Overview
Subpart 19.12 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is currently designated as [Reserved]. This means the section contains no active regulatory language and serves as a placeholder to maintain the FAR's organizational structure after previous regulations were removed.
Key Rules
- No Active Regulatory Content: There are currently no compliance requirements, clauses, or provisions located within this subpart.
- Historical Context: This subpart formerly governed the "Small Disadvantaged Business Participation Program." The regulations within this section were removed (effective in 2014 and 2015) following changes in SBA policy and legal shifts regarding price evaluation adjustments for Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDBs).
- Placeholder Status: The "Reserved" designation ensures that the numbering of subsequent subparts (e.g., FAR 19.13, 19.14) remains consistent and does not require a global renumbering of the FAR.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Are no longer required to implement the specific SDB participation evaluation criteria or reporting requirements that were previously contained in this subpart.
- Contractors/Offerors: Are relieved of any obligations to provide specific SDB participation targets or data under the mechanisms formerly described in 19.12.
- SBA/Regulatory Bodies: Maintain the subpart as "Reserved" until new regulations are promulgated or the FAR is restructured.
Practical Implications
- Shift in SDB Focus: Because this subpart is reserved, practitioners should look to FAR Subpart 19.3 (Determination of Small Business Status) and FAR Subpart 19.7 (The Small Business Subcontracting Program) for current requirements regarding Small Disadvantaged Businesses.
- Solicitation Drafting: Contracting Officers must ensure they do not reference any obsolete clauses that were once associated with this subpart (such as the old FAR 52.219-24 or 52.219-26).
- Compliance Checks: When reviewing a solicitation or contract, the presence of a "Reserved" subpart simply means that the specific topic (formerly SDB participation adjustments) is no longer a regulated factor under that specific FAR citation.