc. 95-21889 Filed 9-1-95; 8:45 am]
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