C.  Use of E-Mail

Comment: A respondent questioned whether it is wise to take e-mail totally off the table, when FAR 52.216-18, Ordering, currently permits ordering officials to specify e-mail as an "electronic commerce method" so long as it is authorized in the schedule. The respondent recommended that the DFARS clause should explicitly permit the use of e-mail as a recognized electronic commerce method. The respondent recommended, in the alternative, that the Government permit the use of e-mail on a "by-exception basis" or at the discretion of the contracting officer.

Response: DoD considered the use of e-mail as a primary method of distribution, but rejected its use because of the lack of an audit trail. DoD was also concerned that the delivery and receipt of e-mail is subject to interruption without notice due to firewall and spam filter configurations.