Abacus Contract Management Definitions

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"Unallowable cost" means any cost that, under the provisions of any pertinent law, regulation, or contract, cannot be included in prices, cost-reimbursements, or settlements under a Government contract to which it is allocable.
FAR Part 2 - Definitions of Words and Terms

"Unauthorized commitment," as used in this subsection, means an agreement that is not binding solely because the Government representative who made it lacked the authority to enter into that agreement on behalf of the Government.
FAR 1.602 Contracting officers
See "Ratification."

"Undefinitized contract action" means any contract action for which the contract terms, specifications, or price are not agreed upon before performance is begun under the action. Examples are letter contracts, orders under basic ordering agreements, and provisioned item orders, for which the price has not been agreed upon before performance has begun.
DFARS 217.7401 Undefinitized Contract Actions

"Undefinitized contractual action'' means a new procurement action entered into by the head of an agency for which the contractual terms, specifications, or price are not agreed upon before performance is begun under the action. Such term does not include contractual actions with respect to the following:
(A) Foreign military sales.
(B) Purchases in an amount not in excess of the amount of the simplified acquisition threshold.
(C) Special access programs.
(D) Congressionally mandated long-lead procurement contracts.
10 U.S.C. 2326(g)(1)

"Undefinitized item," as used in this subpart, means an item for which a price has not been established in the basic contract or by modification.
DFARS 204.7101 Uniform Contract Line Item Numbering System

"Undue burden" is a significant difficulty or expense.
FAR 39.202 Electronic and Information Technology

"Unfair trade practices" means the commission of any of the following acts by a contractor:
(1) A violation of Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1337) as determined by the International Trade Commission.
(2) A violation, as determined by the Secretary of Commerce, of any agreement of the group known as the "Coordination Committee" for purposes of the Export Administration Act of 1979 (50 U.S.C. App. 2401, et seq.) or any similar bilateral or multilateral export control agreement.
(3) A knowingly false statement regarding a material element of a certification concerning the foreign content of an item of supply, as determined by the Secretary of the Department or the head of the agency to which such certificate was furnished.
FAR 9.4 Debarment, Suspension, and Ineligibility

"UIC" means Unit Identification Code. Now called "Activity Address Numbers."

"Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)" prohibits discrimination against persons because of their service in the Armed Forces Reserve, the National Guard, or other uniformed services. USERRA prohibits an employer from denying any benefit of employment on the basis of an individual's membership, application for membership, performance of service, application for service, or obligation for service in the uniformed services. USERRA also protects the right of veterans, reservists, National Guard members, and certain other members of the uniformed services to reclaim their civilian employment after being absent due to military service or training. The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) Advisor helps Veterans understand employee eligibility and job entitlements, employer obligations, benefits and remedies under the Act.
Dept of Labor Handbook;
National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR); and
Office of Special Counsel summary of USERRA.

"Unilateral modification" is a contract modification that is signed only by the contracting officer. Unilateral modifications are used, for example, to-
(1) Make administrative changes;
(2) Issue change orders;
(3) Make changes authorized by clauses other than a
Changes clause (e.g., Property clause, Options clause, or Suspension of Work clause); and
(4) Issue termination notices.
FAR 43.103(b) Types of contract modifications

"Unique and innovative concept,," when used relative to an unsolicited research proposal, means that--
(1) In the opinion and to the knowledge of the Government evaluator, the meritorious proposal--
(i) Is the product of original thinking submitted confidentially by one source;
(ii) Contains new, novel, or changed concepts, approaches, or methods;
(iii) Was not submitted previously by another; and
(iv) Is not otherwise available within the Federal Government.
(2) In this context, the term does not mean that the source has the sole capability of performing the research.
FAR Part 2 - Definitions of Words and Terms

"Unit" means the item or task to which the contracting officer and the contractor agree the VECP applies.
FAR Part 48 - Value Engineering

"Unit credit cost method without salary projection." See "Accrued benefit cost method."

"Unit Identification Codes (UIC)" are now called "Activity Address Numbers."

