San Pedro Railroad Operating Company, LLC-Abandonment Exemption-in Cochise County, AZ, 67213-67214 [05-22053]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 213 / Friday, November 4, 2005 / Notices ability to obtain realistic comparisons of the procurement methods employed. • Because procurements of buses and other rolling stock often extend to five years of requirements, many interested transit agencies may be obligated under the terms of existing multi-year contracts. A transit agency obligated under a current contract may wish to be involved in a pilot project’s out-years. For example, a transit agency obligated to buy buses under a current contract for two more years may wish to join the project for purchases effective in year three (assuming a five-year contract duration under a project). If a transit agency holds an existing option or other right to purchase buses in the future, participation in the CPPP might provide better pricing that would warrant a decision not to exercise the option. A proposal including participants facing this situation should explain how it will address this issue, e.g., forego or assign the option to other nonparticipants. • Similarly, current practice allows transit agencies to assign rights to purchase buses to other transit agencies not parties to the original contract, a practice known in the industry as ‘‘piggybacking.’’ This practice may be inconsistent with the concept of joint procurement, a potential threat to the market, or otherwise inappropriate in this program. Proposals should address this issue in terms of the intent to allow or not allow assignments. • One joint procurement model involves designating a lead transit agency to act as the ‘‘contracting officer’’ for all project participants, with other participants limited to the role of ‘‘authorized purchaser’’ without authority to change, curtail, or extend the single contract. Another model could have all participants in a project cooperate in issuing specifications but independently contract with the supplier(s) selected according to each transit agency’s independent analysis of the suppliers’ proposals. CPPP proposals should explain how this, or other methods they propose to use, would serve the program’s goals and the intent of the individual project. • Bonding and payment terms, as well as overall risk management and mitigation, are concerns for both transit agencies and suppliers. This program offers an opportunity to foster innovative approaches to these issues that fairly and economically allocate risks. • The voluntary industry bus specification (the Standard Bus Procurement Guidelines) funded by FTA and issued by the American Public Transportation Association may serve as VerDate Aug<31>2005 22:35 Nov 03, 2005 Jkt 208001 a baseline for one or more project specifications. Submission of Proposals FTA solicits proposals for two pilot CPPP projects. Proposals should present an overview of the proposed project, a preliminary list of the participants, the objectives of the procurement, technological aspects of the proposed project, anticipated costs (not including the purchase price of the equipment to be procured), and a description of how the project meets the selection criteria below and approaches the issues described above. Not all project participants need be identified at the time of the proposal; they may be added to the project once the selection is made. Selection Criteria In selecting the pilot CPPP projects, FTA will give preference to proposals aimed primarily at procurements of rolling stock, but will consider cooperative procurement proposals of other major capital equipment as well. FTA’s selection will be based on a determination of how to best test different methods of joint procurement, so that FTA can compare and contrast those methods and report the results to Congress and the industry as a guide for future procurement actions. FTA will select the two pilot projects after consideration of: • Sound business planning. Proposals should demonstrate a clear, concise procurement plan, ordering procedures, financial and contractual aspects of their approach, and contract administration techniques. • Identification, mitigation, management, and sharing of risk. This includes approaches to bonding, payment terms, warranties, and other elements of risk that affect pricing. • Amount and likelihood of economic benefits. Proposals should present, to the extent possible, projected costs savings to be garnered through administrative efficiencies, as well as potential savings predicated on volume buying. • Administrative efficiency. This includes streamlining efforts that assist buyers and sellers alike. • Innovative techniques. This includes the use of technology to promote efficiency and/or reduce costs for buyers and sellers, novel approaches to financing, maintenance, parts supplies, or other aspects of total costs of ownership. • Approach to the initial issues. Proposals should explain how they will approach FTA’s systemic concerns explained above. PO 00000 Frm 00079 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 67213 • Technical capacity. This refers to the capacity of the proposers to undertake and manage a joint procurement of this nature. Evaluation Process FTA staff will evaluate all proposals based on the selection criteria listed above. We may engage in discussions with individual proposers to further define the pilot projects, but reserve the right to select one or more pilot projects based on the original submissions and without discussions. Program Evaluation and Reporting Following the award of the procurement contract(s) in each pilot project, FTA will evaluate the procurement process used and the results achieved in each project, and report the findings to Congress. FTA’s evaluation will be based on the cost savings compared to a standard procurement; the improvement in the efficiency of the procurement process; the ease of implementing the procurement methods; the decrease in managerial burden on the organizations involved; and the use of Internet-based software technology in developing specifications, aggregating equipment requirements with other transit agencies, and generating cooperative requests for proposal packages. FTA will use the results of this evaluation to formulate guidance for grantees on the use of cooperative procurement methods. Participating entities will be required to cooperate in the information gathering, reporting, and outreach processes. Issued on: November 1, 2005. Jennifer L. Dorn, Administrator. [FR Doc. 05–22058 Filed 11–3–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–57–M DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Surface Transportation Board [STB Docket No. AB–1081X] 1 San Pedro Railroad Operating Company, LLC—Abandonment Exemption—in Cochise County, AZ On October 17, 2005, San Pedro Railroad Operating Company, LLC 1 This filing is a resubmission of a petition for exemption previously filed on June 6, 2005, wherein SPROC sought authorization to abandon the above lines. See San Pedro Railroad Operating Company, LLC—Abandonment Exemption—in Cochise County, AZ, STB Docket No. AB–441 (SubNo. 