C. DTIC On-Line Form

Comment: The rule should include a copy of the proposed DTIC on-line input form. The proposed rule does not address the nature of the information that must be provided through the proposed DTIC on-line input form and the means of transmission of the form. The respondent recommended that DoD include in any final rule a copy of the DTIC form and instructions for completing the form. By doing so, relevant DoD personnel, including Administrative Contracting Officers ("ACOs") and Defense Contract Audit Agency ("DCAA") auditors, and contractors would be provided some certainty regarding the information that would be required to be entered into the DTIC database by contractors and the nature of the form as it may be revised. Unless the rule includes the form, contractors must monitor the form each year and may be subjected to increased reporting from the DTIC without proper notice or opportunity to comment.

Response: DFARS 231.205-18(v) sets forth that the cognizant contract administration office shall furnish contractors with guidance on financial information needed to support IR&D/B&P costs and on technical information needed from major contractors to support the potential interest to DoD determination. To that extent, the DTIC on-line input form has been established to provide contractors with a template for reporting on their IR&D projects, and a process to provide such reporting that is designed to minimize the administrative burden on contractors. The DTIC on-line form includes reporting elements such as project title, project number, anticipated expenditures, project description, keywords, and technology readiness level. The DTIC on-line form can be found at http://www.dtic.mil/ird/dticdb/index.html.