Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: New Free Trade Agreement With Colombia (DFARS Case 2012-D032), 30359-30361 [2012-11559]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 99 / Tuesday, May 22, 2012 / Rules and Regulations
(ii) The offeror certifies that the
following supplies are Free Trade
Agreement country end products other
than Bahrainian end products, Korean
end products, Moroccan end products,
or Peruvian end products:
(Line Item Number)
(Country of Origin)
9. Section 252.225–7036 is amended
by—
■ a. Removing the clause date ‘‘(OCT
2011)’’ and adding ‘‘(MAY 2012)’’ in its
place;
■ b. In paragraph (a) in the definition of
‘‘Free Trade Agreement country’’,
removing ‘‘Guatemala, Honduras,
Mexico,’’ and adding ‘‘Guatemala,
Honduras, Korea (Republic of), Mexico’’
in its place;
■ c. Revising paragraph (c); and
■ d. Adding Alternates IV and V.
The additions and revisions read as
follows:
■
252.225–7036 Buy American Act—Free
Trade Agreements—Balance of Payments
Program.
*
*
*
*
(c) The Contractor shall deliver under
this contract only domestic end
products unless, in its offer, it specified
delivery of qualifying country end
products, Free Trade Agreement country
end products other than Bahrainian end
products, Moroccan end products, or
Peruvian end products, or other foreign
end products in the Buy American
Act—Free Trade Agreements—Balance
of Payments Program Certificate
provision of the solicitation. If the
Contractor certified in its offer that it
will deliver a qualifying country end
product or a Free Trade Agreement
country end product other than a
Bahrainian end product, a Moroccan
end product, or a Peruvian end product,
the Contractor shall deliver a qualifying
country end product, a Free Trade
Agreement country end product other
than a Bahrainian end product, a
Moroccan end product, or a Peruvian
end product, or, at the Contractor’s
option, a domestic end product.
*
*
*
*
*
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with RULES2
*
ALTERNATE IV (MAY 2012)
As prescribed in 225.1101(11)(i)(C), add
the following definition to paragraph (a) and
substitute the following paragraph (c) for
paragraph (c) of the basic clause:
(a) Korean end product means an article
that—
(i) Is wholly the growth, product, or
manufacture of Korea; or
(ii) In the case of an article that consists in
whole or in part of materials from another
country, has been substantially transformed
in Korea (Republic of) into a new and
different article of commerce with a name,
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:23 May 21, 2012
Jkt 226001
30359
character, or use distinct from that of the
article or articles from which it was
transformed. The term refers to a product
offered for purchase under a supply contract,
but for purposes of calculating the value of
the end product, includes services (except
transportation services) incidental to its
supply, provided that the value of those
incidental services does not exceed the value
of the product itself.
(c) The Contractor shall deliver under this
contract only domestic end products unless,
in its offer, it specified delivery of qualifying
country end products, Free Trade Agreement
country end products other than Bahrainian
end products, Korean end products,
Moroccan end products, or Peruvian end
products, or other foreign end products in the
Buy American Act—Free Trade
Agreements—Balance of Payments Program
Certificate provision of the solicitation. If the
Contractor certified in its offer that it will
deliver a qualifying country end product or
a Free Trade Agreement country end product
other than a Bahrainian end product, a
Korean end product, a Moroccan end
product, or a Peruvian end product, the
Contractor shall deliver a qualifying country
end product, a Free Trade Agreement country
end product other than a Bahrainian end
product, a Korean end product, a Moroccan
end product, or a Peruvian end product, or,
at the Contractor’s option, a domestic end
product.
under a supply contract, but for purposes of
calculating the value of the end product,
includes services (except transportation
services) incidental to its supply, provided
that the value of those incidental services
does not exceed the value of the product
itself.
(c) The Contractor shall deliver under this
contract only domestic end products unless,
in its offer, it specified delivery of qualifying
country end products, SC/CASA state end
products, Free Trade Agreement country end
products other than Bahrainian end products,
Korean end products, Moroccan end
products, or Peruvian end products, or other
foreign end products in the Buy American
Act—Free Trade Agreements—Balance of
Payments Program Certificate provision of
the solicitation. If the Contractor certified in
its offer that it will deliver a qualifying
country end product, SC/CASA state end
products, or a Free Trade Agreement country
end product other than a Bahrainian end
product, a Korean end product, a Moroccan
end product, or a Peruvian end product, the
Contractor shall deliver a qualifying country
end product, an SC/CASA state end product,
a Free Trade Agreement country end product
other than a Bahrainian end product, a
Korean end product, a Moroccan end
product, or a Peruvian end product or, at the
Contractor’s option, a domestic end product.
