Financial Systems Integration Office (FSIO); Federal Acquisition System Requirements, 22948-22949 [E8-9183]

Download as PDF 22948 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 82 / Monday, April 28, 2008 / Notices (i) The newspaper or broadcast station is failed or failing; or (ii) The combination is with a broadcast station that was not offering local newscasts prior to the combination, and the station will initiate at least seven hours per week of local news programming after the combination. Federal Communications Commission. Jackie Coles, Associate Secretary. [FR Doc. E8–9234 Filed 4–25–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712–01–P FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION [Report No. 2863] Petition for Reconsideration of Action in Rulemaking Proceeding April 17, 2008. A Petition for Reconsideration has been filed in the Commission’s Rulemaking proceeding listed in this Public Notice and published pursuant to 47 CFR 1.429(e). The full text of this document is available for viewing and copying in Room CY–B402, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC or may be purchased from the Commission’s copy contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc. (BCPI) (1–800–378–3160). Oppositions to this petition must be filed by May 13, 2008. See Section 1.4(b)(1) of the Commission’s rules (47 CFR 1.4(b)(1)). Replies to an opposition must be filed within 10 days after the time for filing oppositions have expired. Subject: In the Matter of Leased Commercial Access (MB Docket No. 07– 42). Number of Petitions Filed: 1. Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary. [FR Doc. E8–9179 Filed 4–25–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712–01–P GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION [ME–2008–NO1; Docket GSA 2008–0005; Sequence 1] Financial Systems Integration Office (FSIO); Federal Acquisition System Requirements Office of Governmentwide Policy, GSA. ACTION: Notice with request for comments. pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Office of Governmentwide Policy invites VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:22 Apr 25, 2008 Jkt 214001 comments on the proposed ‘‘Federal Acquisition System Requirements.’’ This document gives functional, process technical and data standards requirements for software developers of Government acquisition and contract writing systems, and is regarded as a draft document that will be revised to consider input from comments solicited from industry and other government agencies during this open comment period. This document will be a baseline (as-is) document with the understanding that it will be revised as processes and data standards are harmonized within the acquisition domain and later as it harmonized with other domains—primarily the Financial Management Line of Business (FMLoB). This document does not supersede or obsolete documents, standards or requirements issued by the Joint Financial Management Improvement Program (JFMIP), Financial Systems Integration Office (FSIO) or the Financial Management Line of Business (FMLoB). Over time, efforts will be made to harmonize across these domains. Mr. Earl Warrington, Director, Integrated Acquisition Environment, by telephone at (703) 872–8609 or via e-mail to earl.warrington@gsa.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Interested parties should submit written comments to the FAR Secretariat on or before June 27, 2008. ADDRESSES: Submit comments identified by ME–2008–N01, by any of the following methods: • Regulations.gov: https:// www.regulations.gov. Submit comments via the Federal eRulemaking portal by inputting ‘‘ME–2008–N01’’ under the heading ‘‘Comment or Submission’’. Select the link ‘‘Send a Comment or Submission’’ that corresponds with ME– 2008–N01. Follow the instructions provided to complete the ‘‘Public Comment and Submission Form’’. Please include your name, company name (if any), and ‘‘ME–2008–N01’’ on your attached document. • Fax: 202–501–4067. • Mail: General Services Administration, Regulatory Secretariat (VPR), 1800 F Street, NW., Room 4035, ATTN: Diedra Wingate, Washington, DC 20405. Instructions: Please submit comments only and cite ME–2008-N01, in all correspondence related to this case. All comments received will be posted without change to https:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal and/or business confidential information provided. DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The FSIO Federal Financial Management Systems Requirements is a series of publications entitled Federal Financial Management System Requirements (FFMSR). The FFMSR documents specify the functional and technical requirements that all financial management-related systems must meet in order to be considered compliant with Federal standards as mandated by the Federal Financial Management Improvement Act (FFMIA). In the future Federal Acquisition System Requirements will evolve to create harmonization between the Federal Financial and Acquisition Communities. This notice requests comments on the Acquisition System Requirements document, located at https:// www.acquisition.gov. This document specifies the functional and technical requirements that acquisition systems must satisfy for Federal agency use. The document was developed at the request of the Chief Acquisition Officers Council (CAOC) and Chief Financial Officers Council (CFOC), demonstrating a commitment to starting the process of integrating the acquisition and finance functions more effectively. These requirements were drafted by the Acquisition Requirements Team (ART), consisting of representatives from both communities. The ART members recognize that agencies face major challenges in streamlining and automating procurement processes. Having access to better acquisition software is a first step toward this end. A key prerequisite to developing better software is to clearly define the requirements that the software product must meet. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A–130, Management of Federal Information Resources, requires agencies to use commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) software to reduce costs, improve the efficiency and effectiveness of system improvement projects, and reduce the risks inherent in developing and implementing a new system. To support this OMB mandate, vendors will be required to offer acquisition system products utilizing COTS software to the greatest extent practicable. This document is part of a long-term plan to have integration. The first document, Joint Financial Management Improvement Program (JFMIP)-Federal Financial Management System Requirements (FFMSP), [Document No. JFMIP–SR–01–03, dated December 7, 2001], gave the list of touch points between the financial and acquisition domains and still stands. The current document goes more in depth to SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\28APN1.SGM 28APN1 pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 82 / Monday, April 28, 2008 / Notices articulate the way the processes and data are defined. It is understood that significant definitions and harmonization needs to occur in the future. The requirements in this document are intended to address the needs of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)based contracts. They are not intended to replace or modify the FAR, FAR supplements, or internal agency acquisition policy. Further, agencies have considerable leeway in how they use any system-delivered capability. In practice, the applicability of an individual requirement depends on business circumstances. Agencies may apply sound business judgment to the use of a compliant acquisition system, provided it: • Is consistent with the FAR, FAR supplements, or other regulations that apply to agencies and organizations not covered by the FAR; • Does not violate laws, executive orders, or other regulations; and • Is in the best interests of the government. The document provides a framework for connecting program planning, ccr financial, and a zet management processes with agencies’ acquisition systems in order to deliver fully integrated acquisition support. Detailed acquisition system requirements are presented within the functional and technical requirements sections. They incorporate the latest changes in laws and regulations governing acquisition systems as well as required system interfaces such as the Federal Procurement Data System and Central Contractor Registration. When finalized, these requirements are expected to become the standard for qualifying COTS acquisition systems for Federal agency acquisition. The requirements listed in this document address common Governmentwide functionality. This document was not designed to deal with classified information. The following are examples of common system capabilities needed by all Federal agencies: • Deliver a template for an SF 1449; Solicitation/Contract/Order for Commercial Items; • Verify funds availability; • Capture receiving report data; and • Generate a checklist of contract closeout items. The requirements in this document do not constitute a complete system specification. Requirements are VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:22 Apr 25, 2008 Jkt 214001 deliberately stated in functional terms to give software developers maximum flexibility in engineering technical solutions. Individual agencies will also have, in many cases, additional mandatory requirements necessary to support their specific business processes. Dated: April 11, 2008. Keith Thurston, Acting Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Technology Strategy. [FR Doc. E8–9183 Filed 4–25–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6820–WY–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES [Document Identifier: OS–0990–0223] Agency Information Collection Request. 60-Day Public Comment Request Office of the Secretary, HHS. In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of the Secretary (OS), Department of Health and Human Services, is publishing the following summary of the reinstatement of a proposed information collection request for public comment. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including any of the following subjects: (1) The necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency’s functions; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the information collection burden. To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, e-mail your request, including your address, phone number, OMB number, and OS document identifier, to Sherette.funncoleman@hhs.gov, or call the Reports Clearance Office on (202) 690–6162. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collections must be directed to the OS Paperwork Clearance Officer at the above e-mail address within 60days. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 22949 Proposed Project: Evaluation of the Cash and Counseling Demonstration— OMB No. 0990–0223—Reinstatement with Changes—Assistant Secretary of Planning and Evaluation (ASPE). Abstract: The original evaluation of the national Cash and Counseling Demonstration was intended to include three groups: Self-directing consumers, a control group, and non-participants. When funding was not available to survey all groups, the non-participant sample was removed. The subsequent evaluations showed that self-directing consumers were more satisfied with their supportive services, reported fewer unmet needs, and enjoyed greater wellbeing than other Medicaid programs. Still, despite these apparent benefits, relatively few of the beneficiaries who were eligible to participate in Cash and Counseling demonstrations elected to do so (8 to 15 percent). Since that time, the Cash and Counseling program has been expanded under the 1915(j)(2) Section of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 and beginning January 1, 2007, states were permitted to offer the program to Medicaid recipients without demonstrating budget neutrality and without a requirement for periodic renewal of the state plan amendment as required for ‘‘1115’’ or ‘‘1915(c)’’ waivers. This study involves drawing a sample from Medicaid beneficiaries in New Jersey who are eligible to enroll in the state’s Cash and Counseling program. The qualifications for enrollment have not changed since the original research. This study will include only individuals who did not enroll (non-participants) who will be compared to those who did enroll (and about whom data were collected) during the original demonstration/evaluation data collection as well as those who have enrolled since (about whom the state of New Jersey collects descriptive data for Medicaid program administrative purposes). The government will conduct 600 one-time telephone interviews over a three-month period. The survey includes questions asked in the original evaluation of the Cash and Counseling demonstration surveys, as well as original questions designed to measure factors related to nonparticipation. These questions will allow comparisons between participants and nonparticipants of the Cash and Counseling demonstration. E:\FR\FM\28APN1.SGM 28APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 82 (Monday, April 28, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22948-22949]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-9183]


