EPAAR Clause for Ordering by Designated Ordering Officers, 19039-19042 [2014-07109]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 66 / Monday, April 7, 2014 / Proposed Rules the Site. There are no endangered species present at the Site. A FS was not prepared because the risks were acceptable. Selected Remedy A No Action remedy was selected for the site because the Human Health Baseline Risk Assessment and the Baseline Ecological Risk Assessment showed that releases from the Site posed risks within EPA’s acceptable risk range. No response actions were necessary to mitigate releases from the Site. Cleanup Goals Since there was no unacceptable risk and a response action was not necessary, cleanup objectives were not established. Operation and Maintenance—if Applicable Community Involvement A Technical Assistance Grant was provided to the Harbor Oil Community Action Group (HOGAG). Meetings of the HOCAG took place on a monthly basis during the RI and were reduced when site activities slowed down. Approximately 10 citizens made up the HOCAG, but they distributed information throughout the North Portland neighborhood where the site is located. EPA provided a 30-day public review and comment period on the proposed No Action remedy on November 14, 2012. EPA held a public meeting on December 6, 2012 to present the proposed remedy of No Action and receive public comments. EPA responded to all comments in the responsiveness summary for the Record of Decision, with no change to the proposed remedy. Determination That the Site Meets the Criteria for Deletion in the NCP ehiers on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS-1 Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1321(c)(2); 42 U.S.C. 9601–9657; E.O. 12777, 56 FR 54757, 3 CFR, 1991 Comp., p.351; E.O. 12580, 52 FR 2923, 3 CFR, 1987 Comp., p.193. Dated: March 10, 2014. Dennis J. McLerran, Regional Administrator. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Five Year Reviews are not applicable because no response actions were taken. The remedial investigation has shown that the releases pose no significant threat to public health or the environment and therefore no further Superfund response is needed to protect human health or the environment at the Site. The NCP (40 CFR 300.425(e)) states that a site may be deleted from the NPL when no further response action is appropriate. EPA, in consultation with the State of Oregon, has determined that Jkt 232001 Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Chemicals, Hazardous substances, Hazardous waste, Intergovernmental relations, Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Superfund, Water pollution control, Water supply. BILLING CODE 6560–50–P Five-Year Review—if Applicable 17:22 Apr 04, 2014 List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 300 [FR Doc. 2014–06815 Filed 4–4–14; 8:45 am] Because no response actions were taken, there are no operation or maintenance obligations at the Site. VerDate Mar<15>2010 all response actions required by CERCLA have been implemented, and no further CERCLA response action by EPA or the responsible parties is appropriate. 48 CFR Part 1516 and 1552 [EPA–HQ–OARM–2013–0149; FRL–9908– 87–OARM] EPAAR Clause for Ordering by Designated Ordering Officers Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Proposed rule. AGENCY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) amends the EPA Acquisition Regulation (EPAAR) to update policy, procedures, and contract clauses. The proposed rule updates the Ordering—By Designated Ordering Officers clause and corresponding prescription. SUMMARY: Comments must be received on or before May 7, 2014. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– OARM–2013–0149, by one of the following methods: • www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. • Email: valentino.thomas@epa.gov. • Mail: EPA–HQ–OARM–2013–0149, OEI Docket, Environmental Protection Agency, 2822T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460. Please include a total of three (3) copies. • Hand Delivery: EPA Docket CenterAttention OEI Docket, EPA West, Room B102, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20004. Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket’s normal hours of operation, and special DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 19039 arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information. Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OARM–2013– 0149. EPA’s policy is that all comments received will be included in the public docket without change, and may be made available online at www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through www.regulations.gov or email. The www.regulations.gov Web site is an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an email comment directly to EPA without going through www.regulations.gov, your email address will be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket, and made available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact information in the body of your comment, and with any disk or CD– ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties, and cannot contact 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 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 www.regulations.gov, or in hard copy at the Office of Environmental Information (OEI) Docket, EPA/DC, EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC. The Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room is (202) 566–1744, and the telephone number for the EPA Docket Center is (202) 566– 1752. This Docket Facility is open from E:\FR\FM\07APP1.SGM 07APP1 19040 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 66 / Monday, April 7, 2014 / Proposed Rules 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Valentino, Policy, Training, and Oversight Division, Office of Acquisition Management (3802R), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: 202–564– 4522; email address: valentino.thomas@ epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ehiers on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS-1 I. General Information 1. Submitting CBI. Do not submit this information to EPA through www.regulations.gov or email. Clearly mark the part or all of the information that you claim to be CBI. For CBI information in a disk or CD ROM that you mail to EPA, mark the outside of the disk or CD ROM as CBI, and then identify electronically within the disk or CD ROM the specific information that is claimed as CBI. In addition to one complete version of the comment that includes information claimed as CBI, a copy of the comment that does not contain the information claimed as CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public docket. Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance with procedures set forth in 40 CFR Part 2. 