Notice of Request for Information on the Computers for Veterans and Students Act of 2022, 86899-86901 [2023-27536]

Agencies

• General Services Administration

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 240 (Friday, December 15, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 86899-86901]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-27536]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

[Notice-MA-2023-11; Docket No. 2023-0002; Sequence No. 44]


Notice of Request for Information on the Computers for Veterans 
and Students Act of 2022

AGENCY: Office of Government-wide Policy (OGP), General Services 
Administration (GSA).

ACTION: Notice; request for information (RFI).

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SUMMARY: GSA is responsible for implementing the Computers for Veterans 
and Students Act of 2022 (COVS Act), which aims to close the digital 
divide and provide access to surplus computers and technology equipment 
to eligible recipients. GSA is seeking information from nonprofit 
computer refurbishers and other nongovernmental entities to better 
understand the industry as GSA develops regulations to implement the 
COVS Act.

DATES: Interested parties should submit written comments to the address 
shown below on or before February 13, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Comments to the RFI must be provided in writing. Interested 
parties are to submit their written comments electronically to https://www.regulations.gov. Submit comments via the Federal eRulemaking portal 
by searching for ``RFI Computers for Veterans and Students Act of 
2022''.

[[Page 86900]]

Select the link ``Comment Now'' that corresponds with the RFI and 
follow the instructions provided on the screen. Please include your 
name, company name (if any), and ``RFI Computers for Veterans and 
Students Act of 2022'' on your attached document. If your comment 
cannot be submitted using https://www.regulations.gov, call or email 
the points of contact in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of 
this document for alternate instructions.
    You are not required to answer all of the questions in the RFI, but 
the more information we receive, the better GSA will understand the 
nonprofit computer refurbisher industry.
    Comments received generally will be posted without change to 
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal and/or business 
confidential information provided. To confirm receipt of your 
comment(s), please check https://www.regulations.gov approximately two-
to-three days after submission to verify posting.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. William Garrett, Director, 
Personal Property Policy Division, Office of Government-wide Policy, 
Office of Asset and Transportation Management (MA), at 202-368-8163 or 
[email protected] for clarification of content. For 
information pertaining to status or publication schedules, contact the 
Regulatory Secretariat Division at 202-501-4755 or [email protected]. 
Please cite RFI Computers for Veterans and Students Act of 2022.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    GSA oversees the disposal of federal excess and surplus personal 
property. Under the COVS Act (codified at 40 U.S.C. 549a), GSA is 
required, as appropriate, to transfer full title of eligible surplus 
computers and technology equipment to nonprofit computer refurbishers.
    Nonprofit computer refurbishers are responsible for the repair, 
distribution, and subsequent transfer of the equipment to eligible 
recipients. The term ``eligible recipient'' means an educational 
institution, individual with a disability, low-income individual, 
student, senior in need, or veteran that is residing or based in the 
United States. If the equipment cannot be repaired or reused, nonprofit 
computer refurbishers must use recyclers to the maximum extent 
practicable. Nonprofit computer refurbishers must also offer training 
programs to eligible recipients on the use of the repaired computers 
and technology equipment, and report required information to GSA.

Purpose

    The purpose of this RFI is to gather information from nonprofit 
computer refurbishers and other nongovernmental entities to better 
understand the industry's experience in and ability to (1) refurbish 
computers and technology equipment; (2) recycle computers and 
technology equipment if the property can't be repaired or reused; (3) 
distribute property to eligible recipients; (4) provide training 
programs; and (5) report data to GSA as required. GSA is also 
requesting information from nongovernmental entities that may be able 
to facilitate the identification and participation of nonprofit 
computer refurbishers.
    This information will help GSA evaluate the eligibility and 
suitability of nonprofit computer refurbishers for participating in the 
COVS Act program and receiving surplus computers and technology 
equipment from Federal agencies. This information will also help GSA 
identify nongovernmental entities for potential partnerships and to 
develop a framework for the COVS Act program and implementing 
regulations.
    GSA is providing the following information to help the industry 
understand the amount of personal property reported to GSA as excess 
under Federal Supply Group (FSG) 70 with a condition code of 
repairable. It's important to note that the amount of property 
available for transfer under the COVS Act will be less than the amount 
of property reported to GSA as excess since the COVS Act authorizes the 
transfer of surplus computer or technology equipment. Excess personal 
property is available for transfer to other Federal agencies and may be 
utilized at the excess level before it could be declared surplus, 
thereby it would not be available for transfer as surplus property 
under the COVS Act. Additionally, the amount of reported property 
varies each fiscal year and numbers decreased due to the impact of 
COVID-19.

                               Definitions
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Federal Supply Group (FSG)........  2-digit numeric code representing a
                                     group of Federal Supply Classes.
Condition Code....................  The current condition or usability
                                     of the property (new/unused;
                                     usable; repairable; salvage; or
                                     scrap).
Fiscal Year.......................  Begins on October 1 of each year and
                                     ends on September 30 of the
                                     following year.
Line Item.........................  A single line entry, on a reporting
                                     form or transfer order, for items
                                     of property of the same type having
                                     the same description, condition
                                     code, and unit cost.
Quantity..........................  The number of units of issue of
                                     available property.
Unit of Issue.....................  The way the property quantity is
                                     normally measured, sold, or counted
                                     in an inventory (e.g., each, lot,
                                     box).
Original Acquisition Cost (OAC)...  The price an agency originally paid
                                     for an item when they acquired it
                                     (not the fair market value).
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                      Reported Excess Personal Property:FSG 70 & Condition Code Repairable
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                          Fiscal year                             Line items       Quantity            OAC
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19............................................................          36,875         146,038   $219,972,562.45
20............................................................          23,384          87,190    115,469,580.08
21............................................................          20,339          60,824    121,137,177.77
22............................................................          19,906          55,555    118,602,707.33
23 (10/1/22-6/30/23)..........................................          11,095          34,372     58,470,951.90
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    Total.....................................................         111,599         383,979    633,652,979.53
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    This RFI is for general fact-gathering purposes. Interested parties 
will not be reimbursed for any costs related to providing information 
in response to this RFI. The Government does not intend to award a 
contract on the basis of this RFI.

[[Page 86901]]

Requested Information From Industry

    To help GSA assess the ability of nonprofit computer refurbishers 
or other industry partners to participate in the COVS Act program, 
please answer the following questions:

General

     If you are a nonprofit computer refurbisher, what is the 
name, mission, vision, location, and history of your nonprofit 
organization? How long have you been operating as a nonprofit computer 
refurbisher or industry partner?
     What are your sources of funding and support? How do you 
ensure financial sustainability and accountability?
     How many staff members and volunteers do you have? What 
are their roles and qualifications? How do you recruit, train, and 
retain them?

Refurbishing

     How many computers and technology equipment do you 
refurbish per year? What are the types, models, brands, and 
specifications of the equipment you refurbish? What are the standards 
and procedures you follow for refurbishing?
     When do you consider computer or technology equipment 
obsolete or unrepairable? Is there any type of surplus computer or 
technology equipment that you will not accept? For example, computers 
without hard drives or equipment over a certain age.
     Do you provide data sanitization services? Do you follow 
the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST Special 
Publication 800-88, Rev. 1) guidelines? Do you provide evidence/reports 
that sanitization was completed?

Recycling

     If computer or technology equipment cannot be repaired or 
reused, what do you do with the property? Are you a certified 
electronics recycler? If so, under which standard? If not, do you 
partner with certified electronics recyclers?
     How many computers and technology equipment do you recycle 
per year? What are the types, models, brands, and specifications of the 
equipment you recycle? What are the standards and procedures you follow 
for recycling?

Distribution

     What process would you use to identify recipients eligible 
to receive surplus computer or technology equipment in accordance with 
40 U.S.C. 549a? How would you verify eligibility to prevent ineligible 
persons from obtaining equipment? How would you determine who receives 
the equipment to ensure fair and equitable distribution?
     Would recipients be required to pay for the equipment? How 
would you determine the price or fee in compliance with 40 U.S.C. 
549a(b)(3)(B)?
     Is your organization able to segregate equipment received 
under the COVS Act from other sources to ensure this equipment is only 
provided to eligible recipients?
     Federal agencies are generally unable to pay for shipping 
and transportation to refurbishers. Would you cover shipping costs? 
Would you be able to pick up computers and equipment from agency 
locations?
     How would you distribute refurbished computers and 
technology equipment to recipients? What would be your distribution 
network and criteria? How would you ensure quality control and customer 
service?
     How long (in days) would it take to refurbish computers 
(from the date the equipment is received) and provide them to eligible 
recipients?

Training

     Do you offer training programs on the use of the repaired 
computers and technology equipment? Is this training provided at no 
cost, or for a fee? If there is a charge for the classes, how is this 
fee determined?
     Please describe the training programs, platforms (e.g., in 
person, virtual) and the target audiences.

Reporting

     Nonprofit computer refurbishers receiving surplus computer 
or technology equipment under the COVS Act are required to report 
information to GSA on a recurring basis. This includes information 
about the distribution of the equipment and which eligible recipients 
received the equipment. Would you be able to provide the required 
recipient data and reports to GSA? How soon could you provide reports 
about who received the equipment (taking into account the time to 
repair and transfer them)? Do you foresee any challenges in providing 
this data to GSA?

Partnerships

     Do you have any experience working with Federal agencies 
or receiving surplus computers and technology equipment from them? If 
so, please provide examples.
     How do you envision nongovernmental entities partnering 
with GSA? Do you anticipate any challenges with GSA establishing 
partnerships with nongovernmental entities to facilitate the 
identification and participation of nonprofit computer refurbishers?
     Are you aware of any nonprofit computer refurbisher 
groups, alliances, or associations? If yes, please list them. Are there 
other types of groups we need to be aware of in the industry?
     Are you a member of a nonprofit computer refurbisher 
group, alliance, or association? If yes, which one? What are the 
eligibility and certification requirements to join? Are you required to 
pay any fees to participate? Why did you decide to join one or choose 
one particular group, alliance, or association over another?
     If you're not part of a group, alliance, or association, 
is there a reason you have not joined or are you opposed to joining 
one?

Other

     Please provide any additional comments or challenges you 
anticipate related to participating in the COVS Act program.

Krystal J. Brumfield,
Associate Administrator, Office of Government-wide Policy, U.S. General 
Services Administration.
[FR Doc. 2023-27536 Filed 12-14-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-14-P