Clarifications and Updates to Defense Priorities and Allocations System Regulation, 8363-8377 [2024-01930]
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 26 / Wednesday, February 7, 2024 / Proposed Rules
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this
airworthiness directive (AD) by March 25,
2024.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the ATR—GIE Avions
de Transport Re´gional airplanes specified in
paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this AD,
certificated in any category, as identified in
European Union Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) AD 2023–0181, dated October 13,
2023 (EASA AD 2023–0181).
(1) Model ATR42–200, –300, –320, and
–500 airplanes.
(2) Model ATR72–101, –102, –201, –202,
–211, –212, and –212A airplanes.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of
America Code 24, Electrical power.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of an
electrical contactor that failed with contacts
in the intermediate position, causing the
airplane to lose power to multiple electrical
systems. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address an electrical failure. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in
temporary loss of the direct current
emergency electrical network and loss of
control of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the
compliance times specified, unless already
done.
(g) Requirements
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this
AD: Comply with all required actions and
compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, EASA AD 2023–0181.
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(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023–0181
(1) Where EASA AD 2023–0181 refers to its
effective date, this AD requires using the
effective date of this AD.
(2) This AD does not adopt the ‘‘Remarks’’
section of EASA AD 2023–0181.
(i) Additional AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this
AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs): The Manager, International
Validation Branch, FAA, has the authority to
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your
request to your principal inspector or
responsible Flight Standards Office, as
appropriate. If sending information directly
to the manager of the International Validation
Branch, mail it to the address identified in
paragraph (j)(1) of this AD. Information may
be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@
faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC,
notify your appropriate principal inspector,
or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any
requirement in this AD to obtain instructions
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from a manufacturer, the instructions must
be accomplished using a method approved
by the Manager, International Validation
Branch, FAA; or EASA; or ATR–GIE Avions
de Transport Re´gional’s EASA Design
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by
the DOA, the approval must include the
DOA-authorized signature.
(j) Additional Information
(1) For more information about this AD,
contact Shahram Daneshmandi, Aviation
Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue,
Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone:
206–231–3220; email:
shahram.daneshmandi@faa.gov.
(2) For ATR service information identified
in this AD that is not incorporated by
reference, contact ATR–GIE Avions de
Transport Re´gional, 1 Alle´e Pierre Nadot,
31712 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33
(0) 5 62 21 62 21; fax +33 (0) 5 62 21 67 18;
email continued.airworthiness@atraircraft.com; website atr-aircraft.com. You
may view this service information at the
FAA, Airworthiness Products Section,
Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th
St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call
206–231–3195.
(3) Service information identified in this
AD that is not incorporated by reference is
available at the addresses specified in
paragraphs (k)(3) and (4) of this AD.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference
(IBR) of the service information listed in this
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51.
(2) You must use this service information
as applicable to do the actions required by
this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) AD 2023–0181, dated October 13,
2023.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA AD 2023–0181, contact
EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668
Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999
000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; website
easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA AD
on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
(4) You may view this material at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational
Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call
206–231–3195.
(5) You may view this material at the
National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on
the availability of this material at NARA,
visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/
ibr-locations, or email fr.inspection@
nara.gov.
Issued on February 1, 2024.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024–02442 Filed 2–6–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
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8363
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of Industry and Security
15 CFR Part 700
[Docket No. 240108–0002]
RIN 0694–AJ15
Clarifications and Updates to Defense
Priorities and Allocations System
Regulation
Bureau of Industry and
Security, Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
This proposed rule would
amend the Bureau of Industry and
Security’s (BIS) Defense Priorities and
Allocations System (DPAS) regulation
by providing administrative changes to
well-established standards and
procedures. This proposed rule would:
clarify existing standards and
procedures by which BIS may provide
Special Priorities Assistance (SPA);
revise Schedule I to provide
transparency and differentiation
between other departments’ priorities
jurisdiction and the Department of
Commerce’s jurisdiction; and provide
technical edits to reflect certain nonsubstantive updates since the DPAS
regulation was last amended in 2014,
including providing updated contact
information, legal citations, and
definitions.
DATES: Comments on this proposed rule
must be received by BIS by no later than
March 8, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Comments on this proposed
rule may be submitted to the Federal
rulemaking portal
(www.regulations.gov). The
regulations.gov ID for this rule is: BIS–
2024–0002. Please refer to RIN 0694–
AJ15 in all comments. Anyone
submitting business confidential
information should clearly identify any
business confidential portion of a
comment at the time of submission, file
a statement justifying nondisclosure and
referring to the specific legal authority
claimed, and provide a non-confidential
version of the submission.
For comments submitted
electronically containing business
confidential information, the file name
of the business confidential version
should begin with the characters ‘‘BC.’’
Any page containing business
confidential information must be clearly
marked ‘‘BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL’’
on the top of that page. The
corresponding non-confidential version
of those comments must be clearly
marked ‘‘PUBLIC.’’ The file name of the
non-confidential version should begin
SUMMARY:
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with the character ‘‘P.’’ Any
submissions with file names that do not
begin with either a ‘‘BC’’ or a ‘‘P’’ will
be assumed to be public and will be
made publicly available through https://
www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Katie Reid at (202) 482–3634, DPAS@
bis.doc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
This proposed rule would update the
priorities and allocations provisions set
forth in the Defense Priorities and
Allocations System (DPAS) regulation
(15 CFR part 700) and implemented by
the Department of Commerce (DOC),
Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)
consistent with its authorities under
Title I of the Defense Production Act of
1950, as amended (50 U.S.C. 4501 et
seq.) (DPA), as delegated by Executive
Order 13603 (March 16, 2012).
The DPAS has two principal
components, priorities and allocations.
Under the priorities component, certain
contracts between the government and
private parties or between private
parties for the production or delivery of
industrial resources are required to be
given priority over other contracts to
facilitate expedited delivery in
promotion of the U.S. national defense.
Under the allocations component,
materials, services, and facilities may be
allocated to promote the national
defense. For both components, the term
‘‘national defense’’ means programs for
military and energy production or
construction, homeland security,
stockpiling, space, emergency
preparedness, critical infrastructure
protection and restoration, and any
directly related activity. The term also
includes military and critical
infrastructure assistance to any foreign
nation.
Section-by-Section Analysis of the
Clarifications and Updates That This
Proposed Rule Would Make to the
Existing DPAS Regulation
The following discussion explains the
changes that this proposed rule would
make to the existing DPAS regulation.
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Subpart A—Purpose
Section 700.1—Purpose of this part.
This section would add the legal
citation for the DPA and update the
legal citation for the Robert T. Stafford
Disaster Relief Emergency Assistance
Act. This rule would also make minor
changes to the language to be consistent
with the DPA and Executive Order
(E.O.) 13603.
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Subpart B—Overview
Section 700.2—Introduction. This
section would change reference to
‘‘industrial items’’ to ‘‘industrial
resources’’ in paragraph (b) in order to
use the term ‘‘industrial resources’’
defined in § 700.8. Paragraph (c) would
be revised to highlight that the DOC is
also listed as an agency in Schedule I
and the reason why. BIS believes that
the additional information would
provide a more complete description of
Schedule I.
Section 700.3—Priority ratings and
rated orders. This section would add in
paragraph (a) references to the rating
symbol to conform with the current
definition of priority rating in section
700.8 as well as a description of a rating
symbol. BIS would make these changes
so that paragraph (a) will give a more
complete description of a priority rating.
It also revises paragraph (d) of this
section by changing ‘‘items’’ to
‘‘industrial resources’’ in order to use
the term ‘‘industrial resources’’ defined
in section 700.8.
Subpart C—Definitions
Section 700.8—Definitions. This
section would update the legal citation
for the DPA found in the definition of
‘‘Defense Production Act.’’ It would
update the legal citation for the Stafford
Act found in the definitions of ‘‘national
defense’’ and ‘‘Stafford Act,’’ and it
would update the legal citation for the
Selective Service Act found in the
definition of ‘‘Selective Service Act.’’
Both the definition of ‘‘approved
program’’ and ‘‘priorities authority’’ are
proposed for updates in order to be
consistent with the language of the DPA
and E.O. 13603. It would also update
the definition of ‘‘priority rating’’ to
provide clarity that the DOC may assign
the priority rating, which is consistent
with 15 CFR part 700. It would remove
the definition of ‘‘item’’ and update the
definition of ‘‘industrial resources’’ to
clarify and be consistent with the use of
both terms in 15 CFR part 700. This
section would include the definitions of
‘‘facilities,’’ ‘‘materials,’’ and ‘‘services’’
to provide clarity and be consistent with
the DPA. It would also provide a
definition for ‘‘determination
department’’ and ‘‘resources
department’’ to provide clarity and be
consistent with sections 201 and 202 of
E.O. 13603 and other priorities and
allocations regulations. It would also
make non-substantiative changes by
adding a comma after ‘‘administrative
subpoenas’’ in the definition of official
action and a comma after ‘‘chemicals’’
in the definition of ‘‘maintenance and
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repair and/or operating supplies
(MRO).’’
Subpart D—Industrial Priorities
Section 700.10—Authority. This
section would revise the last sentence of
paragraph (c)(1), to provide clarity on
what the provisions of 15 CFR part 700
are not applicable to by removing ‘‘those
other items which include’’. This
change is to be consistent with the use
of ‘‘item’’ in 15 CFR part 700.
Section 700.11—Priority ratings. This
section would make a non-substantive
change in paragraph (a)(1) by moving
the period inside the quotation. It would
also capitalize the word ‘‘schedule’’ in
paragraph (b) as this word references
Schedule I, a specific part of 15 CFR
part 700, which is capitalized
throughout 15 CFR part 700. It would
also clarify the explanation of what
‘‘A7’’ signifies to be consistent with
Schedule I. This section would update
paragraph (c) by replacing reference to
the ‘‘C2’’ program identification symbol
with ‘‘A7’’ in order to refer to the
program identification symbol later
referenced as an example of a priority
rating in this paragraph.
Section 700.12—Elements of a rated
order. This section would replace the
example that refers to a ‘‘DX–A4’’
priority rating, which is not currently in
use, with a reference to a ‘‘DX–A2’’
priority rating, which is more
commonly used, in paragraph (a)(1). It
would also revise paragraph (a)(4) by
changing the word ‘‘regulations’’ to
‘‘regulation’’ to be consistent with the
use of the word when referencing 15
CFR part 700.
Section 700.13—Acceptance and
rejection of rated orders. This section
would replace the brackets with
parentheses in paragraph (c)(5) to be
consistent with other sections of 15 CFR
part 700. It would add ‘‘(1)’’ in between
‘‘one’’ and ‘‘working day’’ in paragraph
(d)(3) to be consistent with other parts
of this section.
Section 700.14—Preferential
scheduling. This section would revise
the ‘‘Examples’’ by changing ‘‘June 2’’ to
‘‘June 3’’ so that the fact pattern makes
sense.
Section 700.15—Extension of priority
ratings. This section would revise
paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) by changing
‘‘items’’ to ‘‘industrial resources’’ to
clarify the type of resource covered by
the extension of priority ratings
provision. It would also revise
paragraph (a) by adding a pinpoint
citation to section 700.17 to add clarity
as to which section of 15 CFR part 700
is being referenced. This section would
insert language in paragraphs (a) and (b)
to clarify that all four required elements
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of a rated order outlined in section
700.12 must be included on each
successive order placed to fulfill a rated
order. It would also insert language in
the ‘‘Example’’ to clarify that a ‘‘DO–
A3’’ is a priority rating on a rated order.
Section 700.16—Changes or
cancellations of priority ratings and
rated orders. This section would make
one non-substantive change to
paragraph (b) by removing the comma
after ‘‘DO’’.
Section 700.17—Use of rated orders.
This section would clarify in paragraph
(a)(4) that a ‘‘DO–A3’’ and ‘‘DO–H7’’ are
a priority rating on a rated order. This
section would update paragraph (b)(1)
by adding the spelling of ‘‘90’’ and
parentheses around ‘‘90’’ to be
consistent with other sections of 15 CFR
part 700. This section would revise
paragraph (d)(1)(ii) by changing the
word ‘‘regulations’’ to ‘‘regulation’’ to be
consistent with the use of the word
when referencing 15 CFR part 700. This
section would change the value of
$75,000 listed in paragraph (f) to
$125,000. This change would be made
to conform with the changes to the
Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT)
value made under the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
(Pub. L. 115–91), which raised the SAT
from $150,000 to $250,000. As a result
of the SAT increase, U.S. firms are not
required to place a priority rating on an
order less than $125,000 (one-half of the
revised SAT of $250,000), as this
amount is greater than $75,000. BIS
posted a notice to its website notifying
the public of the change in the SAT after
it was raised by statute, but is making
the change in the regulation itself with
this update.
Section 700.18—Limitations on
placing rated orders. This section would
change the cross reference of section
700.41 found in paragraph (a)(2)(iii) and
paragraph (a)(2)(iv)(B) to section 700.51,
which is the correct cross reference. It
would also make a non-substantive
change by adding a comma after
‘‘expansion’’ in paragraph (a)(2)(iv)(A).
Subpart E—Industrial Priorities for
Energy Programs
Section 700.21—Application for
priority rating authority. This section
would update the contact information
for the Department of Energy.
Subpart F—Allocations Actions
Section 700.31—General Procedures.
This section would make one nonsubstantive change in paragraph (f).
‘‘Allocations’’ would be made singular
to instead state ‘‘allocation’’ to be
consistent with the definition of
‘‘allocation order’’ in section 700.8.
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Section 700.33—Types of allocations
orders. This section would make one
non-substantive change in the heading
of this section and the first paragraph.
‘‘Allocations’’ would be made singular
to instead state ‘‘allocation’’ to be
consistent with the definition of
‘‘allocation order’’ in section 700.8.
