WASHINGTON -- The US Department of Defense is hosting a public meeting to obtain the views of experts and interested parties in government and the private sector regarding the electronic parts detection and avoidance coverage proposed for inclusion in DoD procurement guidelines.

The public meeting concerning the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement will be held at General Services Administration (GSA), Central Office Auditorium, 1800 F Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., 20405. Interested parties should register by June 20.

The DoD is interested in opening a dialogue about the requirements for detection and avoidance of counterfeit electronic parts in DoD contracts. A proposed rule was published in the Federal Register at 78 FR28780 on May 16. The public comment period closes July 15. The DFARS proposed rule is a partial implementation of the requirements at section 818, titled “Detection and Avoidance of Counterfeit Electronic Parts,” of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (Pub. L. 112-81).

The DFARS case would apply only to contractors subject to the Cost Accounting Standards. It addresses the responsibility of DoD contractors for detecting and avoiding the use or inclusion of counterfeit electronic parts or suspect counterfeit electronic parts in items delivered to the Department. In lieu of requiring contractors to establish an entirely new and separate system for avoiding the purchase, and detecting suspect parts, DoD plans to use contractors’ existing purchasing systems and quality assurance systems.

In addition, the DFARS case proposes to implement section 833, titled “Contractor Responsibilities in Regulations Relating to Detection and Avoidance of Counterfeit Electronic Parts,” of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013.