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FAR RIN: 9000-AN32 Publication ID: Fall 2021 
Title: Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR); FAR Case 2017-005, Whistleblower Protection for Contractor Employees 
Abstract:

DoD, GSA, and NASA are issuing a final rule to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement 41 U.S.C. 4712, "Enhancement of Contractor Protection From Reprisal for Disclosure of Certain Information," and makes the pilot program permanent. The pilot was enacted on January 2, 2013, by section 828 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year (FY) 2013. The rule clarifies that contractors and subcontractors are prohibited from discharging, demoting, or otherwise discriminating against an employee as a reprisal for disclosing to any of the entities such as agency Inspector Generals and Congress information that the employee reasonably believes is evidence of gross mismanagement of a Federal contract; a gross waste of Federal funds; an abuse of authority relating to a Federal contract; a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety; or a violation of law, rule, or regulation related to a Federal contract (including the competition for or negotiation of a contract.) This rule enhances whistleblower protections for contractor employees by making permanent the protection for disclosure of the aforementioned information and ensuring that the prohibition on reimbursement for legal fees accrued in defense against reprisal claims applies to both contractors and subcontractors.

 
Agency: DOD/GSA/NASA (FAR)(FAR)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 48 CFR 3    48 CFR 31    48 CFR 52   
Legal Authority: 40 U.S.C. 121(c)    10 U.S.C. ch. 137    51 U.S.C. 20113   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  12/26/2018  83 FR 66223   
NPRM Comment Period End  02/25/2019 
Final Rule  03/00/2022 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes  Government Levels Affected: Federal, Local, State 
Small Entities Affected: Businesses  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Information URL: www.regulations.gov   Public Comment URL: www.regulations.gov  
RIN Data Printed in the FR: Yes 
Agency Contact:
Curtis E. Glover Sr.
Procurement Analyst
DOD/GSA/NASA (FAR)
1800 F Street, NW,
Washington, DC 20405
Phone:202 295-7548
Email: curtis.glover@gsa.gov