"Unit price" excludes any part of the price which reflects requirements for preservation, packaging, and packing beyond standard commercial practice.
DFARS 252.216-7000 Economic Price Adjustment--Basic Steel, Aluminum, Brass, Bronze, or Copper Mill Products (Jul 1997) as prescribed in DFARS 216.203-4-70(a).

"United States" means the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Wake Island.
Federal Register: July 27, 2001 Proposed Rules FAR 22.801
See other definitions of "United States."

"United States'' means the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Johnston Island, Wake Island, and Outer Continental Shelf lands as defined in the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331, et seq.), but does not include any other place subject to U.S. jurisdiction or any U.S. base or possession in a foreign country (29 CFR 4.112).
Federal Register: July 27, 2001 Proposed Rules FAR 22.1001
See other definitions of "United States."

"United States" means the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and outlying areas.
Federal Register: July 27, 2001 Proposed Rules FAR 25.003, 52.225-1, 52.225-3, 52.225-5, 52.225-9, 52.225-11, 52.247-63
See other definitions of "United States."

"United States" comprises geographically the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
DFARS 252.228-7003 Capture and Detention (Dec 1991) as prescribed in DFARS 228.370(d)
See other definitions of "United States."

"United States," when used in a geographic sense, means the 50 States and the District of Columbia, except as follows:
(1) For use in Subpart 22.8, see the definition at FAR 22.801br> (2) For use in Subpart 22.10, see the definition at 22.1001.
(3) For use in Part 25, see the definition at FAR 25.003.
(4) For use in Subpart 47.4, see the definition at 47.401.
FAR Part 2 - Definitions of Words and Terms
See other definitions of "United States."

"United States" means the United States, its possessions, Puerto Rico, and any other place subject to its jurisdiction, but does not include leased bases or trust territories.
DFARS 252.225-7007 Buy American Act--Trade Agreements--Balance of Payments Program (Sep 2001) as prescribed in DFARS 225.1101(6); and
DFARS 252.225-7021 Trade Agreements (Sep 2001) as prescribed in DFARS 225.1101(11)
See other definitions of "United States."

"United States" means the several states, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Wake Island.
FAR 22.8 Equal Employment Opportunity
See other definitions of "United States."

"United States" includes any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Outer Continental Shelf Lands as defined in the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331, et seq.), American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Wake Island, and Johnston Island but does not include any other territory under U.S. jurisdiction or any U.S. base or possession within a foreign country.
FAR 22.10 Service Contract Act of 1965, as Amended
See other definitions of "United States."

"United States" means the 50 States and the District of Columbia, U.S. territories and possessions, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other place subject to U.S. jurisdiction, but does not include leased bases.
FAR 52.225-3 Buy American Act--North American Free Trade Agreement--Israeli Trade Act--Balance of Payments Program (Feb 2000) as prescribed in FAR 25.1101(b)(1)(i); and
FAR 25 Foreign Acquisition
See other definitions of "United States."

"United States" means the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and possessions of the United States.
FAR 47.4 Air Transportation by U.S. Flag Carriers
See other definitions of "United States."

"United States and outlying areas" is defined in Federal Information Processing Standard Publication (FIPS PUB) 55, Guideline: Codes for Named Populated Places, Primary County Divisions, and Other Locational Entities of the United States and Outlying Areas. Outlying areas are-
(1) American Samoa;
(2) The Federated States of Micronesia;
(3) Guam;
(4) The Marshall Islands;
(5) Northern Mariana Islands;
(6) The Trust Territory of Palau;
(7) Puerto Rico;
(8) The U.S. Minor Outlying Islands; and
(9) The U.S. Virgin Islands.
DFARS 204.670 Defense Contract Action Data System (DCADS)
See other definitions of "United States."

