The Department of Defense has finalized, with changes, the DFARS Case 2007-D002 interim rule ( ¶70,016.599) that amended the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement to implement Section 3504 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (PL 110-417). Section 3504 addresses requirements that apply to riding gang members and DoD-exempted individuals who perform work on United States-flag vessels under DoD contracts for transportation services. These individuals must hold a U.S. Merchant Mariner's Document issued under 46 USC, Chapter 73, or a transportation security card issued under 46 USC 70105. U.S. law requires crews of predominantly U.S. citizens aboard U.S.-flag vessels. In the past, U.S.-flag vessels used foreign nationals as members of "riding gangs" who perform work beyond standard vessel maintenance and repair while ships are underway. In the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2006 (PL 109-241), Congress prohibited the use of foreign riding personnel on board vessels that are under contract with the DoD unless DoD complied with certain limitations. The exceptions provided to DoD in 2006 did not match those that apply to other U.S.-flag vessels. The Defense Authorization Act of FY 2009 made it clear the exceptions available to DoD are complete exemptions both from the DoD-specific riding gang limitations and those generally applicable to U.S.-flag vessels. Accordingly, the interim rule added a new contract clause at DFARS 252.247-7027, as prescribed at DFARS 247.574 (f), and made conforming amendments at DFARS 212.301, DFARS 247.570, and DFARS 247.572.