New Equipment Contract for Telecommunications and Broadband Borrowers, 59080-59081 [2015-25045]

Download as PDF 59080 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 190 / Thursday, October 1, 2015 / Proposed Rules (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments should reference OMB No. 0581–0189 Generic OMB Fruit Crops, and be sent to the USDA in care of the Docket Clerk at the address above. All comments received will be available for public inspection during regular business hours at the same address. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record. AMS is committed to compliance with the E-Government Act to promote the use of the Internet and other information technologies, to provide increased opportunities for citizen access to Government information and services, and for other purposes. A 60-day comment period is provided to allow interested persons to respond to the proposal. In accordance with section 8e of the Act, the United States Trade Representative has concurred with the issuance of this rule. (pounds); number of lugs; label; signature of person responsible for loading at handling facility; recipient charity name; how many lugs received; signature of responsible charity recipient and date received. Any such grapes shall not be used for resale. ■ 3. Amend § 925.304 by redesignating paragraphs (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g) as paragraphs (d), (e), (f), (g), and (h), and adding a new paragraph (c) to read as follows: List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 925 § 944.350 Safeguard procedures for avocados, grapefruit, kiwifruit, olives, oranges, prune variety plums (fresh prunes), and table grapes, exempt from grade, size, quality, and maturity requirements. Grapes, Marketing agreements, reporting and recordkeeping requirements. For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 7 CFR part 925 is proposed to be amended as follows: PART 925—TABLE GRAPES GROWN IN A DESIGNATED AREA OF SOUTHEASTERN CALIFORNIA 1. The authority citation for 7 CFR part 925 and 944 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601–674. tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS * * * * (c) Handlers that donate grapes to charitable organizations pursuant to § 925.304(c) shall submit a completed Food Donation Form (CDGAC Form 8) to the Committee within 2 days of receipt by the charitable organization. Such form shall include the following: The name of the producer; the name of the handler; loading location and date; inspection location and date; Variety(s) Federal State Inspection Service (FSIS) Certificate number(s); lug weight VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:05 Sep 30, 2015 Jkt 238001 * * * * (c) Donation to charitable organizations. Handlers of grapes failing to meet the requirements of § 925.55 and paragraph (a) of this section may donate such grapes to charitable organizations. Any such grapes shall not be used for resale. Handlers donating such grapes to a charitable organization shall submit a completed Food Donation Form, CDGAC Form No.8, as required in § 925.160 (c), within 2 days of receipt by the intended charity. * * * * * PART 944—FRUITS; IMPORT REGULATIONS 4. In § 944.350, revise paragraph (a)(1) to read as follows: ■ (a) * * * (1) Avocados, grapefruit, kiwifruit, olives, oranges, prune variety plums (fresh prunes) and table grapes for consumption by charitable institutions or distribution by relief agencies; * * * * * ■ 5. Revise paragraphs (d) and (e) of § 944.503 to read as follows: Table Grape Import Regulation * Reports. * * § 944.503 4. 2. Amend § 925.160 by adding paragraph (c) to read as follows: ■ § 925.160 § 925.304 California Desert Grape Regulation 6. * * * * (d) Any lot or portion thereof which fails to meet the import requirements, and is not being imported for purposes of processing or donation to charitable organizations, prior to or after reconditioning may be exported or disposed of under the supervision of the Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service with the costs of certifying the disposal of said lot borne by the importer. (e) The grade, size, quality, and maturity requirements of this section shall not be applicable to grapes imported for processing or donation to PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 charitable organizations, but shall be subject to the safeguard provisions contained in § 944.350. Dated: September 25, 2015. Rex A. Barnes, Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. 2015–24801 Filed 9–30–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service 7 CFR Parts 1753 and 1755 RIN 0572–AC29 New Equipment Contract for Telecommunications and Broadband Borrowers Rural Utilities Service, USDA. Request for comments. AGENCY: ACTION: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), a Rural Development agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is requesting public comments on streamlining the Agency’s contractual process for equipment procurement by replacing type-specific Equipment Contracts, RUS Forms 397, 398, 525, 545, and the associated documents (Forms 231, 396, 396a, 397b, 397c, 397d, 397f, 397g, 397h, 517, 525a, 744, 752a, 754, and addenda) with a new, unified Equipment Contract, RUS Form 395 and the associated close-out documents (Forms 395a, 395b, 395c and 395d). DATES: Comments, electronic and/or paper, must be received by November 30, 2015 to be assured consideration. Late comments will not be considered. ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by one of the following methods: • Federal Rulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments on this final rule with request or comments. • Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send your comments addressed to Thomas P. Dickson, Acting Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, STOP 1522, Room 5164, Washington, DC 20250– 1522. All comments submitted in response to this document will be included in the record and will be made available to the public. RUS will make the comments publicly available online at: https:// www.regulations.gov. Additional SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\01OCP1.SGM 01OCP1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 190 / Thursday, October 1, 2015 / Proposed Rules information about Rural Development and its programs is available on the Internet at https://www.rd.usda.gov. How to Obtain a Copy: To obtain a copy of the proposed new RUS Form 395, Equipment Contract, use one of the following methods: • Internet at the following Web site: https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/UTP_ form_395.pdf. • Email/Postal: By contacting the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Aylene Mafnas, Chief, Engineering Branch, Policy and Outreach Division, Rural Utilities Service, Telecommunications Program, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 1599, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250–1550, Telephone number: (202) 690–4673. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS Background Rural Development is a mission area within the U.S. Department of Agriculture comprising the Rural Utilities Service, Rural Housing Service and Rural Business/Cooperative Service. Rural Development’s mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for all rural Americans. Rural Development meets its mission by providing loans, loan guarantees, grants and technical assistance through more than 40 programs aimed at creating and improving housing, businesses and infrastructure throughout rural America. The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) loan, loan guarantee and grant programs act as a catalyst for economic and community development. By financing improvements to rural electric, water and waste, and telecom and broadband infrastructure, RUS also plays a big role in improving other measures of quality of life in rural America, including public health and safety, environmental protection, conservation and cultural and historic preservation. In order to continue to facilitate the programmatic interest of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (the ‘‘RE Act’’), as amended (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.), that loans and loans guaranteed by RUS are adequately secured, RUS has established the use of certain standardized forms for materials, equipment, and construction of electric and telecommunications systems. The use of standard forms, construction contracts, and procurement procedures help to assure that appropriate standards and specifications are maintained by the borrower in order to VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:05 Sep 30, 2015 Jkt 238001 not adversely affect RUS’s loan security, and ensure that loan and loan guarantee funds are effectively used for the intended purpose(s). RUS may, from time to time, promulgate new contract forms or revise or eliminate existing contract forms. In so doing, RUS is required by 7 CFR 1755.29, to publish a notice of rulemaking in the Federal Register announcing, as appropriate, a revision in, or a proposal to amend § 1755.30(c), List of telecommunications standard contract forms. On February 12, 2014, RUS published a proposed rule in the Federal Register, (79 FR 8327) to establish a New Equipment Contract and associated Policies for Telecommunications and Broadband Borrowers, RUS Form 395 under 7 CFR parts 1753 and 1755. RUS Form 395, reflects present business and RUS practices, as well as changes in technology, services and equipment. It has come to the attention of the Agency that the proposed rule published in the Federal Register was not clear on how or where to obtain a copy of the proposed new Equipment Contract, RUS Form 395. RUS is issuing this Request for comments to provide an opportunity for interested persons to obtain a copy of the new RUS Form 395 for their review and comment. The information collection and recordkeeping requirements associated with the new RUS Form 395 and its associated forms were submitted to OMB on February 12, 2014 and filed with comment. The purpose of this undertaking is to improve the customer service provided by RUS’s rural telecommunications and broadband borrowers. Changes in competition, legislation, technologies, and regulation have resulted in changes to business practices in the communications industry. In response to these changes RUS has undertaken a comprehensive review of its Telecommunications and Broadband Programs’ contracts and contracting procedures. The new Equipment Contract, RUS Form 395 and the associated close-out documents (Forms 395a, 395b, 395c and 395d) will replace the current Equipment Specific Contracts, RUS Forms 397, 398, 525, 545, and the associated close-out documents (Forms 231, 396, 396a, 517, 744, 752, 752a, and 754). The contract terms and obligations included in the new RUS Form 395, Equipment Contract, reflect current RUS and private sector industry practices, as well as changes in technology, services and equipment. The intent here is to streamline the contractual process for RUS borrowers and expedite the process of approving equipment procurement PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 59081 during RUS funded construction projects. Dated: July 29, 2015. Brandon McBride, Administrator, Rural Utilities Service. [FR Doc. 2015–25045 Filed 9–30–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–15–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2015–3585; Directorate Identifier 2015–NE–22–AD] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Engine Alliance Turbofan Engines Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). AGENCY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Engine Alliance (EA) GP7270 turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by the manufacturer informing us that the inspection and repair criteria in the maintenance manual for aft bolt holes of the highpressure compressor (HPC) cone shaft on the affected engines is incorrect. This proposed AD would require inspection of the HPC cone shaft and repair of affected parts, if needed. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the HPC cone shaft, which could lead to uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane. DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 30, 2015. SUMMARY: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • Fax: 202–493–2251. • Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M–30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. • Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact Engine Alliance, 400 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06108, M/S 169–10, phone: 800– ADDRESSES: E:\FR\FM\01OCP1.SGM 01OCP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 190 (Thursday, October 1, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59080-59081]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-25045]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

