WASHINGTON -- The US Department of Defense is proposing to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement a section of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 that makes contractors and subcontractors subject to approval (as well as review and audit) by appropriate DoD officials when identifying a contractor-approved supplier of electronic parts.

The new rule would apply to contracts at or below the simplified acquisition threshold and for commercial items, including commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) items.

Comments on the proposed rule should be submitted in writing on or before Oct. 3, 2016, to be considered in the formation of a final rule. Comments may be submitted by email to osd.dfars@mail.mil (include DFARS Case 2016-D013 in the subject line of the message); by fax: 571-372-6094; or by mail to: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Attn: Ms. Amy G. Williams, OUSD(AT&L)DPAP/DARS, Room 3B941, 3060 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3060.