Legislative & Regulatory Issues

To Read LICA Position Papers, Click Here

NRCS Establishes Technical Service Provider Website

If you are interested in being certified as a NRCS Technical Service Provider (TSP - formerly Third Party Vendor), you will be interested in the NRCS' new website. To find out specific information on the TSP program and how to register go to: (http://techreg.usda.gov) We also recommend that your LICA Chapter become very involved in your state's NRCS State Technical Committee.

Central Contractor Registration (CCR) System.

Contractors currently doing business with USDA and potential vendors, are encouraged to register in the CCR.  Based on a recently published proposed change to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), it is anticipated that contractors will soon be required to register in the CCR database before they can be awarded a contract.

The notice of the proposed change to the FAR was published in the Federal Register on April 3, 2003. The proposed change would require, among other things, that contractors be registered in the CCR database before award of any contract, basic agreement, blanket purchase agreement or basic ordering agreement can be made.  There are five (5) exceptions to this requirement, including, purchases that use the government-wide commercial purchase card as the purchasing mechanism, urgent procurements and awards to foreign vendors for work performed outside the United States, if it is impractical to obtain CCR registration before award.

The proposed change would also require that contractors with existing contracts that require performance after September 30, 2003, also register in the CCR system.

A copy of the proposed change can be viewed on the CCR website at http://www.ccr.gov.  Information on where and how to submit comments to the General Service Administration, FAR Secretariat are contained in the proposed rule.

The CCR is designed to be a highly secure, single repository of vendor information.  Vendors will be able to register once, with identifying information, including electronic funds transfer data. Only authorized government financial and procurement officials will be able to access the proprietary and sensitive data. Vendors will have access to update the
information as necessary.  Annual renewal/update is necessary to remain active.

The preferred method for completing registration is via the world wide web at http://www.ccr.gov. A handbook and other information is available at that site, including information on how to obtain a DUNS number, which is required to begin the registration process.  Once a vendor has registered in CCR, a Trading Partner Identification Number (TPIN) is mailed to the individual identified by the vendor as the CCR point of contact.  The TPIN is very important as it is required for any subsequent changes to the original registration.

CAUTION:

Fraudulent letters allegedly from USDA and also from Department of Transportation have been sent to vendors requesting completion of CCR worksheets or verification of Trading Partner Identification Numbers (TPINs).  If you receive such letters, faxes or telephone calls, they should be disregarded. Your TPIN number should never be given to anyone.  A Security Alert is posted on the CCR website.  Please review this notice.