V.  Determination To Issue an Interim Rule

A determination has been made under the authority of the Secretary of Defense that urgent and compelling reasons exist to publish an interim rule prior to affording the public an opportunity to comment. This interim rule implements section 812 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011, enacted on January 7, 2011. Section 812 requires implementation within 180 days, by July 6, 2011, and an interim rule is required to meet the implementation date. This action is necessary in order to require contracting officers to consider the manufacturing readiness and manufacturing-readiness processes of potential contractors and subcontractors as a part of the source selection process for major defense acquisition programs. Comments received in response to this interim rule will be considered in the formation of the final rule.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Part 215

Government procurement.

Mary Overstreet,
Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations System.

Therefore, 48 CFR part 215 is amended as follows: