In the February 12, 2016, Federal Register, USDA's Office of Procurement and Property Management amended the Agriculture Acquisition Regulation ("AGAR") by adding a new clause titled "Fire Suppression and Liability." Section 8205 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 provided the USDA Forest Service with permanent authority for Stewardship End Result Contracting, requiring the agency to use a fire liability provision in all stewardship contracts and agreements that is in substantially the same form as the fire liability provisions contained in the integrated resource timber contract in Forest Service Contract Numbered 2400-13, Part H, Section H.4. This final rule establishes a new clause in the AGAR, the USDA supplement to the Federal Acquisition Regulation ("FAR"), for use in Integrated Resource Service Contracts subject to the FAR. Final rule is effective March 14, 2016.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.