Agencies and Commissions October 3, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This rule changes the requirements relating to which firms may certify their status as small disadvantaged businesses (SDBs) for purposes of federal prime contracts and subcontracts. Currently, only those firms that have applied to and been certified as SDBs by SBA may certify themselves to be SDBs for federal prime and subcontracts. This rule allows firms to self-represent their status for subcontracting purposes without first receiving any SDB certification. It also recognizes that the benefits of being an SDB for federal prime contracts has been greatly diminished over the past years, and shifts the responsibility of identifying firms as SDBs for federal prime contracts to those limited agencies that have authority and chose to use price evaluation adjustments to SDBs.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (Commission) is amending its rule which governs the maximum amount of civil monetary penalties, to adjust for inflation. This rule sets forth the maximum, inflation-adjusted dollar amount for civil monetary penalties (CMPs) assessable for violations of the Commodity Exchange Act (Act) and Commission rules and orders thereunder. The rule, as amended, implements the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, as amended by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996. The rules also reflect the higher penalties enacted this year by Congress for violations of the Act prohibiting manipulation and attempted manipulation.

The Federal Communications Commission, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burden invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection(s), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) that does not display a valid control number. Comments are requested concerning (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

The consent agreement in this matter settles alleged violations of federal law prohibiting unfair or deceptive acts or practices or unfair methods of competition. The attached Analysis to Aid Public Comment describes both the allegations in the draft complaint and the terms of the consent orderembodied in the consent agreementthat would settle these allegations.

The consent agreement in this matter settles alleged violations of federal law prohibiting unfair or deceptive acts or practices or unfair methods of competition. The attached Analysis to Aid Public Comment describes both the allegations in the draft complaint and the terms of the consent orderembodied in the consent agreementthat would settle these allegations.

Upon request of Papierfabrik August Koehler AG, Koehler America, Inc., Mitsubishi HiTec Paper Flensburg GmbH, Mitsubishi HiTec Paper Bielefeld GmbH, and Mitsubishi International Corp. (``German Respondents''), the Commission has determined to conduct a portion of its hearing in the above-captioned investigations scheduled for October 2, 2008, in camera. See Commission rules 207.24(d), 201.13(m) and 201.36(b)(4) (19 CFR 207.24(d), 201.13(m) and 201.36(b)(4)). The remainder of the hearing will be open to the public. The Commission has determined that the seven-day advance notice of the change to a meeting was not possible. See Commission rule 201.35(a), (c)(1) (19 CFR 201.35(a), (c)(1)).

Following receipt on September 24, 2008 of a request from the United States Trade Representative (USTR) under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332 (g)), the Commission instituted investigation No. 332-500, Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences, 2008 Review of Additions and Removals.

This action adds to the Procurement List products and services to be furnished by nonprofit agencies employing persons who are blind or have other severe disabilities.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announces that it intends to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for an extension through January 2010.

The Commission grants a petition for rulemaking filed by Estes Broadcasting, Inc., permittee of KCEB-DT, to substitute DTV channel 51 for DTV channel 38 at Longview, Texas.

In this document, the Commission seeks comment on its tentative conclusions and proposals on how the Commission might modify its rules governing the public/private partnership, the D Block licensee, and the public safety broadband licensee. This Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Third FNPRM) seeks comment on its tentative conclusion that it should continue to mandate a public/ private partnership between the D block licensee and the public safety broadband licensee on a number of proposals and tentative conclusions regarding the terms and conditions for the partnership.

The General Services Administration (GSA) is proposing to amend the General Services Acquisition Regulation (GSAR) to revise language that provides requirements for contracting by negotiation.