Section 700.34—Elements of an
allocation order. This section would
make four non-substantive changes. In
paragraph (a)(1), a comma would be
added after ‘‘DO rated orders.’’ In
paragraph (b)(1), the word ‘‘regulations’’
would be changed to ‘‘regulation’’ to be
consistent with the use of the word
when referencing 15 CFR part 700. In
paragraph (c), ‘‘that gives’’ would be
changed to ‘‘issued by.’’ In paragraph
(c)(1), the word ‘‘regulations’’ would be
changed to ‘‘regulation’’ to be consistent
with the use of the word when
referencing 15 CFR part 700.
Subpart H—Special Priorities
Assistance
Section 700.50—General Provisions.
This section would re-organize
paragraph (a) to include two paragraphs
in order to provide clarity as to when
special priorities assistance should be
sought from the DOC or the Delegate
Agency. This section would change the
word ‘‘can’’ to ‘‘may’’ in the first
sentence of paragraph (b) to be
consistent with the use of the word
‘‘may’’ in other sections of 15 CFR part
700. It would also change paragraph (c)
to clarify special priorities assistance
can be sought from the DOC to be
consistent with other sections of 15 CFR
part 700. This section would capitalize
‘‘appendix’’ in paragraph (c) as this
word references Appendix I, a specific
part of 15 CFR part 700. This section
would also include a website reference
to FORM BIS–999 in paragraph (c).
Section 700.51—Requests for priority
rating authority. This section would add
a new paragraph as paragraph (b) to
clarify what a person should do if they
do not have priority rating authority
under this part and would like to
request priority rating authority to be
consistent with current practice and
requirements under E.O. 13603. As a
result of this additional paragraph, this
section would change paragraph (b) to
paragraph (c) and paragraph (c) to
paragraph (d). This section would
clarify how to request priority rating
authority for production and
construction equipment from Delegate
Agencies and the DOC in paragraph
(c)(1) to be consistent with the
delegations issued to the Delegate
Agencies. This section would include
the phrase ‘‘or those authorized by the
DOC to priority rate the prime contract’’
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in paragraph (d)(1) and would remove
reference to the ‘‘Delegate Agency’’ in
paragraph (d)(2) to take into account
that sponsorship may be obtained from
sources other than just the Delegate
Agencies. This section would clarify in
paragraph (d)(4) that ‘‘Commerce’’ is
referencing the ‘‘Department of
Commerce.’’
Section 700.52—Examples of
assistance. This section would
emphasize in paragraph (a) that special
priorities assistance is in support of an
approved program and would insert
cross references on how to request a
determination from the appropriate
Determination Department that a
request is necessary or appropriate to
promote the national defense, consistent
with the DPA and E.O. 13603. This
section would also add paragraph (3) to
paragraph (a) to list another situation in
which special priorities assistance is
usually provided.
Section 700.53—Criteria for
assistance. This section would add
‘‘Determination Department’’ to the list
of agencies that require timely requests
to be consistent with E.O. 13603.
Section 700.54—Instances where
assistance will not be provided. This
section would add ‘‘Determination
Departments’’ in the list of agencies that
have input on special priorities
assistance requests to be consistent with
E.O. 13603.
Section 700.55—Homeland security,
emergency preparedness, and critical
infrastructure protection and restoration
assistance programs within the United
States. This section would change the
title of this section to ‘‘Requests for
determination that program within the
United States is necessary or
appropriate to promote the national
defense’’. The information originally in
this section would be made into a new
paragraph (a). This section would clarify
what types of requests should be
submitted to the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) to be
consistent with E.O. 13603. This section
would update the contact information
for FEMA’s Office of Policy and
Program Analysis in paragraph (a). This
section would create paragraph (b) to
provide information on requesting a
determination from the Department of
Defense (DOD) to be consistent with
E.O. 13603. Paragraph (c) would be
created to provide information on
requesting a determination from the
Department of Energy (DOE).
Section 700.56—Military assistance
programs with Canada. This section
would update the contact information,
including the name of the agency, for
the Government of Canada. It would
clarify in paragraph (g) that requests for
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assistance in obtaining items in Canada
must submit a request to the Office of
Strategic Industries and Economic
Security. This would provide clarity
that while these requests may go
through the Delegate Agency, it is not
required.
Section 700.57—Military assistance
programs with other nations and
international organizations. This
section would revise information
regarding the list of countries that are
signatory to a bilateral security of
supply arrangement with the DOD in
paragraphs (a) and (c). The revision
would add Denmark, Israel, Japan,
Latvia, and Norway to the list of
countries that are signatory to a bilateral
security of supply arrangement with the
DOD. It would also provide the DOD
website for up-to-date information on
the security of supply arrangements,
including the current list of foreign
nations that are signatories to the
bilateral security of supply
arrangements with the DOD. This
change is needed as the list of foreign
nations that are signatories to bilateral
security of supply arrangements with
the DOD has updated to include
Denmark, Israel, Japan, Latvia, and
Norway, and it is expected that this list
will continually be updated. This
section would also update the DOD
contact information in paragraph (b) and
paragraph (c). This section would move
the last sentence of paragraph (2) to a
new paragraph (3) so that the
information provided in this sentence is
not lost as it is different from the
information provided in paragraph (2).
Section 700.58—Critical
infrastructure assistance programs to
foreign nations and international
organizations. This section would make
a non-substantive change in paragraph
(a) to add a comma after ‘‘for example.’’
It would update paragraph (b) by reorganizing the information into two
paragraphs. This section would clarify
in the new paragraph (b)(1) that requests
for assistance should be submitted on
Form BIS–999 to be consistent with
other types of special priorities
assistance requests. This section would
clarify in the new paragraph (b)(2) what
the request to FEMA is for to be
consistent with E.O. 13603. It would
also update the contact information for
FEMA’s Office of Policy and Program
Analysis.
Subpart I—Official Actions
Section 700.61—Rating
authorizations. This section would
clarify in paragraph (a)(1) that a rating
authorization permits a person to place
a priority rating on an order for an item
which, for example, can include an item
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not normally ratable under this
regulation. This clarification would be
consistent with the clarifications made
in section 700.51 and section 700.52.
Section 700.63—Letters of
Understanding. This section would
change ‘‘which’’ to ‘‘that’’ in paragraph
(a) as well as revise information in the
parentheses to add ‘‘e.g.,’’ and remove
‘‘and’’ to clarify this is an example list
of parties. It would also add
‘‘Determination Department’’ to the
example list of parties.
Subpart J—Compliance
Section 700.70—General provisions.
This section would remove specific
penalties information for violating the
DPA, and instead directly reference the
penalties’ sections within the DPA.
Section 700.71—Audits and
investigations. This section would make
one non-substantive change to
paragraph (a). A comma after ‘‘other
writings’’ would be added.
Section 700.74—Violations, penalties,
and remedies. This section would
remove specific penalties information
for violating the DPA in paragraph (a),
and instead directly reference the
penalties sections of the DPA. It would
also change the word ‘‘Sections’’ in
paragraph (a) to ‘‘sections’’ as this word
references sections of the DPA, which
begins with a lower case ‘‘s’’ throughout
15 CFR part 700. This section would
change ‘‘also, for example’’ to ‘‘e.g.,’’ in
paragraph (c) to be consistent with how
15 CFR part 700 refers to examples.
Subpart K—Adjustments, Exceptions,
and Appeals
Section 700.80—Adjustments or
exceptions. This section would make
one non-substantive change to
paragraph (c). The number ‘‘25’’ would
be moved behind the word ‘‘twentyfive’’ and put in parentheses, and the
parentheses would be removed around
the word ‘‘twenty-five’’. This proposed
change is to be consistent with other
sections of 15 CFR part 700.
Section 700.81—Appeals. This
section would make one nonsubstantive change to paragraph (b). In
both sentences, the number ‘‘45’’ would
be put in parentheses and the word
‘‘forty-five’’ would be added. This
proposed change is to be consistent with
other sections of 15 CFR part 700.
Subpart L—Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 700.93—Communications.
This section would make one nonsubstantive change by moving ‘‘and’’ to
after ‘‘explanatory information,’’. It
would add the address of the Office of
Strategic Industries and Economic
Security. It would also add ‘‘special’’ in
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front of ‘‘priorities assistance’’ in the
last paragraph to be consistent with this
part.
Schedule I to Part 700—Approved
Programs and Delegate Agencies
This section would revise the first
paragraph to clarify that Schedule I is a
list of approved programs, which is a
defined term in section 700.8. A
sentence would be added that also
clarifies that use of the authority under
15 CFR part 700 requires written
authorization by the DOC to be
consistent with other sections of 15 CFR
part 700. It would also move footnote 2
to the end of the first paragraph and
adds a cross reference to section 700.50
for additional information.
This section would update the
description of the ‘‘A2’’ program
identification symbol from ‘‘Missile’’ to
‘‘Missile and Space’’ in Schedule I in
order to be consistent with DOD’s
program determination that the
approved program that uses the ‘‘A2’’
program identification symbol includes
both Missile and Space programs.
This section would remove the ‘‘C1’’
program identification symbol for food
resources in Schedule I as ‘‘food
resources (combat rations)’’ now falls
under the jurisdiction of the Department
of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agriculture
Priorities and Allocation System (APAS)
regulation (7 CFR part 789). Although
items that fell under this program
identification symbol were always food
resources, the authority for which has
always been delegated to USDA under
E.O. 13603 and its predecessors, USDA
did not have a published regulation to
enact that delegated authority.
Therefore, under an agreement between
USDA and the DOC, DOD was permitted
to place ratings using the ‘‘C1’’ symbol
for combat rations using the DPAS.
However, in 2015, USDA published the
APAS regulation and DOD now uses
that authority to place priority ratings
on combat rations, and no longer uses
the previous agreement to rate them
under the DPAS.
This section would update the
description of the ‘‘J1’’ program
identification symbol to ‘‘Co-Production
Programs’’ in Schedule I to reflect
DOD’s update to the approved program.
DOD made a program determination
under E.O. 13603 to expand the
approved program that uses the ‘‘J1’’
program identification symbol from ‘‘F–
16 Co-Production Program’’ to ‘‘CoProduction Programs.’’ This change
expands DOD’s use of this program
identification symbol to other programs
outside of the F–16 program.
This section would also make a nonsubstantive change to the description of
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the ‘‘H1’’ program identification symbol
to change ‘‘section’’ to the symbol.
This section would update the
description of the ‘‘N8’’ program
identification symbol in Schedule I from
‘‘Miscellaneous’’ to ‘‘Continuity of
Government’’ in order to clarify DHS’s
program determination is for Continuity
of Government-related programs.
This section would also add an
‘‘Other Programs’’ section to Schedule I,
which includes the program
identification symbols for national
defense programs administered by other
departments but that might, in some
instances, need industrial resources that
are under the jurisdiction of the DPAS.
BIS proposes making these revisions to
Schedule I to help provide transparency
and ease between other departments’
priorities authority and the DOC’s
priorities authority when a Delegate
Agency needs industrial resources to
implement any approved program
related to other resources (i.e., food
resources, energy resources, health
resources, civil transportation, or water
resources) subject to other departments’
priorities authority and authorized for
priorities support by the appropriate
department.
Four departments are administering
priorities and allocations regulations
similar to the DPAS for resources under
their jurisdictions as outlined in E.O.
13603. Those departments and the
resources under their jurisdiction are:
USDA, food resources; DOE, energy
resources; the Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS), health
resources; and the Department of
Transportation (DOT), civil
transportation. Persons placing priority
ratings on contracts and orders pursuant
to those systems may need industrial
resources that are subject to DPAS in
support of those contracts or orders. For
example, spare tires or engine parts
(industrial resources under DPAS
jurisdiction) might be needed to support
a contract to provide civil transportation
resources.
In administering the DPAS, BIS has
noted that the Departments of Defense,
Energy, Homeland Security, and Health
and Human Services and the General
Services Administration are the U.S.
Government agencies that most
frequently procure industrial resources
needed to implement approved national
defense programs. Accordingly, BIS has
delegated to those five agencies certain
DPAS authority to place priority ratings
on contracts and orders for industrial
resources in support of approved
national defense programs (Delegate
Agencies). BIS expects that those five
agencies are also likely to be the
agencies that most frequently procure
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any industrial resources that may be
needed to implement any future
approved programs related to food
resources, energy resources, health
resources, civil transportation, and
water resources.
Considering these facts and to assist
in developing ‘‘a consistent and unified
Federal priorities and allocations
system’’ as called for by Section
101(d)(2) of the DPA, BIS, as part of
those delegations, has authorized these
Delegate Agencies to place priority
ratings on contracts and orders for
industrial resources needed to
implement any program related to food
resources, energy resources, health
resources, civil transportation, or water
resources determined as necessary or
appropriate to promote the national
defense and authorized for priorities
support by the appropriate resource
agency (i.e., Departments of Agriculture,
Energy, Health and Human Services,
and Transportation). Therefore, Delegate
Agencies are authorized to use the same
program identification symbol on such
contracts and orders for industrial
resources as authorized by the
appropriate resource agency to support
the approved program. However, any
priority rated contract or order for
industrial resources placed to
implement an approved program related
to food resources, energy resources,
health resources, civil transportation, or
water resources remains subject to the
DPAS. The addition of the second
paragraph before the Schedule I and the
‘‘Other Programs’’ section within
Schedule I reflects this delegated
authority.
Defense Production Act of 1950, as
Amended
On September 8, 1950, the President
signed the Defense Production Act of
1950 (DPA), as amended into law. Title
VII of the DPA includes a sunset clause
for the majority of the DPA authorities
which require periodic reauthorization.
On August 13, 2018, the President
signed the John S. McCain National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2019 into law, which reauthorized
the DPA, 50 U.S.C. 4501 et seq., through
September 30, 2025. The DPA provides
the legal basis for BIS’s principal
authorities and serves as the authority
under which BIS issues this proposed
rule.
Expected Impact of the Proposed Rule
BIS believes this rule merely provides
clarifications and transparency to
Federal, state, local, tribal, and
territorial government agencies, foreign
governments, and the public to ensure
ease of understanding and
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implementation of established
procedures and would not have a
significant economic impact on
government agencies or the public.
The administrative changes proposed
are for ease, clarity, and transparency of
the existing standards and procedures
used to authorize and require priority
performance of certain contracts or
orders that promote the national defense
over other contracts and orders.
