Notice of Buy America Waiver, 9851-9852 [2015-03696]

Download as PDF tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 36 / Tuesday, February 24, 2015 / Notices of 300 DPI; print speed of 6 ppm; compatible with Windows; must be able to print 4’’ thermal roll paper and and 8.5’’ sheet feed thermal paper; product weight of 1.1 lbs; USB 2.0 connectivity; and Bluetooth capability. NHTSA conducted a market analysis that did not locate any comparable American manufactured e-citation printers that are compatible with North Carolina’s state-wide e-citation program. NHTSA was able to identify the FieldPro Series, a direct thermal mobile printer manufactured in the United States by Printek, Inc.2 However, it does not appear that the FieldPro Series meets the specifications required by North Carolina. The FieldPro Series printer is unable to print 8.5’’ sheet feed thermal paper; it prints at 2.8 ips and at a resolution of 203 dps. Since the FieldPro Series printer does not meet the specifications required by NCGHSP, NHTSA has determined that there are no comparable products manufactured domestically. Therefore, a Buy America waiver is appropriate since Printek’s FieldPro Series does not not meet the specification required by NCGHSP for its e-citation program. NHTSA invites public comment on this conclusion. Lastly, NCGHSP seeks a waiver to purchase HP printer cartridges and imaging drums for existing HP printers. The State intends to use the printer cartridges and imaging drums in the Injury Prevention section of its Buckle Up Kids/Safe Kids NC program. The requested equipment will be used to print outreach and educational materials for the program. NCGHSP states that only HP cartridges and imaging drums should be used in the program’s HP printers because equipment produced by other manufacturers may cause degradation or quality issues when used in place of HP products. It is unable to identify any printer cartridges and imaging drums for existing HP printers that meet the Buy America requirements. The State noted that HP is a large, multinational corporation with facilities, including manufacturing facilities, world-wide. NCGHSP is unable to identify the location of the facilities that produce the replacement HP printer cartridges and imaging drums. NHTSA conducted similar assessments and cannot confirm that HP printer cartridges and imaging drums are produced domestically and is not aware of any comparable printer cartridges and imaging drums produced in the United States. Therefore, the Buy America waiver is appropriate. NHTSA invites public comment on this conclusion. In light of the above discussion, and pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 313(b)(2), NHTSA finds that it is appropriate to grant waivers from the Buy America requirements to NCGHSP in order for it to use Federal highway safety grant funds to purchase e-citation printers and HP printer cartridges and imaging drums. These waivers apply to North Carolina and all other States seeking to use section 405(c) funds to purchase ecitation printers meeting the specifications described above and section 402 funds for HP printer cartridges and imaging drums for the purposes mentioned herein. These waivers will continue through fiscal year 2015 and will allow the purchase of these items as required for North Carolina’s Governor’s Highway Safety Program. Accordingly, these waivers will expire at the conclusion of fiscal year 2015 (September 30, 2015). In accordance with the provisions of Section 117 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy of Users Technical Corrections Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110– 244, 122 Stat. 1572), NHTSA is providing this notice as its finding that a waiver of the Buy America requirement is appropriate. NHTSA also determines that it is inappropriate to grant a waiver from the Buy America requirement for NCGHSP to use Federal highway safety grant funds to purchase various models of car seats in its Child Passenger Safety Program. Written comments on these findings may be submitted through any of the methods discussed above. NHTSA may reconsider these findings, if through comment, it learns of additional relevant information regarding its decisions related to NCGHSP’s waiver requests. These findings should not be construed as an endorsement or approval of any products by NHTSA or the U.S. Department of Transportation. The United States Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. Authority: 23 U.S.C. 313; Pub. L. 110–161. Issued in Washington, DC under authority delegated in 49 CFR 1.95. O. Kevin Vincent, Chief Counsel. [FR Doc. 2015–03695 Filed 2–23–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–59–P 2 See https://www.printek.com/index.php/mobile/ about. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Feb 23, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00164 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 9851 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [Docket No. NHTSA—2015–0005] Notice of Buy America Waiver National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice of Buy America waiver. AGENCY: This notice provides NHTSA’s finding with respect to a request to waive the requirement of Buy America from the Traffic Safety Office (TSO) of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. NHTSA finds that a nonavailability waiver of the Buy America requirement is appropriate for the purchase of printers using Federal highway traffic safety grant funds because there are no suitable products produced in the United States. DATES: The effective date of this waiver is March 2, 2015. Written comments regarding this notice may be submitted to NHTSA and must be received on or before: March 11, 2015. ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted using any one of the following methods: • Mail: Docket Management Facility, M–30, U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building, Ground Floor, Rm. W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. • Fax: Written comments may be faxed to (202) 493–2251. • Internet: To submit comments electronically, go to the Federal regulations Web site at https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. • Hand Delivery: West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Instructions: All comments submitted in relation to this waiver must include the agency name and docket number. Please note that all comments received will be posted without change to https:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. You may also call the Docket at 202–366– 9324. SUMMARY: For program issues, contact Barbara Sauers, Office of Regional Operations and Program Delivery, NHTSA (phone: 202– 366–0144). For legal issues, contact Andrew DiMarsico, Office of Chief Counsel, NHTSA (phone: 202–366– 5263). You may send mail to these officials at the National Highway Traffic FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: E:\FR\FM\24FEN1.SGM 24FEN1 9852 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 36 / Tuesday, February 24, 2015 / Notices tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice provides NHTSA’s finding that a waiver of the Buy America requirement, 23 U.S.C. 313, is appropriate for Ohio’s TSO to purchase printers using grant funds authorized under 23 U.S.C. 405(c) (section 405) and its predecessor, 23 U.S.C. 408.1 Section 405(c) funds are available for use by State highway traffic safety programs to support the development and implementation of effective State programs that, among other things, improve the timeliness, accuracy, completeness, uniformity, integration, and accessibility of State traffic safety data. 23 U.S.C. 405(c)(1). Buy America provides that NHTSA ‘‘shall not obligate any funds authorized to be appropriated to carry out the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 (96 Stat. 2097) or [Title 23] and administered by the Department of Transportation, unless steel, iron, and manufactured products used in such project are produced in the United States.’’ 