7 CFR Parts 1753 and 1755

RIN 0572-AC29


New Equipment Contract for Telecommunications and Broadband 
Borrowers

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), a Rural Development agency 
of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is requesting 
public comments on streamlining the Agency's contractual process for 
equipment procurement by replacing type-specific Equipment Contracts, 
RUS Forms 397, 398, 525, 545, and the associated documents (Forms 231, 
396, 396a, 397b, 397c, 397d, 397f, 397g, 397h, 517, 525a, 744, 752a, 
754, and addenda) with a new, unified Equipment Contract, RUS Form 395 
and the associated close-out documents (Forms 395a, 395b, 395c and 
395d).

DATES: Comments, electronic and/or paper, must be received by November 
30, 2015 to be assured consideration. Late comments will not be 
considered.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by one of the following methods:
     Federal Rulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments on this final 
rule with request or comments.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send your comments 
addressed to Thomas P. Dickson, Acting Director, Program Development 
and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, STOP 1522, Room 5164, 
Washington, DC 20250-1522.
    All comments submitted in response to this document will be 
included in the record and will be made available to the public. RUS 
will make the comments publicly available online at: https://www.regulations.gov. Additional

[[Page 59081]]

information about Rural Development and its programs is available on 
the Internet at https://www.rd.usda.gov.
    How to Obtain a Copy: To obtain a copy of the proposed new RUS Form 
395, Equipment Contract, use one of the following methods:
     Internet at the following Web site: https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/UTP_form_395.pdf.
     Email/Postal: By contacting the individual listed in the 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Aylene Mafnas, Chief, Engineering 
Branch, Policy and Outreach Division, Rural Utilities Service, 
Telecommunications Program, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 1599, 
1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250-1550, Telephone 
number: (202) 690-4673.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Rural Development is a mission area within the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture comprising the Rural Utilities Service, Rural Housing 
Service and Rural Business/Cooperative Service. Rural Development's 
mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of 
life for all rural Americans. Rural Development meets its mission by 
providing loans, loan guarantees, grants and technical assistance 
through more than 40 programs aimed at creating and improving housing, 
businesses and infrastructure throughout rural America.
    The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) loan, loan guarantee and grant 
programs act as a catalyst for economic and community development. By 
financing improvements to rural electric, water and waste, and telecom 
and broadband infrastructure, RUS also plays a big role in improving 
other measures of quality of life in rural America, including public 
health and safety, environmental protection, conservation and cultural 
and historic preservation.
    In order to continue to facilitate the programmatic interest of the 
Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (the ``RE Act''), as amended (7 
U.S.C. 901 et seq.), that loans and loans guaranteed by RUS are 
adequately secured, RUS has established the use of certain standardized 
forms for materials, equipment, and construction of electric and 
telecommunications systems. The use of standard forms, construction 
contracts, and procurement procedures help to assure that appropriate 
standards and specifications are maintained by the borrower in order to 
not adversely affect RUS's loan security, and ensure that loan and loan 
guarantee funds are effectively used for the intended purpose(s).
    RUS may, from time to time, promulgate new contract forms or revise 
or eliminate existing contract forms. In so doing, RUS is required by 7 
CFR 1755.29, to publish a notice of rulemaking in the Federal Register 
announcing, as appropriate, a revision in, or a proposal to amend Sec.  
1755.30(c), List of telecommunications standard contract forms. On 
February 12, 2014, RUS published a proposed rule in the Federal 
Register, (79 FR 8327) to establish a New Equipment Contract and 
associated Policies for Telecommunications and Broadband Borrowers, RUS 
Form 395 under 7 CFR parts 1753 and 1755. RUS Form 395, reflects 
present business and RUS practices, as well as changes in technology, 
services and equipment. It has come to the attention of the Agency that 
the proposed rule published in the Federal Register was not clear on 
how or where to obtain a copy of the proposed new Equipment Contract, 
RUS Form 395. RUS is issuing this Request for comments to provide an 
opportunity for interested persons to obtain a copy of the new RUS Form 
395 for their review and comment. The information collection and 
recordkeeping requirements associated with the new RUS Form 395 and its 
associated forms were submitted to OMB on February 12, 2014 and filed 
with comment.
    The purpose of this undertaking is to improve the customer service 
provided by RUS's rural telecommunications and broadband borrowers. 
Changes in competition, legislation, technologies, and regulation have 
resulted in changes to business practices in the communications 
industry. In response to these changes RUS has undertaken a 
comprehensive review of its Telecommunications and Broadband Programs' 
contracts and contracting procedures.
    The new Equipment Contract, RUS Form 395 and the associated close-
out documents (Forms 395a, 395b, 395c and 395d) will replace the 
current Equipment Specific Contracts, RUS Forms 397, 398, 525, 545, and 
the associated close-out documents (Forms 231, 396, 396a, 517, 744, 
752, 752a, and 754). The contract terms and obligations included in the 
new RUS Form 395, Equipment Contract, reflect current RUS and private 
sector industry practices, as well as changes in technology, services 
and equipment. The intent here is to streamline the contractual process 
for RUS borrowers and expedite the process of approving equipment 
procurement during RUS funded construction projects.

    Dated: July 29, 2015.
Brandon McBride,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-25045 Filed 9-30-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P
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