The amendments proposed provide
technical, non-substantive
administrative changes to ensure
consistency with the Defense
Production Act of 1950 (DPA) and E.O.
13603; provide clarity on procedures for
the placement, acceptance, and
performance of the Defense Priorities
and Allocations System (DPAS) priority
rated orders; and provide transparency
to the process for parties to request SPA.
The standards and process under
which a rated order is authorized,
placed, or performed on would not be
changed. There are no proposed
modifications to the procedures for the
placement, acceptance, and
performance of rated orders or for the
allocation of materials, services, and
facilities. Firms would not be required
to reduce the total volume of orders, or
require the recipient of a rated order to
reduce prices or provide rated orders
with more favorable terms than
comparable unrated orders. Nor to the
changes proposed amend the
requirements or procedures for
requesting Special Priorities Assistance
(SPA).
Rulemaking Requirements
1. This rule has been determined to be
a significant regulatory action for
purposes of Executive Order (E.O.)
12866.
2. Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, no person is required
to respond to, nor shall any person be
subject to a penalty for failure to comply
with, a collection of information subject
to the requirements of the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501
et seq.) (PRA), unless that collection of
information displays a currently valid
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) Control Number. With this rule,
BIS is proposing changes to an existing
approved information collection,
Request for Special Priorities Assistance
(OMB Control Number 0694–0057)
which will be updated to reflect the
changes discussed.
This collection currently carries a
burden estimate of 30 minutes for an
electronic submission for a total burden
estimate of 22 hours. BIS believes the
total burden hours are not expected to
materially increase as a result of this
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rule. The current version of this
collection—including all background
materials—can be found at https://
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain by
using the search function to enter either
the title of the collection or the OMB
Control Number. BIS is proposing
changes to the form as discussed below.
The citation in the top paragraph
would be updated from ‘‘50 U.S.C. App.
4455(d)’’ to ‘‘50 U.S.C. 4555(d).’’
Block 1.a would be updated to
include a field for country. BIS can
currently receive applications from
persons located outside of the United
States. This proposed change would
insert a field for an Applicant to provide
the country in which the Applicant
resides.
Block 1.b would be updated to
include a field for country and an email
address. This proposed change would
insert a field for an Applicant customer,
if not an end-user Government agency,
to provide the country in which the
Applicant customer resides as well as
an email address for the Applicant
customer.
Block 3 would be updated to include
‘‘manufacturer’’ as part of the
description of the item. This proposed
change is needed when the item the
Applicant is requiring assistance with is
not manufactured by the Applicant’s
supplier listed in Block 4.a. This may
occur, for example, if an Applicant is
procuring the item through a distributor.
Block 4.a is updated to include a field
for the country of the applicant’s
supplier. Applicants may procure items
that they need assistance with through
foreign suppliers. For example, foreign
applicants may request assistance with
an item manufactured in the United
States that they acquire through a
foreign distributor. If an applicant is
requesting DPAS rating authority, BIS
requires the country information of the
supplier listed in Block 4.a to ensure
that the appropriate entities are
authorized to place priority rated
contracts and orders with suppliers
physically located in the United States.
Block 8 would be updated to remove
the information listed in the parentheses
now that electronic signatures are
available.
Block 9.g would be updated to remove
specific references to the Department of
Defense or foreign requests to allow for
flexibility for each Determination
Department request process.
Page 3 of Form BIS–999 titled,
‘‘INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING
FORM BIS–999’’ would be updated for
ease of understanding and consistency
with 15 CFR part 700, including the
changes made by this proposed rule,
and the delegations to the Delegate
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Agencies from the Department of
Commerce. The Office of Strategic
Industries and Economic Security’s
email address is also added as an option
on how to submit Form BIS–999.
A. Public Reporting Burden
Public reporting burden specific to
this proposed rule and the revision to
collection of information previously
approved is voluntary and includes the
time for reviewing instructions,
searching existing data sources,
gathering and maintaining the data
needed, and completing and reviewing
the collection of information.
Respondents: 22.
Responses per Respondent: 1.
Total Responses: 22.
Hours per Response: 30 minutes.
Total Burden Hours: 11.
Public comments are particularly
invited on: Whether this collection of
information is necessary and whether it
will have practical utility; whether our
estimate of the public burden of this
collection of information is accurate and
based on valid assumptions and
methodology; and ways to enhance the
quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected.
Requesters may obtain a copy of the
information collection documents from
Mark Crace at Mark.Crace@bis.doc.gov.
Please cite ‘‘Information Collection
0694–0057, in all correspondence.
3. These proposed changes do not
contain policies with federalism
implications as that term is defined in
E.O. 13132.
4. The Regulatory Flexibility Act
(RFA), as amended by the Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA), 5 U.S.C.
601 et seq., generally requires an agency
to prepare a regulatory flexibility
analysis of any rule subject to the notice
and comment rulemaking requirements
under the Administrative Procedure Act
(5 U.S.C. 553) or any other statute.
Under section 605(b) of the RFA,
however, if the head of an agency
certifies that a rule will not have a
significant impact on a substantial
number of small entities, the statute
does not require the agency to prepare
a regulatory flexibility analysis.
Pursuant to section 605(b), the Chief
Counsel for Regulation, Department of
Commerce, certified to the Chief
Counsel for Regulation, Small Business
Administration that this proposed rule
will not have a significant impact on a
substantial number of small entities for
the reasons explained below. No other
law requires such an analysis.
Consequently, no regulatory flexibility
analysis is required, and none has been
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prepared. The factual support for this
certification is provided below.
Number of Small Entities
Small entities include small
businesses, small organizations, and
small governmental jurisdictions. For
purposes of assessing the impacts of this
proposed rule on small entities, a small
business, as described in the Small
Business Administration’s Table of
Small Business Size Standards Matched
to North American Industry
Classification System Codes (Effective
March 17, 2023), has a maximum
annual revenue of $47 million and a
maximum of 1,500 employees (for some
business categories, these numbers are
lower). A small governmental
jurisdiction is a government of a city,
town, school district or special district
with a population of less than 50,000. A
small organization is any not-for-profit
enterprise which is independently
owned and operated and is not
dominant in its field.
This proposed rule would make nonsubstantive changes to clarify wellestablished standards and procedures
under which BIS (or agencies to which
BIS delegates authority) would
authorize prioritization of certain orders
or contracts as well as criteria under
which BIS would issue orders allocating
resources or production facilities. This
proposed rule does not amend
requirements for organizations that
enter into contracts to supply materials,
services and facilities that are necessary
or appropriate for the national defense.
Rather, this proposed rule would
provide transparency to organizations
on the DPAS to ensure ease of
understanding and implementation of
established processes.
BIS’s experience in administering its
priorities authority indicates that forprofit businesses are the organizations
that provide materials, services, and
facilities necessary or appropriate to
promote the national defense. If it
becomes necessary to exercise
allocations authority, the same types of
materials, services, and facilities and the
same types of businesses are the ones
likely to be affected. Therefore, BIS
believes that two of the categories of
small entities identified by the RFA,
small organizations and small
government jurisdictions, are unlikely
to experience any economic impact as a
result of this proposed rule. However,
BIS has no basis on which to estimate
the number of small businesses that are
likely to be affected by this proposed
rule.
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Impact
BIS believes that any impact that this
proposed rule might have on small
businesses would be minor. This
proposed rule would not change the
processes for the placement, acceptance,
and performance of rated orders or for
the allocation of materials, services, and
facilities. Nor does this proposed rule
change the procedures to request special
priorities assistance. BIS expects that
this proposed rule would not result in
any increase in the use of rated orders.
The standards under which a rated
order would be issued are not changed
by this proposed rule. Rather, this
proposed rule provides simplifications
and clarifications to the placement,
acceptance, and performance of rated
orders and the SPA process to ensure
ease of understanding and
implementation of established
procedures.
Further, although rated orders could
require a firm to fill one order prior to
filling another, they would not require
a reduction in the total volume of
orders, nor would they require the
recipient to reduce prices or provide
rated orders with more favorable terms
than a similar non-rated order. Under
these circumstances, the economic
effects on the rated order recipient of
substituting one order for another are
likely to be offsetting, resulting in no net
loss.
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Conclusion
Although BIS cannot determine
precisely the number of small entities
that would be affected by this proposed
rule, BIS believes that the overall impact
on such entities would not be
significant as this proposed rule would
provide administrative changes to wellestablished standards and procedures.
Consequently, this proposed rule would
not likely increase the number of rated
contracts and orders compared to the
number being placed currently. BIS
believes that the expected unchanged
level of contract and order
prioritizations, planning and review
requirements and requirements of
section 701 of the DPA, which are
directed at protecting the interests of
small businesses, provide reasonable
assurance that any impact on small
business will not be significant. For the
reasons set forth above, the Chief
Counsel for Regulations at the
Department of Commerce certified that
this action would not have a significant
impact on a substantial number of small
entities.
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List of Subjects in 15 CFR Part 700
Administrative practice and
procedure, Business and industry,
Government contracts, National defense,
Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Strategic and critical
materials.
Accordingly, 15 CFR part 700 of the
DPAS regulation, proposes to amend as
follows:
PART 700—DEFENSE PRIORITIES
AND ALLOCATIONS SYSTEM
1. The authority citation for 15 CFR
part 700 continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 50 U.S.C. 4501 et seq.; 42
U.S.C. 5195, et seq.; 50 U.S.C. 3816; 10 U.S.C.
2538; 50 U.S.C. 82; E.O. 12656, 53 FR 226,
3 CFR, 1988 Comp., p. 585; E.O. 12742, 56
FR 1079, 3 CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 309; E.O.
13603, 77 FR 16651, 3 CFR, 2012 Comp., p.
225.
2. Section 700.1 is amended by
revising the second and third sentences
to read as follows:
■
§ 700.1
Purpose of this part.
* * * The DPAS implements the
priorities and allocations authority of
the Defense Production Act (50 U.S.C.
4501 et seq.), delegated to the
Department of Commerce under
Executive Order 13603, including use of
that authority to support emergency
preparedness activities pursuant to Title
VI of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
(42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), and the
priorities authority of the Selective
Service Act and related statutes, all with
respect to industrial resources. The
DPAS establishes procedures for the
placement, acceptance, and
performance of priority rated contracts
and orders (other than contracts of
employment) and for the allocation of
materials, services, and facilities for
approved programs. * * *
■ 3. Revise section 700.2 to read as
follows:
§ 700.2
Introduction.
(a) Certain national defense and
energy programs (including military,
emergency preparedness, homeland
security, and critical infrastructure
protection and restoration activities)
may be eligible for priorities and
allocations support as determined by a
Determination Department.
(b) The Department of Commerce
administers the DPAS and may exercise
priorities and allocations authority to
ensure the timely delivery of industrial
resources to meet approved program
requirements.
(c) The Department of Commerce has
delegated authority to place priority
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8369
ratings on contracts or orders necessary
or appropriate to promote the national
defense to certain government agencies
that issue such contracts or orders. Such
delegations include authority to
authorize recipients of rated orders to
place ratings on contracts or orders to
contractors, subcontractors, and
suppliers. Schedule I to this part
includes a list of agencies to which the
Department of Commerce has delegated
authority. The Department of Commerce
is also listed as an agency for programs
where its authorization is necessary to
place rated orders.
■ 4. Section 700.3 is amended by
revising paragraphs (a) and (d) to read
as follows:
§ 700.3
Priority ratings and rated orders.
(a) Rated orders are identified by a
priority rating, which consists of a
rating symbol (DO or DX), and a
program identification symbol. Rated
orders take precedence over all unrated
orders as necessary to meet required
delivery dates. Rating symbols indicate
the level of priority. Among rated
orders, DX rated orders take precedence
over DO rated orders. Program
identification symbols indicate which
approved program is attributed to the
rated order.
*
*
*
*
*
(d) Persons who receive rated orders
must in turn place rated orders with
their suppliers for the industrial
resources they need to fill the orders.
This provision ensures that suppliers
will give priority treatment to rated
orders from contractor to subcontractor
to suppliers throughout the
procurement chain.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 5. Section 700.8 is amended by
■ a. Adding in alphabetical order the
definitions of ‘‘Determination
Department’’, ‘‘Facilities’’, ‘‘Materials’’,
‘‘Resource Department’’, and
‘‘Services’’;
■ b. Revising the definitions of
‘‘Approved program’’, ‘‘Defense
Production Act’’, ‘‘Industrial resources’’,
‘‘National defense’’, ‘‘Official action’’,
‘‘Priorities authority’’, ‘‘Priority rating’’,
‘‘Selective Service Act’’, and ‘‘Stafford
Act’’; and
■ c. Removing the definition of ‘‘Item’’.
Revisions and additions read as
follows:
§ 700.8
Definitions.
*
*
*
*
*
Approved program. A program
determined in writing as necessary or
appropriate for priorities and allocations
support to promote the national defense
by the Secretary of Defense, the
Secretary of Energy, or the Secretary of
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Homeland Security, under the authority
of the Defense Production Act and
Executive Order 13603, or the Selective
Service Act and Executive Order 12742.
*
*
*
*
*
Defense Production Act. The Defense
Production Act of 1950, as amended (50
U.S.C. 4501 et seq.).
*
*
*
*
*
Determination Department. Any of
the three Federal departments whose
head is delegated authority by the
President under section 202 of
Executive Order 13603 to determine in
writing that a program is necessary or
appropriate to promote the national
defense (referred to as ‘‘approved
program’’):
(1) The Secretary of Defense with
respect to military production and
construction, military assistance to
foreign nations, military use of civil
transportation, stockpiles managed by
the Department of Defense, space, and
directly related activities;
(2) The Secretary of Energy with
respect to energy production and
construction, distribution and use, and
directly related activities; and
(3) The Secretary of Homeland
Security with respect to all other
national defense programs, including
civil defense and continuity of
Government.
*
*
*
*
*
Facilities. The term ‘‘facilities’’
includes all types of buildings,
structures, or other improvements to
real property (but excluding farms,
churches or other houses of worship,
and private dwelling houses), and
services relating to the use of any such
building, structure, or other
improvement.
