Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: New Designated Country-Croatia (DFARS Case 2013-D031), 65220-65221 [2013-25730]

Download as PDF 65220 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 211 / Thursday, October 31, 2013 / Rules and Regulations I. Discussion DoD is revising the DFARS to implement a policy that will allow contracting officers to approve requests for waiver or reduction of rental charges for the use of Government property on work for foreign governments or international organizations. Over the past year the Director of Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has seen a significant increase in the number of requests with extremely low dollar values over the rental period. Currently, DSCA is required to approve requests in which the agency has no equities. This final rule will allow the contracting officer to process the request for waiver or reduction of charges for the use of Government property on work for foreign governments or international organizations without a separate review by DSCA. Removing DSCA from the approval process will expedite contractors’ requests, while still protecting the interests of the Government. II. Publication of This Final Rule for Public Comment Is Not Required by Statute wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES 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 15:19 Oct 30, 2013 Jkt 232001 IV. Regulatory Flexibility Act V. Paperwork Reduction Act The rule does not contain any information collection requirements that require the approval of the Office of Management and Budget under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35). List of Subjects in 48 CFR Part 245 Government procurement. Therefore, 48 CFR part 245 is amended as follows: PART 245—GOVERNMENT PROPERTY 1. The authority citation for 48 CFR part 245 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 41 U.S.C. 1303 and 48 CFR chapter 1. 2. Section 245.302 is amended by revising paragraph (3)(ii) to read as follows: ■ 245.302 Contracts with foreign governments or international organizations. * * * * * (3) * * * (ii) Requests for waiver or reduction of charges for the use of Government property on work for foreign governments or international organizations shall be submitted to the contracting officer, who is authorized to approve the requests in consultation with the appropriate functional specialist. [FR Doc. 2013–25729 Filed 10–30–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001–06–P PO 00000 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Defense Acquisition Regulations System 48 CFR Part 252 RIN 0750–AI09 The Regulatory Flexibility Act does not apply to this rule because this final rule does not constitute a significant DFARS revision within the meaning of FAR 1.501–1, and 41 U.S.C. 1707 does not require publication for public comment. Manuel Quinones, Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations System. Publication of proposed regulations, 41 U.S.C. 1707, is the statute, which applies to the publication of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. Paragraph (a)(1) of the statute requires that a procurement policy, regulation, procedure or form (including an amendment or modification thereof) must be published for public comment if it relates to the expenditure of appropriated funds, and has either a significant effect beyond the internal operating procedures of the agency issuing the policy, regulation, procedure or form, or has a significant cost or administrative impact on contractors or offerors. This final rule is not required to be published for public comment, because the changes are not substantive and only modify the internal operating procedures of DoD. VerDate Mar<15>2010 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. Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: New Designated Country—Croatia (DFARS Case 2013–D031) Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Department of Defense (DoD). ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: DoD is issuing a final rule to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to add Croatia as a new designated country under the World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement (WTO GPA). Croatia joined the European Union, which is a party to the WTO GPA, on July 1, 2013. DATES: Effective October 31, 2013. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Annette Gray, Defense Acquisition Regulations System, OUSD (AT&L)DPAP/DARS, Room 3B855, 3060 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301–3060. Telephone 571–372–6093; facsimile 571–372–6101. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: I. Background The European Union is a party to the WTO GPA and has assumed rights and obligations under the WTO GPA on behalf of its member states. On July 1, 2013, Croatia became a member of the European Union. Therefore, the European Union has committed to assume rights and obligations on behalf of Croatia under the WTO GPA. On June 27, 2012, the WTO Committee on Government Procurement accepted the European Union notification indicating Croatia’s coverage. The United States, which is also a party to the WTO GPA, has agreed to waive discriminatory purchasing requirements for eligible products and suppliers of Croatia (78 FR 60368). Therefore, this rule adds Croatia to the list of World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement countries wherever it appears in the DFARS, as part of the definition of ‘‘designated country.’’ II. Publication of This Final Rule for Public Comment Is Not Required by Statute ‘‘Publication of proposed regulations’’, 41 U.S.C. 1707, is the Frm 00076 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\31OCR1.SGM 31OCR1 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 211 / Thursday, October 31, 2013 / Rules and Regulations statute which applies to the publication of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. Paragraph (a)(1) of the statute requires that a procurement policy, regulation, procedure or form (including an amendment or modification thereof) must be published for public comment if it relates to the expenditure of appropriated funds, and has either a significant effect beyond the internal operating procedures of the agency issuing the policy, regulation, procedure or form, or has a significant cost or administrative impact on contractors or offerors. This final rule is not required to be published for public comment, because it is just updating the lists of designated countries in order to reflect the fact that Croatia is now a member of the European Union. 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. wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES IV. Regulatory Flexibility Act The Regulatory Flexibility Act does not apply to this rule because this final rule does not constitute a significant DFARS revision within the meaning of FAR 1.501–1, and 41 U.S.C. 1707 does not require publication for public comment. V. Paperwork Reduction Act The Paperwork Reduction Act does apply, because the rule affects the response of an offeror that is offering a product of Croatia to the information collection requirements in the provisions at DFARS 252.225–7020, due to the changed definition of ‘‘designated country’’ at DFARS 252.225–7021. The offeror no longer needs to list a product from Croatia under ‘‘other end products,’’ because Croatia is now a designated country. This information collection requirement is currently approved under OMB clearances 0704– 0229. The impact, however, is negligible. VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:19 Oct 30, 2013 Jkt 232001 List of Subjects in 48 CFR Part 252 Government procurement. Manuel Quinones, Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations System. Therefore, 48 CFR part 252 is amended as follows: PART 252—SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES 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. Amend section 252.225–7017 by— a. Removing the clause date ‘‘(AUG 2013)’’ and adding ‘‘(OCT 2013)’’ in its place; and ■ b. In paragraph (a), in the definition of ‘‘Designated country’’ in paragraph (i) adding, in alphabetical order, the country of ‘‘Croatia’’. ■ ■ 252.225–7021 [Amended] 3. Amend section 252.225–7021 by— a. Removing the clause date ‘‘(AUG 2013)’’ and adding ‘‘(OCT 2013)’’ in its place; and ■ b. In paragraph (a), in the definition of ‘‘Designated country’’ in paragraph (i) adding, in alphabetical order, the country of ‘‘Croatia’’. ■ ■ 252.225–7045 [Amended] 4. Amend section 252.225–7045 by— a. Removing the date ‘‘(AUG 2013)’’ and adding ‘‘(OCT 2013)’’ in its place; and ■ b. In paragraph (a), in the definition of ‘‘Designated country’’ in paragraph (1), adding, in alphabetical order, the country of ‘‘Croatia’’. ■ ■ [FR Doc. 2013–25730 Filed 10–30–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001–06–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Defense Acquisition Regulations System 48 CFR Part 252 RIN 0750–AH79 Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: New Free Trade Agreement—Panama (DFARS Case 2012–D044) Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Department of Defense (DoD). ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00077 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 65221 DoD has adopted as final, with changes, an interim rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement the United States—Panama Trade Promotion Agreement. This Trade Promotion Agreement is a free trade agreement that provides for mutually non-discriminatory treatment of eligible products and services from Panama. DATES: Effective October 31, 2013. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Amy Williams, Telephone 571–372– 6106. SUMMARY: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background DoD published an interim rule in the Federal Register at 77 FR 68699 on November 16, 2012, to implement the United States—Panama Trade Promotion Agreement. No respondents submitted public comments in response to the interim rule; however, a conforming change was made to the Duty-Free Entry clause, an amendment was made to the Photovoltaic Devices— Certificate clause to correct the electronic Code of Federal Regulations, and a correction was made to Alternate I of the Buy American Act–Free Trade Agreements-Balance of Payments Program Certificate. Therefore, DoD is converting the interim rule to a final rule with changes. II. 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. III. Regulatory Flexibility Act DoD certifies that this final rule will not 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 Department of Defense only applies the trade agreements to the nondefense items listed at DFARS 225.401– 70, and acquisitions that are set aside or E:\FR\FM\31OCR1.SGM 31OCR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 211 (Thursday, October 31, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65220-65221]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-25730]


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

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Defense Acquisition Regulations System

48 CFR Part 252

RIN 0750-AI09


Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: New Designated 
Country--Croatia (DFARS Case 2013-D031)

AGENCY: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Department of Defense 
(DoD).

