Cost Accounting Standards: Change to the CAS Applicability Threshold for the Inflation Adjustment to the Truth in Negotiations Act Threshold, 79545-79547 [2011-32726]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 246 / Thursday, December 22, 2011 / Rules and Regulations This notice and the policy are available in the docket and can be viewed by going to https://www. regulations.gov, inserting USCG–2011– 0465 in the ‘‘Keyword’’ box, and then clicking ‘‘Search.’’ This material is also available for inspection or copying at the Docket management Facility (M–30), U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays. This policy is also available at https://homeport.uscg. mil by clicking the ‘‘Library’’ tab > Policy > Policy letters (inspection); CG– 543 Policy Letter 11–15. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this notice, call or email Mr. Luke Harden, Office of Vessel Activities (CG–543), (202) 372– 1206, email Luke.B.Harden@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone (202) 366–9826. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ADDRESSES: jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with RULES Background and Purpose Coast Guard regulations require every applicant for an original or renewal of a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) (see 46 CFR part 10). These Coast Guard regulations implement 46 U.S.C. 70105(b)(2)(B) and (D), which originally mandated that all mariners required to hold an MMC also obtain and hold a valid TWIC. On October 15, 2010, the President signed into law the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 (the Act) (Pub. L. 111–281), which amended Sec. 70105(b)(2) by exempting certain mariners from the requirement to obtain and hold a valid TWIC (See Section 809 of the Act). While Section 809 did not exclude any specific group of credentialed mariners from the requirement to possess a TWIC, it gave the Coast Guard discretion to exclude any mariner, who does not require unescorted access to a secure area of a vessel or facility, from that requirement (see 46 U.S.C. 70105). The Coast Guard has determined that, under Section 809 of the Act, mariners who do not need unescorted access to a secure area designated by a vessel security plan in accordance with reference (c), no longer require a TWIC. Although full implementation of Section 809 of the Act may require regulatory changes, the Coast Guard is issuing Policy Letter 11–15 to implement two policy mechanisms that VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:24 Dec 21, 2011 Jkt 226001 uses Coast Guard resources and capabilities to lessen the impact while working on a regulatory solution that will address the full scope of Section 809. First, because the Coast Guard enforces its regulations by checking the validity of TWICs while conducting inspections of vessels where the credentials of mariners are checked, the Coast Guard is altering its enforcement posture: excluded mariners will not be required to present a valid TWIC during Coast Guard inspections. Second, we are implementing policies that would make it easier for certain excluded mariners to renew or acquire an MMC, without having to show proof of holding a valid TWIC. Policy Letter 11–15 details procedures by which excluded mariners do not need to obtain a physical TWIC in order to receive an MMC, and mariners can renew an existing MMC even if their TWIC has expired. We recognize that even after these policy changes many excluded mariners will continue to need or choose to go through the TWIC enrollment process. This is because the current MMC credentialing process requires inputs from the TWIC enrollment process. The Coast Guard relies on biometric and biographic information collected as part of the TWIC enrollment process, in the security, safety, and suitability evaluation component of Coast Guard’s MMC credentialing process. It is not possible, at this time, to issue new MMCs without mariners going through the TWIC enrollment process. Separating the two processes would require a significant credentialing process and administration restructuring that is not feasible on a short timeline. These policy changes, however, will help to reduce the fees mariners pay to obtain or renew a MMC, as well as reduce the burden of having to make