ALTERNATE V (MAY 2012)
As prescribed in 225.1101(11)(i)(C), add
the following new definitions to paragraph
(a) and substitute the following paragraph (c)
for paragraph (c) of the basic clause:
(a) Korean end product means an article
that—
(i) Is wholly the growth, product, or
manufacture of Korea; or
(ii) In the case of an article that consists in
whole or in part of materials from another
country, has been substantially transformed
in Korea (Republic of) into a new and
different article of commerce with a name,
character, or use distinct from that of the
article or articles from which it was
transformed. The term refers to a product
offered for purchase under a supply contract,
but for purposes of calculating the value of
the end product, includes services (except
transportation services) incidental to its
supply, provided that the value of those
incidental services does not exceed the value
of the product itself.
South Caucasus/Central and South Asian
(SC/CASA) state means Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan,
Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, or Uzbekistan.
South Caucasus/Central and South Asian
(SC/CASA) state end product means an
article that—
(i) Is wholly the growth, product, or
manufacture of an SC/CASA state; or
(ii) In the case of an article that consists in
whole or in part of materials from another
country, has been substantially transformed
in an SC/CASA state into a new and different
article of commerce with a name, character,
or use distinct from that of the article or
articles from which it was transformed. The
term refers to a product offered for purchase
■
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
252.225–7045
[Amended]
10. Section 252.225–7045 is amended
by—
■ a. Removing the clause date ‘‘(JAN
2012)’’ and adding ‘‘(MAY 2012)’’ in its
place; and
■ b. In paragraph (a) in the definition of
‘‘Designated country’’, amending
paragraph (2) by removing ‘‘Guatemala,
Honduras, Mexico’’ and adding
‘‘Guatemala, Honduras, Korea (Republic
of), Mexico’’ in its place.
[FR Doc. 2012–11558 Filed 5–21–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001–06–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Defense Acquisition Regulations
System
48 CFR Part 252
RIN 0750–AH72
Defense Federal Acquisition
Regulation Supplement: New Free
Trade Agreement With Colombia
(DFARS Case 2012–D032)
Defense Acquisition
Regulations System, Department of
Defense (DoD).
ACTION: Interim rule.
AGENCY:
DoD is issuing an interim rule
amending the Defense Federal
Acquisition Regulation Supplement
(DFARS) to implement the United
States—Colombia Trade Promotion
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\22MYR2.SGM
22MYR2
30360
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 99 / Tuesday, May 22, 2012 / Rules and Regulations
Agreement. This Trade Promotion
Agreement is a free trade agreement that
provides for mutually nondiscriminatory treatment of eligible
products and services from Columbia.
DATES: Effective date: May 22, 2012.
Comment Date: Comments on the
interim rule should be submitted in
writing to the address shown below on
or before July 23, 2012, to be considered
in the formation of a final rule.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments
identified by DFARS Case 2012–D032,
using any of the following methods:
Æ Regulations.gov: https://
www.regulations.gov. Submit comments
via the Federal eRulemaking portal by
entering ‘‘DFARS Case 2012–D032’’
under the heading ‘‘Enter keyword or
ID’’ and selecting ‘‘Search.’’ Select the
link ‘‘Submit a Comment’’ that
corresponds with ‘‘DFARS Case 2012–
D032.’’ Follow the instructions provided
at the ‘‘Submit a Comment’’ screen.
Please include your name, company
name (if any), and ‘‘DFARS Case 2012–
D032’’ on your attached document.
Æ Email: dfars@osd.mil. Include
DFARS Case 2012–D032 in the subject
line of the message.
Æ Fax: 571–372–6094.
Æ Mail: Defense Acquisition
Regulations System, Attn: Ms. Amy
Williams, OUSD (AT&L) DPAP/DARS,
Room 3B855, 3060 Defense Pentagon,
Washington, DC 20301–3060.
Comments received generally will be
posted without change to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided. To
confirm receipt of your comment(s),
please check www.regulations.gov
approximately two to three days after
submission to verify posting (except
allow 30 days for posting of comments
submitted by mail).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Amy Williams, Defense Acquisition
Regulations System,
OUSD(AT&L)DPAP/DARS, Room
3B855, 3060 Defense Pentagon,
Washington, DC 20301–3060.
