(a) To be eligible for an award under AIDAR 706.302-71 providing for other than full and open competition, the contractor must qualify, as of both the date of submission of its offer and the date of contract award, as a small disadvantaged business (as defined in 726.7002), an historically black college or university, a college or university in which more than 40 percent of the students are Hispanic Americans, or a private voluntary organization controlled by individuals who are socially and economically disadvantaged. The contracting officer shall insert the provision at 752.226-1 in any solicitation or contract to be awarded under the provisions of 706.302-71.
(b) The contracting officer shall accept an offeror’s representations and certifications under the provisions referenced above that it is a small disadvantaged business unless he or she determines otherwise based on information contained in a challenge of the offeror’s status by the Small Business Administration or another offeror, or otherwise available to the contracting officer.