multiple trips to a TWIC enrollment center to apply for and collect a TWIC. While we recognize that some mariners, particularly those applying for their original MMC, will still have to pay the TWIC enrollment fee, we believe that these policy changes will substantially reduce the regulatory burden on excluded mariners. The Coast Guard is exploring the possibility of a regulatory change to waive some fees associated with the MMC for excluded mariners, to further reduce the burdens in the future. List of Excluded Mariners The list of excluded mariners subject to the adjusted enforcement and credentialing policies detailed in Policy Letter 11–15 is limited to those mariners who function solely in the following roles: PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 79545 1. Mariners serving on uninspected passenger vessels of less than 100 gross register tons (GRT); 2. Mariners serving on vessels inspected under subchapter T of Title 46 Code of Federal Regulations, except those on international voyages; 3. Mariners serving on towing vessels not involved in towing barges inspected under 46 CFR subchapters D, I or O; 4. Mariners serving on towing vessels involved in fleeting, docking, or ship assist as excepted in Title 33 CFR, Section 104.105(a)(11); and 5. Mariners who are inactive, or not operating under the authority of their credential for long periods of time. This notice is issued under authority of 46 U.S.C. 70105, 33 CFR parts 104 and 105, 46 CFR parts 10, 11, and 15, 5 U.S.C. 552(a). Dated: December 19, 2011. Paul F. Thomas, Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Director of Prevention Policy. [FR Doc. 2011–32852 Filed 12–20–11; 11:15 am] BILLING CODE 9110–04–P OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET Office of Federal Procurement Policy 48 CFR Parts 9901 and 9903 Cost Accounting Standards: Change to the CAS Applicability Threshold for the Inflation Adjustment to the Truth in Negotiations Act Threshold Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of Federal Procurement Policy, Cost Accounting Standards Board. ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: The Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) Board (Board), has adopted, without change from the interim rule, a final rule revising the threshold for the application of CAS from ‘‘$650,000’’ to ‘‘the Truth in Negotiations Act (TINA) threshold, as adjusted for inflation.’’ The change is being made because the CAS applicability threshold is statutorily tied to TINA threshold. The TINA threshold for obtaining cost or pricing data was recently adjusted for inflation to $700,000 in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), as required by the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005. Until the interim change for this final rule, the CAS applicability threshold was a stated dollar amount ($650,000) in the Code of SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\22DER1.SGM 22DER1 79546 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 246 / Thursday, December 22, 2011 / Rules and Regulations Federal Regulations. This wording change effectively revised the CAS threshold to $700,000 and will cause future changes to the CAS applicability threshold to self-execute upon any changes to the TINA threshold as they are implemented in the FAR. DATES: Effective Date: December 22, 2011. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Raymond J. M. Wong, Director, Cost Accounting Standards Board (telephone: (202) 395–6805; email: Raymond_wong@omb.eop.gov). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with RULES A. Background and Summary On July 12, 2011, the Cost Accounting Standards Board (Board) published an interim rule with a request for comment (76 FR 40817) for the purpose of revising the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) applicability threshold in 48 CFR Chapter 99 from ‘‘$650,000’’ to ‘‘the Truth in Negotiations Act (TINA) threshold, as adjusted for inflation (41 U.S.C. 1908) and (41 U.S.C. 1502(b)(1)(B))’’. This was done because of a recent increase to $700,000 in the FAR to the Truth in Negotiations Act (TINA) threshold for the submission of cost or pricing data, as adjusted for inflation by section 807 of the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 (Pub. L. 