23 U.S.C. 313. However, NHTSA may waive those requirements if ‘‘(1) their application would be inconsistent with the public interest; (2) such materials and products are not produced in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available quantities and of a satisfactory quality; or (3) the inclusion of domestic material will increase the cost of the overall project contract by more than 25 percent.’’ 23 U.S.C. 313(b). In this instance, NHTSA has determined that a non-availability waiver is appropriate for the printers that Ohio’s TSO seeks to purchase using Federal grant funds. Ohio’s TSO seeks a waiver to purchase 250 Brother Pocket Jet 6 Plus printer vehicle kits at $468.90 per unit to be used in Ohio’s mobile ticketing ecitation system and software package as part of a pilot program.2 Ohio indicates that it has used the Brother printer in enforcement vehicles for several years and it has proven to be a durable mobile printing device for the type of environment they are used in and the applications used by law enforcement. Ohio’s TSO is unable to identify any domestically manufactured mobile printers that meet the requirements specified for the mobile printers for use in its enforcement vehicles.3 NHTSA 1 23 U.S.C. 408 was repealed by the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP–21) Act, Public Law 112–141 § 31109(d), 126 Stat. 756 (2012), and recodified at 23 U.S.C. 405(c). 2 As part of its initial request, TSO sought a waiver for vehicle printer mounts. However, TSO has withdrawn its waiver request for those items. 3 TSO requires mobile printers that are small (10.04″ long x 2.17″ width x 1.18″ height), 300 x 300 VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Feb 23, 2015 Jkt 235001 conducted similar assessments 4 and was unable to locate domestic manufacturers of mobile printers with the specifications required by Ohio’s TSO. Since a mobile printer that meets the requirements identified by TSO for use by its police officers is unavailable from a domestic manufacturer, the Buy America waiver is appropriate. NHTSA invites public comment on this conclusion. In light of the above discussion, and pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 313(b)(2), NHTSA finds that it is appropriate to grant a waiver of the Buy America requirement to TSO in order to purchase 250 Brother Pocket Jet 6 Plus printer vehicle kits. This waiver applies to Ohio and all other States seeking to use section 405(c) and eligible section 408 funds to purchase 250 Brother Pocket Jet 6 Plus printer vehicle kits for the purposes mentioned herein. This waiver will continue through fiscal year 2015 and will allow the purchase of these items as required for Ohio’s TSO. Accordingly, this waiver will expire at the conclusion of fiscal year 2015 (September 30, 2015). In accordance with the provisions of Section 117 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy of Users Technical Corrections Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110–244, 122 Stat. 1572), NHTSA is providing this notice as its finding that a waiver of the Buy America requirement is appropriate for the Brother Pocket Jet 6 Plus printer vehicle kits. Written comments on this finding may be submitted through any of the methods discussed above. NHTSA may reconsider this finding, if through comment, it learns of additional relevant information regarding its decisions to grant and deny TSO’s waiver request. This finding should not be construed as an endorsement or approval of any products by NHTSA or the U.S. Department of Transportation. The United States Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. Authority: 23 U.S.C. 313; Pub. L. 110–161. DPI, Bluetooth enabled, direct thermal, uses full letter size page (81⁄2″ x 11″) and prints at 6 pages per minute. 4 NHTSA conducted internet searches and reviewed several Web sites that catalog products domestic made products: www.usaonly.us; www.americansworking.com; www.madeinamericaforever.com; www.unionbuiltpc.com and www.madeinusa.org. PO 00000 Frm 00165 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Issued in Washington, DC, under authority delegated in 49 CFR part 1.95. O. Kevin Vincent, Chief Counsel. [FR Doc. 2015–03696 Filed 2–23–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–59–P DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Proposed Collection; Comment Request; TIGTA Generic Survey Request Departmental Office, Department of the Treasury. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: The Department of the Treasury, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). The Department of the Treasury is soliciting comments on this collection of information that is scheduled to expire July 31, 2015. DATES: Written comments should be received on or before April 27, 2015 to be assured of consideration. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by email to Kim.Hyatt@tigta.treas.gov; subject line: Comment on TIGTA Generic Survey Request; or by mail to: Treasury PRA Clearance Officer, Office of Privacy, Transparency, and Records, 1750 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington DC, 20220. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or request a copy of the information collection can be directed to the addresses provided above. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OMB Control Number: 1505–0217. Title: Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) Generic Survey. Abstract: The TIGTA’s Office of Audit’s mission is to provide independent oversight of IRS activities. Through its audit programs TIGTA promotes efficiency and effectiveness in the administration of internal revenue laws, including the prevention and detection of fraud, waste, and abuse affecting tax administration. To accomplish this, TIGTA Office of Audit at times finds it necessary to contact a limited number of taxpayers (including businesses) for various reasons. Type of Review: Extension without change of a currently approved collection. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\24FEN1.SGM 24FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 36 (Tuesday, February 24, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9851-9852]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-03696]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA--2015-0005]


