CLAUSE H.18 – APPLICATION OF DOE CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS DOCUMENTS
(a) Performance. The Contractor will perform the work of this Contract in accordance with each of the Contractor Requirements Documents (CRDs) appended to this contract as “Appendix I,” until such time as the Contracting Officer approves the substitution of an alternative procedure, standard, system of oversight, or assessment mechanism resulting from the process described below.
(b) Laws and Regulations Excepted. The process described in this clause shall not affect the application of otherwise applicable laws and regulations of the United States, including regulations of the Department of Energy.
(c) Deviation Processes in Existing Orders. This clause does not preclude the use of deviation processes provided for in existing DOE directives.
(d) Proposal of Alternative. The Laboratory Director may, at any time during performance of this contract, propose an alternative procedure, standard, system of oversight, or assessment mechanism to the requirements in a listed CRD by submitting to the Contracting Officer a signed proposal describing the nature and scope of the alternative procedure, standard, system of oversight, or assessment mechanism (alternative), the anticipated benefits, including any cost benefits, to be realized by the Contractor in performance under the contract, and a schedule for implementation of the alternate. In addition, the Contractor
shall include an assurance signed by the Laboratory Director that the revised alternative is an adequate and efficient means to meet the objectives underlying the CRD. Upon request, the Contractor shall promptly provide the Contracting Officer any additional information that will aid in evaluating the Contractor’s proposal.
(e) Action of the Contracting Officer. The Contracting Officer shall within sixty (60) days:
(1) deny application of the proposed alternative;
(2) approve the proposed alternative, with conditions or revisions;
(3) approve the proposed alternative; or
(4) provide a date by which a decision will be made (not to exceed an additional 60 days).
(f) Implementation and Evaluation of Performance. Upon approval in accordance with (e)(2) or (e)(3) above, the Contractor shall implement the alternative. In the case of a conditional approval under (e)(2) above, the Contractor shall provide the Contracting Officer with an assurance statement, signed by the Laboratory Director, that the revised alternative is an adequate and efficient means to meet the objectives underlying the CRD. Additionally, the statement shall describe any changes to the schedule for implementation. The Contractor shall then implement the revised alternative. DOE will evaluate performance of the approved alternative from the date scheduled by the Contractor for implementation.
(g) Application of Additional or Modified CRDs. During performance of the contract, the Contracting Officer may notify the Contractor that he or she intends to unilaterally add CRDs not then listed in Appendix I or modifications to listed CRDs. Upon receipt of that notice, the Contractor, within thirty (30) calendar days, may, in accordance with paragraph (d) of this clause, propose an alternative procedure, standard, system of oversight, or assessment mechanism. The resolution of such a proposal shall be in accordance with the process set out in paragraphs (e) and (f) of this clause. If an alternative proposal is not submitted by the Contractor within the thirty (30) calendar day period, or, if made, is denied by the Contracting Officer under paragraph (e), the Contracting Officer may unilaterally add the CRD or modification to Appendix I. The Contractor and the Contractor Officer shall identify and, if appropriate, agree to any changes to other contract terms and conditions, including cost and schedule, resulting from the addition of the CRD or modification.
(h) Deficiency and Remedial Action. If, during performance of this contract, the Contracting Officer determines that an alternative procedure, standard, system of oversight, or assessment mechanism adopted through the operation of this clause is not satisfactory, the Contracting Officer may, in his or her sole discretion, determine that corrective action is necessary and require the Contractor to prepare a corrective action plan for the Contracting Officer’s approval. If the Contracting Officer is not satisfied with the corrective action taken, the Contracting Officer may direct corrective action to remedy the deficiency, including, if appropriate, the reinstatement of the CRD.