108–375), as incorporated into Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15.403–4(a)(1) by the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council on August 30, 2010 (at 75 FR 53129). By revising the CAS applicability threshold so that it directly referenced the FAR TINA threshold for the submission of cost or pricing data (rather than referencing a stated dollar amount), any future changes to the FAR TINA threshold will automatically apply to the CAS applicability threshold (thereby eliminating the need to revise this regulation to specify a different dollar amount). Statutory Requirement for Inflation Adjustment of TINA Thresholds Section 807 of the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 (Pub. L. 108–375) requires a periodic adjustment for inflation every five years to the acquisition related thresholds using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all urban consumers, except for the Davis-Bacon Act, Service Contract Act, and trade agreement thresholds. The threshold in TINA (10 U.S.C. 2306a(a)(1)(A)(i)) for the submission of cost or pricing data is one of the acquisition related thresholds VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:24 Dec 21, 2011 Jkt 226001 adjusted for inflation by section 807. The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) published a final rule in the Federal Register on August 30, 2010 (75 FR 53129) amending the FAR to implement section 807, including the TINA threshold at FAR 15.403–4, Requiring cost or pricing data (10 U.S.C. 2306a and 41 U.S.C. 3502 [formerly, 41 U.S.C. 254b]). This FAR final rule was effective October 1, 2010, and revised the FAR TINA threshold from $650,000 to $700,000. Statutory Requirement for Threshold for CAS Applicability Section 26(f)(2(A) of the OFPP Act (41 U.S.C. 1502(b)(1)(B) [formerly, 41 U.S.C. 422(f)(2)(A)]) addresses the CAS applicability threshold. Section 822 of the 2006 National Defense Authorization Act (Pub. L. 109–163) amended 41 U.S.C. 1502(b)(1)(B) [formerly, 41 U.S.C. 422(f)(2)(A)] to tie the statutory CAS threshold to the threshold for compliance with the TINA requirement to submit cost or pricing data, as set forth in section 2306a(a)(1)(A)(i) of title 10, United States Code. The recent changes to the TINA threshold described above require identical changes to the CAS applicability threshold (i.e., from $650,000 to $700,000). Until the interim rule for this final rule, the CAS applicability threshold has been identified in the CAS Board rules as a stated dollar amount. To avoid repeated rulemakings in the future that would update the stated dollar amount, in order to keep the CAS applicability threshold tied to the FAR TINA threshold, the Board revised the CAS applicability threshold from a stated dollar amount (which has been ‘‘$650,000’’) to ‘‘the Truth in Negotiations Act (TINA) threshold, as adjusted for inflation (41 U.S.C. 1908 and 41 U.S.C. 1502(b)(1)(B)).’’ This revision made any future changes to the CAS applicability threshold selfexecuting upon any changes that the FAR makes to the FAR TINA threshold. Thus, because the FAR’s TINA threshold is now $700,000, the CAS applicability threshold under this final rule will be $700,000. B. Public Comments The Board received two sets of public comments in response to the Interim Rule. 1. Future changes to the FAR TINA threshold automatically applied to the CAS applicability threshold. Comment: One respondent agreed with the interim rule stating ‘‘[t]his is a PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 good step in streamlining the process (i.e., deleting the requirements for future interim and final CAS rules for TINA changes).’’ However, another respondent disagreed and thought that as a matter of policy, the CAS Board ‘‘should issue its own dollar applicability threshold(s)’’ because ‘‘effectively delegating the authority to establish the CAS contract applicability threshold’’ was ‘‘yet another weakening of the CAS Board’s basic authority.’’ Response: The CAS Board agrees with the comment that supports the interim rule and disagrees with the comment to the contrary. The CAS Board does not see making this change as a weakening of the CAS Board’s authority. The change is consistent with the CAS statutory authority at 41 U.S.C. 1502(b)(1)(B) which provides that CAS ‘‘are mandatory for use by all executive agencies and by contractors and subcontractors * * * concerning, all negotiated prime contract and subcontract procurements with the Federal Government in excess of the amount set forth in section 2306a(a)(1)(A)(i) of title 10 [i.e., the Truth in Negotiations Act (TINA)] as the amount is adjusted in accordance with applicable requirements of law.’’ 41 U.S.C. 1908 provides for the inflation adjustment of acquisition-related dollar, including TINA, by the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council. 2. The phrase ‘‘as adjusted for inflation’’ is unnecessary. Comment: One respondent opined that the phrase ‘‘as adjusted for inflation’’ ‘‘is both unnecessary and redundant.’’ Response: The CAS Board does not agree. The text is consistent with the CAS statutory authority at 41 U.S.C. 1502(b)(1)(B). See the Response to Comment 1. 3. Changes to FAR Parts 30 and 52 required to be made for the changes to the CAS applicability threshold. Comment: One respondent noted that ‘‘FAR Part 30 and the [CAS] clauses at FAR 52.230 [et seq.] continue to reference the $650,000 which is now outdated.’’ The respondent acknowledged that the FAR is the responsibility of the FAR Council, rather than the CAS Board. Response: The changes to the FAR to reflect the CAS Board’s interim and final rules are beyond the authority of the CAS Board as acknowledged by the respondent. The comments have been sent to the OFPP Administrator, the Chair of the FAR Council, for implementation in the FAR. E:\FR\FM\22DER1.SGM 22DER1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 246 / Thursday, December 22, 2011 / Rules and Regulations C. Paperwork Reduction Act The Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, Subtitle I) does not apply to this rulemaking because this rule imposes no additional paperwork burden on offerors, affected contractors and subcontractors, or members of the public which requires the approval of OMB under 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq. The records required by this final rule are those normally maintained by contractors and subcontractors who claim reimbursement of costs under government contracts. D. Executive Order 12866, the Congressional Review Act, and the Regulatory Flexibility Act jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with RULES Because the affected contractors and subcontractors are those who are already subject to CAS but for the increase in the CAS applicability VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:24 Dec 21, 2011 Jkt 226001 threshold, the economic impact of this final rule on contractors and subcontractors is expected to be minor. As a result, the Board has determined that this final rule will not result in the promulgation of an ‘‘economically significant rule’’ under the provisions of Executive Order 12866, and that a regulatory impact analysis will not be required. For the same reason, the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has determined that this final rule is not a ‘‘major rule’’ under the Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. Chapter 8. Finally, this final rule does not have a significant effect on a substantial number of small entities because small businesses are exempt from the application of the Cost Accounting Standards. Therefore, this final rule does not require a regulatory flexibility PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 79547 analysis under the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, 5 U.S.C. Chapter 6. List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 9901 and 9903 Government procurement, Cost accounting standards. Daniel I. Gordon, Chair, Cost Accounting Standards Board. 48 CFR PARTS 9901 and 9903— [AMENDED] For the reasons set forth in this preamble, the interim rule published at 76 FR 40817, July 12, 2011, amending Chapter 99 of Title 48 of the Code of Federal Regulations, is adopted as final without change. ■ [FR Doc. 2011–32726 Filed 12–21–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P E:\FR\FM\22DER1.SGM 22DER1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 246 (Thursday, December 22, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 79545-79547]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-32726]


