(a) Fiscal. (1) In a national emergency, incumbents of the following positions are hereby authorized to appoint emergency certifying officers:

(2) The emergency certifying officers shall be empowered to certify:

(i) Benefit payments under the Railroad Retirement Act;

(ii) Benefit payments under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act;

(iii) Payments made on behalf of qualified railroad retirement beneficiaries for hospital insurance benefits under section 226 and Parts A and C of Title XVIII of the Social Security Act; and

(iv) Administrative expenses of the Railroad Retirement Board.

(3) Emergency certifying officers shall be appointed under the authority delegated by this section when:

(i) Normal channels for certifying payments have been rendered inoperable; and

(ii) Clearance has been obtained from the ranking official in line of succession as set forth in § 375.5(b)(1) and (2) and under such instructions and conditions as he or she may prescribe.

(b) Procurement. (1) In a national emergency, as defined in § 375.2, the RRB shall maximize use of acquisition flexibilities for emergency acquisitions as allowed by the Federal Acquisition Regulation at 48 CFR part 18.

(2) Federal sources of supply and service, if available, shall be used.

(3) Any supplies, equipment, space, or services provided under this emergency delegation shall be documented to show what was provided, the amount procured, the cost thereof, and the source from which procured.

(4) As soon after the period of national emergency as conditions permit, the records required by paragraph (b)(3) of this section shall be transmitted to the Senior Procurement Executive or his or her surviving successor.