"United States firm," as used in this provision, means a firm incorporated in the United States that complies with the following:
(1) The corporate headquarters are in the United States;
(2) The firm has filed corporate and employment tax returns in the United States for a minimum of 2 years (if required), has filed State and Federal income tax returns (if required) for 2 years, and has paid any taxes due as a result of these filings; and
(3) The firm employs United States citizens in key management positions.
DFARS 252.236-7010 Overseas Military Construction--Preference for United States Firms (Jan 1997) as prescribed in DFARS 236.570(c)(1)";
DFARS 252.236-7011 Overseas Architect-Engineer Services--Restriction to United States Firms (Jan 1997) as prescribed in DFARS 236.609-70(b); and
DFARS 252.236-7012 Military Construction on Kwajalein Atoll--Evaluation Preference (Mar 1998) as prescribed in DFARS 236.570(c)(2); and
DFARS 236.102 Construction and Architect-Engineer Contracts

"United States person" is defined in Section 16(2) of the Export Administration Act of 1979 and means any United States resident or national (other than an individual resident outside the United States and employed by other than a United States person), any domestic concern (including any permanent domestic establishment of any foreign concern), and any foreign subsidiary or affiliate (including any permanent foreign establishment) of any domestic concern which is controlled in fact by such domestic concern, as determined under regulations of the President.
DFARS 252.225-7031 Secondary Arab Boycott of Israel (Jun 1992) as prescribed in DFARS 225.770-5; and
DFARS 252.212-7000 Offeror Representations and Certifications--Commercial Items (Nov 1995) as prescribed in DFARS 212.301(f)(ii).

"Unlimited rights" means rights to use, modify, reproduce, release, perform, display, or disclose computer software or computer software documentation in whole or in part, in any manner and for any purpose whatsoever, and to have or authorize others to do so.
DFARS 252.227-7014 Rights in Noncommercial Computer Software and Noncommercial Computer Software Documentation (Jun 1995) as prescribed in DFARS 227.7203-6(a)(1)
See other definitions of "unlimited rights."

"Unlimited rights" means rights to use, modify, reproduce, release, perform, display, or disclose, technical data or computer software in whole or in part, in any manner and for any purpose whatsoever, and to have or authorize others to do so.
DFARS 252.227-7018 Rights in Noncommercial Technical Data and Computer Software--Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program (Jun 1995) as prescribed in DFARS 227.7104(a)
See other definitions of "unlimited rights."

"Unlimited rights" means rights to use, modify, reproduce, perform, display, release, or disclose technical data in whole or in part, in any manner, and for any purpose whatsoever, and to have or authorize others to do so.
DFARS 252.227-7013 Rights in Technical Data--Noncommercial Items (Nov 1995) as prescribed in DFARS 227.7103-6(a)
See other definitions of "unlimited rights."

"Unlimited rights" means the rights to use, modify, reproduce, perform, display, release, or disclose a work in whole or in part, in any manner, and for any purpose whatsoever, and to have or authorize others to do so.
DFARS 252.227-7020 Rights in Special Works (Jun 1995) as prescribed in DFARS 227.7105-3, 227.7106(a) or 227.7205(a)
See other definitions of "unlimited rights."

"Unlimited rights" means the rights of the Government to use, disclose, reproduce, prepare derivative works, distribute copies to the public, and perform publicly and display publicly, in any manner and for any purpose, and to have or permit others to do so.
FAR 27.4 Rights in Data and Copyrights
See other definitions of "unlimited rights."

"Unsettled contract change" means any contract change or contract term for which a definitive modification is required but has not been executed.
FAR 49 Termination of Contracts

"Unsolicited proposal" means a written proposal for a new or innovative idea that is submitted to an agency on the initiative of the offeror for the purpose of obtaining a contract with the Government, and that is not in response to a request for proposals, Broad Agency Announcement, Small Business Innovation Research topic, Small Business Technology Transfer Research topic, Program Research and Development Announcement, or any other Government-initiated solicitation or program.
FAR Part 2 - Definitions of Words and Terms
See FAR Subpart 15.6 Unsolicited Proposals.