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OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET

Office of Federal Procurement Policy

48 CFR Parts 9901 and 9903


Cost Accounting Standards: Change to the CAS Applicability 
Threshold for the Inflation Adjustment to the Truth in Negotiations Act 
Threshold

AGENCY: Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of Federal 
Procurement Policy, Cost Accounting Standards Board.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP), Cost 
Accounting Standards (CAS) Board (Board), has adopted, without change 
from the interim rule, a final rule revising the threshold for the 
application of CAS from ``$650,000'' to ``the Truth in Negotiations Act 
(TINA) threshold, as adjusted for inflation.'' The change is being made 
because the CAS applicability threshold is statutorily tied to TINA 
threshold. The TINA threshold for obtaining cost or pricing data was 
recently adjusted for inflation to $700,000 in the Federal Acquisition 
Regulation (FAR), as required by the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005. Until the interim change for 
this final rule, the CAS applicability threshold was a stated dollar 
amount ($650,000) in the Code of

[[Page 79546]]

Federal Regulations. This wording change effectively revised the CAS 
threshold to $700,000 and will cause future changes to the CAS 
applicability threshold to self-execute upon any changes to the TINA 
threshold as they are implemented in the FAR.

DATES: Effective Date: December 22, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Raymond J. M. Wong, Director, Cost 
Accounting Standards Board (telephone: (202) 395-6805; email: Raymond_wong@omb.eop.gov).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background and Summary

    On July 12, 2011, the Cost Accounting Standards Board (Board) 
published an interim rule with a request for comment (76 FR 40817) for 
the purpose of revising the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) 
applicability threshold in 48 CFR Chapter 99 from ``$650,000'' to ``the 
Truth in Negotiations Act (TINA) threshold, as adjusted for inflation 
(41 U.S.C. 1908) and (41 U.S.C. 1502(b)(1)(B))''. This was done because 
of a recent increase to $700,000 in the FAR to the Truth in 
Negotiations Act (TINA) threshold for the submission of cost or pricing 
data, as adjusted for inflation by section 807 of the Ronald W. Reagan 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 (Pub. L. 108-
375), as incorporated into Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15.403-
4(a)(1) by the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense 
Acquisition Regulations Council on August 30, 2010 (at 75 FR 53129). By 
revising the CAS applicability threshold so that it directly referenced 
the FAR TINA threshold for the submission of cost or pricing data 
(rather than referencing a stated dollar amount), any future changes to 
the FAR TINA threshold will automatically apply to the CAS 
applicability threshold (thereby eliminating the need to revise this 
regulation to specify a different dollar amount).

Statutory Requirement for Inflation Adjustment of TINA Thresholds

    Section 807 of the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2005 (Pub. L. 108-375) requires a periodic 
adjustment for inflation every five years to the acquisition related 
thresholds using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all urban 
consumers, except for the Davis-Bacon Act, Service Contract Act, and 
trade agreement thresholds. The threshold in TINA (10 U.S.C. 
2306a(a)(1)(A)(i)) for the submission of cost or pricing data is one of 
the acquisition related thresholds adjusted for inflation by section 
807. The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense 
Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) published a final rule in 
the Federal Register on August 30, 2010 (75 FR 53129) amending the FAR 
to implement section 807, including the TINA threshold at FAR 15.403-4, 
Requiring cost or pricing data (10 U.S.C. 2306a and 41 U.S.C. 3502 
[formerly, 41 U.S.C. 254b]). This FAR final rule was effective October 
1, 2010, and revised the FAR TINA threshold from $650,000 to $700,000.

Statutory Requirement for Threshold for CAS Applicability

    Section 26(f)(2(A) of the OFPP Act (41 U.S.C. 1502(b)(1)(B) 
[formerly, 41 U.S.C. 422(f)(2)(A)]) addresses the CAS applicability 
threshold. Section 822 of the 2006 National Defense Authorization Act 
(Pub. L. 109-163) amended 41 U.S.C. 1502(b)(1)(B) [formerly, 41 U.S.C. 
422(f)(2)(A)] to tie the statutory CAS threshold to the threshold for 
compliance with the TINA requirement to submit cost or pricing data, as 
set forth in section 2306a(a)(1)(A)(i) of title 10, United States Code. 
The recent changes to the TINA threshold described above require 
identical changes to the CAS applicability threshold (i.e., from 
$650,000 to $700,000). Until the interim rule for this final rule, the 
CAS applicability threshold has been identified in the CAS Board rules 
as a stated dollar amount. To avoid repeated rulemakings in the future 
that would update the stated dollar amount, in order to keep the CAS 
applicability threshold tied to the FAR TINA threshold, the Board 
revised the CAS applicability threshold from a stated dollar amount 
(which has been ``$650,000'') to ``the Truth in Negotiations Act (TINA) 
threshold, as adjusted for inflation (41 U.S.C. 1908 and 41 U.S.C. 
1502(b)(1)(B)).'' This revision made any future changes to the CAS 
applicability threshold self-executing upon any changes that the FAR 
makes to the FAR TINA threshold. Thus, because the FAR's TINA threshold 
is now $700,000, the CAS applicability threshold under this final rule 
will be $700,000.

