Acquisition Regulation: Removal of EPA Mentor Protégé Program, 28772-28774 [2018-13349]

Download as PDF 28772 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 120 / Thursday, June 21, 2018 / Rules and Regulations for the enforcement of this safety zone via Broadcast Notice to Mariners or Local Notice to Mariners. The Captain of the Port Lake Michigan or a representative may be contacted via Channel 16, VHF–FM or at (414) 747– 7182. Dated: May 29, 2018. Thomas J. Stuhlreyer, Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Lake Michigan. [FR Doc. 2018–13341 Filed 6–20–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110–04–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 48 CFR Parts 1519 and 1552 [EPA–HQ–OARM–2018–0165; FRL–9979– 24–OARM] Acquisition Regulation: Removal of ´ ´ EPA Mentor Protege Program Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Direct final rule. AGENCY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is taking direct final action to amend the EPA Acquisition Regulation (EPAAR) by ´ ´ removing Mentor-protege clause requirement and the corresponding ´ ´ provision and clause, ‘‘Mentor Protege Program’’ and ‘‘Procedures for ´ ´ Participation in the EPA Mentor Protege Program’’. DATES: This final rule is effective on September 19, 2018 without further notice, unless EPA receives adverse comment by July 23, 2018. If EPA receives adverse comment, we will publish a timely withdrawal in the Federal Register informing the public that the rule will not take effect. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– OARM–2018–0165, at https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or removed from Regulations.gov. The EPA may publish any comment received to its public docket. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written comment. The written comment is considered the official comment and should include discussion of all points you wish to make. The EPA will generally not consider comments or comment pmangrum on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:07 Jun 20, 2018 Jkt 244001 contents located outside of the primary submission (i.e. on the web, cloud, or other file sharing system). For additional submission methods, the full EPA public comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia submissions, and general guidance on making effective comments, please visit https://www.epa.gov/dockets/ commenting-epa-dockets. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shakethia Allen, Policy, Training, and Oversight Division, Acquisition Policy and Training Service Center (3802R), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: 202–564– 5157; email address: allen.shakethia@ epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Executive Summary This direct final rule makes the following changes to 48 CFR parts 1519 and 1552: (1) Remove 1519.203, Mentor´ ´ protege, (2) clause 1552.219–70, Mentor ´ ´ Protege Program, and (3) provision 1552.219–71, Procedures for ´ ´ Participation in the EPA Mentor Protege Program. II. General Information A. Why is EPA using a direct final rule? EPA is publishing this rule without a prior proposed rule because we view this as a noncontroversial action and anticipate no adverse comment. If EPA receives adverse comment, we will publish a timely withdrawal in the Federal Register informing the public that the rule will not take effect. Any parties interested in commenting must do so at this time. B. Does this action apply to me? EPAAR 1519.203 and corresponding clause and provision, respectively, 1552.219–70 and 1552.219–71 apply to all contractors who hold a current contract with EPA which includes these clauses. C. What should I consider as I prepare my comments for EPA? 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 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 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. III. Background The U.S. Environmental Protection ´ ´ Agency Mentor-Protege Program was established to stimulate small disadvantaged businesses (SDBs) and women-owned small businesses (WOSBs) participation in Agency contracts. Prime contractors (mentors) provide technical and managerial support to SDBs or WOSBs ´ ´ subcontractors (proteges). The Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 and the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 provided authority for the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish ´ ´ mentor-protege programs for all small businesses. Rather than creating separate programs for each constituency—Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses, Women Owned Small Businesses, Historically Underutilized Business Zones—the SBA chose to create a single, all-inclusive ´ ´ mentor-protege program modeled on the ´ ´ successful mentor-protege program available to participants in its 8(a) ´ ´ program. SBA’s mentor protege program is federal wide, so EPA can use it instead of managing its own program. E:\FR\FM\21JNR1.SGM 21JNR1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 120 / Thursday, June 21, 2018 / Rules and Regulations EPA will use SBA’s program to reduce redundancy and increase efficiencies. IV. Statutory and Executive Orders Reviews A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and Executive Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review This action is not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ under the terms of Executive Order (E.O.) 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and therefore, not subject to review under the E.O.. pmangrum on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES 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 this 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-forprofit 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 removes 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:07 Jun 20, 2018 Jkt 244001 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, 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 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 28773 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 final rule is not subject to Executive Order 13211, ‘‘Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution or 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 NTTAA, 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 NTTAA directs EPA to provide Congress, through OMB, explanations when the Agency decides not to use available and applicable voluntary consensus standards. This final 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 12898 Federal Actions To Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations (59 FR 7629, February 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 final rulemaking will not have disproportionately high and adverse E:\FR\FM\21JNR1.SGM 21JNR1 28774 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 120 / Thursday, June 21, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 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 rulemaking does not involve human health or environmental effects. Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301 and 41 U.S.C. 418b. K. Congressional Review ■ The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the United States. Section 804 exempts from section 801 the following types of rules (1) rules of particular applicability; (2) rules relating to agency management or personnel; and (3) rules of agency organization, procedure, or practice that do not substantially affect the rights or obligations of non-agency parties. 5 U.S.C. 804(3). EPA is not required to submit a rule report regarding this action under section 801 because this is a rule of agency organization, procedure, or practice that does not substantially affect the rights or obligations of non-agency parties. EPA will use SBA’s federal wide mentor ´ ´ protege program instead of managing its own program. List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 1519 and 1552 Environmental protection, Government procurement, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Small businesses. Dated: May 16, 2018. Kimberly Patrick, Director, Office of Acquisition Management. For the reasons stated in the preamble, 48 CFR parts 1519 and 1552 are amended as set forth below: PART 1519—SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAMS 1. The authority citation for part 1519 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: Sec. 205(c), 63 Stat. 390, as amended, 40 U.S.C. 486(c). 1519.203 [Removed and reserved] 2. Section 1519.203 is removed and reserved. pmangrum on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES ■ PART 1552—SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES 3. The authority citation for part 1552 continues to read as follows: ■ VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:07 Jun 20, 2018 Jkt 244001 1552.219–70 [Removed and reserved] 4. Section 1552.219–70 is removed and reserved. ■ 1552.219–71 [Removed and reserved] 5. Section 1552.219–71 is removed and reserved. [FR Doc. 2018–13349 Filed 6–20–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 49 CFR Parts 383, 384, and 391 [Docket No. FMCSA–2018–0152] RIN 2126–AC18 Extension of Compliance Dates for Medical Examiner’s Certification Integration 140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. • Fax: 202–493–2251. To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods. See the ‘‘Public Participation and Request for Comments’’ portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for instructions on submitting comments, including collection of information comments for the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, OMB. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Christine A. Hydock, Chief, Medical Programs Division, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590–0001, by telephone at 202–366– 4001, or by email at fmcsamedical@ dot.gov. If you have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, contact Docket Services, telephone (202) 366–9826. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: AGENCY: I. Rulemaking Documents FMCSA amends its regulations to delay the compliance date from June 22, 2018, to June 22, 2021, for several provisions of its April 23, 2015 Medical Examiner’s Certification Integration final rule. This action is being taken to provide FMCSA additional time to complete certain information technology (IT) system development tasks for its National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (National Registry) and provide the State Driver’s Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) sufficient time to make the necessary IT programming changes after upgrades to the National Registry. DATES: Effective Date: This interim final rule is effective June 21, 2018. Public Comment Period: Comments must be received on or before August 20, 2018. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by Docket Number FMCSA– 2018–0152 using any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. • Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001. • Hand Delivery or Courier: West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12– A. Submitting Comments If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this interim final rule (Docket No. FMCSA– 2018–0152), indicate the specific section of this document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or recommendation. You may submit your comments and material online or by fax, mail, or hand delivery, but please use only one of these means. FMCSA recommends that you include your name and a mailing address, an email address, or a phone number in the body of your document so that FMCSA can contact you if there are questions regarding your submission. To submit your comment online, go to https://www.regulations.gov, put the docket number, FMCSA–2018–0152, in the keyword box, and click ‘‘Search.’’ When the new screen appears, click on the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ button and type your comment into the text box on the following screen. Choose whether you are submitting your comment as an individual or on behalf of a third party and then submit. If you submit your comments by mail or hand delivery, submit them in an unbound format, no larger than 81⁄2 by 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic filing. If you submit comments by mail and would like to know that they reached the facility, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope. FMCSA will consider all comments and material received during the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Interim final rule; request for comments. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\21JNR1.SGM 21JNR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 120 (Thursday, June 21, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28772-28774]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-13349]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