Telephone 571–372–6106.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with RULES2
I. Background
This interim rule amends DFARS part
252 to implement the United States—
Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement
Implementation Act (Pub. L. 112–42)
(19 U.S.C. 3805 note).
This Trade Promotion Agreement is
designated in the Federal Acquisition
Regulation (FAR) as the Colombia Free
Trade Agreement (FTA). The FTA
provides for—
• Waiver of the applicability of the
Buy American statute (41 U.S.C. chapter
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:23 May 21, 2012
Jkt 226001
83) for some foreign supplies and
construction materials from Colombia;
and
• Applicability of specified
procurement procedures designed to
ensure fairness in the acquisition of
supplies and services (see FAR 25.408).
II. Discussion and Analysis
This interim rule adds Colombia to
the definition of ‘‘Free Trade Agreement
country’’ in multiple locations in the
DFARS. The Colombia FTA covers
acquisition of supplies and services
equal to or exceeding $77,494. The
threshold for the Columbia FTA is
$7,777,000 for construction.
Because the Colombia FTA
construction threshold of $7,777,000 is
the same as the World Trade
Organization Government Procurement
Agreement threshold, no new clause
alternates are required for the Balance of
Payments Program—Construction
Material under the Trade Agreements
clause (DFARS 252.225–7045).
There are also conforming changes to
the clause at DFARS 252.212–7001,
Contract Terms and Conditions
Required to Implement Statutes or
Executive Orders Applicable to Defense
Acquisitions of Commercial Items.
III. Executive Orders 12866 and 13563
Executive Orders (E.O.s) 12866 and
13563 direct agencies to assess all costs
and benefits of available regulatory
alternatives and, if regulation is
necessary, to select regulatory
approaches that maximize net benefits
(including potential economic,
environmental, public health and safety
effects, distributive impacts, and
equity). E.O. 13563 emphasizes the
importance of quantifying both costs
and benefits, of reducing costs, of
harmonizing rules, and of promoting
flexibility. This is not a significant
regulatory action and, therefore, was not
subject to review under section 6(b) of
E.O. 12866, Regulatory Planning and
Review, dated September 30, 1993. This
rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C.
804.
IV. Regulatory Flexibility Act
DoD does not expect this 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.
Although the rule now opens up
Government procurement to the goods
and services of Colombia at or above the
threshold of $77,494, DoD does not
anticipate any significant economic
impact on U.S. small businesses. The
Department of Defense only applies the
trade agreements to the non-defense
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
items listed at DFARS 225.401–70, and
acquisitions that are set aside or provide
other forms of preference for small
businesses are exempt. FAR 19.502–2
states that acquisitions that do not
exceed $150,000 (with some exceptions)
are automatically reserved exclusively
for small business concerns. Therefore,
DoD has not performed an Initial
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis. DoD
invites comments from small business
concerns and other interested parties on
the expected impact of this rule on
small entities.
DoD will also consider comments
from small entities concerning the
existing regulations in subparts affected
by the rule in accordance with 5 U.S.C.
610. Interested parties must submit such
comments separately and should cite 5
U.S.C. 610 (DFARS Case 2012–D032), in
correspondence.
V. Paperwork Reduction Act
This rule affects the certification and
information collection requirements in
the provisions at DFARS 252.225–7020
and 252.225–7035, currently approved
under OMB Control Number 0704–0229,
titled Defense Federal Acquisition
Regulation Supplement part 225,
Foreign Acquisition, and related
clauses, in accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C.
chapter 35). The impact, however, is
negligible, because it is just a question
of under which category offered goods
from Colombia would be listed.
VI. Determination To Issue an Interim
Rule
A determination has been made under
the authority of the Secretary of Defense
that urgent and compelling reasons exist
to promulgate this interim rule without
prior opportunity for public comment.
This action is necessary because the
Free Trade Agreement with Colombia
entered into force on May 15, 2012. This
Trade Promotion Agreement is a
reciprocal agreement approved by
Congress and the President of the
United States. It is important for the
United States Government to honor its
new trade obligations to Colombia, as
Colombia in turn honors its new trade
obligations to the United States.
However, pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 1707
and FAR 1.501–3(b), DoD will consider
public comments received in response
to this interim rule in the formation of
the final rule.
E:\FR\FM\22MYR2.SGM
22MYR2
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 99 / Tuesday, May 22, 2012 / Rules and Regulations
List of Subjects in 48 CFR Part 252
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Government procurement.
Defense Acquisitions Regulations
System
Ynette R. Shelkin,
Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations
System.
48 CFR Parts 225 and 252
RIN 0750–AH70
Therefore, 48 CFR part 252 is
amended as follows:
Defense Federal Acquisition
Regulation Supplement; Defense Trade
Cooperation Treaty With the United
Kingdom (DFARS 2012–D034)
PART 252—SOLICITATION
PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT
CLAUSES
Defense Acquisition
Regulations System; Department of
Defense (DoD).
ACTION: Interim rule.
AGENCY:
1. The authority citation for 48 CFR
part 252 continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 41 U.S.C. 1303 and 48 CFR
chapter 1.
252.225–7017
[Amended]
2. Section 252.225–7017 is amended
by—
■ a. In paragraph (a), in the definition of
‘‘Designated country,’’ paragraph (ii), by
removing ‘‘Australia, Bahrain, Canada,
Chile, Costa Rica’’ and adding
‘‘Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Chile,
Columbia, Costa Rica’’ in its place; and
■ b. In paragraph (a) in the definition of
‘‘Free Trade Agreement country’’
removing ‘‘Australia, Bahrain, Canada,
Chile, Costa Rica’’ and adding
‘‘Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Chile,
Columbia, Costa Rica’’ in its place.
■
252.225–7021
[Amended]
3. Section 252.225–7021 is amended
in paragraph (a), in the definition of
‘‘Designated country,’’ paragraph (ii), by
removing ‘‘Australia, Bahrain, Canada,
Chile, Costa Rica’’ and adding
‘‘Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Chile,
Columbia, Costa Rica’’ in its place.
■
252.225–7045
[Amended]
4. Section 252.225–7045 is amended
in paragraph (a), in the definition of
‘‘Designated country,’’ paragraph (2), by
removing ‘‘Australia, Bahrain, Canada,
Chile, Costa Rica’’ and adding
‘‘Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Chile,
Columbia, Costa Rica’’ in its place.
■
[FR Doc. 2012–11559 Filed 5–21–12; 8:45 am]
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with RULES2
BILLING CODE 5001–06–P
VerDate Mar<15>2010
18:54 May 21, 2012
Jkt 226001
DoD is issuing an interim rule
amending the Defense Federal
Acquisition Regulation Supplement
(DFARS) to implement requirements of
the Treaty Between the Government of
the United States of America and the
Government of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Concerning Defense Trade Cooperation
(the Treaty) and the Security
Cooperation Act of 2010 regarding
export control regulations between the
United States and the United Kingdom.
The Treaty and statute establish an
Approved Community that includes
members of the U.S. Government and
the government of the United Kingdom.
DATES: Effective Date: May 22, 2012.
Comment date: Comments on the
interim rule should be submitted in
writing to the address shown below on
or before July 23, 2012, to be considered
in the formation of the final rule.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments
identified by DFARS Case 2012–D034,
using any of the following methods:
• Regulations.gov: https://
www.regulations.gov. Submit comments
via the Federal eRulemaking portal by
entering ‘‘DFARS Case 2012–D034’’
under the heading ‘‘Enter keyword or
ID’’ and selecting ‘‘Search.’’ Select the
link ‘‘Submit a Comment’’ that
corresponds with ‘‘DFARS Case 2012–
D034.’’ Follow the instructions provided
at the ‘‘Submit a Comment’’ screen.
Please include your name, company
name (if any), and ‘‘DFARS Case 2012–
D034’’ on your attached document.
• Email: dfars@osd.mil. Include
DFARS Case 2012–D034 in the subject
line of the message.
• Fax: 571–372–6094.
• Mail: Defense Acquisition
Regulations System, Attn: (Insert case
manager’s name), OUSD (AT&L) DPAP/
DARS, Room 3B855, 3060 Defense
Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301–3060.