*
*
*
*
*
Industrial resources. All materials,
services, and facilities, including
construction materials, the authority for
which has not been delegated to other
agencies under Executive Order 13603.
This term may also be referred to as
‘‘item’’ in this part.
*
*
*
*
*
Materials. Includes:
(1) Any raw materials (including
minerals, metals, and advanced
processed materials), commodities,
articles, components (including critical
components), products, and items of
supply; and
(2) Any technical information or
services ancillary to the use of any such
materials, commodities, articles,
components, products, or items.
National defense. Programs for
military and energy production or
construction, military or critical
infrastructure assistance to any foreign
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nation, homeland security, stockpiling,
space, and any directly related activity.
Such term includes emergency
preparedness activities conducted
pursuant to Title VI of The Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.)
and critical infrastructure protection
and restoration.
Official action. An action taken by the
Department of Commerce under the
authority of the Defense Production Act,
the Selective Service Act and related
statutes, and this part. Such actions
include the issuance of rating
authorizations, directives, letters of
understanding, demands for
information, inspection authorizations,
administrative subpoenas, and
allocation orders.
*
*
*
*
*
Priorities authority. The authority of
the Department of Commerce, pursuant
to section 101 of the Defense Production
Act, to require priority performance of
contracts and orders (other than
contracts of employment) for industrial
resources for use in approved programs.
Priority rating. An identifying code,
consisting of the rating symbol and the
program identification symbol, assigned
by the Department of Commerce, a
Delegate Agency, or authorized person
and placed on all rated orders.
*
*
*
*
*
Resource Department. Any of the six
Federal departments whose head is
delegated authority by the President
under section 201 of Executive Order
13603 to require acceptance and priority
performance of contracts or orders
(other than contracts of employment) to
promote the national defense over
performance of any other contracts or
orders, and to allocate materials,
services, and facilities as deemed
necessary or appropriate to promote the
national defense (referred to as
‘‘approved program’’):
(1) The Secretary of Agriculture with
respect to food resources, food resource
facilities, livestock resources, veterinary
resources, plant health resources, and
the domestic distribution of farm
equipment and commercial fertilizer;
(2) The Secretary of Energy with
respect to all forms of energy;
(3) The Secretary of Health and
Human Services with respect to health
resources;
(4) The Secretary of Transportation
with respect to all forms of civil
transportation;
(5) The Secretary of Defense with
respect to water resources; and
(6) The Secretary of Commerce with
respect to all other materials, services,
and facilities, including construction
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materials (referred to as ‘‘industrial
resources’’).
*
*
*
*
*
Services. Includes any effort that is
needed for or incidental to:
(1) The development, production,
processing, distribution, delivery, or use
of an industrial resource or a critical
technology item;
(2) The construction of facilities; or
(3) Other national defense programs
and activities.
Selective Service Act. Section 18 of
the Selective Service Act of 1948 (50
U.S.C. 3816).
*
*
*
*
*
Stafford Act. Title VI (Emergency
Preparedness) of the Robert T. Stafford
Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act, as amended (42 U.S.C.
5121 et seq.).
*
*
*
*
*
■ 6. Section 700.10 is amended by
revising the last sentence in paragraph
(c)(1) to read as follows:
§ 700.10
Authority.
*
*
*
*
*
(c) Jurisdiction limitations.
(1) * * * Unless otherwise agreed to
by the concerned agencies, the
provisions of this part are not applicable
to:
*
*
*
*
*
■ 7. Section 700.11 is amended by
revising paragraph (a)(1), the second
and third sentences of paragraph (b),
and the first sentence of paragraph (c) to
read as follows:
§ 700.11
Priority ratings.
(a) Levels of priority.
(1) There are two levels of priority
established by this regulation, identified
by the rating symbols ‘‘DO’’ and ‘‘DX.’’
*
*
*
*
*
(b) * * * The list of approved
programs and their identification
symbols is found in schedule I to this
part. For example, A1 identifies defense
aircraft programs and A7 signifies
defense electronic and communications
equipment programs. * * *
(c) Priority ratings. A priority rating
consists of the rating symbol—DO and
DX—and the program identification
symbol, such as A1, A7, or N1. * * *
■ 8. Section 700.12 is amended by
revising paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(4) to
read as follows:
§ 700.12
Elements of a rated order.
(a) * * *
(1) The appropriate priority rating and
program identification symbol (e.g.,
DO–A1, DX–A2, DO–N1).
*
*
*
*
*
(4) A statement that reads in
substance: ‘‘This is a rated order
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certified for national defense use and
you are required to follow all the
provisions of the Defense Priorities and
Allocations System regulation (15 CFR
part 700).’’
*
*
*
*
*
■ 9. Section 700.13 is amended by
revising paragraphs (c)(5) and (d)(3) to
read as follows:
§ 700.13
orders.
Acceptance and rejection of rated
*
*
*
*
*
(c) * * *
(5) If acceptance of a rated order or
performance against a rated order would
violate any other regulation, official
action, or order of the Department of
Commerce issued under the authority of
the Defense Production Act or the
Selective Service Act and related
statutes (see § 700.75).
(d) * * *
(3) If a person has accepted a rated
order and subsequently finds that
shipment or performance will be
delayed, the person must notify the
customer immediately, give the reasons
for the delay, and advise of a new
shipment or performance date. If
notification is given verbally, written
(hard copy) or electronic confirmation
must be provided within one (1)
working day of the verbal notice.
■ 10. Section 700.14 is amended by
revising the second sentence in
‘‘Examples’’ to paragraph (b) to read as
follows:
§ 700.14
Preferential Scheduling.
*
*
*
*
*
(b) * * *
Examples:
* * * If a DX rated order is received
calling for delivery on July 15 and a
person has a DO rated order requiring
delivery on June 3 and operations can
be scheduled to meet both deliveries,
there is no need to alter production
schedules to give any additional
preference to the DX rated order. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
■ 11. Revise Section 700.15 to read as
follows:
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS
§ 700.15
Extension of priority ratings.
(a) A person must use rated orders
with suppliers to obtain industrial
resources needed to fill a rated order.
All elements of a rated order outlined in
section 700.12 must be included on the
rated order. The person must use the
priority rating indicated on the
customer’s rated order, except as
otherwise provided in this part (see
§ 700.17) or as directed by the
Department of Commerce.
Example:
If a person is in receipt of a rated
order with a priority rating of DO–A3
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for a navigation system and needs to
purchase semiconductors for its
manufacture, that person must use a
DO–A3 priority rating to obtain the
needed semiconductors.
(b) The required elements of a rated
order outlined in section 700.12 must be
included on each successive order
placed to obtain industrial resources
needed to fill a customer’s rated order.
Therefore, the inclusion of the rating
will continue from contractor to
subcontractor to supplier throughout the
entire supply chain.
(c) A person must use rated orders
with suppliers to obtain industrial
resources needed to fill an emergency
preparedness rated order. That person
must require acceptance or rejection,
and transmission of that acceptance or
rejection by the supplier within the time
limit stated in the rated order that is
being filled.
■ 12. Section 700.16 is amended by
revising paragraph (b) to read as follows:
§ 700.16 Changes or cancellations of
priority ratings and rated orders.
*
*
*
*
*
(b) If an unrated order is amended so
as to make it a rated order, or a DO
rating is changed to a DX rating, the
supplier must give the appropriate
preferential treatment to the order as of
the date the change is received by the
supplier.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 13. Section 700.17 is amended by
revising paragraphs (a)(4), (b)(1),
(d)(1)(ii), and (f) to read as follows:
§ 700.17
Use of rated orders.
(a) * * *
(4) MRO needed to produce the
finished items to fill rated orders.
However, for MRO, the priority rating
used must contain the program
identification symbol H7 along with the
rating symbol contained on the
customer’s rated order. For example, a
person in receipt of a rated order with
a priority rating of DO–A3 rated order,
who needs MRO, would place a rated
order with a priority rating of DO–H7
rated order with the person’s supplier.
(b) * * *
(1) The order must be placed within
ninety (90) days of the date of use of the
inventory.
*
*
*
*
*
(d) * * *
(1) * * *
(ii) The elements of a rated order, as
required by § 700.12, are included on
the order with the statement required in
§ 700.12(a)(4) modified to read in
substance: ‘‘This purchase order
contains rated order quantities certified
for national defense use, and you are
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8371
required to follow all the provisions of
the Defense Priorities and Allocations
System regulation (15 CFR part 700) as
it pertains to the rated quantities.’’
*
*
*
*
*
(f) A person is not required to place
a priority rating on an order for less than
$125,000, or one half of the Simplified
Acquisition Threshold (as established in
the Federal Acquisition Regulation
(FAR)) (see FAR section 2.101),
whichever amount is greater, provided
that delivery can be obtained in a timely
fashion without the use of the priority
rating.
■ 14. Section 700.18 is amended by
revising paragraphs (a)(2)(iii),
(a)(2)(iv)(A), and (a)(2)(iv)(B) to read as
follows:
§ 700.18
orders.
Limitations on placing rated
(a) * * *
(2) * * *
(iii) Items in advance of the receipt of
a rated order, except as specifically
authorized by the Department of
Commerce (see § 700.51(c) for
information on obtaining authorization
for a priority rating in advance of a rated
order); or
(iv) * * *
(A) Items for plant improvement,
expansion, or construction, unless they
will be physically incorporated into a
construction project covered by a rated
order; or
(B) Production or construction
equipment or items to be used for the
manufacture of production equipment
(for information on requesting priority
rating authority, see § 700.51).
*
*
*
*
*
■ 15. Section 700.21 is amended by
revising the last sentence of paragraph
(a) to read as follows:
§ 700.21 Application for priority rating
authority.
(a) * * *Further information may be
obtained from the Department of
Energy, Office of Cybersecurity, Energy
Security, and Emergency Response,
1000 Independence Avenue SW,
Washington, DC 20585; Telephone:
(202) 586–8100; Email: askcr@
hq.doe.gov.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 16. Section 700.31 is amended by
revising paragraph (f) to read as follows:
§ 700.31
General procedures.
*
*
*
*
*
(f) A detailed description of the
provisions that will be included in the
allocation orders, including the type(s)
of allocation orders, the percentages or
quantity of capacity or output to be
allocated for each purpose, the
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relationship with previously or
subsequently received priority rated and
unrated contracts and orders, and the
duration of the allocation action (e.g.,
anticipated start and end dates);
*
*
*
*
*
■ 17. Section 700.33 is amended by
revising the section heading and
introductory text to read as follows:
§ 700.33
Types of allocation orders.
There are three types of allocation
orders available for communicating
allocation actions.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 18. Section 700.34 is amended by
revising paragraphs (a)(1), (b)(1), (c)
introductory text, and (c)(1) to read as
follows:
§ 700.34
Elements of an allocation order.
*
*
*
*
*
(a) * * *
(1) A detailed description of the
required allocation action(s), including
its relationship to previously or
subsequently received DX rated orders,
DO rated orders, and unrated orders.
*
*
*
*
*
(b) * * *
(1) A statement that reads in
substance: ‘‘This is an allocation order
certified for national defense use. [Insert
the name of the person receiving the
order] is required to comply with this
order, in accordance with the provisions
of the Defense Priorities and Allocations
System regulation (15 CFR part 700).’’
*
*
*
*
*
(c) Elements to be included in an
allocation order issued by constructive
notice through publication in the
Federal Register.
(1) A statement that reads in
substance: ‘‘This is an allocation order
certified for national defense use. [Insert
the name(s) of the person(s) to whom
the order applies or a description of the
class of persons to whom the order
applies] is (are) required to comply with
this order, in accordance with the
provisions of the Defense Priorities and
Allocations System regulation (15 CFR
part 700).’’
*
*
*
*
*
■ 19. Revise section 700.50 to read as
follows:
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS
§ 700.50
General provisions.
(a) Once a priority rating has been
authorized pursuant to this part, further
action by the Department of Commerce
generally is not needed. However, it is
anticipated that from time-to-time
problems will occur. In this event, a
person should immediately contact the
appropriate contract administration
officer or the Department of Commerce
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for guidance or assistance. Special
priorities assistance is a service
provided to alleviate problems that do
arise.
(1) If additional formal aid is needed
for a rated order placed by a Delegate
Agency, special priorities assistance
should be sought from the Delegate
Agency through the contract
administration officer. If the Delegate
Agency is unable to resolve the problem
or to authorize the use of a priority
rating and believes additional assistance
is warranted, the Delegate Agency may
forward the request to the Department of
Commerce for action.
(2) If additional formal aid is needed
for a rated order placed by other
authorized persons, special priorities
assistance should be sought from the
Department of Commerce.
(b) Special priorities assistance may
be provided for any reason consistent
with this part, such as assisting in
obtaining timely deliveries of items
needed to satisfy rated orders or
authorizing the use of priority ratings on
orders to obtain items not otherwise
ratable under this part. If the
Department of Commerce is unable to
resolve the problem or to authorize the
use of a priority rating and believes
additional assistance is warranted, the
Department of Commerce may forward
the request to another agency, identified
in § 700.10(c), as appropriate, for action.
(c) A request for special priorities
assistance must be submitted on Form
BIS–999 (OMB control number 0694–
0057) to the local contract
administration representative or to the
Department of Commerce. Form BIS–
999 may be obtained from the Delegate
Agency representative or from the
Department of Commerce. A sample
Form BIS–999 is attached at Appendix
I. A fillable Form BIS–999 may be
obtained on the following website:
https://www.bis.doc.gov/.
■ 20. Revise 700.51 to read as follows:
§ 700.51 Requests for priority rating
authority.
(a) If a rated order is likely to be
delayed because a person is unable to
obtain items not normally rated under
this part, the person may request the
authority to use a priority rating in
ordering the needed items. Examples of
items for which priority ratings may be
authorized include:
(1) Production or construction
equipment;
(2) Computers when not used as
production items; and
(3) Expansion, rebuilding or replacing
plant facilities.
(b) If a person does not have priority
rating authority under this part from a
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Delegate Agency or the Department of
Commerce and is unable to ensure the
timely delivery of industrial resources,
the person may request the authority to
use a priority rating in ordering the
needed items.
(1) A request for priority rating
authority under this part must be
submitted on Form BIS–999 to the
Department of Commerce (see
§ 700.50(c) for information on Form
BIS–999).
(2) A request for priority rating
authority under this part may be used
only to support approved programs (see
§ 700.55, § 700.57, and § 700.58 for
information on requesting a
determination by the appropriate
Determination Department that the
request supports a program that is
necessary or appropriate to promote the
national defense).
(c) Rating authority for production or
construction equipment.
(1) A request for priority rating
authority for production or construction
equipment must be submitted to the
appropriate Delegate Agency or the
Department of Commerce. Requests in
support of Department of Defense
approved programs should be submitted
to the Department of Defense on
Department of Defense Form DD 691.
All other requests should be submitted
on Form BIS–999. If the Delegate
Agency is unable to resolve the problem
or authorize the use of a priority rating,
the Delegate Agency may forward the
request to the Department of Commerce
for action.
(2) When the use of a priority rating
is authorized for the procurement of
production or construction equipment, a
rated order may be used either to
purchase or to lease such equipment.
However, in the latter case, the
equipment may be leased only from a
person engaged in the business of
leasing such equipment or from a
person willing to lease rather than sell.
(d) Rating authority in advance of a
rated prime contract.
(1) In certain cases and upon specific
request, the Department of Commerce,
in order to promote the national
defense, may authorize a person to place
a priority rating on an order to a
supplier in advance of the issuance of
a rated prime contract. In these
instances, the person requesting
advance rating authority must obtain
sponsorship of the request from the
appropriate Delegate Agency or those
authorized by the Department of
Commerce to priority rate the prime
contract. The person shall also assume
any business risk associated with the
placing of rated orders if these orders
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have to be cancelled in the event the
rated prime contract is not issued.
(2) The person must state the
following in the request:
It is understood that the authorization
of a priority rating in advance of our
receiving a rated prime contract and our
use of that priority rating with our
suppliers in no way commits the
Department of Commerce or any other
government agency to enter into a
contract or order or to expend funds.
Further, we understand that the Federal
Government shall not be liable for any
cancellation charges, termination costs,
or other damages that may accrue if a
rated prime contract is not eventually
placed and, as a result, we must
subsequently cancel orders placed with
the use of the priority rating authorized
as a result of this request.
(3) In reviewing requests for rating
authority in advance of a rated prime
contract, the Department of Commerce
will consider, among other things, the
following criteria:
(i) The probability that the prime
contract will be awarded;
(ii) The impact of the resulting rated
orders on suppliers and on other
authorized programs;
(iii) Whether the contractor is the sole
source;
(iv) Whether the item being produced
has a long lead time; and
(v) The time period for which the
rating is being requested.
(4) The Department of Commerce may
require periodic reports on the use of
the rating authority granted under
paragraph (c) of this section.
(5) If a rated prime contract is not
issued, the person shall promptly notify
all suppliers who have received rated
orders pursuant to the advanced rating
authority that the priority rating on
those orders is cancelled.
■ 21. Section 700.52 is amended by
revising paragraph (a) and adding new
paragraph (a)(3) to read as follows:
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS
§ 700.52
Examples of assistance.
(a) While special priorities assistance
may be provided for any reason in
support of this regulation and an
approved program (see § 700.55,
§ 700.57, § 700.58, and Schedule I of
this part), it is usually provided in
situations where:
(1) A person is experiencing difficulty
in obtaining delivery against a rated
order by the required delivery date;
(2) A person cannot locate a supplier
for an item needed to fill a rated order;
or
(3) A person is experiencing difficulty
in obtaining delivery for an unrated
order by the required delivery date.
*
*
*
*
*
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22. Amend section 700.53 by revising
the introductory text to read as follows:
■
§ 700.53
Criteria for assistance.
Requests for special priorities
assistance should be timely, i.e., the
request has been submitted promptly
and enough time exists for the
Determination Department, Delegate
Agency, or the Department of Commerce
to effect a meaningful resolution to the
problem, and must establish that:
*
*
*
*
*
■ 23. Amend section 700.54 by revising
the first sentence of the introductory
text to read as follows:
§ 700.54 Instances where assistance will
not be provided.
Special priorities assistance is
provided at the discretion of the
Determination Departments, Delegate
Agencies, and the Department of
Commerce when it is determined that
such assistance is warranted to meet the
objectives of this regulation. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
■ 24. Revise section 700.55 to read as
follows:
§ 700.55 Requests for determination that
program within the United States is
necessary or appropriate to promote the
national defense.
(a) Homeland security, emergency
response, and critical infrastructure
protection and restoration assistance
programs within the United States. Any
person requesting priority rating
authority or requiring assistance in
obtaining rated items under this part
supporting homeland security,
emergency preparedness, and critical
infrastructure protection and restoration
related activities should submit a
request for a determination in writing
that the request supports a program that
is necessary or appropriate to promote
the national defense (referred to as
‘‘approved program’’) to the Office of
Policy and Program Analysis, Federal
Emergency Management Agency,
Department of Homeland Security, 500
C Street SW, Washington, DC 20472;
Telephone: (202) 212–2900; Fax: (202)
646–4601; Email: FEMA-DPA@
fema.dhs.gov, website: https://
www.fema.gov/disaster/defenseproduction-act.
(b) Military production and
construction, military use of civil
transportation, stockpiles managed by
the Department of Defense, space, and
directly related activities within the
United States. Any person requesting
priority rating authority or requiring
assistance under this part in obtaining
rated items supporting military
production and construction, military
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8373
use of civil transportation, stockpiles
managed by the Department of Defense,
space, and directly related activities
should submit a request for a
determination in writing that the
request supports a program that is
necessary or appropriate to promote the
national defense (referred to as
‘‘approved program’’) to the Department
of Defense DPA Title I Lead in the
Office of the Assistant Secretary of
Defense for Industrial Base Policy, 3330
Defense Pentagon, Room 3B854,
Washington, DC 20301; Telephone:
(703) 697–0051; Fax: (703) 695–4885;
Email: osd.pentagon.ousd-as.mbx.indpol-dpa-title-i@mail.mil;
website: https://www.businessdefense.
gov/.
(c) Energy production and
construction, distribution and use, and
directly related activities within the
United States. Any person requesting
priority rating authority or requiring
assistance under this part in obtaining
rated items supporting energy
production and construction,
distribution and use, and directly
related activities should submit a
request for a determination in writing
that the request supports a program that
is necessary or appropriate to promote
the national defense (referred to as
‘‘approved program’’) to the Department
of Energy, Office of Cybersecurity,
Energy Security, and Emergency
Response, 1000 Independence Avenue
SW, Washington, DC 20585; Telephone:
(202) 586–8100; Email: askcr@
hq.doe.gov.
■ 25. Section 700.56 is amended by
revising paragraphs (c), (d), (e), (f), and
(g) to read as follows:
§ 700.56 Military assistance programs with
Canada.
*
*
*
*
*
(c) The Department of Commerce
coordinates with Public Works and
Government Services Canada on all
matters of mutual concern relating to
the administration of this part.
(d) Any person in the United States
ordering defense items in Canada in
support of an approved program should
inform the Canadian supplier that the
items being ordered are to be used to fill
a rated order. The Canadian supplier
should be informed that if production
materials are needed from the United
States by the Canadian supplier or the
Canadian supplier’s vendor to fill the
order, the Canadian supplier or vendor
should contact Public Works and
Government Services Canada for
authority to place rated orders in the
United States: Public Works and
Government Services Canada,
Acquisitions Branch, Business
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Management Directorate, Phase 3, Place
du Portage, 0B2–103, 11 Laurier Street,
Gatineau, Quebec, K1A 0S5, Canada;
Telephone: (819) 420–7200; Fax: (819)
997–9776, or electronically at
TPSGC.PAPrioritesdedefenseAPDefencePriorities.PWGSC@tpsgcpwgsc.gc.ca.
(e) Any person in Canada producing
defense items for the Canadian
government may also obtain priority
rating authority for items to be
purchased in the United States by
applying to Public Works and
Government Services Canada,
Acquisitions Branch, Business
Management Directorate, in accordance
with its procedures.
(f) Persons in Canada needing special
priorities assistance in obtaining
defense items in the United States may
apply to Public Works and Government
Services Canada, Acquisitions Branch,
Business Management Directorate, for
such assistance. Public Works and
Government Services Canada will
forward appropriate requests to the
Department of Commerce.
(g) Any person in the United States
requiring assistance in obtaining items
in Canada must submit a request to the
Office of Strategic Industries and
Economic Security, U.S. Department of
Commerce on Form BIS–999. The
Department of Commerce will forward
appropriate requests to Public Works
and Government Services Canada.
■ 26. Section 700.57 is amended by
revising paragraphs (a), (b)(1), and (c) to
read as follows:
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS
§ 700.57 Military assistance programs with
other nations and international
organizations.
(a) Scope. To promote military
assistance to foreign nations and
international organizations (for
example, the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization or the United Nations),
this section provides for authorizing
priority ratings to persons in foreign
nations or international organizations to
obtain items in the United States in
support of approved programs.
Although priority ratings have no legal
authority outside of the United States,
this section also provides information
on how persons in the United States
may obtain informal assistance in
foreign nations that are signatories to
bilateral security of supply
arrangements with the Department of
Defense. These foreign nations include
Australia, Denmark, Finland, Israel,
Italy, Japan, Latvia, The Netherlands,
Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the United
Kingdom. The most current security of
supply arrangement information,
including an up-to-date list of countries,
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may be found on the following website:
https://www.businessdefense.gov/
security-of-supply.html.
(b) * * *
(1) Any person in a foreign nation
other than Canada, or any person in an
international organization, requiring
assistance in obtaining items in the
United States or priority rating authority
for items to be purchased in the United
States, should submit a request for such
assistance or priority rating authority to:
the Department of Defense DPA Title I
Lead in the Office of the Assistant
Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base
Policy, 3330 Defense Pentagon, Room
3B854, Washington, DC 20301;
Telephone: (703) 697–0051; Fax: (703)
695–4885; Email: osd.pentagon.ousd-as.mbx.indpol-dpa-title-i@mail.mil,
website: https://www.businessdefense.
gov/.
(i) If the end product is being acquired
by a U.S. Government agency, the
request should be submitted to the
Department of Defense DPA Title I Lead
through the U.S. contract administration
representative.
(ii) If the end product is being
acquired by a foreign nation or
international organization, the request
must be sponsored prior to its
submission to the Department of
Defense DPA Title I Lead by the
government of the foreign nation or the
international organization that will use
the end product.
*
*
*
*
*
(c) Requesting assistance in foreign
nations that are signatories to bilateral
security of supply arrangements.
(1) The Department of Defense has
entered into bilateral security of supply
arrangements with several foreign
nations that allow the Department of
Defense to request the priority delivery
for Department of Defense contracts,
subcontracts, and orders from
companies in these countries. These
countries include Australia, Denmark,
Finland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, The
Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden,
and the United Kingdom. The most
current security of supply arrangement
information, including an up-to-date list
of countries, may be found on the
following website: https://www.business
defense.gov/security-of-supply.html.
(2) Any person in the United States
requiring assistance in obtaining the
priority delivery of a contract,
subcontract, or order in foreign nations
that are signatories to bilateral security
of supply arrangements with the
Department of Defense should contact
the Department of Defense DPA Title I
Lead in the Office of the Assistant
Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base
Policy for assistance.
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(3) Persons in foreign nations that are
signatories to bilateral security of
supply arrangements with the
Department of Defense should request
assistance in accordance with paragraph
(b)(1) of this section.
■ 27. Revise section 700.58 to read as
follows:
§ 700.58 Critical infrastructure assistance
programs to foreign nations and
international organizations.
(a) Scope. To promote critical
infrastructure assistance to foreign
nations, this section provides for
authorizing priority ratings to persons in
foreign nations or international
organizations (for example, the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization or the
United Nations) to obtain items in the
United States in support of approved
programs.
(b) Foreign nations or international
organizations. (1) Any person in a
foreign nation or representing an
international organization requiring
assistance in obtaining items under this
part to be purchased in the United
States for support of critical
infrastructure protection and restoration
should submit a request for priority
rating authority on Form BIS–999 to the
Department of Commerce (see
§ 700.50(c) for information on Form
BIS–999).
(2) Any person in a foreign nation or
representing an international
organization requesting priority rating
authority or requiring assistance in
obtaining rated items under this part in
support of critical infrastructure
protection and restoration related
activities should submit a request for a
determination in writing that the
request supports a program that is
necessary or appropriate to promote the
national defense to the Office of Policy
and Program Analysis, Federal
Emergency Management Agency,
Department of Homeland Security, 500
C Street SW, Washington, DC 20472;
Telephone: (202) 212–2900; Fax: (202)
646–4601; Email: FEMA-DPA@
fema.dhs.gov, website: https://
www.fema.gov/disaster/defenseproduction-act.
■ 28. Section 700.61 is amended by
revising paragraph (a)(1) to read as
follows:
§ 700.61
Rating authorization.
(a) * * *
(1) Permits a person to place a priority
rating on an order for an item, such as
an item not normally ratable under this
regulation; or
*
*
*
*
*
■ 29. Section 700.63 is amended by
revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 26 / Wednesday, February 7, 2024 / Proposed Rules
§ 700.63
Letters of understanding.
(a) A letter of understanding is an
official action that may be issued in
resolving special priorities assistance
cases to reflect an agreement reached by
all parties (e.g., the Department of
Commerce, the Determination
Department, the Delegate Agency, the
supplier, the customer).
*
*
*
*
*
■ 30. Section 700.70 is amended by
revising paragraph (b) to read as follows:
§ 700.70
General provisions.
§ 700.80
Adjustments or exceptions.
*
*
*
*
*
*
(b) Willful violation of any of the
provisions of Title I or section 705 of the
Defense Production Act, this part, or an
official action of the Department of
Commerce, is a criminal act, punishable
as provided in sections 103 and 705 of
the Defense Production Act.
■ 31. Section 700.71 is amended by
revising the first sentence of paragraph
(a) to read as follows:
§ 700.71
(c) In order to secure the effective
enforcement of the Defense Production
Act, this part, and official actions, the
following are prohibited (see section
704 of the Defense Production Act; see
e.g., sections 2 and 371 of Title 18
United States Code):
*
*
*
*
*
■ 33. Section 700.80 is amended by
revising the last sentence in paragraph
(c) to read as follows:
Audits and investigations.
(a) Audits and investigations are
official actions involving the
examination of books, records,
documents, other writings, and
information to ensure that the
provisions of the Defense Production
Act, the Selective Service Act and
related statutes, and this part have been
properly followed. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
■ 32. Section 700.74 is amended by
revising paragraph (a) and paragraph (c)
introductory text to read as follows:
§ 700.74 Violations, penalties, and
remedies.
(a) Willful violation of the provisions
of Title I or sections 705 or 707 of the
Defense Production Act, the priorities
provisions of the Selective Service Act
and related statutes or this part is a
crime and upon conviction, a person
may be punished by fine or
imprisonment, or both as provided in
sections 103 and 705 of the Defense
Production Act and in section 468(f) of
the Selective Service Act.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
(c) * * * The Office of Strategic
Industries and Economic Security shall
respond to requests for adjustment of or
exceptions to compliance with the
provisions of this part or an official
action within twenty-five (25) days, not
including Saturdays, Sundays or
Government holidays, of the date of
receipt.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 34. Section 700.81 is amended by
revising paragraph (b) to read as follows:
§ 700.81
Appeals.
*
*
*
*
*
(b) Appeals of denied requests for
exceptions from or adjustments to
compliance with the provisions of this
part or an official action must be
received by the Assistant Secretary for
Export Administration no later than
forty-five (45) days after receipt of a
written notice of denial from the Office
of Strategic Industries and Economic
Security. After this forty-five (45) day
period, an appeal may be accepted at
the discretion of the Assistant Secretary
for Export Administration.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 35. Revise section 700.93 to read as
follows:
§ 700.93
Communications.
General communications concerning
this part, including how to obtain copies
of this part, explanatory information,
and requests for guidance or
clarification, may be addressed to the
Office of Strategic Industries and
Economic Security, Room 3876,
Department of Commerce, 1401
Program identification symbol
Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC
20230, Ref: DPAS; Telephone (202) 482–
3634, email DPAS@bis.doc.gov. Request
for special priorities assistance under
§ 700.50, adjustments or exceptions
under § 700.80, or appeals under
§ 700.81, must be submitted in the
manner specified in those sections.
■ 36. Revise Schedule I to Part 700 to
read as follows:
Schedule I to Part 700—Approved
Programs and Delegate Agencies
Schedule I provides a list of approved
programs. They have equal preferential
status. Use of this part in support of an
approved program requires written
authorization by the Department of
Commerce. The Department of
Commerce has authorized the delegate
agencies listed in the third column to
use this part in support of those
programs assigned to them, as indicated
below. The Department of Commerce is
also listed as an agency in the third
column for programs where its
authorization in writing is necessary to
place rated orders (see § 700.51 for
information on how to request priority
rating authority).
The Department of Commerce has
authorized Delegate Agencies to place
priority ratings on contracts and orders
for industrial resources needed to
implement any approved program that
has been authorized for priorities
support by the appropriate Resource
Department. The program identification
symbol used on priority rated contracts
and orders authorized by the
appropriate Resource Department to
support the approved program must also
be used on rated orders for industrial
resources needed to implement the
approved program. However, any rated
order for industrial resources placed to
implement an approved program that
has been authorized for priorities
support by a Resource Department
remains subject to the provisions of this
part. The program identification
symbols for these approved programs
are found under the ‘‘Other Programs’’
section of Schedule I.
Approved program
Agency(ies)
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Defense Programs
A1
A2
A3
A4
A5
A6
A7
B1
B8
B9
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
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Aircraft ....................................................................................................
Missiles and Space ................................................................................
Ships ......................................................................................................
Tank—Automotive .................................................................................
Weapons ................................................................................................
Ammunition ............................................................................................
Electronic and communications equipment ...........................................
Military building supplies ........................................................................
Production equipment (for defense contractor’s account) ....................
Production equipment (Government owned) .........................................
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Department
Department
Department
Department
Department
Department
Department
Department
Department
07FEP1
of
of
of
of
of
of
of
of
of
of
Defense.
Defense.
Defense.
Defense.
Defense.
Defense.
Defense.
Defense.
Defense.
Defense.
8376
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 26 / Wednesday, February 7, 2024 / Proposed Rules
Program identification symbol
Approved program
C2 ....................................................
C3 ....................................................
Department of Defense construction .....................................................
Maintenance, repair, and operating supplies (MRO) for Department of
Defense facilities.
Miscellaneous ........................................................................................
C9 ....................................................
Agency(ies)
Department of Defense.
Department of Defense.
Department of Defense.
Military Assistance to Canada
D1 ....................................................
D2 ....................................................
D3 ....................................................
Canadian military programs ...................................................................
Canadian production and construction ..................................................
Canadian atomic energy program .........................................................
Department of Commerce.
Department of Commerce.
Department of Commerce.
Military Assistance to Other Foreign Nations
G1 ....................................................
G2 ....................................................
G3 ....................................................
Certain munitions items purchased by foreign governments through
domestic commercial channels for export.
Certain direct defense needs of foreign governments other than Canada.
Foreign nations (other than Canada) production and construction ......
Department of Commerce.
Department of Commerce.
Department of Commerce.
Critical Infrastructure Assistance to Foreign Nations
G4 ....................................................
Foreign critical infrastructure programs .................................................
Department of Commerce.
Co-Production
J1 .....................................................
Co-Production Program .........................................................................
Departments of Commerce and
Defense.
Atomic Energy Programs
E1 ....................................................
E2 ....................................................
E3 ....................................................
Construction ...........................................................................................
Operations—including maintenance, repair, and operating supplies
(MRO).
Privately owned facilities .......................................................................
Department of Energy.
Department of Energy.
Department of Energy.
Domestic Energy Programs
F1 ....................................................
F2 ....................................................
F3 ....................................................
Exploration, production, refining, and transportation .............................
Conservation ..........................................................................................
Construction, repair, and maintenance .................................................
Department of Energy.
Department of Energy.
Department of Energy.
Other Defense, Energy, and Related Programs
H1
H5
H6
H7
H8
K1
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
Certain combined orders (see § 700.17(c)) ...........................................
Private domestic production ..................................................................
Private domestic construction ................................................................
Maintenance, repair, and operating supplies (MRO) ............................
Designated Programs ............................................................................
Federal supply items .............................................................................
Department of Commerce.
Department of Commerce.
Department of Commerce.
Department of Commerce.
Department of Commerce.
General Services Administration.
Homeland Security Programs
N1 ....................................................
N2 ....................................................
N3
N4
N5
N6
N7
N8
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
....................................................
Federal emergency preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery
State, local, tribal, and territorial government emergency preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery.
Intelligence and warning systems .........................................................
Border and transportation security ........................................................
Domestic counter-terrorism, including law enforcement .......................
Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear countermeasures ........
Critical infrastructure protection and restoration ...................................
Continuity of Government ......................................................................
Department of Homeland Security.
Department of Homeland Security.
Department
Department
Department
Department
Department
Department
Other Programs
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Health Resources/Health Resources Priorities and Allocations System (HRPAS):
M1
M2
M3
M4
M5
M6
M7
M8
M9
...................................................
...................................................
...................................................
...................................................
...................................................
...................................................
...................................................
...................................................
...................................................
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Pharmaceuticals and biological related products.
Health, medical, and safety supply chains.
Health related equipment, devices, and material.
Vaccines.
Mental Health.
Mitigation measures.
Facilities.
Personal protective equipment.
Miscellaneous.
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Homeland
Homeland
Homeland
Homeland
Homeland
Security.
Security.
Security.
Security.
Security.
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 26 / Wednesday, February 7, 2024 / Proposed Rules
Program identification symbol
Approved program
8377
Agency(ies)
[80 FR 42408; Jul. 15, 2015].
Food Resources/Agriculture Priorities and Allocations System (APAS):
P1 ....................................................
P2 ....................................................
P3 ....................................................
P4 ....................................................
[80 FR 63890; Dec. 21, 2015].
Food and food resources (civilian).
Agriculture and food critical infrastructure protection and restoration.
Food resources (combat rations).
Certain combined orders.
Transportation Resources/Transportation Priorities and Allocations System (TPAS):
T1 ....................................................
Federal emergency preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery.
Thea D. Rozman Kendler,
Assistant Secretary for Export Administration
[FR Doc. 2024–01930 Filed 2–6–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–JT–P
POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION
I. Background
II. Basis of Proposed Rules
III. Proposed Rules
39 CFR Parts 3000, 3010, 3040, 3041
[Docket No. RM2023–5; Order No. 6953]
RIN 3211–AA34
Competitive Postal Products
AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
The Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking seeks comment on a
proposal for reviewing contracts
negotiated between the Postal Service
and customers for competitive services.
These contracts are known as
competitive negotiated service
agreements (NSAs). The proposal
includes a default method for reviewing
competitive NSAs and three optional
streamlined methods. Different
requirements apply to each method for
reviewing proposed competitive NSAs.
In addition, the proposal includes
requirements for administering
approved competitive NSAs. The
proposal is designed to streamline
competitive NSA review, ensure
transparency and accountability,
preserve existing flexibility, and enable
a smooth transition with minimum
disruption for stakeholders. This
document informs the public of the
filing, invites public comment, and
takes other administrative steps.
DATES: Comments are due: April 8,
2024; Reply comments are due: May 7,
2024.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments
electronically via the Commission’s
Filing Online system at https://
www.prc.gov. Those who cannot submit
comments electronically should contact
the person identified in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section by
telephone for advice on filing
alternatives. The Rule Summary can be
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SUMMARY:
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16:51 Feb 06, 2024
Jkt 262001
found on the Commission’s Rule
Summary Page at https://www.prc.gov/
rule-summary-page.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at
202–789–6820.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
A Negotiated Service Agreement
(NSA) is ‘‘a written contract, to be in
effect for a defined period of time,
between the Postal Service and a mailer,
which provides for customer-specific
rates or fees and/or terms of service in
accordance with the terms and
conditions of the contract.’’ 39 CFR
3010.101(f). These NSAs require prior
Commission approval before they are
added to the applicable product lists;
however, different statutory and
regulatory criteria apply to the approval
of Market Dominant NSAs and
Competitive NSAs.1
Before adding a product (such as a
Competitive NSA) to the Competitive
product list, the Commission undertakes
two types of review: (1) review under 39
U.S.C. 3642; and (2) review under 39
U.S.C. 3633. Upon consideration of
required information submitted by the
Postal Service, including projections of
the proposed product’s revenues and
costs and responses to any information
requests,2 the Commission determines
whether the product complies with the
requirements for Competitive products
1 See, e.g., 39 U.S.C. 3642; Postal Regulatory
Commission, Annual Report to the President and
Congress Fiscal Year 2021, January 25, 2022, at 26
(FY 2021 Annual Report) (stating that the
Commission reviews Market Dominant NSAs to
ensure they comply with 39 U.S.C. 3622(c)(10) and
the Commission’s regulations in 39 CFR part 3040,
subpart G); id. at 28 (stating that Competitive NSAs
require prior Commission review for compliance
with 39 U.S.C. 3633(a) and 39 CFR part 3035). The
focus of this docket is Competitive NSAs.
2 See 39 CFR 3035.105. This information includes
‘‘[s]ufficient revenue and cost data for the 12-month
period following the effective date of the rate or
class to demonstrate that each affected competitive
product will be in compliance with 39 U.S.C.
3633(a)(2)[.]’’ 39 CFR 3035.105(c)(1).
PO 00000
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in 39 U.S.C. 3642. The Commission also
makes a preliminary determination of
whether the proposed product will
comply with the criteria outlined in 39
U.S.C. 3633(a). Final determination of
compliance with 39 U.S.C. 3633(a) is
made retrospectively, in the
Commission’s Annual Compliance
Determination(s) (ACD), as set forth in
39 U.S.C. 3653.
Over the years, various efforts have
sought to streamline review of NSAs in
certain respects by applying the concept
of functional equivalence to groups of
NSAs.3 An ‘‘umbrella’’ product is a
grouping of NSAs that are functionally
equivalent to a baseline agreement. The
Commission has used a functional
equivalence analysis to approve
‘‘umbrella’’ product agreements.4 Nonpublished rates NSA products are a
refinement of ‘‘umbrella’’ products that
receive further streamlined review
because the products ‘‘conform to a
template agreement and offer prices
within specified, pre-approved ranges.’’
Order No. 5753 at 3. These products
must comply with Commission
classification and regulatory
requirements, including pre-approved
pricing formulas, minimum cost
coverage, and documentation, allow for
a streamlined review process because
3 See, e.g., Docket No. CP2008–5, Order
Concerning Global Expedited Package Services
Contracts, June 27, 2008 (Order No. 86).
4 See, e.g., Order No. 5753 at 2–3 (summarizing
the Commission’s approach to ‘‘umbrella’’
products); Docket No. R2013–9, Order Granting, in
Part, Motion for Partial Reconsideration of Order
No. 1864 and Modifying, in Part, Order No. 1864,
August 11, 2014, at 7 (Order No. 2148) (allowing
then-existing ‘‘umbrella’’ products to designate
multiple baseline agreements but ‘‘plan[ning] to
discontinue the practice of designating more than
one baseline reference.’’). The Commission also has
considered similar arrangements termed ‘‘shell
classifications,’’ which may use a ‘‘shell’’ or
template in lieu of an actual agreement as a
baseline. See Docket No. CP2008–8 et al., Order
Concerning Global Plus Negotiated Service
Agreements, June 27, 2008, at 7–8 (Order No. 85);
cf. Docket No. MC2008–6 et al., Order Concerning
Prices Under Inbound Direct Entry Contracts with
Certain Foreign Postal Administrations, September
4, 2008, at 3, 7 (Order No. 105).
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 26 (Wednesday, February 7, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8363-8377]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-01930]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of Industry and Security
15 CFR Part 700
[Docket No. 240108-0002]
RIN 0694-AJ15
Clarifications and Updates to Defense Priorities and Allocations
System Regulation
AGENCY: Bureau of Industry and Security, Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This proposed rule would amend the Bureau of Industry and
Security's (BIS) Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS)
regulation by providing administrative changes to well-established
standards and procedures. This proposed rule would: clarify existing
standards and procedures by which BIS may provide Special Priorities
Assistance (SPA); revise Schedule I to provide transparency and
differentiation between other departments' priorities jurisdiction and
the Department of Commerce's jurisdiction; and provide technical edits
to reflect certain non-substantive updates since the DPAS regulation
was last amended in 2014, including providing updated contact
information, legal citations, and definitions.
DATES: Comments on this proposed rule must be received by BIS by no
later than March 8, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Comments on this proposed rule may be submitted to the
Federal rulemaking portal (www.regulations.gov). The regulations.gov ID
for this rule is: BIS-2024-0002. Please refer to RIN 0694-AJ15 in all
comments. Anyone submitting business confidential information should
clearly identify any business confidential portion of a comment at the
time of submission, file a statement justifying nondisclosure and
referring to the specific legal authority claimed, and provide a non-
confidential version of the submission.
For comments submitted electronically containing business
confidential information, the file name of the business confidential
version should begin with the characters ``BC.'' Any page containing
business confidential information must be clearly marked ``BUSINESS
CONFIDENTIAL'' on the top of that page. The corresponding non-
confidential version of those comments must be clearly marked
``PUBLIC.'' The file name of the non-confidential version should begin
[[Page 8364]]
with the character ``P.'' Any submissions with file names that do not
begin with either a ``BC'' or a ``P'' will be assumed to be public and
will be made publicly available through https://www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Katie Reid at (202) 482-3634,
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
This proposed rule would update the priorities and allocations
provisions set forth in the Defense Priorities and Allocations System
(DPAS) regulation (15 CFR part 700) and implemented by the Department
of Commerce (DOC), Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) consistent
with its authorities under Title I of the Defense Production Act of
1950, as amended (50 U.S.C. 4501 et seq.) (DPA), as delegated by
Executive Order 13603 (March 16, 2012).
The DPAS has two principal components, priorities and allocations.
Under the priorities component, certain contracts between the
government and private parties or between private parties for the
production or delivery of industrial resources are required to be given
priority over other contracts to facilitate expedited delivery in
promotion of the U.S. national defense. Under the allocations
component, materials, services, and facilities may be allocated to
promote the national defense. For both components, the term ``national
defense'' means programs for military and energy production or
construction, homeland security, stockpiling, space, emergency
preparedness, critical infrastructure protection and restoration, and
any directly related activity. The term also includes military and
critical infrastructure assistance to any foreign nation.
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Clarifications and Updates That This
Proposed Rule Would Make to the Existing DPAS Regulation
The following discussion explains the changes that this proposed
rule would make to the existing DPAS regulation.
Subpart A--Purpose
Section 700.1--Purpose of this part. This section would add the
legal citation for the DPA and update the legal citation for the Robert
T. Stafford Disaster Relief Emergency Assistance Act. This rule would
also make minor changes to the language to be consistent with the DPA
and Executive Order (E.O.) 13603.
Subpart B--Overview
Section 700.2--Introduction. This section would change reference to
``industrial items'' to ``industrial resources'' in paragraph (b) in
order to use the term ``industrial resources'' defined in Sec. 700.8.
Paragraph (c) would be revised to highlight that the DOC is also listed
as an agency in Schedule I and the reason why. BIS believes that the
additional information would provide a more complete description of
Schedule I.
Section 700.3--Priority ratings and rated orders. This section
would add in paragraph (a) references to the rating symbol to conform
with the current definition of priority rating in section 700.8 as well
as a description of a rating symbol. BIS would make these changes so
that paragraph (a) will give a more complete description of a priority
rating. It also revises paragraph (d) of this section by changing
``items'' to ``industrial resources'' in order to use the term
``industrial resources'' defined in section 700.8.
Subpart C--Definitions
Section 700.8--Definitions. This section would update the legal
citation for the DPA found in the definition of ``Defense Production
Act.'' It would update the legal citation for the Stafford Act found in
the definitions of ``national defense'' and ``Stafford Act,'' and it
would update the legal citation for the Selective Service Act found in
the definition of ``Selective Service Act.'' Both the definition of
``approved program'' and ``priorities authority'' are proposed for
updates in order to be consistent with the language of the DPA and E.O.
13603. It would also update the definition of ``priority rating'' to
provide clarity that the DOC may assign the priority rating, which is
consistent with 15 CFR part 700. It would remove the definition of
``item'' and update the definition of ``industrial resources'' to
clarify and be consistent with the use of both terms in 15 CFR part
700. This section would include the definitions of ``facilities,''
``materials,'' and ``services'' to provide clarity and be consistent
with the DPA. It would also provide a definition for ``determination
department'' and ``resources department'' to provide clarity and be
consistent with sections 201 and 202 of E.O. 13603 and other priorities
and allocations regulations. It would also make non-substantiative
changes by adding a comma after ``administrative subpoenas'' in the
definition of official action and a comma after ``chemicals'' in the
definition of ``maintenance and repair and/or operating supplies
(MRO).''
Subpart D--Industrial Priorities
Section 700.10--Authority. This section would revise the last
sentence of paragraph (c)(1), to provide clarity on what the provisions
of 15 CFR part 700 are not applicable to by removing ``those other
items which include''. This change is to be consistent with the use of
``item'' in 15 CFR part 700.
Section 700.11--Priority ratings. This section would make a non-
substantive change in paragraph (a)(1) by moving the period inside the
quotation. It would also capitalize the word ``schedule'' in paragraph
(b) as this word references Schedule I, a specific part of 15 CFR part
700, which is capitalized throughout 15 CFR part 700. It would also
clarify the explanation of what ``A7'' signifies to be consistent with
Schedule I. This section would update paragraph (c) by replacing
reference to the ``C2'' program identification symbol with ``A7'' in
order to refer to the program identification symbol later referenced as
an example of a priority rating in this paragraph.
Section 700.12--Elements of a rated order. This section would
replace the example that refers to a ``DX-A4'' priority rating, which
is not currently in use, with a reference to a ``DX-A2'' priority
rating, which is more commonly used, in paragraph (a)(1). It would also
revise paragraph (a)(4) by changing the word ``regulations'' to
``regulation'' to be consistent with the use of the word when
referencing 15 CFR part 700.
Section 700.13--Acceptance and rejection of rated orders. This
section would replace the brackets with parentheses in paragraph (c)(5)
to be consistent with other sections of 15 CFR part 700. It would add
``(1)'' in between ``one'' and ``working day'' in paragraph (d)(3) to
be consistent with other parts of this section.
Section 700.14--Preferential scheduling. This section would revise
the ``Examples'' by changing ``June 2'' to ``June 3'' so that the fact
pattern makes sense.
Section 700.15--Extension of priority ratings. This section would
revise paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) by changing ``items'' to
``industrial resources'' to clarify the type of resource covered by the
extension of priority ratings provision. It would also revise paragraph
(a) by adding a pinpoint citation to section 700.17 to add clarity as
to which section of 15 CFR part 700 is being referenced. This section
would insert language in paragraphs (a) and (b) to clarify that all
four required elements
[[Page 8365]]
of a rated order outlined in section 700.12 must be included on each
successive order placed to fulfill a rated order. It would also insert
language in the ``Example'' to clarify that a ``DO-A3'' is a priority
rating on a rated order.
Section 700.16--Changes or cancellations of priority ratings and
rated orders. This section would make one non-substantive change to
paragraph (b) by removing the comma after ``DO''.
Section 700.17--Use of rated orders. This section would clarify in
paragraph (a)(4) that a ``DO-A3'' and ``DO-H7'' are a priority rating
on a rated order. This section would update paragraph (b)(1) by adding
the spelling of ``90'' and parentheses around ``90'' to be consistent
with other sections of 15 CFR part 700. This section would revise
paragraph (d)(1)(ii) by changing the word ``regulations'' to
``regulation'' to be consistent with the use of the word when
referencing 15 CFR part 700. This section would change the value of
$75,000 listed in paragraph (f) to $125,000. This change would be made
to conform with the changes to the Simplified Acquisition Threshold
(SAT) value made under the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2018 (Pub. L. 115-91), which raised the SAT from $150,000
to $250,000. As a result of the SAT increase, U.S. firms are not
required to place a priority rating on an order less than $125,000
(one-half of the revised SAT of $250,000), as this amount is greater
than $75,000. BIS posted a notice to its website notifying the public
of the change in the SAT after it was raised by statute, but is making
the change in the regulation itself with this update.
Section 700.18--Limitations on placing rated orders. This section
would change the cross reference of section 700.41 found in paragraph
(a)(2)(iii) and paragraph (a)(2)(iv)(B) to section 700.51, which is the
correct cross reference. It would also make a non-substantive change by
adding a comma after ``expansion'' in paragraph (a)(2)(iv)(A).
Subpart E--Industrial Priorities for Energy Programs
Section 700.21--Application for priority rating authority. This
section would update the contact information for the Department of
Energy.
Subpart F--Allocations Actions
Section 700.31--General Procedures. This section would make one
non-substantive change in paragraph (f). ``Allocations'' would be made
singular to instead state ``allocation'' to be consistent with the
definition of ``allocation order'' in section 700.8.
Section 700.33--Types of allocations orders. This section would
make one non-substantive change in the heading of this section and the
first paragraph. ``Allocations'' would be made singular to instead
state ``allocation'' to be consistent with the definition of
``allocation order'' in section 700.8.
Section 700.34--Elements of an allocation order. This section would
make four non-substantive changes. In paragraph (a)(1), a comma would
be added after ``DO rated orders.'' In paragraph (b)(1), the word
``regulations'' would be changed to ``regulation'' to be consistent
with the use of the word when referencing 15 CFR part 700. In paragraph
(c), ``that gives'' would be changed to ``issued by.'' In paragraph
(c)(1), the word ``regulations'' would be changed to ``regulation'' to
be consistent with the use of the word when referencing 15 CFR part
700.
Subpart H--Special Priorities Assistance
Section 700.50--General Provisions. This section would re-organize
paragraph (a) to include two paragraphs in order to provide clarity as
to when special priorities assistance should be sought from the DOC or
the Delegate Agency. This section would change the word ``can'' to
``may'' in the first sentence of paragraph (b) to be consistent with
the use of the word ``may'' in other sections of 15 CFR part 700. It
would also change paragraph (c) to clarify special priorities
assistance can be sought from the DOC to be consistent with other
sections of 15 CFR part 700. This section would capitalize ``appendix''
in paragraph (c) as this word references Appendix I, a specific part of
15 CFR part 700. This section would also include a website reference to
FORM BIS-999 in paragraph (c).
Section 700.51--Requests for priority rating authority. This
section would add a new paragraph as paragraph (b) to clarify what a
person should do if they do not have priority rating authority under
this part and would like to request priority rating authority to be
consistent with current practice and requirements under E.O. 13603. As
a result of this additional paragraph, this section would change
paragraph (b) to paragraph (c) and paragraph (c) to paragraph (d). This
section would clarify how to request priority rating authority for
production and construction equipment from Delegate Agencies and the
DOC in paragraph (c)(1) to be consistent with the delegations issued to
the Delegate Agencies. This section would include the phrase ``or those
authorized by the DOC to priority rate the prime contract'' in
paragraph (d)(1) and would remove reference to the ``Delegate Agency''
in paragraph (d)(2) to take into account that sponsorship may be
obtained from sources other than just the Delegate Agencies. This
section would clarify in paragraph (d)(4) that ``Commerce'' is
referencing the ``Department of Commerce.''
Section 700.52--Examples of assistance. This section would
emphasize in paragraph (a) that special priorities assistance is in
support of an approved program and would insert cross references on how
to request a determination from the appropriate Determination
Department that a request is necessary or appropriate to promote the
national defense, consistent with the DPA and E.O. 13603. This section
would also add paragraph (3) to paragraph (a) to list another situation
in which special priorities assistance is usually provided.
Section 700.53--Criteria for assistance. This section would add
``Determination Department'' to the list of agencies that require
timely requests to be consistent with E.O. 13603.
Section 700.54--Instances where assistance will not be provided.
This section would add ``Determination Departments'' in the list of
agencies that have input on special priorities assistance requests to
be consistent with E.O. 13603.
Section 700.55--Homeland security, emergency preparedness, and
critical infrastructure protection and restoration assistance programs
within the United States. This section would change the title of this
section to ``Requests for determination that program within the United
States is necessary or appropriate to promote the national defense''.
The information originally in this section would be made into a new
paragraph (a). This section would clarify what types of requests should
be submitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to be
consistent with E.O. 13603. This section would update the contact
information for FEMA's Office of Policy and Program Analysis in
paragraph (a). This section would create paragraph (b) to provide
information on requesting a determination from the Department of
Defense (DOD) to be consistent with E.O. 13603. Paragraph (c) would be
created to provide information on requesting a determination from the
Department of Energy (DOE).
Section 700.56--Military assistance programs with Canada. This
section would update the contact information, including the name of the
agency, for the Government of Canada. It would clarify in paragraph (g)
that requests for
[[Page 8366]]
assistance in obtaining items in Canada must submit a request to the
Office of Strategic Industries and Economic Security. This would
provide clarity that while these requests may go through the Delegate
Agency, it is not required.
Section 700.57--Military assistance programs with other nations and
international organizations. This section would revise information
regarding the list of countries that are signatory to a bilateral
security of supply arrangement with the DOD in paragraphs (a) and (c).
