NEW CONTRACT FORMAT FOR CECOM ACQUISITIONS On April 6, 1998, CECOM will begin testing a new simplified contract format. This CECOM initiative is a three (3) year trial authorized by the Department of Defense. All Army Materiel Command (AMC) activities will be testing this new contract format through the period ending 30 Dec 2000. The purpose of this new Test Contract Format (TCF) is to reduce the duplication and redundancy prevalent in the Uniform Contract Format (UCF) utilized under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Parts 14 and 15. The TCF is intended to be more flexible, streamlined, and user friendly than the rigid and inflexible UCF. The TCF has six (6) sections that replace the 13 sections (A-M) of the UCF. The six (6) sections more logically organize information while still providing flexibility in developing user friendly documents. It allows for tailoring to fit the circumstances while still grouping information to accommodate user needs. The most used information is up front and leads users to sections that combine all related information in one place. The new TCF should aid our streamlining efforts and make it easier for those working with these contract documents. The results of this TCF will provide rationale for the future direction of the contract format. The new TCF will appear in CECOM PADDS generated solicitations and contracts issued on or after 6 April 1998. Any CECOM PADDS generated solicitation issued prior to 6 April 1998 under the UCF, but forecasted for award after 6 April 1998, will be awarded under the new TCF. SAACONS generated solicitations and contracts (primarily utilized by the CECOM Base Support Branch) will not be affected by the new TCF. The new format is summarized as follows: Section I, Cover Sheet/Supplemental Information (previously Section A); II, Acquisition Description/Schedule (previously Section B); Section III, Financial and Administrative Information (previously Section G); Section IV, Contract Clauses (previously Sections C, D, E, F, H, I); Section V, Performance Requirements, (previously Sections C& J); Section VI, Proposal Submission and Evaluation Information, (previously Sections K, L, M). Since this new simplified format is a test, we are interested in your comments. Any benefits or problems you surface, while working with the new contract format, will be appreciated. You may send comments to Bill Applegate at the address below. E-MAIL: Click here to e-mail the POC, applegat@doim6.monmouth.army.mil.

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