Comments received generally will be
posted without change to https://
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
30361
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided. To
confirm receipt of your comment(s),
please check www.regulations.gov,
approximately two to three days after
submission to verify posting (except
allow 30 days for posting of comments
submitted by mail).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Amy Williams, Defense Acquisition
Regulations System, OUSD (AT&L)
DPAP/DARS, Room 3B855, 3060
Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC
20301–3060. Telephone 571–372–6106;
facsimile 571–372–6101.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
This rule streamlines the export
control regulations between the United
States and the United Kingdom under
specified circumstances.
The U.S. Government controls exports
of defense articles, technical data, and
defense services. The governing law is
the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) (22
U.S.C. 2778 et seq.) and implementing
regulations in the International Traffic
in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR
120–130).
Under the ITAR, the Department of
State manages an export licensing
system in which numerous government
approvals are often necessary for
companies to hold discussions about
potential projects, pursue joint
activities, ship hardware, or transfer
know-how to one another, and even
sometimes to transfer engineers and
other company employees from one
country to another. This process can be
challenging and time consuming for
U.S. exporters and for foreign firms in
their supply chains.
The U.S. concluded the Treaty with
the United Kingdom to enable their
militaries, security authorities, and their
approved industries to exchange
defense articles, technical information,
and defense services more freely. The
Treaty establishes exemptions for
certain exports and transfers that meet
the Treaty requirements. Other exports
and transfers remain governed by AECA
and the ITAR.
The Treaty and implementing
arrangements with the United Kingdom
may be accessed at https://
www.state.gov/t/pm/rls/othr/misc/
92770.htm.
The implementing legislation is in
Title I of Pub. L. 111–266, the Security
Cooperation Act of 2010.
The Senate conditions upon
ratification are at https://
www.govtrack.us/congress/
billtext.xpd?bill=s111-3847.
E:\FR\FM\22MYR2.SGM
22MYR2
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 99 (Tuesday, May 22, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30359-30361]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-11559]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Defense Acquisition Regulations System
48 CFR Part 252
RIN 0750-AH72
Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: New Free Trade
Agreement With Colombia (DFARS Case 2012-D032)
AGENCY: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Department of Defense
(DoD).
ACTION: Interim rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: DoD is issuing an interim rule amending the Defense Federal
Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement the United
States--Colombia Trade Promotion
[[Page 30360]]
Agreement. This Trade Promotion Agreement is a free trade agreement
that provides for mutually non-discriminatory treatment of eligible
products and services from Columbia.
DATES: Effective date: May 22, 2012.
Comment Date: Comments on the interim rule should be submitted in
writing to the address shown below on or before July 23, 2012, to be
considered in the formation of a final rule.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments identified by DFARS Case 2012-D032, using
any of the following methods:
[cir] Regulations.gov: https://www.regulations.gov. Submit comments
via the Federal eRulemaking portal by entering ``DFARS Case 2012-D032''
under the heading ``Enter keyword or ID'' and selecting ``Search.''
Select the link ``Submit a Comment'' that corresponds with ``DFARS Case
2012-D032.'' Follow the instructions provided at the ``Submit a
Comment'' screen. Please include your name, company name (if any), and
``DFARS Case 2012-D032'' on your attached document.
[cir] Email: dfars@osd.mil. Include DFARS Case 2012-D032 in the
subject line of the message.
[cir] Fax: 571-372-6094.
[cir] Mail: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Attn: Ms. Amy
Williams, OUSD (AT&L) DPAP/DARS, Room 3B855, 3060 Defense Pentagon,
Washington, DC 20301-3060.
Comments received generally will be posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. To
confirm receipt of your comment(s), please check www.regulations.gov
approximately two to three days after submission to verify posting
(except allow 30 days for posting of comments submitted by mail).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Amy Williams, Defense Acquisition
Regulations System, OUSD(AT&L)DPAP/DARS, Room 3B855, 3060 Defense
Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3060. Telephone 571-372-6106.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
This interim rule amends DFARS part 252 to implement the United
States--Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act (Pub. L.
112-42) (19 U.S.C. 3805 note).
This Trade Promotion Agreement is designated in the Federal
Acquisition Regulation (FAR) as the Colombia Free Trade Agreement
(FTA). The FTA provides for--
Waiver of the applicability of the Buy American statute
(41 U.S.C. chapter 83) for some foreign supplies and construction
materials from Colombia; and
Applicability of specified procurement procedures designed
to ensure fairness in the acquisition of supplies and services (see FAR
25.408).