2. Tips for Preparing Your Comments. When submitting comments, remember to: • Identify the rulemaking by docket number and other identifying information (subject heading, Federal Register date and page number). • Follow directions—The Agency may ask you to respond to specific questions or organize comments by referencing a Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part or section number. • Explain why you agree or disagree, suggest alternatives, and substitute language for your requested changes. • Describe any assumptions and provide any technical information and/ or data that you used. • If you estimate potential costs or burdens, explain how you arrived at your estimate in sufficient detail to allow for it to be reproduced. • Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns, and suggest alternatives. • Explain your views as clearly as possible, avoiding the use of profanity or personal threats. • Make sure to submit your comments by the comment period deadline identified. VerDate Mar<15>2010 14:40 Apr 04, 2014 Jkt 232001 II. Background The subject clause is currently codified in the EPAAR as the April 1984 basic clause without any alternates. The basic clause only contemplates order issuance prior to receiving formal input from the contractor. On December 21, 1989, a class deviation was issued to prescribe an alternate to the clause that provides for negotiating the terms and conditions of a task/delivery order prior to order issuance. There are several benefits to negotiation prior to order issuance: The Government is not charged directly for the time involved in negotiations and the associated costs are part of bid and proposal costs which are indirect charges spread across all Government contracts; it allows for more accurate pricing for the order, and it enables the Government to hold the Contractor to negotiated requirements as soon as the order is issued. As a result, the subject clause and corresponding prescription are being updated to add the 1989 class deviation. Because the class deviation provides several benefits that the basic clause does not, it will be designated as the basic form of the Ordering clause, and the previous basic form is being re-designated as Alternate I. In addition, the EPAAR 1516.505(a) subject clause prescription is being updated accordingly. III. Proposed Rule This proposed rule updates the EPAAR 1516.505(a) clause prescription, and amends EPAAR 1552.216–72 to add an alternate version to the Ordering—By Designated Ordering Officers clause. IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review This action is not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ under the terms of Executive Order (EO) 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and therefore, not subject to review under the EO. B. Paperwork Reduction Act This action does not impose an information collection burden under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. No information is collected under this action. C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), as Amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA), 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq. The Regulatory Flexibility Act generally requires an agency to prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis of any rule subject to notice and comment PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 rulemaking requirements under the Administrative Procedure Act or any other statute; unless the agency certifies that the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Small entities include small businesses, small organizations, and small governmental jurisdictions. For purposes of assessing the impact of today’s final rule on small entities, ‘‘small entity’’ is defined as: (1) A small business that meets the definition of a small business found in the Small Business Act and codified at 13 CFR 121.201; (2) a small governmental jurisdiction that is a government of a city, county, town, school district or special district with a population of less than 50,000; and (3) a small organization that is any not-for-profit enterprise which is independently owned and operated and is not dominant in its field. After considering the economic impacts of this rule on small entities, I certify that this action will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. This action revises a current EPAAR provision and does not impose requirements involving capital investment, implementing procedures, or record keeping. This rule will not have a significant economic impact on small entities. D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), Public Law 104–4, establishes requirements for Federal agencies to assess the effects of their regulatory actions on State, Local, and Tribal governments and the private sector. This rule contains no Federal mandates (under the regulatory provisions of the Title II of the UMRA) for State, Local, and Tribal governments or the private sector. The rule imposes no enforceable duty on any State, Local or Tribal governments or the private sector. Thus, the rule is not subject to the requirements of Sections 202 and 205 of the UMRA. E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism Executive Order 13132, entitled ‘‘Federalism’’ (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999), requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure ‘‘meaningful and timely input by State and Local officials in the development of regulatory policies that have federalism implications.’’ ‘‘Policies that have federalism implications’’ is defined in the Executive Order to include regulations that have ‘‘substantial direct effects on the States, E:\FR\FM\07APP1.SGM 07APP1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 66 / Monday, April 7, 2014 / Proposed Rules on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.’’ This rule does not have federalism implications. It will not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government as specified in Executive Order 13132. F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments Executive Order 13175, entitled ‘‘Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments’’ (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000), requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure ‘‘meaningful and timely input by tribal officials in the development of regulatory policies that have tribal implications.’’ This rule does not have tribal implications as specified in Executive Order 13175. ehiers on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS-1 G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental Health and Safety Risks Executive Order 13045, entitled ‘‘Protection of Children from Environmental Health and Safety Risks’’ (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997), applies to any rule that: (1) Is determined to be economically significant as defined under Executive Order 12886, and (2) concerns an environmental health or safety risk that may have a proportionate effect on children. This rule is not subject to Executive Order 13045 because it is not an economically significant rule as defined by Executive Order 12866, and because it does not involve decisions on environmental health or safety risks. with applicable law or otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical standards (e.g., materials specifications, test methods, sampling procedures and business practices) that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies. The NTTA directs EPA to provide Congress, through OMB, explanations when the Agency decides not to use available and applicable voluntary consensus standards. This proposed rulemaking does not involve technical standards. Therefore, EPA is not considering the use of any voluntary consensus standards. J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations Executive Order (EO) 12898 (59 FR 7629 (Feb. 16, 1994) establishes federal executive policy on environmental justice. Its main provision directs federal agencies, to the greatest extent practicable and permitted by law, to make environmental justice part of their mission by identifying and addressing, as appropriate, disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of their programs, policies, and activities on minority populations and low-income populations in the United States. EPA has determined that this proposed rule will not have disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects on minority or low-income populations because it does not affect the level of protection provided to human health or the environment. This proposed rulemaking does not involve human health or environmental affects. List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 1516 and 1552 Government procurement. H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use This proposed rule is not subject to Executive Order 13211, ‘‘Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution of Use’’ (66 FR 28335 (May 22, 2001), because it is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866. Dated: June 21, 2013. John R. Bashista, Director, Office of Acquisition Management. I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (NTTAA) Section 12(d) (15 U.S.C 272 note) of NTTA, Public Law 104–113, directs EPA to use voluntary consensus standards in its regulatory activities unless to do so would be inconsistent Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; Sec. 205(c), 63 Stat. 390, as amended, 40 U.S.C. 486(c); and 41 U.S.C. 418b. VerDate Mar<15>2010 14:40 Apr 04, 2014 Jkt 232001 Therefore, 48 CFR Chapter 15 is proposed to be amended as set forth below: PART 1516—TYPES OF CONTRACTS 1. The authority citation for 48 CFR part 1516 is revised to read as follows: ■ ■ 2. Revise 1516.505(a) as follows: 1516.505 Contract clauses. (a) The Contracting Officer shall insert the clause in 1552.216–72, Ordering— PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 19041 By Designated Ordering Officers, or a clause substantially similar to the subject clause, in indefinite delivery/ indefinite quantity type solicitations and contracts. The Contracting Officer shall insert Alternate I when formal input from the Contractor will not be obtained prior to order issuance. * * * * * PART 1552—SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES 3. The authority citation for 48 CFR part 1552 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; Sec. 205(c), 63 Stat. 390, as amended, 40 U.S.C. 486(c); and 41 U.S.C. 418b. 4. Revise 1552.216–72 to read as follows: ■ 1552.216–72 Ordering—by designated ordering officers. As prescribed in 1516.505(a), insert the subject clause, or a clause substantially similar to the subject clause, in indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity type solicitations and contracts. ORDERING—BY DESIGNATED ORDERING OFFICERS (lll 2013) (a) The Government will order any supplies and services to be furnished under this contract by issuing task/delivery orders on Optional Form 347, or an agency prescribed form, from lll through lll. In addition to the Contracting Officer, the following individuals are authorized ordering officers. lllllllllllllllllllll lllllllllllllllllllll (b) A Standard Form 30 will be the method of amending task/delivery orders. (c) The Contractor shall acknowledge receipt of each order by having an authorized company officer sign either a copy of a transmittal letter or signature block on page 3 of the task/delivery order, depending upon which is provided, within ll calendar days of receipt. (d) Prior to the placement of any task/ delivery order, the Contractor will be provided with a proposed Performance Work Statement/Statement of Work and will be asked to respond with detailed technical and cost proposals within ll calendar days or less. The technical proposal will delineate the Contractor’s interpretation for the execution of the PWS/SOW, and the pricing proposal will be the Contractor’s best estimate for the hours, labor categories and all costs associated with the execution. The proposals are subject to negotiation. The Ordering Officer and the Contractor shall reach agreement on all the material terms of each order prior to the order being issued. (e) Each task/delivery order issued will incorporate the Contractor’s technical and cost proposals as negotiated with the Government, and will have a ceiling price which the contractor shall not exceed. When E:\FR\FM\07APP1.SGM 07APP1 19042 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 66 / Monday, April 7, 2014 / Proposed Rules the Contractor has reason to believe that the labor payment and support costs for the order which will accrue in the next thirty (30) days will bring total cost to over 85 percent of the ceiling price specified in the order, the Contractor shall notify the Ordering Officer. (f) Under no circumstances will the Contractor start work prior to the issue date of the task/delivery order unless specifically authorized to do so by the Ordering Officer. Any verbal authorization will be confirmed in writing by the Ordering Officer or Contracting Officer within ll calendar days. ehiers on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS-1 (End of clause) Alternate I. As prescribed in 1516.505(a), insert the subject clause, or a clause substantially similar to the subject clause, in indefinite delivery/ indefinite quantity contracts when formal input from the Contractor will not be obtained prior to order issuance. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 395 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20423–0001. Surface Transportation Board For EP 722: Scott Zimmerman at (202) 245– 0386; for EP 664 (Sub-No. 2): Amy Ziehm at (202) 245–0391. Assistance for the hearing impaired is available through the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at (800) 877–8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In Section 205 of the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976, Public Law 94–210, 90 Stat. 127, Congress mandated that the Board’s predecessor, the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), promulgate—and thereafter revise and maintain—standards and procedures for establishing railroad revenue adequacy. Four years later, in the Staggers Rail Act of 1980 (Staggers), Public Law 96–448, 94 Stat. 1895, the agency’s rail transportation policy was revised to include, among other things, ‘‘promot[ing] a safe and efficient rail transportation system by allowing rail carriers to earn adequate revenues, as determined by the [agency].’’ Additionally, Section 205 of Staggers required the ICC to begin determining annually ‘‘which rail carriers are earning adequate revenues.’’ To implement this requirement, the ICC began a proceeding to adopt standards for determining railroad revenue adequacy. In that proceeding, the ICC concluded that ‘‘the only revenue adequacy standard consistent with the requirements of [Staggers] is one that uses a rate of return equal to the cost of capital.’’ Standards for R.R. Revenue Adequacy, 364 I.C.C. 803, 811 (1981), aff’d sub nom. Bessemer & Lake Erie R.R. v. ICC, 691 F.2d 1104 (3d Cir. 1982). These statutory requirements, now codified at 49 U.S.C. 10704(a)(2) and (3),1 still govern, and the Board (like the ICC before it) annually determines 49 CFR Chapter X [Docket No. EP 722; Docket No. EP 664 (Sub-No. 2)] Railroad Revenue Adequacy: Petition of the Western Coal Traffic League To Institute a Rulemaking Proceeding To Abolish the Use of the Multi-Stage Discounted Cash Flow Model in Determining the Railroad Industry’s Cost of Equity Capital AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board, DOT. ACTION: Notice. The Surface Transportation Board will receive comments in Docket No. EP 722 to explore the Board’s methodology for determining railroad (a) The Government will order any revenue adequacy, as well as the supplies and services to be furnished under revenue adequacy component used in this contract by issuing task/delivery orders judging the reasonableness of rail freight on Optional Form 347, or any agency rates. The Board will also receive prescribed form, from ___ through ___. In comments in Docket No. 664 (Sub-No. addition to the Contracting Officer, the 2) on how it calculates the railroad following individuals are authorized ordering industry’s cost of equity capital. The officers: Board is seeking written comments on lllllllllllllllllllll these matters, as described below, and lllllllllllllllllllll later will hold a hearing to address these (b) A Standard Form 30 will be the method issues. of amending task/delivery orders. DATES: Comments in both dockets are (c) The Contractor shall acknowledge due on July 1, 2014. Reply comments receipt of each order and shall prepare and are due on August 15, 2014. Following forward to the Ordering Officer within ll receipt of comments, the Board will calendar days the proposed staffing plan for schedule a public hearing at the Board’s accomplishing the assigned task within the headquarters located at 395 E Street period specified. SW., Washington, DC, to allow (d) If the Contractor considers the participants to appear and discuss the estimated labor hours or specified work submissions that were made. The Board completion date to be unreasonable, the Contractor shall promptly notify the Ordering will provide more details regarding the hearing in a future decision. Officer and Contracting Officer in writing ADDRESSES: All filings may be submitted within ll calendar days, stating why the either via the Board’s e-filing format or estimated labor hours or specified in the traditional paper format. Any completion date is considered unreasonable. (e) Each task/delivery order will have a person using e-filing should attach a ceiling price, which the Contractor may not document and otherwise comply with exceed. When the Contractor has reason to the instructions at the ‘‘E–FILING’’ link believe that the labor payment and support on the Board’s ‘‘www.stb.dot.gov’’ Web costs for the order, which will accrue in the site. Any person submitting a filing in next thirty (30) days, will bring total cost to the traditional paper format should send over 85 percent of the ceiling price specified an original and 10 copies of the filing to: in the order, the Contractor shall notify the Surface Transportation Board, Attn: Ordering Officer. Docket No. [EP 722 or EP 664 (Sub-No. (f) Paragraphs (c), (d), and (e) of this clause 2), as the case may be], 395 E Street apply only when services are being ordered. SW., Washington, DC 20423–0001. Copies of written submissions will be (End of clause) posted to the Board’s Web site and will be available for viewing and selfEditorial Note: This document was copying in the Board’s Public Docket received by the Office of the Federal Register Room, Suite 131. Copies of the on March 26, 2014. submissions will also be available (for a [FR Doc. 2014–07109 Filed 4–4–14; 8:45 am] fee) by contacting the Board’s Chief BILLING CODE 6560–50–P Records Officer at (202) 245–0236 or VerDate Mar<15>2010 14:40 Apr 04, 2014 Jkt 232001 SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 1 Section 10704(a) of title 49 states with respect to adequate revenues: * * * * * (2) The Board shall maintain and revise as necessary standards and procedures for establishing revenue levels for rail carriers * * * that are adequate, under honest, economical, and efficient management, to cover total operating expenses, including depreciation and obsolescence, plus a reasonable and economic profit or return (or both) on capital employed in the business.* * * Revenue levels established under this paragraph should— (A) provide a flow of net income plus depreciation adequate to support prudent capital outlays, assure the repayment of a reasonable level of debt, permit the raising of needed equity capital, and cover the effects of inflation; and (B) attract and retain capital in amounts adequate to provide a sound transportation system in the United States. (3) On the basis of the standards and procedures described in paragraph (2), the Board shall annually determine which rail carriers are earning adequate revenues. E:\FR\FM\07APP1.SGM 07APP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 66 (Monday, April 7, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19039-19042]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-07109]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

