Effective Jan. 1, contractors are required to mark all items supplied to the Defense Department with unique identifiers such as bar codes or radio frequency ID tags.

DOD published an interim rule in the Dec. 30 Federal Register. “The objective of the rule is to improve management of DOD assets. DOD considers this rule to be a strategic imperative, necessary to efficiently move supplies to warfighters,” the notice said.

All DOD-recognized unique identification equivalents are listed at http://www.acq.osd.mil/uid.

The interim rule is DFARS Case 2003-D081. Comments are due by March 1.

Also effective Jan. 1, SBA’s Pro-Net database was combined with the Defense Department’s Central Contractor Registration.

Small businesses now must register only once, in CCR, which is the government’s official contractor database. To find a small business, use the “Dynamic Small Business Search” button. (Look closely; it’s on the left-hand side of the CCR home page, www.ccr.gov.)

In addition, companies that register in CCR no longer have to declare themselves a small business. They will enter data such as revenue, number of employees and NAICS codes, then a new automated system will calculate whether the business qualifies as small under federal size standards.

In response to public comments, SBA has reduced the size standard for information technology value added resellers (NAICS code 541519) to 150 employees, instead of the 500-employee standard the agency had proposed.

In issuing a final rule Dec. 29, SBA said, “This decision is based on a review of the comments received to the proposed rule and an analysis of the characteristics of firms in the computer services and wholesale trade industries that are engaged in providing services along with information technology (IT) equipment.”

Many of the comments cited a survey conducted by the trade publication Computer Reseller News showing that the average company in the industry had 15 employees and 88% have 100 or fewer. Most industry commenters proposed a size standard of 100 employees. SBA said it chose the higher figure based on its research.

The final rule is effective Jan. 28.

SBA increased the size standard for the Testing Laboratories industry (NAICS code 541380) from $6 million to $10 million in average annual receipts. The final rule is effective Jan. 28.

The Defense Department has issued a final rule requiring the use of electronic payment on all contracts except those that are specifically exempted.

The final rule is little changed from the interim rule that went into effect March 1. (SAA, 3/7/03) Contractors must submit requests for payment and the DD Form 250, inspection and receiving report, in one of three approved electronic formats: Wide Area WorkFlow-Receipt and Acceptance (WAWF-RA), Web Invoicing System (WInS) or American National Standards Institute (ANSI) X.12.

In response to public comments, DOD emphasized that contracting officers and payment offices may accept other formats or exempt an individual contract if the contractor is not able to use electronic payment.

Recommendations for realigning veterans’ medical care facilities have been delayed, the newspaper Federal Times reported.

An independent commission was due to deliver its recommendations to Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi in November; the new target date is February, the report said.

The commission has been reviewing VA’s plans to close some hospitals, realign others and build new facilities.

The staffing company Kelly Services Inc. announced it will begin placing professionals with security clearances in jobs with government contractors.

A new business unit, KellyFedSecure, will provide both temporary and long-term employees.

The Professional Services Council has awarded Deidre Lee, director of Defense procurement and acquisition policy, with its highest service honor, the Marc S. Ross Award.

The council, a contractors’ organization, presents the award to a government official who demonstrates leadership, a commitment to partnership and ethical standards.

Lee has been on temporary assignment to the Iraq Coalition Provisional Authority.