II. Discussion and Analysis
This interim rule adds Colombia to the definition of ``Free Trade
Agreement country'' in multiple locations in the DFARS. The Colombia
FTA covers acquisition of supplies and services equal to or exceeding
$77,494. The threshold for the Columbia FTA is $7,777,000 for
construction.
Because the Colombia FTA construction threshold of $7,777,000 is
the same as the World Trade Organization Government Procurement
Agreement threshold, no new clause alternates are required for the
Balance of Payments Program--Construction Material under the Trade
Agreements clause (DFARS 252.225-7045).
There are also conforming changes to the clause at DFARS 252.212-
7001, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or
Executive Orders Applicable to Defense Acquisitions of Commercial
Items.
III. Executive Orders 12866 and 13563
Executive Orders (E.O.s) 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess
all costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public
health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). E.O.
13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits,
of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility.
This is not a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was not
subject to review under section 6(b) of E.O. 12866, Regulatory Planning
and Review, dated September 30, 1993. This rule is not a major rule
under 5 U.S.C. 804.
IV. Regulatory Flexibility Act
DoD does not expect this 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. Although the rule now
opens up Government procurement to the goods and services of Colombia
at or above the threshold of $77,494, DoD does not anticipate any
significant economic impact on U.S. small businesses. The Department of
Defense only applies the trade agreements to the non-defense items
listed at DFARS 225.401-70, and acquisitions that are set aside or
provide other forms of preference for small businesses are exempt. FAR
19.502-2 states that acquisitions that do not exceed $150,000 (with
some exceptions) are automatically reserved exclusively for small
business concerns. Therefore, DoD has not performed an Initial
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis. DoD invites comments from small
business concerns and other interested parties on the expected impact
of this rule on small entities.
DoD will also consider comments from small entities concerning the
existing regulations in subparts affected by the rule in accordance
with 5 U.S.C. 610. Interested parties must submit such comments
separately and should cite 5 U.S.C. 610 (DFARS Case 2012-D032), in
correspondence.
V. Paperwork Reduction Act
This rule affects the certification and information collection
requirements in the provisions at DFARS 252.225-7020 and 252.225-7035,
currently approved under OMB Control Number 0704-0229, titled Defense
Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement part 225, Foreign
Acquisition, and related clauses, in accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35). The impact, however, is
negligible, because it is just a question of under which category
offered goods from Colombia would be listed.
VI. Determination To Issue an Interim Rule
A determination has been made under the authority of the Secretary
of Defense that urgent and compelling reasons exist to promulgate this
interim rule without prior opportunity for public comment. This action
is necessary because the Free Trade Agreement with Colombia entered
into force on May 15, 2012. This Trade Promotion Agreement is a
reciprocal agreement approved by Congress and the President of the
United States. It is important for the United States Government to
honor its new trade obligations to Colombia, as Colombia in turn honors
its new trade obligations to the United States. However, pursuant to 41
U.S.C. 1707 and FAR 1.501-3(b), DoD will consider public comments
received in response to this interim rule in the formation of the final
rule.
[[Page 30361]]
List of Subjects in 48 CFR Part 252
Government procurement.
Ynette R. Shelkin,
Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations System.
Therefore, 48 CFR part 252 is amended as follows:
PART 252--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES
0
1. The authority citation for 48 CFR part 252 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 41 U.S.C. 1303 and 48 CFR chapter 1.
252.225-7017 [Amended]
0
2. Section 252.225-7017 is amended by--
0
a. In paragraph (a), in the definition of ``Designated country,''
paragraph (ii), by removing ``Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Chile, Costa
Rica'' and adding ``Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Chile, Columbia, Costa
Rica'' in its place; and
0
b. In paragraph (a) in the definition of ``Free Trade Agreement
country'' removing ``Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica''
and adding ``Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica''
in its place.
252.225-7021 [Amended]
0
3. Section 252.225-7021 is amended in paragraph (a), in the definition
of ``Designated country,'' paragraph (ii), by removing ``Australia,
Bahrain, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica'' and adding ``Australia, Bahrain,
Canada, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica'' in its place.
252.225-7045 [Amended]
0
4. Section 252.225-7045 is amended in paragraph (a), in the definition
of ``Designated country,'' paragraph (2), by removing ``Australia,
Bahrain, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica'' and adding ``Australia, Bahrain,
Canada, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica'' in its place.
[FR Doc. 2012-11559 Filed 5-21-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P