48 CFR Part 1516 and 1552

[EPA-HQ-OARM-2013-0149; FRL-9908-87-OARM]


EPAAR Clause for Ordering by Designated Ordering Officers

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) amends the EPA 
Acquisition Regulation (EPAAR) to update policy, procedures, and 
contract clauses. The proposed rule updates the Ordering--By Designated 
Ordering Officers clause and corresponding prescription.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 7, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OARM-2013-0149, by one of the following methods:
     www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for 
submitting comments.
     Email: valentino.thomas@epa.gov.
     Mail: EPA-HQ-OARM-2013-0149, OEI Docket, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 2822T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 
20460. Please include a total of three (3) copies.
     Hand Delivery: EPA Docket Center-Attention OEI Docket, EPA 
West, Room B102, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20004. Such 
deliveries are only accepted during the Docket's normal hours of 
operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of 
boxed information.
    Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OARM-
2013-0149. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included 
in the public docket without change, and may be made available online 
at www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, 
unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential 
Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is 
restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to 
be CBI or otherwise protected through www.regulations.gov or email. The 
www.regulations.gov Web site is an ``anonymous access'' system, which 
means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you 
provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an email comment 
directly to EPA without going through www.regulations.gov, your email 
address will be automatically captured and included as part of the 
comment that is placed in the public docket, and made available on the 
Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you 
include your name and other contact information in the body of your 
comment, and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read 
your comment due to technical difficulties, and cannot contact 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 
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 www.regulations.gov, or in hard copy at the Office of Environmental 
Information (OEI) Docket, EPA/DC, EPA West, Room 3334, 1301 
Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC. The Public Reading Room is open 
from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal 
holidays. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room is (202) 
566-1744, and the telephone number for the EPA Docket Center is (202) 
566-1752. This Docket Facility is open from