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: DoD is issuing a final rule to amend the Defense Federal 
Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to add Croatia as a new 
designated country under the World Trade Organization Government 
Procurement Agreement (WTO GPA). Croatia joined the European Union, 
which is a party to the WTO GPA, on July 1, 2013.

DATES: Effective October 31, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Annette Gray, Defense Acquisition 
Regulations System, OUSD (AT&L)DPAP/DARS, Room 3B855, 3060 Defense 
Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3060. Telephone 571-372-6093; facsimile 
571-372-6101.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    The European Union is a party to the WTO GPA and has assumed rights 
and obligations under the WTO GPA on behalf of its member states. On 
July 1, 2013, Croatia became a member of the European Union. Therefore, 
the European Union has committed to assume rights and obligations on 
behalf of Croatia under the WTO GPA. On June 27, 2012, the WTO 
Committee on Government Procurement accepted the European Union 
notification indicating Croatia's coverage. The United States, which is 
also a party to the WTO GPA, has agreed to waive discriminatory 
purchasing requirements for eligible products and suppliers of Croatia 
(78 FR 60368).
    Therefore, this rule adds Croatia to the list of World Trade 
Organization Government Procurement Agreement countries wherever it 
appears in the DFARS, as part of the definition of ``designated 
country.''

II. Publication of This Final Rule for Public Comment Is Not Required 
by Statute

    ``Publication of proposed regulations'', 41 U.S.C. 1707, is the

[[Page 65221]]

statute which applies to the publication of the Federal Acquisition 
Regulation. Paragraph (a)(1) of the statute requires that a procurement 
policy, regulation, procedure or form (including an amendment or 
modification thereof) must be published for public comment if it 
relates to the expenditure of appropriated funds, and has either a 
significant effect beyond the internal operating procedures of the 
agency issuing the policy, regulation, procedure or form, or has a 
significant cost or administrative impact on contractors or offerors. 
This final rule is not required to be published for public comment, 
because it is just updating the lists of designated countries in order 
to reflect the fact that Croatia is now a member of the European Union.

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

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act does not apply to this rule because 
this final rule does not constitute a significant DFARS revision within 
the meaning of FAR 1.501-1, and 41 U.S.C. 1707 does not require 
publication for public comment.

V. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act does apply, because the rule affects 
the response of an offeror that is offering a product of Croatia to the 
information collection requirements in the provisions at DFARS 252.225-
7020, due to the changed definition of ``designated country'' at DFARS 
252.225-7021. The offeror no longer needs to list a product from 
Croatia under ``other end products,'' because Croatia is now a 
designated country. This information collection requirement is 
currently approved under OMB clearances 0704-0229. The impact, however, 
is negligible.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Part 252

    Government procurement.

Manuel Quinones,
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. Amend section 252.225-7017 by--
0
a. Removing the clause date ``(AUG 2013)'' and adding ``(OCT 2013)'' in 
its place; and
0
b. In paragraph (a), in the definition of ``Designated country'' in 
paragraph (i) adding, in alphabetical order, the country of 
``Croatia''.


252.225-7021   [Amended]

0
3. Amend section 252.225-7021 by--
0
a. Removing the clause date ``(AUG 2013)'' and adding ``(OCT 2013)'' in 
its place; and
0
b. In paragraph (a), in the definition of ``Designated country'' in 
paragraph (i) adding, in alphabetical order, the country of 
``Croatia''.


252.225-7045   [Amended]

0
4. Amend section 252.225-7045 by--
0
a. Removing the date ``(AUG 2013)'' and adding ``(OCT 2013)'' in its 
place; and
0
b. In paragraph (a), in the definition of ``Designated country'' in 
paragraph (1), adding, in alphabetical order, the country of 
``Croatia''.

[FR Doc. 2013-25730 Filed 10-30-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P

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