4X). Notice of the filing was served and published in the Federal Register on June 24, 2005 E:\FR\FM\04NON1.SGM Continued 04NON1 67214 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 213 / Friday, November 4, 2005 / Notices (SPROC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Arizona Rail Group, filed with the Surface Transportation Board a petition 2 under 49 U.S.C. 10502 for exemption from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903 to abandon approximately 76.2 miles of railroad in Cochise County, AZ, as follows: (1) The Bisbee Branch, between milepost 1085.0 at Bisbee Junction and milepost 1090.6 at Bisbee, a distance of 5.6 miles; and (2) the Douglas Branch (a) between milepost 1097.3 near Paul Spur and milepost 1106.5 near Douglas, a distance of 9.2 miles, (b) between milepost 1055.8 near Charleston and milepost 1097.3 near Paul Spur, a distance of 41.5 miles, and (c) between milepost 1040.15 near Curtiss and milepost 1055.8 near Charleston, a distance of 19.9 miles. The lines traverse U.S. Postal Service Zip Codes 85602, 85603, 85607, and 85615 and include no stations. The lines do not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any documentation in SPROC’s possession will be made available promptly to those requesting it. The interest of railroad employees will be protected by the conditions set forth in Oregon Short Line R. Co.— Abandonment—Goshen, 360 I.C.C. 91 (1979). By issuance of this notice, the Board is instituting an exemption proceeding pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(b). A final decision will be issued by February 3, 2006.3 Any offer of financial assistance (OFA) under 49 CFR 1152.27(b)(2) will be due no later than 10 days after service of a decision granting the petition for exemption. Each offer must be accompanied by a $1,200 filing fee. See 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25). All interested persons should be aware that, following abandonment of rail service and salvage of the line, the line may be suitable for other public use, including interim trail use. Any request for a public use condition under 49 CFR 1152.28 or for trail use/rail banking under 49 CFR 1152.29 will be due no later than November 25, 2005. Each trail use request must be accompanied by a $200 filing fee. See 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(27). All filings in response to this notice must refer to STB Docket No. AB– (70 FR 36696–97). By decision served on September 15, 2005, the Board denied the petition without prejudice to SPROC’s filing an application or a properly supported petition for exemption under a new docket number. 2 SPROC concurrently filed a motion for a protective order. The motion was granted by decision served on October 26, 2005. 3 SPROC has requested that this proceeding be handled expeditiously. VerDate Aug<31>2005 22:35 Nov 03, 2005 Jkt 208001 1081X, and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 20423–0001, and (2) John D. Heffner, 1920 N Street, NW., Suite 800, Washington, DC 20036. Replies to SPROC’s petition are due on or before November 25, 2005. Persons seeking further information concerning abandonment procedures may contact the Board’s Office of Public Services at (202) 565–1592 or refer to the full abandonment or discontinuance regulations at 49 CFR part 1152. Questions concerning environmental issues may be directed to the Board’s Section of Environmental Analysis (SEA) at (202) 565–1539. [Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339.] An environmental assessment (EA) (or environmental impact statement (EIS), if necessary) prepared by SEA will be served upon all parties of record and upon any agencies or other persons who commented during its preparation. Other interested persons may contact SEA to obtain a copy of the EA (or EIS). EAs in these abandonment proceedings normally will be made available within 60 days of the filing of the petition. The deadline for submission of comments on the EA will generally be within 30 days of its service. Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at https:// www.stb.dot.gov. Decided: October 28, 2005. By the Board, Joseph H. Dettmar, Acting Director, Office of Proceedings. Vernon A. Williams, Secretary. [FR Doc. 05–22053 Filed 11–3–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4915–01–P DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Internal Revenue Service Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Form 8895 Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Department of the Treasury, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the IRS is PO 00000 Frm 00080 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 soliciting comments concerning Form 8895, One-Time Dividends Received Deduction for Certain Cash Dividends from Controlled Foreign Corporations. DATES: Written comments should be received on or before January 3, 2006 to be assured of consideration. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Glenn P. Kirkland, Internal Revenue Service, room 6516, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20224. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the form and instructions should be directed to R. Joseph Durbala, (202) 622–3634, at Internal Revenue Service, room 6516, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20224, or through the Internet at RJoseph.Durbala@irs.gov. Title: OneTime Dividends Received Deduction for Certain Cash Dividends from Controlled Foreign Corporations. OMB Number: 1545–1948. Form Number: 8895. Abstract: Form 8895 is used by a U.S. corporation to elect the 85% dividends received deduction provided under section 965 and to compute the DRD. Current Actions: There is no change in the paperwork burden previously approved by OMB. This form is being submitted for renewal purposes only. Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection. Affected Public: Businesses and other for-profit organizations. Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,000. Estimated Time Per Respondent: 25 hours, 1 minute. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 50,020. The following paragraph applies to all of the collections of information covered by this notice: An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a valid OMB control number. Books or records relating to a collection of information must be retained as long as their contents may become material in the administration of any internal revenue law. Generally, tax returns and tax return information are confidential, as required by 26 U.S.C. 6103. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Request for Comments Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper E:\FR\FM\04NON1.SGM 04NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 213 (Friday, November 4, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67213-67214]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-22053]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. AB-1081X] \1\


