Government Contracts Monitor

Short Take: Should the Government Collect all this Cost and Pricing Data?

September 16, 2014

The Truth in Negotiations Act requires the Government to obtain certified cost or pricing data under certain circumstances. Although contractors may request an exemption from this requirement, exemptions are only available under certain limited conditions and even then other information must be provided instead.

The requirement for certified cost and pricing data has resulted in over 192,000 submissions every year, requiring millions of man hours for contractors and government personnel alike. The Government is now seeking industry input on whether (i) this collection of information is “necessary for the proper performance of functions of the FAR”; (ii) it has “practical utility”; (iii) the Government’s estimate of the “public burden of this collection of information is accurate”; (iv) there are ways to enhance the “quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected”; and (v) there are ways in which the Government can “minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology”. FR Doc. 2014-20365 .

You are invited to submit comments on or before October 27, 2014, citing Information Collection 9000-0013, Cost or Pricing Data Requirements and Information Other Than Cost or Pricing Data, in all correspondence. All comments received will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal and/or business confidential information provided.

Attorneys

Lindsay Simmons