Notice of Buy America Waiver

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 
Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of Buy America waiver.

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

SUMMARY: This notice provides NHTSA's finding with respect to a request 
to waive the requirement of Buy America from the Traffic Safety Office 
(TSO) of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. NHTSA finds that a non-
availability waiver of the Buy America requirement is appropriate for 
the purchase of printers using Federal highway traffic safety grant 
funds because there are no suitable products produced in the United 
States.

DATES: The effective date of this waiver is March 2, 2015. Written 
comments regarding this notice may be submitted to NHTSA and must be 
received on or before: March 11, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted using any one of the 
following methods:
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, M-30, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, West Building, Ground Floor, Rm. W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Fax: Written comments may be faxed to (202) 493-2251.
     Internet: To submit comments electronically, go to the 
Federal regulations Web site at https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
online instructions for submitting comments.
     Hand Delivery: West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Time, 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Instructions: All comments submitted in relation to this waiver 
must include the agency name and docket number. Please note that all 
comments received will be posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. You 
may also call the Docket at 202-366-9324.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For program issues, contact Barbara 
Sauers, Office of Regional Operations and Program Delivery, NHTSA 
(phone: 202-366-0144). For legal issues, contact Andrew DiMarsico, 
Office of Chief Counsel, NHTSA (phone: 202-366-5263). You may send mail 
to these officials at the National Highway Traffic

[[Page 9852]]

Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 
20590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice provides NHTSA's finding that a 
waiver of the Buy America requirement, 23 U.S.C. 313, is appropriate 
for Ohio's TSO to purchase printers using grant funds authorized under 
23 U.S.C. 405(c) (section 405) and its predecessor, 23 U.S.C. 408.\1\ 
Section 405(c) funds are available for use by State highway traffic 
safety programs to support the development and implementation of 
effective State programs that, among other things, improve the 
timeliness, accuracy, completeness, uniformity, integration, and 
accessibility of State traffic safety data. 23 U.S.C. 405(c)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 23 U.S.C. 408 was repealed by the Moving Ahead for Progress 
in the 21st Century (MAP-21) Act, Public Law 112-141 Sec.  31109(d), 
126 Stat. 756 (2012), and recodified at 23 U.S.C. 405(c).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Buy America provides that NHTSA ``shall not obligate any funds 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out the Surface Transportation 
Assistance Act of 1982 (96 Stat. 2097) or [Title 23] and administered 
by the Department of Transportation, unless steel, iron, and 
manufactured products used in such project are produced in the United 
States.'' 23 U.S.C. 313. However, NHTSA may waive those requirements if 
``(1) their application would be inconsistent with the public interest; 
(2) such materials and products are not produced in the United States 
in sufficient and reasonably available quantities and of a satisfactory 
quality; or (3) the inclusion of domestic material will increase the 
cost of the overall project contract by more than 25 percent.'' 23 
U.S.C. 313(b). In this instance, NHTSA has determined that a non-
availability waiver is appropriate for the printers that Ohio's TSO 
seeks to purchase using Federal grant funds.
    Ohio's TSO seeks a waiver to purchase 250 Brother Pocket Jet 6 Plus 
printer vehicle kits at $468.90 per unit to be used in Ohio's mobile 
ticketing e-citation system and software package as part of a pilot 
program.\2\ Ohio indicates that it has used the Brother printer in 
enforcement vehicles for several years and it has proven to be a 
durable mobile printing device for the type of environment they are 
used in and the applications used by law enforcement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ As part of its initial request, TSO sought a waiver for 
vehicle printer mounts. However, TSO has withdrawn its waiver 
request for those items.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Ohio's TSO is unable to identify any domestically manufactured 
mobile printers that meet the requirements specified for the mobile 
printers for use in its enforcement vehicles.\3\ NHTSA conducted 
similar assessments \4\ and was unable to locate domestic manufacturers 
of mobile printers with the specifications required by Ohio's TSO. 
Since a mobile printer that meets the requirements identified by TSO 
for use by its police officers is unavailable from a domestic 
manufacturer, the Buy America waiver is appropriate. NHTSA invites 
public comment on this conclusion.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ TSO requires mobile printers that are small (10.04'' long x 
2.17'' width x 1.18'' height), 300 x 300 DPI, Bluetooth enabled, 
direct thermal, uses full letter size page (8\1/2\'' x 11'') and 
prints at 6 pages per minute.
    \4\ NHTSA conducted internet searches and reviewed several Web 
sites that catalog products domestic made products: www.usaonly.us; 
www.americansworking.com; www.madeinamericaforever.com; 
www.unionbuiltpc.com and www.madeinusa.org.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In light of the above discussion, and pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 
313(b)(2), NHTSA finds that it is appropriate to grant a waiver of the 
Buy America requirement to TSO in order to purchase 250 Brother Pocket 
Jet 6 Plus printer vehicle kits. This waiver applies to Ohio and all 
other States seeking to use section 405(c) and eligible section 408 
funds to purchase 250 Brother Pocket Jet 6 Plus printer vehicle kits 
for the purposes mentioned herein. This waiver will continue through 
fiscal year 2015 and will allow the purchase of these items as required 
for Ohio's TSO. Accordingly, this waiver will expire at the conclusion 
of fiscal year 2015 (September 30, 2015). In accordance with the 
provisions of Section 117 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient 
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy of Users Technical Corrections Act 
of 2008 (Pub. L. 110-244, 122 Stat. 1572), NHTSA is providing this 
notice as its finding that a waiver of the Buy America requirement is 
appropriate for the Brother Pocket Jet 6 Plus printer vehicle kits.
    Written comments on this finding may be submitted through any of 
the methods discussed above. NHTSA may reconsider this finding, if 
through comment, it learns of additional relevant information regarding 
its decisions to grant and deny TSO's waiver request.
    This finding should not be construed as an endorsement or approval 
of any products by NHTSA or the U.S. Department of Transportation. The 
United States Government does not endorse products or manufacturers.

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 313; Pub. L. 110-161.

    Issued in Washington, DC, under authority delegated in 49 CFR 
part 1.95.
O. Kevin Vincent,
Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2015-03696 Filed 2-23-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P
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