San Pedro Railroad Operating Company, LLC--Abandonment 
Exemption--in Cochise County, AZ

    On October 17, 2005, San Pedro Railroad Operating Company, LLC

[[Page 67214]]

(SPROC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Arizona Rail Group, filed with 
the Surface Transportation Board a petition \2\ under 49 U.S.C. 10502 
for exemption from the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903 to abandon 
approximately 76.2 miles of railroad in Cochise County, AZ, as follows: 
(1) The Bisbee Branch, between milepost 1085.0 at Bisbee Junction and 
milepost 1090.6 at Bisbee, a distance of 5.6 miles; and (2) the Douglas 
Branch (a) between milepost 1097.3 near Paul Spur and milepost 1106.5 
near Douglas, a distance of 9.2 miles, (b) between milepost 1055.8 near 
Charleston and milepost 1097.3 near Paul Spur, a distance of 41.5 
miles, and (c) between milepost 1040.15 near Curtiss and milepost 
1055.8 near Charleston, a distance of 19.9 miles. The lines traverse 
U.S. Postal Service Zip Codes 85602, 85603, 85607, and 85615 and 
include no stations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ This filing is a resubmission of a petition for exemption 
previously filed on June 6, 2005, wherein SPROC sought authorization 
to abandon the above lines. See San Pedro Railroad Operating 
Company, LLC--Abandonment Exemption--in Cochise County, AZ, STB 
Docket No. AB-441 (Sub-No. 4X). Notice of the filing was served and 
published in the Federal Register on June 24, 2005 (70 FR 36696-97). 
By decision served on September 15, 2005, the Board denied the 
petition without prejudice to SPROC's filing an application or a 
properly supported petition for exemption under a new docket number.
    \2\ SPROC concurrently filed a motion for a protective order. 
The motion was granted by decision served on October 26, 2005.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The lines do not contain federally granted rights-of-way. Any 
documentation in SPROC's possession will be made available promptly to 
those requesting it.
    The interest of railroad employees will be protected by the 
conditions set forth in Oregon Short Line R. Co.--Abandonment--Goshen, 
360 I.C.C. 91 (1979).
    By issuance of this notice, the Board is instituting an exemption 
proceeding pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 10502(b). A final decision will be 
issued by February 3, 2006.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ SPROC has requested that this proceeding be handled 
expeditiously.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Any offer of financial assistance (OFA) under 49 CFR 1152.27(b)(2) 
will be due no later than 10 days after service of a decision granting 
the petition for exemption. Each offer must be accompanied by a $1,200 
filing fee. See 49 CFR 1002.2(f)(25).
    All interested persons should be aware that, following abandonment 
of rail service and salvage of the line, the line may be suitable for 
other public use, including interim trail use. Any request for a public 
use condition under 49 CFR 1152.28 or for trail use/rail banking under 
49 CFR 1152.29 will be due no later than November 25, 2005. Each trail 
use request must be accompanied by a $200 filing fee. See 49 CFR 
1002.2(f)(27).
    All filings in response to this notice must refer to STB Docket No. 
AB-1081X, and must be sent to: (1) Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K 
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20423-0001, and (2) John D. Heffner, 1920 N 
Street, NW., Suite 800, Washington, DC 20036. Replies to SPROC's 
petition are due on or before November 25, 2005.
    Persons seeking further information concerning abandonment 
procedures may contact the Board's Office of Public Services at (202) 
565-1592 or refer to the full abandonment or discontinuance regulations 
at 49 CFR part 1152. Questions concerning environmental issues may be 
directed to the Board's Section of Environmental Analysis (SEA) at 
(202) 565-1539. [Assistance for the hearing impaired is available 
through the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-
8339.]
    An environmental assessment (EA) (or environmental impact statement 
(EIS), if necessary) prepared by SEA will be served upon all parties of 
record and upon any agencies or other persons who commented during its 
preparation. Other interested persons may contact SEA to obtain a copy 
of the EA (or EIS). EAs in these abandonment proceedings normally will 
be made available within 60 days of the filing of the petition. The 
deadline for submission of comments on the EA will generally be within 
30 days of its service.
    Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at http:/
/www.stb.dot.gov.

    Decided: October 28, 2005.

    By the Board, Joseph H. Dettmar, Acting Director, Office of 
Proceedings.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 05-22053 Filed 11-3-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P

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