Overview
This section establishes the mandatory procedures Contracting Officers must follow when responding to requests for information from the general public or suppliers. It ensures that information dissemination adheres to established legal frameworks regarding privacy and public access.
Key Rules
- Mandatory Compliance: Contracting officers are required to process all public information requests according to specific regulatory subparts.
- Inclusion of Suppliers: The term "general public" explicitly includes current or potential suppliers (contractors).
- Privacy Act Coordination: If a request involves personal information about individuals, it must be handled under FAR Subpart 24.1 (Protection of Individual Privacy).
- FOIA Coordination: General requests for agency records or information are governed by FAR Subpart 24.2 (Freedom of Information Act).
Practical Implications
- Contractors seeking sensitive data or information not already released in a solicitation must follow formal FOIA channels rather than informal requests to the Contracting Officer.
- The rule protects the government from inadvertently releasing proprietary or private data by forcing all requests through standardized legal review processes.