=======================================================================
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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

[ME-2008-NO1; Docket GSA 2008-0005; Sequence 1]


Financial Systems Integration Office (FSIO); Federal Acquisition 
System Requirements

AGENCY: Office of Governmentwide Policy, GSA.

ACTION: Notice with request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Office of Governmentwide Policy invites comments on the 
proposed ``Federal Acquisition System Requirements.'' This document 
gives functional, process technical and data standards requirements for 
software developers of Government acquisition and contract writing 
systems, and is regarded as a draft document that will be revised to 
consider input from comments solicited from industry and other 
government agencies during this open comment period. This document will 
be a baseline (as-is) document with the understanding that it will be 
revised as processes and data standards are harmonized within the 
acquisition domain and later as it harmonized with other domains--
primarily the Financial Management Line of Business (FMLoB). This 
document does not supersede or obsolete documents, standards or 
requirements issued by the Joint Financial Management Improvement 
Program (JFMIP), Financial Systems Integration Office (FSIO) or the 
Financial Management Line of Business (FMLoB). Over time, efforts will 
be made to harmonize across these domains.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Earl Warrington, Director, 
Integrated Acquisition Environment, by telephone at (703) 872-8609 or 
via e-mail to earl.warrington@gsa.gov.

DATES: Interested parties should submit written comments to the FAR 
Secretariat on or before June 27, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments identified by ME-2008-N01, by any of the 
following methods:
     Regulations.gov: https://www.regulations.gov. Submit 
comments via the Federal eRulemaking portal by inputting ``ME-2008-
N01'' under the heading ``Comment or Submission''. Select the link 
``Send a Comment or Submission'' that corresponds with ME-2008-N01. 
Follow the instructions provided to complete the ``Public Comment and 
Submission Form''. Please include your name, company name (if any), and 
``ME-2008-N01'' on your attached document.
     Fax: 202-501-4067.
     Mail: General Services Administration, Regulatory 
Secretariat (VPR), 1800 F Street, NW., Room 4035, ATTN: Diedra Wingate, 
Washington, DC 20405.
    Instructions: Please submit comments only and cite ME-2008-N01, in 
all correspondence related to this case. All comments received will be 
posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov, including any 
personal and/or business confidential information provided.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FSIO Federal Financial Management 
Systems Requirements is a series of publications entitled Federal 
Financial Management System Requirements (FFMSR). The FFMSR documents 
specify the functional and technical requirements that all financial 
management-related systems must meet in order to be considered 
compliant with Federal standards as mandated by the Federal Financial 
Management Improvement Act (FFMIA). In the future Federal Acquisition 
System Requirements will evolve to create harmonization between the 
Federal Financial and Acquisition Communities.
    This notice requests comments on the Acquisition System 
Requirements document, located at https://www.acquisition.gov. This 
document specifies the functional and technical requirements that 
acquisition systems must satisfy for Federal agency use. The document 
was developed at the request of the Chief Acquisition Officers Council 
(CAOC) and Chief Financial Officers Council (CFOC), demonstrating a 
commitment to starting the process of integrating the acquisition and 
finance functions more effectively. These requirements were drafted by 
the Acquisition Requirements Team (ART), consisting of representatives 