"Unusual contract financing" means any financing not deemed customary contract financing by the agency. Unusual contract financing is financing that is legal and proper under applicable laws, but that the agency has not authorized contracting officers to use without specific reviews or approvals by higher management.
FAR Part 32 - Contract Financing. Any contract financing arrangement that deviates from [Part 32] is unusual contract financing. Unusual contract financing shall be authorized only after approval by the head of the agency or as provided for in agency regulations.
FAR 32.114 Unusual contract financing

"U.S. firm" means a business entity other than a foreign firm.
DFARS 252.225-7018 Notice of Prohibition of Certain Contracts with Foreign Entities for the Conduct of Ballistic Missile Defense RDT&E (Jan 1997) as prescribed in DFARS 225.7011-5; and
DFARS 225.7011-1 Restriction on Ballistic Missile Defense research, development, test, and evaluation Definitions.
See "United States firm."

"U.S. flag air carrier" means an air carrier holding a certificate under 49 U.S.C. Chapter 411.
Federal Register: July 27, 2001 Proposed Rules FAR 52.247-63
See other definition of "U.S. flag air carrier."

"U.S. flag air carrier" means an air carrier holding a certificate under section 401 of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 (49 U.S.C. 1371 (sic)).
FAR 47.4 Air Transportation by U.S. Flag Carriers
See other definition of "U.S. flag air carrier."

"U.S. flag vessel" means a vessel of the United States or belonging to the United States, including any vessel registered or having national status under the laws of the United States.
DFARS 252.247-7023 Transportation of Supplies by Sea (Mar 2000) as prescribed in DFARS 247.573(b)(1).
See other definition of "U.S. flag vessel."

"U.S. flag vessel" when used independently means either a Government vessel or a privately owned U.S. flag commercial vessel.
FAR 47.5 Ocean Transportation by U.S. Flag Vessels [not applicable to DoD]
See other definition of "U.S. flag vessel."

"U.S. made end product" means an article that-
(i) Is wholly the growth, product, or manufacture of the United States; or
(ii) In the case of an article that consists in whole or in part of materials from another country or instrumentality, has been substantially transformed in the United States into a new and different article of commerce with a name, character, or use distinct from that of the article or articles from which it was so transformed.
DFARS 252.225-7006 Buy American Act--Trade Agreements--Balance of Payments Program Certificate (Mar 1998) as prescribed in DFARS 225.1101(5);
DFARS 252.225-7007 Buy American Act--Trade Agreements--Balance of Payments Program (Sep 2001) as prescribed in DFARS 225.1101(6);
DFARS 252.225-7020 Trade Agreements Certificate (Mar 1998) as prescribed in DFARS 225.1101(10); and
DFARS 252.225-7021 Trade Agreements (Sep 2001) as prescribed in DFARS 225.1101(11).
FAR 25 Foreign Acquisition
See FAR definition.

"U.S. made end product" means an article that is mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States or that is substantially transformed in the United States into a new and different article of commerce with a name, character, or use distinct from that of the article or articles from which it was transformed.
FAR 25 Foreign Acquisition
See DFARS definition.

"USD(AT&L)" means Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics).
NAPS 5202.101 Definitions

"USD(AT&L)DP" means the Director of Defense Procurement, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics).
NAPS 5202.101 Definitions

"Useful life." See "Depreciation."

"Utility distribution system," as used in this subpart, includes distribution and transmission lines, substations, or installed equipment forming an integral part of the system by which gas, water, steam, electricity, sewerage, or other utility services are transmitted between the outside building or structure in which the services are used and the point of origin, disposal, or connection with some other system. It does not include communication services.
FAR 45.5 Management of Government Property in the Possession of Contractors

"Utility service" means a service such as furnishing electricity, natural or manufactured gas, water, sewerage, thermal energy, chilled water, steam, hot water, or high temperature hot water. The application of Part 41 to other services (e.g., rubbish removal, snow removal) may be appropriate when the acquisition is not subject to the Service Contract Act of 1965 (see 37.107).
FAR 41.1 Acquisition of Utility Services

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