iii.  Access to the DoD Market

Comment: One respondent viewed the application of the proposed rule to acquisition of commercial items as an added barrier to entry into the DoD market.

Response: Typically, commercial vendors cite the requirement for certified cost or pricing data as a key deterrent to doing business with the DoD. The final rule does not change the commercial item exemption to the requirement for certified cost or pricing data. In addition, by ensuring adequate proposal preparation time is provided to potential offerors, the final rule encourages commercial item vendors to participate in DoD's competitions. Finally, the final rule implements key policies necessary to improve the efficiency and productivity of DoD's procurements. While DoD does not believe that the final rule creates barriers to entry, commercial vendors will need to make business decisions about their participation in the DoD marketplace.