General Services Acquisition Regulation; GSAR Case 2008-G502; Improper Personal Conflicts of Interest, 45194-45195 [E8-17790]

Download as PDF 45194 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 150 / Monday, August 4, 2008 / Proposed Rules you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. (For additional information about EPA’s public docket, visit the EPA Docket Center homepage at https:// www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm). Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the https:// www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in hard copy. Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically in https:// www.regulations.gov or in hard copy. You may view and copy Mississippi’s application at the EPA, Region 4, RCRA Division, The Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center, 61 Forsyth Street, SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960. You may also view and copy Mississippi’s application from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, Hazardous Waste Division, 101 W. Capital, Suite 100, Jackson, Mississippi 39201. Otis Johnson, Permits and State Programs Section, RCRA Programs and Materials Management Branch, RCRA Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, The Sam Nunn Federal Center, 61 Forsyth Street, SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960; (404) 562–8481 fax number: (404) 562–9964; e-mail address: johnson.otis @epa.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information, please see the immediate final rule published in the ‘‘Rules and Regulations’’ section of this Federal Register. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Dated: June 16, 2008. J.I. Palmer, Jr., Regional Administrator, Region 4. [FR Doc. E8–17712 Filed 8–1–08; 8:45 am] ebenthall on PRODPC60 with PROPOSALS BILLING CODE 6560–50–P VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:20 Aug 01, 2008 Jkt 214001 4041, GS Building, Washington, DC 20405, (202) 501–4755. Please cite GSAR Case 2008–G502. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION 48 CFR Parts 503 and 552 [GSAR Case 2008–G502; Docket 2008–0007; Sequence 12] RIN 3090–AI63 General Services Acquisition Regulation; GSAR Case 2008– G502;Improper Personal Conflicts of Interest Office of the Chief Acquisition Officer, General Services Administration (GSA). ACTION: Proposed rule. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The General Services Administration (GSA) is proposing to amend the General Services Acquisition Regulation (GSAR) to revise language regarding requirements for improper business practices and personal conflicts of interest. DATES: Interested parties should submit written comments to the Regulatory Secretariat on or before October 3, 2008 to be considered in the formulation of a final rule. ADDRESSES: Submit comments identified by GSAR Case 2008–G502 by any of the following methods: • Regulations.gov: https:// www.regulations.gov.Submit comments via the Federal eRulemaking portal by inputting ‘‘GSAR Case 2008–G502’’ under the heading ‘‘Comment or Submission’’. Select the link ‘‘Send a Comment or Submission’’ that corresponds with GSAR Case 2008– G502. Follow the instructions provided to complete the ‘‘Public Comment and Submission Form’’. Please include your name, company name (if any), and ‘‘GSAR Case 2008–G502’’ on your attached document. • Fax: 202–501–4067. • Mail: General Services Administration, Regulatory Secretariat (VPR), 1800 F Street, NW, Room 4041, ATTN: Laurieann Duarte, Washington, DC 20405. Instructions: Please submit comments only and cite GSAR Case 2008–G502 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. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For clarification of content, contact Mr. Ernest Woodson at (202) 501–3775, or by e-mail at ernest.woodson@gsa.gov. For information pertaining to the status or publication schedules, contact the Regulatory Secretariat (VPR), Room PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 A. Background The General Services Administration (GSA) is amending the General Services Administration Acquisition Regulation (GSAR) to update the text addressing GSAR Part 503, Improper Business Practices and Personal Conflicts of Interest; Subpart 503.1, Safeguards; Subpart 503.2, Contractor Gratuities to Government Personnel; Subpart 503.4, Contingent Fees; Subpart 503.5, Other Improper Business Practices; Subpart 503.7, Voiding and Rescinding Contracts; and Subpart 503.10, Contractor Code of Business Ethnics and Conduct. This rule is a result of the General Services Administration Acquisition Manual (GSAM) Rewrite initiative. The initiative was undertaken by GSA to revise the GSAM to maintain consistency with the FAR and implement streamlined and innovative acquisition procedures that contractors, offerors, and GSA acquisition personnel can use when entering into and administering contractual relationships. The GSAM incorporates the General Services Administration Acquisition Regulation (GSAR) as well as internal agency acquisition policy. GSA will rewrite each part of the GSAR and GSAM, and as each GSAR part is rewritten, will publish it in the Federal Register. This rule covers the rewrite of the regulatory portion of Part 503. The rule revises GSAR Subpart 503.1, Safeguards, to delete 503.104–1, Definitions, and 503.104–9, Contracts clauses, to ensure consistency with the GSAM that provides that the acquisition of leasehold interests in real property is established by GSAM Part 570; Subpart 503.2, Contractor Gratuities to Government Personnel, to revise 503.204(a)(2) to delete the term ‘‘joint venture’’ to ensure grammatical and structural clarity; to delete from 503.204(c) the reference to the Chairman of the GSA Board of Contract Appeals which no longer exists, and revise 503.204(f); to ensure consistency with FAR 3.204(f), Subpart 503.4, Contingents Fees, to delete 503.404, Contract clause, to ensure consistency with the GSAM that provides that the acquisition of leasehold interests in real property is established by GSAM Part 570; Subpart 503.5, Other Improper Business Practices, to revise 503.570–1, Policy, to delete the term ‘‘referring’’ and add ‘‘making references’’ for clarity; Subpart 503.7, Voiding and Rescinding E:\FR\FM\04AUP1.SGM 04AUP1 45195 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 150 / Monday, August 4, 2008 / Proposed Rules Contracts, to revise 503.702 to delete the definition for ‘‘Notice’’ and ‘‘Voiding and rescinding official’’ as the terms do not require definition; to add a new section 503.703, Authority, to identify the Senior Procurement Executive as having the authority to void and rescind contracts pursuant to FAR 3.703 and 3.705(b); to relocate 503.705 from the GSAR to the manual part of the GSAM because it relates to internal administrative procedures; to add a new Subpart 503.10, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct, to establish a lower threshold for the inclusion of FAR 52.203–14, Display of Hotline Poster(s), at 503.1004(a) and include the name of the poster and where the poster may be obtained at 503.1004(b)(i) and (ii) pursuant to FAR 52.203.14(b)(3); to delete GSAR 552.203–5, Covenant Against Contingent Fees, to ensure consistency with the GSAM that provides that the acquisition of leasehold interests in real property is established by GSAM Part 570; and to delete GSAR 552.203, Price Adjustment for Illegal or Improper Activity, to ensure consistency with the GSAM requirements that leasehold interests in real property is established by GSAM Part 570. This is not a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was not subject to review under Section 6(b) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, dated September 30, 1993. This rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804. ebenthall on PRODPC60 with PROPOSALS B. Regulatory Flexibility Act The General Services Administration does not expect this proposed rule to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities within the meaning of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq., because the revisions are not considered substantive. The revisions only update the GSAR and reorganize existing coverage. An Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis has, therefore, not been performed. We invite comments from small businesses and other interested parties. GSA will