from both communities. The ART members recognize that agencies face 
major challenges in streamlining and automating procurement processes. 
Having access to better acquisition software is a first step toward 
this end. A key prerequisite to developing better software is to 
clearly define the requirements that the software product must meet.
    The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-130, 
Management of Federal Information Resources, requires agencies to use 
commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) software to reduce costs, 
improve the efficiency and effectiveness of system improvement 
projects, and reduce the risks inherent in developing and implementing 
a new system. To support this OMB mandate, vendors will be required to 
offer acquisition system products utilizing COTS software to the 
greatest extent practicable.
    This document is part of a long-term plan to have integration. The 
first document, Joint Financial Management Improvement Program (JFMIP)-
Federal Financial Management System Requirements (FFMSP), [Document No. 
JFMIP-SR-01-03, dated December 7, 2001], gave the list of touch points 
between the financial and acquisition domains and still stands. The 
current document goes more in depth to

[[Page 22949]]

articulate the way the processes and data are defined. It is understood 
that significant definitions and harmonization needs to occur in the 
future.
    The requirements in this document are intended to address the needs 
of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)-based contracts. They are not 
intended to replace or modify the FAR, FAR supplements, or internal 
agency acquisition policy. Further, agencies have considerable leeway 
in how they use any system-delivered capability. In practice, the 
applicability of an individual requirement depends on business 
circumstances. Agencies may apply sound business judgment to the use of 
a compliant acquisition system, provided it:
     Is consistent with the FAR, FAR supplements, or other 
regulations that apply to agencies and organizations not covered by the 
FAR;
     Does not violate laws, executive orders, or other 
regulations; and
     Is in the best interests of the government.
    The document provides a framework for connecting program planning, 
ccr financial, and a zet management processes with agencies' 
acquisition systems in order to deliver fully integrated acquisition 
support. Detailed acquisition system requirements are presented within 
the functional and technical requirements sections. They incorporate 
the latest changes in laws and regulations governing acquisition 
systems as well as required system interfaces such as the Federal 
Procurement Data System and Central Contractor Registration. When 
finalized, these requirements are expected to become the standard for 
qualifying COTS acquisition systems for Federal agency acquisition.
    The requirements listed in this document address common 
Governmentwide functionality. This document was not designed to deal 
with classified information. The following are examples of common 
system capabilities needed by all Federal agencies:
     Deliver a template for an SF 1449; Solicitation/Contract/
Order for Commercial Items;
     Verify funds availability;
     Capture receiving report data; and
     Generate a checklist of contract closeout items.
    The requirements in this document do not constitute a complete 
system specification. Requirements are deliberately stated in 
functional terms to give software developers maximum flexibility in 
engineering technical solutions. Individual agencies will also have, in 
many cases, additional mandatory requirements necessary to support 
their specific business processes.

    Dated: April 11, 2008.
Keith Thurston,
Acting Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Technology Strategy.
 [FR Doc. E8-9183 Filed 4-25-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-WY-P
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