B. Inventory Schedules

Comment: A respondent stated that the requirement at DFARS 245.602-1 for "obtaining bills of material and reviewing recent purchases, and stock record entries" is not a part of the disposal process. The respondent commented that these duties require the plant clearance officer to have a working knowledge of every contract and that the process will drive up costs.

DoD Response: The proposed language at 245.602-1 exists today in the current DFARS at 245.7201. The proposed rule moved 245.7201 to subpart 245.6, and renamed the subpart Reporting, Reutilization, and Disposal, to conform with the FAR; however, the language at DFARS 245.602-1 has been clarified to specify applicability only to termination inventory.

Comment: In reference to DFARS 245.602-1, Inventory disposal schedules, a respondent asked for guidance on when a physical count was required and suggested ways of addressing efficiency.

DoD response: Generally, the Government relies on quantity data provided by the contractor, and physical counts are usually required only if the plant clearance officer suspects data integrity issues; however, 245.602-1(2) has been clarified to specify potential methods of verifying quantities.

Comment: A respondent was concerned about the requirement at 252.245-70XX(b)(1)(i)(A) and (B) to provide Federal Supply Codes (FSCs) and manufacturer name, because this information is not always available or known.

DoD Response: The language at 252.245-7004(b)(1)(i)(A) and (B) has been modified in the final rule to require the FSC and manufacturer name only if the information is assigned and/or available.

Comment: A respondent recommended that new definitions for the terms "manufacturer name" and "manufacturer part number" be added at the clause at 252.245-70XX.

DoD response: These terms are used commonly; therefore, they have not been added to the definitions section of the clause.

Comment: In reference to 252.245-70XX(b), Inventory disposal schedules, a respondent recommended that the supplier name and part number be required for all items in Federal condition code A1 being reported as excess on inventory schedules.

DoD Response: The respondent's recommendation would require reprogramming of the Plant Clearance Automated Redistribution and Screening System (PCARSS). The cost of such reprogramming would largely offset the marginal increase in reutilization realized.