[[Page 19040]]

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Valentino, Policy, Training, 
and Oversight Division, Office of Acquisition Management (3802R), 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., 
Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: 202-564-4522; email address: 
valentino.thomas@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. General Information

    1. Submitting CBI. Do not submit this information to EPA through 
www.regulations.gov or email. Clearly mark the part or all of the 
information that you claim to be CBI. For CBI information in a disk or 
CD ROM that you mail to EPA, mark the outside of the disk or CD ROM as 
CBI, and then identify electronically within the disk or CD ROM the 
specific information that is claimed as CBI. In addition to one 
complete version of the comment that includes information claimed as 
CBI, a copy of the comment that does not contain the information 
claimed as CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public docket. 
Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance with 
procedures set forth in 40 CFR Part 2.
    2. Tips for Preparing Your Comments. When submitting comments, 
remember to:
     Identify the rulemaking by docket number and other 
identifying information (subject heading, Federal Register date and 
page number).
     Follow directions--The Agency may ask you to respond to 
specific questions or organize comments by referencing a Code of 
Federal Regulations (CFR) part or section number.
     Explain why you agree or disagree, suggest alternatives, 
and substitute language for your requested changes.
     Describe any assumptions and provide any technical 
information and/or data that you used.
     If you estimate potential costs or burdens, explain how 
you arrived at your estimate in sufficient detail to allow for it to be 
reproduced.
     Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns, and 
suggest alternatives.
     Explain your views as clearly as possible, avoiding the 
use of profanity or personal threats.
     Make sure to submit your comments by the comment period 
deadline identified.

II. Background

    The subject clause is currently codified in the EPAAR as the April 
1984 basic clause without any alternates. The basic clause only 
contemplates order issuance prior to receiving formal input from the 
contractor. On December 21, 1989, a class deviation was issued to 
prescribe an alternate to the clause that provides for negotiating the 
terms and conditions of a task/delivery order prior to order issuance. 
There are several benefits to negotiation prior to order issuance: The 
Government is not charged directly for the time involved in 
negotiations and the associated costs are part of bid and proposal 
costs which are indirect charges spread across all Government 
contracts; it allows for more accurate pricing for the order, and it 
enables the Government to hold the Contractor to negotiated 
requirements as soon as the order is issued. As a result, the subject 
clause and corresponding prescription are being updated to add the 1989 
class deviation. Because the class deviation provides several benefits 
that the basic clause does not, it will be designated as the basic form 
of the Ordering clause, and the previous basic form is being re-
designated as Alternate I. In addition, the EPAAR 1516.505(a) subject 
clause prescription is being updated accordingly.

III. Proposed Rule

    This proposed rule updates the EPAAR 1516.505(a) clause 
prescription, and amends EPAAR 1552.216-72 to add an alternate version 
to the Ordering--By Designated Ordering Officers clause.

IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review

    This action is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under the 
terms of Executive Order (EO) 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and 
therefore, not subject to review under the EO.

B. Paperwork Reduction Act

    This action does not impose an information collection burden under 
the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. 
No information is collected under this action.

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), as Amended by the Small Business 
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA), 5 U.S.C. 601 et 
seq.

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act generally requires an agency to 
prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis of any rule subject to notice 
and comment rulemaking requirements under the Administrative Procedure 
Act or any other statute; unless the agency certifies that the rule 
will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities. Small entities include small businesses, small 
organizations, and small governmental jurisdictions.
    For purposes of assessing the impact of today's final rule on small 
entities, ``small entity'' is defined as: (1) A small business that 
meets the definition of a small business found in the Small Business 
Act and codified at 13 CFR 121.201; (2) a small governmental 
jurisdiction that is a government of a city, county, town, school 
district or special district with a population of less than 50,000; and 
(3) a small organization that is any not-for-profit enterprise which is 
independently owned and operated and is not dominant in its field.
    After considering the economic impacts of this rule on small 
entities, I certify that this action will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. This action 
revises a current EPAAR provision and does not impose requirements 
involving capital investment, implementing procedures, or record 
keeping. This rule will not have a significant economic impact on small 
entities.