48 CFR Parts 1519 and 1552

[EPA-HQ-OARM-2018-0165; FRL-9979-24-OARM]


Acquisition Regulation: Removal of EPA Mentor 
Prot[eacute]g[eacute] Program

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Direct final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is taking 
direct final action to amend the EPA Acquisition Regulation (EPAAR) by 
removing Mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] clause requirement and the 
corresponding provision and clause, ``Mentor Prot[eacute]g[eacute] 
Program'' and ``Procedures for Participation in the EPA Mentor 
Prot[eacute]g[eacute] Program''.

DATES: This final rule is effective on September 19, 2018 without 
further notice, unless EPA receives adverse comment by July 23, 2018. 
If EPA receives adverse comment, we will publish a timely withdrawal in 
the Federal Register informing the public that the rule will not take 
effect.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OARM-2018-0165, at https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online 
instructions for submitting comments. Once submitted, comments cannot 
be edited or removed from Regulations.gov. The EPA may publish any 
comment received to its public docket. Do not submit electronically any 
information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) 
or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. 
Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a 
written comment. The written comment is considered the official comment 
and should include discussion of all points you wish to make. The EPA 
will generally not consider comments or comment contents located 
outside of the primary submission (i.e. on the web, cloud, or other 
file sharing system). For additional submission methods, the full EPA 
public comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia submissions, 
and general guidance on making effective comments, please visit https://www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shakethia Allen, Policy, Training, and 
Oversight Division, Acquisition Policy and Training Service Center 
(3802R), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 
Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: 202-564-5157; email address: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Executive Summary

    This direct final rule makes the following changes to 48 CFR parts 
1519 and 1552: (1) Remove 1519.203, Mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute], (2) 
clause 1552.219-70, Mentor Prot[eacute]g[eacute] Program, and (3) 
provision 1552.219-71, Procedures for Participation in the EPA Mentor 
Prot[eacute]g[eacute] Program.

II. General Information

A. Why is EPA using a direct final rule?

    EPA is publishing this rule without a prior proposed rule because 
we view this as a noncontroversial action and anticipate no adverse 
comment. If EPA receives adverse comment, we will publish a timely 
withdrawal in the Federal Register informing the public that the rule 
will not take effect. Any parties interested in commenting must do so 
at this time.

B. Does this action apply to me?

    EPAAR 1519.203 and corresponding clause and provision, 
respectively, 1552.219-70 and 1552.219-71 apply to all contractors who 
hold a current contract with EPA which includes these clauses.

C. What should I consider as I prepare my comments for EPA?

    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.

III. Background

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Mentor-
Prot[eacute]g[eacute] Program was established to stimulate small 
disadvantaged businesses (SDBs) and women-owned small businesses 
(WOSBs) participation in Agency contracts. Prime contractors (mentors) 
provide technical and managerial support to SDBs or WOSBs 
subcontractors (prot[eacute]g[eacute]s).
    The Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 and the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 provided authority for the Small 
Business Administration (SBA) to establish mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] 
programs for all small businesses. Rather than creating separate 
programs for each constituency--Service Disabled Veteran Owned 
Businesses, Women Owned Small Businesses, Historically Underutilized 
Business Zones--the SBA chose to create a single, all-inclusive mentor-
prot[eacute]g[eacute] program modeled on the successful mentor-
prot[eacute]g[eacute] program available to participants in its 8(a) 
program. SBA's mentor prot[eacute]g[eacute] program is federal wide, so 
EPA can use it instead of managing its own program.

[[Page 28773]]

EPA will use SBA's program to reduce redundancy and increase 
efficiencies.

IV. Statutory and Executive Orders Reviews

A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and Executive 
Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review

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

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 this 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 removes 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, 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 final rule is not subject to Executive Order 13211, ``Actions 
Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 
Distribution or 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 NTTAA, 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 NTTAA directs EPA to provide 
Congress, through OMB, explanations when the Agency decides not to use 
available and applicable voluntary consensus standards. This final 
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 12898 Federal Actions To Address Environmental 
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations (59 FR 7629, 
February 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 final rulemaking will not 
have disproportionately high and adverse

[[Page 28774]]

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 rulemaking does not involve 
human health or environmental effects.

K. Congressional Review

    The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the 
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally 
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating 
the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, 
to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the 
United States. Section 804 exempts from section 801 the following types 
of rules (1) rules of particular applicability; (2) rules relating to 
agency management or personnel; and (3) rules of agency organization, 
procedure, or practice that do not substantially affect the rights or 
obligations of non-agency parties. 5 U.S.C. 804(3). EPA is not required 
to submit a rule report regarding this action under section 801 because 
this is a rule of agency organization, procedure, or practice that does 
not substantially affect the rights or obligations of non-agency 
parties. EPA will use SBA's federal wide mentor prot[eacute]g[eacute] 
program instead of managing its own program.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 1519 and 1552

    Environmental protection, Government procurement, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Small businesses.

    Dated: May 16, 2018.
Kimberly Patrick,
Director, Office of Acquisition Management.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, 48 CFR parts 1519 and 1552 
are amended as set forth below:

PART 1519--SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAMS

0
1. The authority citation for part 1519 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: Sec. 205(c), 63 Stat. 390, as amended, 40 U.S.C. 
486(c).


1519.203  [Removed and reserved]

0
2. Section 1519.203 is removed and reserved.

PART 1552--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

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

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301 and 41 U.S.C. 418b.


1552.219-70  [Removed and reserved]

0
4. Section 1552.219-70 is removed and reserved.


1552.219-71  [Removed and reserved]

0
5. Section 1552.219-71 is removed and reserved.

[FR Doc. 2018-13349 Filed 6-20-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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