B. Public Comments

    The Board received two sets of public comments in response to the 
Interim Rule.
    1. Future changes to the FAR TINA threshold automatically applied 
to the CAS applicability threshold.
    Comment: One respondent agreed with the interim rule stating 
``[t]his is a good step in streamlining the process (i.e., deleting the 
requirements for future interim and final CAS rules for TINA 
changes).'' However, another respondent disagreed and thought that as a 
matter of policy, the CAS Board ``should issue its own dollar 
applicability threshold(s)'' because ``effectively delegating the 
authority to establish the CAS contract applicability threshold'' was 
``yet another weakening of the CAS Board's basic authority.''
    Response: The CAS Board agrees with the comment that supports the 
interim rule and disagrees with the comment to the contrary. The CAS 
Board does not see making this change as a weakening of the CAS Board's 
authority. The change is consistent with the CAS statutory authority at 
41 U.S.C. 1502(b)(1)(B) which provides that CAS ``are mandatory for use 
by all executive agencies and by contractors and subcontractors * * * 
concerning, all negotiated prime contract and subcontract procurements 
with the Federal Government in excess of the amount set forth in 
section 2306a(a)(1)(A)(i) of title 10 [i.e., the Truth in Negotiations 
Act (TINA)] as the amount is adjusted in accordance with applicable 
requirements of law.'' 41 U.S.C. 1908 provides for the inflation 
adjustment of acquisition-related dollar, including TINA, by the 
Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council.
    2. The phrase ``as adjusted for inflation'' is unnecessary.
    Comment: One respondent opined that the phrase ``as adjusted for 
inflation'' ``is both unnecessary and redundant.''
    Response: The CAS Board does not agree. The text is consistent with 
the CAS statutory authority at 41 U.S.C. 1502(b)(1)(B). See the 
Response to Comment 1.
    3. Changes to FAR Parts 30 and 52 required to be made for the 
changes to the CAS applicability threshold.
    Comment: One respondent noted that ``FAR Part 30 and the [CAS] 
clauses at FAR 52.230 [et seq.] continue to reference the $650,000 
which is now outdated.'' The respondent acknowledged that the FAR is 
the responsibility of the FAR Council, rather than the CAS Board.
    Response: The changes to the FAR to reflect the CAS Board's interim 
and final rules are beyond the authority of the CAS Board as 
acknowledged by the respondent. The comments have been sent to the OFPP 
Administrator, the Chair of the FAR Council, for implementation in the 
FAR.

[[Page 79547]]

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, Subtitle I) does 
not apply to this rulemaking because this rule imposes no additional 
paperwork burden on offerors, affected contractors and subcontractors, 
or members of the public which requires the approval of OMB under 44 
U.S.C. 3501, et seq. The records required by this final rule are those 
normally maintained by contractors and subcontractors who claim 
reimbursement of costs under government contracts.

D. Executive Order 12866, the Congressional Review Act, and the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Because the affected contractors and subcontractors are those who 
are already subject to CAS but for the increase in the CAS 
applicability threshold, the economic impact of this final rule on 
contractors and subcontractors is expected to be minor. As a result, 
the Board has determined that this final rule will not result in the 
promulgation of an ``economically significant rule'' under the 
provisions of Executive Order 12866, and that a regulatory impact 
analysis will not be required. For the same reason, the Administrator 
of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has determined that 
this final rule is not a ``major rule'' under the Congressional Review 
Act, 5 U.S.C. Chapter 8. Finally, this final rule does not have a 
significant effect on a substantial number of small entities because 
small businesses are exempt from the application of the Cost Accounting 
Standards. Therefore, this final rule does not require a regulatory 
flexibility analysis under the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, 5 
U.S.C. Chapter 6.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 9901 and 9903

    Government procurement, Cost accounting standards.

Daniel I. Gordon,
Chair, Cost Accounting Standards Board.

48 CFR PARTS 9901 and 9903--[AMENDED]

0
For the reasons set forth in this preamble, the interim rule published 
at 76 FR 40817, July 12, 2011, amending Chapter 99 of Title 48 of the 
Code of Federal Regulations, is adopted as final without change.

[FR Doc. 2011-32726 Filed 12-21-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
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