D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), Public 
Law 104-4, establishes requirements for Federal agencies to assess the 
effects of their regulatory actions on State, Local, and Tribal 
governments and the private sector.
    This rule contains no Federal mandates (under the regulatory 
provisions of the Title II of the UMRA) for State, Local, and Tribal 
governments or the private sector. The rule imposes no enforceable duty 
on any State, Local or Tribal governments or the private sector. Thus, 
the rule is not subject to the requirements of Sections 202 and 205 of 
the UMRA.

E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism

    Executive Order 13132, entitled ``Federalism'' (64 FR 43255, August 
10, 1999), requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure 
``meaningful and timely input by State and Local officials in the 
development of regulatory policies that have federalism implications.'' 
``Policies that have federalism implications'' is defined in the 
Executive Order to include regulations that have ``substantial direct 
effects on the States,

[[Page 19041]]

on the relationship between the national government and the States, or 
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various 
levels of government.''
    This rule does not have federalism implications. It will not have 
substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between 
the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government as 
specified in Executive Order 13132.

F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian 
Tribal Governments

    Executive Order 13175, entitled ``Consultation and Coordination 
with Indian Tribal Governments'' (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000), 
requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure ``meaningful 
and timely input by tribal officials in the development of regulatory 
policies that have tribal implications.'' This rule does not have 
tribal implications as specified in Executive Order 13175.

G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental 
Health and Safety Risks

    Executive Order 13045, entitled ``Protection of Children from 
Environmental Health and Safety Risks'' (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997), 
applies to any rule that: (1) Is determined to be economically 
significant as defined under Executive Order 12886, and (2) concerns an 
environmental health or safety risk that may have a proportionate 
effect on children. This rule is not subject to Executive Order 13045 
because it is not an economically significant rule as defined by 
Executive Order 12866, and because it does not involve decisions on 
environmental health or safety risks.

H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That Significantly Affect Energy 
Supply, Distribution, or Use

    This proposed rule is not subject to Executive Order 13211, 
``Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy 
Supply, Distribution of Use'' (66 FR 28335 (May 22, 2001), because it 
is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.

I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (NTTAA)

    Section 12(d) (15 U.S.C 272 note) of NTTA, Public Law 104-113, 
directs EPA to use voluntary consensus standards in its regulatory 
activities unless to do so would be inconsistent with applicable law or 
otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical 
standards (e.g., materials specifications, test methods, sampling 
procedures and business practices) that are developed or adopted by 
voluntary consensus standards bodies. The NTTA directs EPA to provide 
Congress, through OMB, explanations when the Agency decides not to use 
available and applicable voluntary consensus standards.
    This proposed rulemaking does not involve technical standards. 
Therefore, EPA is not considering the use of any voluntary consensus 
standards.

J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions to Address Environmental 
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations

    Executive Order (EO) 12898 (59 FR 7629 (Feb. 16, 1994) establishes 
federal executive policy on environmental justice. Its main provision 
directs federal agencies, to the greatest extent practicable and 
permitted by law, to make environmental justice part of their mission 
by identifying and addressing, as appropriate, disproportionately high 
and adverse human health or environmental effects of their programs, 
policies, and activities on minority populations and low-income 
populations in the United States.
    EPA has determined that this proposed rule will not have 
disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental 
effects on minority or low-income populations because it does not 
affect the level of protection provided to human health or the 
environment. This proposed rulemaking does not involve human health or 
environmental affects.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 1516 and 1552

    Government procurement.

    Dated: June 21, 2013.
John R. Bashista,
Director, Office of Acquisition Management.

    Therefore, 48 CFR Chapter 15 is proposed to be amended as set forth 
below:

PART 1516--TYPES OF CONTRACTS

0
1. The authority citation for 48 CFR part 1516 is revised to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; Sec. 205(c), 63 Stat. 390, as amended, 
40 U.S.C. 486(c); and 41 U.S.C. 418b.

