I.  Background

This final rule amends the FAR in response to recommendations from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Report GAO-09-591, Defense Contracting Integrity--Opportunities Exist to Improve DoD's Oversight of Contractor Ethics Programs. The ethics program requirement flows from FAR 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct.

This final rule modifies FAR 42.302, Contract Administration Functions, to add to the list of contract administration functions, the function to ensure that contractors have implemented the mandatory contractor business ethics program requirements of FAR 52.203-13.