consider comments from small entities concerning the affected GSAR Parts 503 and 552 in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610. Interested parties must submit such comments separately and should cite 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq. (GSAR case 2008– G502), in correspondence. C. Paperwork Reduction Act The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the proposed changes to the GSAM do not impose information collection requirements that require the approval of the Office of Management VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:20 Aug 01, 2008 Jkt 214001 and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq. Subpart 503.10—Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 503 and 552 Government procurement. 503.1004 Dated: July 28, 2008 Al Matera, Director, Office of Acquisition Policy. Therefore, GSA proposes to amend 48 CFR parts 503 and 552 as set forth below: PART 503—IMPROPER BUSINESS PRACTICES AND PERSONAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST 1. The authority citation for 48 CFR part 503 is revised to read as follows: Authority: 40 U.S.C. 121(c). 503.104–3 and 503–104–9 [Removed] 2. Remove sections 503.104–3 and 503.104–9. 3. Amend section 503.204 by— a. Removing from paragraph (a)(2) ‘‘or joint venture’’; b. Removing from paragraph (c) ‘‘designated by the Chairman of the GSA Board of Contract Appeals.’’ and adding a period, in its place; and c. Revising paragraph (f). The revised text reads as follows: 503.204 * * * * (f) If the Gratuities clause was violated, the contractor may present evidence of mitigating factors to the Senior Procurement Executive, or designee, in accordance with FAR 3.204(b), either orally or in writing, consistent with a schedule the Senior Procurement Executive, or designee, establishes. The Senior Procurement Executive, or designee, exercises the Government’s rights under FAR 3.204(c) only after considering mitigating factors. [Removed] 4. Remove section 503.404. 503.570–1 [Amended] 5. Amend section 503.570–1 by removing ‘‘referring’’ and adding ‘‘making references’’ in its place. 503.702 [Removed] 6. Remove section 503.702. 503.703 [Added] 7. Add section 503.703 to read as follows: 503.703 Authority. Pursuant to FAR 3.703 and 3.705(b), the authority to void or rescind contracts resides with the Senior Procurement Executive. 8. Add Subpart 503.10 to read as follows: PO 00000 PART 552—SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES 9. The authority citation for 48 CFR part 552 continues to read as follows: Authority: 40 U.S.C. 121(c). 552.203–5 and 552.203–70 [Removed] 10. Remove sections 552.203–5 and 552.203–70. [FR Doc. E8–17790 Filed 8–1–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6820–61–S Treatment of violations. * 503.404 Contract clauses. (a) The FAR threshold for the clause at 52.203–14, Display of Hotline Poster(s), is $5,000,000. However, GSA has exercised the authority provided at FAR 3.1004(b)(1)(i) to establish a lower threshold, $1,000,000, for inclusion of the clause when the contract or order is funded with disaster assistance funds. (b) The information required to be inserted in the clause at FAR 52.203–14, Display of Hotline Poster(s), is as follows: (i) Poster: GSA OIG ‘‘FRAUDNET HOTLINE’’; and (ii) Obtain from: Contracting Officer. Frm 00023 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 49 CFR Part 594 [Docket No. NHTSA 2008–0114; Notice 1] RIN 2127–AK33 Schedule of Fees Authorized by 49 U.S.C. 30141 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This document proposes fees for Fiscal Year 2009 and until further notice, as authorized by 49 U.S.C. 30141, relating to the registration of importers and the importation of motor vehicles not certified as conforming to the Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS). These fees are needed to maintain the registered importer (RI) program. DATES: You should submit your comments early enough to ensure that Docket Management receives them not later than September 3, 2008. ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to the docket and notice numbers above and be submitted by any of the following methods: E:\FR\FM\04AUP1.SGM 04AUP1

Agencies

General Services Administration

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 150 (Monday, August 4, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45194-45195]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-17790]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

48 CFR Parts 503 and 552

[GSAR Case 2008-G502; Docket 2008-0007; Sequence 12]
RIN 3090-AI63


General Services Acquisition Regulation; GSAR Case 2008-
G502;Improper Personal Conflicts of Interest

AGENCY:  Office of the Chief Acquisition Officer, General Services 
Administration (GSA).

ACTION:  Proposed rule.

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

SUMMARY:  The General Services Administration (GSA) is proposing to 
amend the General Services Acquisition Regulation (GSAR) to revise 
language regarding requirements for improper business practices and 
personal conflicts of interest.

DATES:  Interested parties should submit written comments to the 
Regulatory Secretariat on or before October 3, 2008 to be considered in 
the formulation of a final rule.

ADDRESSES:  Submit comments identified by GSAR Case 2008-G502 by any of 
the following methods:
     Regulations.gov: https://www.regulations.gov.Submit 
comments via the Federal eRulemaking portal by inputting ``GSAR Case 
2008-G502'' under the heading ``Comment or Submission''. Select the 
link ``Send a Comment or Submission'' that corresponds with GSAR Case 
2008-G502. Follow the instructions provided to complete the ``Public 
Comment and Submission Form''. Please include your name, company name 
(if any), and ``GSAR Case 2008-G502'' on your attached document.
     Fax: 202-501-4067.
     Mail: General Services Administration, Regulatory 
Secretariat (VPR), 1800 F Street, NW, Room 4041, ATTN: Laurieann 
Duarte, Washington, DC 20405.
    Instructions: Please submit comments only and cite GSAR Case 2008-
G502 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  For clarification of content, contact 
Mr. Ernest Woodson at (202) 501-3775, or by e-mail at 
ernest.woodson@gsa.gov. For information pertaining to the status or 
publication schedules, contact the Regulatory Secretariat (VPR), Room 
4041, GS Building, Washington, DC 20405, (202) 501-4755. Please cite 
GSAR Case 2008-G502.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    The General Services Administration (GSA) is amending the General 
Services Administration Acquisition Regulation (GSAR) to update the 
text addressing GSAR Part 503, Improper Business Practices and Personal 
Conflicts of Interest; Subpart 503.1, Safeguards; Subpart 503.2, 
Contractor Gratuities to Government Personnel; Subpart 503.4, 
Contingent Fees; Subpart 503.5, Other Improper Business Practices; 
Subpart 503.7, Voiding and Rescinding Contracts; and Subpart 503.10, 
Contractor Code of Business Ethnics and Conduct.
    This rule is a result of the General Services Administration 
Acquisition Manual (GSAM) Rewrite initiative. The initiative was 
undertaken by GSA to revise the GSAM to maintain consistency with the 
FAR and implement streamlined and innovative acquisition procedures 
that contractors, offerors, and GSA acquisition personnel can use when 
entering into and administering contractual relationships. The GSAM 
incorporates the General Services Administration Acquisition Regulation 
(GSAR) as well as internal agency acquisition policy.
    GSA will rewrite each part of the GSAR and GSAM, and as each GSAR 
part is rewritten, will publish it in the Federal Register.
    This rule covers the rewrite of the regulatory portion of Part 503. 
The rule revises GSAR Subpart 503.1, Safeguards, to delete 503.104-1, 
Definitions, and 503.104-9, Contracts clauses, to ensure consistency 
with the GSAM that provides that the acquisition of leasehold interests 
in real property is established by GSAM Part 570; Subpart 503.2, 
Contractor Gratuities to Government Personnel, to revise 503.204(a)(2) 
to delete the term ``joint venture'' to ensure grammatical and 
structural clarity; to delete from 503.204(c) the reference to the 
Chairman of the GSA Board of Contract Appeals which no longer exists, 
and revise 503.204(f); to ensure consistency with FAR 3.204(f), Subpart 
503.4, Contingents Fees, to delete 503.404, Contract clause, to ensure 
consistency with the GSAM that provides that the acquisition of 
leasehold interests in real property is established by GSAM Part 570; 
Subpart 503.5, Other Improper Business Practices, to revise 503.570-1, 
Policy, to delete the term ``referring'' and add ``making references'' 
for clarity; Subpart 503.7, Voiding and Rescinding

[[Page 45195]]

Contracts, to revise 503.702 to delete the definition for ``Notice'' 
and ``Voiding and rescinding official'' as the terms do not require 
definition; to add a new section 503.703, Authority, to identify the 
Senior Procurement Executive as having the authority to void and 
rescind contracts pursuant to FAR 3.703 and 3.705(b); to relocate 
503.705 from the GSAR to the manual part of the GSAM because it relates 
to internal administrative procedures; to add a new Subpart 503.10, 
Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct, to establish a lower 
threshold for the inclusion of FAR 52.203-14, Display of Hotline 
Poster(s), at 503.1004(a) and include the name of the poster and where 
the poster may be obtained at 503.1004(b)(i) and (ii) pursuant to FAR 
52.203.14(b)(3); to delete GSAR 552.203-5, Covenant Against Contingent 
Fees, to ensure consistency with the GSAM that provides that the 
acquisition of leasehold interests in real property is established by 
GSAM Part 570; and to delete GSAR 552.203, Price Adjustment for Illegal 
or Improper Activity, to ensure consistency with the GSAM requirements 
that leasehold interests in real property is established by GSAM Part 
570.
    This is not a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was not 
subject to review under Section 6(b) of Executive Order 12866, 
Regulatory Planning and Review, dated September 30, 1993. This rule is 
not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The General Services Administration does not expect this proposed 
rule to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities within the meaning of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 
U.S.C. 601, et seq., because the revisions are not considered 
substantive. The revisions only update the GSAR and reorganize existing 
coverage. An Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis has, therefore, 
not been performed. We invite comments from small businesses and other 
interested parties. GSA will consider comments from small entities 
concerning the affected GSAR Parts 503 and 552 in accordance with 5 
U.S.C. 610. Interested parties must submit such comments separately and 
should cite 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq. (GSAR case 2008-G502), in 
correspondence.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the proposed 
changes to the GSAM do not impose information collection requirements 
that require the approval of the Office of Management and Budget under 
44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 503 and 552

    Government procurement.

    Dated: July 28, 2008
Al Matera,
Director, Office of Acquisition Policy.
    Therefore, GSA proposes to amend 48 CFR parts 503 and 552 as set 
forth below:

PART 503--IMPROPER BUSINESS PRACTICES AND PERSONAL CONFLICTS OF 
INTEREST

    1. The authority citation for 48 CFR part 503 is revised to read as 
follows:

    Authority:  40 U.S.C. 121(c).


503.104-3 and 503-104-9  [Removed]

    2. Remove sections 503.104-3 and 503.104-9.
    3. Amend section 503.204 by--
    a. Removing from paragraph (a)(2) ``or joint venture'';
    b. Removing from paragraph (c) ``designated by the Chairman of the 
GSA Board of Contract Appeals.'' and adding a period, in its place; and
    c. Revising paragraph (f).
    The revised text reads as follows:


503.204  Treatment of violations.

* * * * *
    (f) If the Gratuities clause was violated, the contractor may 
present evidence of mitigating factors to the Senior Procurement 
Executive, or designee, in accordance with FAR 3.204(b), either orally 
or in writing, consistent with a schedule the Senior Procurement 
Executive, or designee, establishes. The Senior Procurement Executive, 
or designee, exercises the Government's rights under FAR 3.204(c) only 
after considering mitigating factors.


503.404  [Removed]

    4. Remove section 503.404.


503.570-1  [Amended]

    5. Amend section 503.570-1 by removing ``referring'' and adding 
``making references'' in its place.


503.702  [Removed]

    6. Remove section 503.702.


503.703  [Added]

    7. Add section 503.703 to read as follows:


503.703  Authority.

    Pursuant to FAR 3.703 and 3.705(b), the authority to void or 
rescind contracts resides with the Senior Procurement Executive.
    8. Add Subpart 503.10 to read as follows:

Subpart 503.10--Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct


503.1004  Contract clauses.

    (a) The FAR threshold for the clause at 52.203-14, Display of 
Hotline Poster(s), is $5,000,000. However, GSA has exercised the 
authority provided at FAR 3.1004(b)(1)(i) to establish a lower 
threshold, $1,000,000, for inclusion of the clause when the contract or 
order is funded with disaster assistance funds.
    (b) The information required to be inserted in the clause at FAR 
52.203-14, Display of Hotline Poster(s), is as follows:
    (i) Poster: GSA OIG ``FRAUDNET HOTLINE''; and
    (ii) Obtain from: Contracting Officer.

PART 552--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

    9. The authority citation for 48 CFR part 552 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority:  40 U.S.C. 121(c).


552.203-5 and 552.203-70  [Removed]

    10. Remove sections 552.203-5 and 552.203-70.
[FR Doc. E8-17790 Filed 8-1-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-61-S

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.