0
2. Revise 1516.505(a) as follows:


1516.505   Contract clauses.

    (a) The Contracting Officer shall insert the clause in 1552.216-72, 
Ordering--By Designated Ordering Officers, or a clause substantially 
similar to the subject clause, in indefinite delivery/indefinite 
quantity type solicitations and contracts. The Contracting Officer 
shall insert Alternate I when formal input from the Contractor will not 
be obtained prior to order issuance.
* * * * *

PART 1552--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

0
3. The authority citation for 48 CFR part 1552 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; Sec. 205(c), 63 Stat. 390, as amended, 
40 U.S.C. 486(c); and 41 U.S.C. 418b.

0
4. Revise 1552.216-72 to read as follows:


1552.216-72   Ordering--by designated ordering officers.

    As prescribed in 1516.505(a), insert the subject clause, or a 
clause substantially similar to the subject clause, in indefinite 
delivery/indefinite quantity type solicitations and contracts.

ORDERING--BY DESIGNATED ORDERING OFFICERS (------ 2013)

    (a) The Government will order any supplies and services to be 
furnished under this contract by issuing task/delivery orders on 
Optional Form 347, or an agency prescribed form, from ------ through 
------. In addition to the Contracting Officer, the following 
individuals are authorized ordering officers.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) A Standard Form 30 will be the method of amending task/
delivery orders.
    (c) The Contractor shall acknowledge receipt of each order by 
having an authorized company officer sign either a copy of a 
transmittal letter or signature block on page 3 of the task/delivery 
order, depending upon which is provided, within ---- calendar days 
of receipt.
    (d) Prior to the placement of any task/delivery order, the 
Contractor will be provided with a proposed Performance Work 
Statement/Statement of Work and will be asked to respond with 
detailed technical and cost proposals within ---- calendar days or 
less. The technical proposal will delineate the Contractor's 
interpretation for the execution of the PWS/SOW, and the pricing 
proposal will be the Contractor's best estimate for the hours, labor 
categories and all costs associated with the execution. The 
proposals are subject to negotiation. The Ordering Officer and the 
Contractor shall reach agreement on all the material terms of each 
order prior to the order being issued.
    (e) Each task/delivery order issued will incorporate the 
Contractor's technical and cost proposals as negotiated with the 
Government, and will have a ceiling price which the contractor shall 
not exceed. When

[[Page 19042]]

the Contractor has reason to believe that the labor payment and 
support costs for the order which will accrue in the next thirty 
(30) days will bring total cost to over 85 percent of the ceiling 
price specified in the order, the Contractor shall notify the 
Ordering Officer.
    (f) Under no circumstances will the Contractor start work prior 
to the issue date of the task/delivery order unless specifically 
authorized to do so by the Ordering Officer. Any verbal 
authorization will be confirmed in writing by the Ordering Officer 
or Contracting Officer within ---- calendar days.


(End of clause)
    Alternate I. As prescribed in 1516.505(a), insert the subject 
clause, or a clause substantially similar to the subject clause, in 
indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracts when formal input 
from the Contractor will not be obtained prior to order issuance.

    (a) The Government will order any supplies and services to be 
furnished under this contract by issuing task/delivery orders on 
Optional Form 347, or any agency prescribed form, from ------ 
through ------. In addition to the Contracting Officer, the 
following individuals are authorized ordering officers:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) A Standard Form 30 will be the method of amending task/
delivery orders.
    (c) The Contractor shall acknowledge receipt of each order and 
shall prepare and forward to the Ordering Officer within ---- 
calendar days the proposed staffing plan for accomplishing the 
assigned task within the period specified.
    (d) If the Contractor considers the estimated labor hours or 
specified work completion date to be unreasonable, the Contractor 
shall promptly notify the Ordering Officer and Contracting Officer 
in writing within ---- calendar days, stating why the estimated 
labor hours or specified completion date is considered unreasonable.
    (e) Each task/delivery order will have a ceiling price, which 
the Contractor may not exceed. When the Contractor has reason to 
believe that the labor payment and support costs for the order, 
which will accrue in the next thirty (30) days, will bring total 
cost to over 85 percent of the ceiling price specified in the order, 
the Contractor shall notify the Ordering Officer.
    (f) Paragraphs (c), (d), and (e) of this clause apply only when 
services are being ordered.


(End of clause)

    Editorial Note: This document was received by the Office of the 
Federal Register on March 26, 2014.

[FR Doc. 2014-07109 Filed 4-4-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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