The revision would add Denmark, Israel, Japan, Latvia, and Norway to
the list of countries that are signatory to a bilateral security of
supply arrangement with the DOD. It would also provide the DOD website
for up-to-date information on the security of supply arrangements,
including the current list of foreign nations that are signatories to
the bilateral security of supply arrangements with the DOD. This change
is needed as the list of foreign nations that are signatories to
bilateral security of supply arrangements with the DOD has updated to
include Denmark, Israel, Japan, Latvia, and Norway, and it is expected
that this list will continually be updated. This section would also
update the DOD contact information in paragraph (b) and paragraph (c).
This section would move the last sentence of paragraph (2) to a new
paragraph (3) so that the information provided in this sentence is not
lost as it is different from the information provided in paragraph (2).
Section 700.58--Critical infrastructure assistance programs to
foreign nations and international organizations. This section would
make a non-substantive change in paragraph (a) to add a comma after
``for example.'' It would update paragraph (b) by re-organizing the
information into two paragraphs. This section would clarify in the new
paragraph (b)(1) that requests for assistance should be submitted on
Form BIS-999 to be consistent with other types of special priorities
assistance requests. This section would clarify in the new paragraph
(b)(2) what the request to FEMA is for to be consistent with E.O.
13603. It would also update the contact information for FEMA's Office
of Policy and Program Analysis.
Subpart I--Official Actions
Section 700.61--Rating authorizations. This section would clarify
in paragraph (a)(1) that a rating authorization permits a person to
place a priority rating on an order for an item which, for example, can
include an item not normally ratable under this regulation. This
clarification would be consistent with the clarifications made in
section 700.51 and section 700.52.
Section 700.63--Letters of Understanding. This section would change
``which'' to ``that'' in paragraph (a) as well as revise information in
the parentheses to add ``e.g.,'' and remove ``and'' to clarify this is
an example list of parties. It would also add ``Determination
Department'' to the example list of parties.
Subpart J--Compliance
Section 700.70--General provisions. This section would remove
specific penalties information for violating the DPA, and instead
directly reference the penalties' sections within the DPA.
Section 700.71--Audits and investigations. This section would make
one non-substantive change to paragraph (a). A comma after ``other
writings'' would be added.
Section 700.74--Violations, penalties, and remedies. This section
would remove specific penalties information for violating the DPA in
paragraph (a), and instead directly reference the penalties sections of
the DPA. It would also change the word ``Sections'' in paragraph (a) to
``sections'' as this word references sections of the DPA, which begins
with a lower case ``s'' throughout 15 CFR part 700. This section would
change ``also, for example'' to ``e.g.,'' in paragraph (c) to be
consistent with how 15 CFR part 700 refers to examples.
Subpart K--Adjustments, Exceptions, and Appeals
Section 700.80--Adjustments or exceptions. This section would make
one non-substantive change to paragraph (c). The number ``25'' would be
moved behind the word ``twenty-five'' and put in parentheses, and the
parentheses would be removed around the word ``twenty-five''. This
proposed change is to be consistent with other sections of 15 CFR part
700.
Section 700.81--Appeals. This section would make one non-
substantive change to paragraph (b). In both sentences, the number
``45'' would be put in parentheses and the word ``forty-five'' would be
added. This proposed change is to be consistent with other sections of
15 CFR part 700.
Subpart L--Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 700.93--Communications. This section would make one non-
substantive change by moving ``and'' to after ``explanatory
information,''. It would add the address of the Office of Strategic
Industries and Economic Security. It would also add ``special'' in
front of ``priorities assistance'' in the last paragraph to be
consistent with this part.
Schedule I to Part 700--Approved Programs and Delegate Agencies
This section would revise the first paragraph to clarify that
Schedule I is a list of approved programs, which is a defined term in
section 700.8. A sentence would be added that also clarifies that use
of the authority under 15 CFR part 700 requires written authorization
by the DOC to be consistent with other sections of 15 CFR part 700. It
would also move footnote 2 to the end of the first paragraph and adds a
cross reference to section 700.50 for additional information.
This section would update the description of the ``A2'' program
identification symbol from ``Missile'' to ``Missile and Space'' in
Schedule I in order to be consistent with DOD's program determination
that the approved program that uses the ``A2'' program identification
symbol includes both Missile and Space programs.
This section would remove the ``C1'' program identification symbol
for food resources in Schedule I as ``food resources (combat rations)''
now falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture's
(USDA) Agriculture Priorities and Allocation System (APAS) regulation
(7 CFR part 789). Although items that fell under this program
identification symbol were always food resources, the authority for
which has always been delegated to USDA under E.O. 13603 and its
predecessors, USDA did not have a published regulation to enact that
delegated authority. Therefore, under an agreement between USDA and the
DOC, DOD was permitted to place ratings using the ``C1'' symbol for
combat rations using the DPAS. However, in 2015, USDA published the
APAS regulation and DOD now uses that authority to place priority
ratings on combat rations, and no longer uses the previous agreement to
rate them under the DPAS.
This section would update the description of the ``J1'' program
identification symbol to ``Co-Production Programs'' in Schedule I to
reflect DOD's update to the approved program. DOD made a program
determination under E.O. 13603 to expand the approved program that uses
the ``J1'' program identification symbol from ``F-16 Co-Production
Program'' to ``Co-Production Programs.'' This change expands DOD's use
of this program identification symbol to other programs outside of the
F-16 program.
This section would also make a non-substantive change to the
description of
[[Page 8367]]
the ``H1'' program identification symbol to change ``section'' to the
symbol.
This section would update the description of the ``N8'' program
identification symbol in Schedule I from ``Miscellaneous'' to
``Continuity of Government'' in order to clarify DHS's program
determination is for Continuity of Government-related programs.
This section would also add an ``Other Programs'' section to
Schedule I, which includes the program identification symbols for
national defense programs administered by other departments but that
might, in some instances, need industrial resources that are under the
jurisdiction of the DPAS. BIS proposes making these revisions to
Schedule I to help provide transparency and ease between other
departments' priorities authority and the DOC's priorities authority
when a Delegate Agency needs industrial resources to implement any
approved program related to other resources (i.e., food resources,
energy resources, health resources, civil transportation, or water
resources) subject to other departments' priorities authority and
authorized for priorities support by the appropriate department.
Four departments are administering priorities and allocations
regulations similar to the DPAS for resources under their jurisdictions
as outlined in E.O. 13603. Those departments and the resources under
their jurisdiction are: USDA, food resources; DOE, energy resources;
the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), health resources;
and the Department of Transportation (DOT), civil transportation.
Persons placing priority ratings on contracts and orders pursuant to
those systems may need industrial resources that are subject to DPAS in
support of those contracts or orders. For example, spare tires or
engine parts (industrial resources under DPAS jurisdiction) might be
needed to support a contract to provide civil transportation resources.
In administering the DPAS, BIS has noted that the Departments of
Defense, Energy, Homeland Security, and Health and Human Services and
the General Services Administration are the U.S. Government agencies
that most frequently procure industrial resources needed to implement
approved national defense programs. Accordingly, BIS has delegated to
those five agencies certain DPAS authority to place priority ratings on
contracts and orders for industrial resources in support of approved
national defense programs (Delegate Agencies). BIS expects that those
five agencies are also likely to be the agencies that most frequently
procure any industrial resources that may be needed to implement any
future approved programs related to food resources, energy resources,
health resources, civil transportation, and water resources.
Considering these facts and to assist in developing ``a consistent
and unified Federal priorities and allocations system'' as called for
by Section 101(d)(2) of the DPA, BIS, as part of those delegations, has
authorized these Delegate Agencies to place priority ratings on
contracts and orders for industrial resources needed to implement any
program related to food resources, energy resources, health resources,
civil transportation, or water resources determined as necessary or
appropriate to promote the national defense and authorized for
priorities support by the appropriate resource agency (i.e.,
Departments of Agriculture, Energy, Health and Human Services, and
Transportation). Therefore, Delegate Agencies are authorized to use the
same program identification symbol on such contracts and orders for
industrial resources as authorized by the appropriate resource agency
to support the approved program. However, any priority rated contract
or order for industrial resources placed to implement an approved
program related to food resources, energy resources, health resources,
civil transportation, or water resources remains subject to the DPAS.
The addition of the second paragraph before the Schedule I and the
``Other Programs'' section within Schedule I reflects this delegated
authority.
Defense Production Act of 1950, as Amended
On September 8, 1950, the President signed the Defense Production
Act of 1950 (DPA), as amended into law. Title VII of the DPA includes a
sunset clause for the majority of the DPA authorities which require
periodic reauthorization. On August 13, 2018, the President signed the
John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019
into law, which reauthorized the DPA, 50 U.S.C. 4501 et seq., through
September 30, 2025. The DPA provides the legal basis for BIS's
principal authorities and serves as the authority under which BIS
issues this proposed rule.
Expected Impact of the Proposed Rule
BIS believes this rule merely provides clarifications and
transparency to Federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial
government agencies, foreign governments, and the public to ensure ease
of understanding and implementation of established procedures and would
not have a significant economic impact on government agencies or the
public.
The administrative changes proposed are for ease, clarity, and
transparency of the existing standards and procedures used to authorize
and require priority performance of certain contracts or orders that
promote the national defense over other contracts and orders.
The amendments proposed provide technical, non-substantive
administrative changes to ensure consistency with the Defense
Production Act of 1950 (DPA) and E.O. 13603; provide clarity on
procedures for the placement, acceptance, and performance of the
Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) priority rated orders;
and provide transparency to the process for parties to request SPA.
The standards and process under which a rated order is authorized,
placed, or performed on would not be changed. There are no proposed
modifications to the procedures for the placement, acceptance, and
performance of rated orders or for the allocation of materials,
services, and facilities. Firms would not be required to reduce the
total volume of orders, or require the recipient of a rated order to
reduce prices or provide rated orders with more favorable terms than
comparable unrated orders. Nor to the changes proposed amend the
requirements or procedures for requesting Special Priorities Assistance
(SPA).
Rulemaking Requirements
1. This rule has been determined to be a significant regulatory
action for purposes of Executive Order (E.O.) 12866.
2. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is
required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty
for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et
seq.) (PRA), unless that collection of information displays a currently
valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Control Number. With this
rule, BIS is proposing changes to an existing approved information
collection, Request for Special Priorities Assistance (OMB Control
Number 0694-0057) which will be updated to reflect the changes
discussed.
This collection currently carries a burden estimate of 30 minutes
for an electronic submission for a total burden estimate of 22 hours.
BIS believes the total burden hours are not expected to materially
increase as a result of this
[[Page 8368]]
rule. The current version of this collection--including all background
materials--can be found at https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain by
using the search function to enter either the title of the collection
or the OMB Control Number. BIS is proposing changes to the form as
discussed below.
The citation in the top paragraph would be updated from ``50 U.S.C.
App. 4455(d)'' to ``50 U.S.C. 4555(d).''
Block 1.a would be updated to include a field for country. BIS can
currently receive applications from persons located outside of the
United States. This proposed change would insert a field for an
Applicant to provide the country in which the Applicant resides.
Block 1.b would be updated to include a field for country and an
email address. This proposed change would insert a field for an
Applicant customer, if not an end-user Government agency, to provide
the country in which the Applicant customer resides as well as an email
address for the Applicant customer.
Block 3 would be updated to include ``manufacturer'' as part of the
description of the item. This proposed change is needed when the item
the Applicant is requiring assistance with is not manufactured by the
Applicant's supplier listed in Block 4.a. This may occur, for example,
if an Applicant is procuring the item through a distributor.
Block 4.a is updated to include a field for the country of the
applicant's supplier. Applicants may procure items that they need
assistance with through foreign suppliers. For example, foreign
applicants may request assistance with an item manufactured in the
United States that they acquire through a foreign distributor. If an
applicant is requesting DPAS rating authority, BIS requires the country
information of the supplier listed in Block 4.a to ensure that the
appropriate entities are authorized to place priority rated contracts
and orders with suppliers physically located in the United States.
Block 8 would be updated to remove the information listed in the
parentheses now that electronic signatures are available.
Block 9.g would be updated to remove specific references to the
Department of Defense or foreign requests to allow for flexibility for
each Determination Department request process.
Page 3 of Form BIS-999 titled, ``INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING FORM
BIS-999'' would be updated for ease of understanding and consistency
with 15 CFR part 700, including the changes made by this proposed rule,
and the delegations to the Delegate Agencies from the Department of
Commerce. The Office of Strategic Industries and Economic Security's
email address is also added as an option on how to submit Form BIS-999.
A. Public Reporting Burden
Public reporting burden specific to this proposed rule and the
revision to collection of information previously approved is voluntary
and includes the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing
data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing
and reviewing the collection of information.
Respondents: 22.
Responses per Respondent: 1.
Total Responses: 22.
Hours per Response: 30 minutes.
Total Burden Hours: 11.
Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this
collection of information is necessary and whether it will have
practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this
collection of information is accurate and based on valid assumptions
and methodology; and ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity
of the information to be collected.
Requesters may obtain a copy of the information collection
documents from Mark Crace at [email protected]. Please cite
``Information Collection 0694-0057, in all correspondence.
3. These proposed changes do not contain policies with federalism
implications as that term is defined in E.O. 13132.
4. The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), as amended by the Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA), 5 U.S.C.
601 et seq., generally requires an agency to prepare a regulatory
flexibility analysis of any rule subject to the notice and comment
rulemaking requirements under the Administrative Procedure Act (5
U.S.C. 553) or any other statute. Under section 605(b) of the RFA,
however, if the head of an agency certifies that a rule will not have a
significant impact on a substantial number of small entities, the
statute does not require the agency to prepare a regulatory flexibility
analysis. Pursuant to section 605(b), the Chief Counsel for Regulation,
Department of Commerce, certified to the Chief Counsel for Regulation,
Small Business Administration that this proposed rule will not have a
significant impact on a substantial number of small entities for the
reasons explained below. No other law requires such an analysis.
Consequently, no regulatory flexibility analysis is required, and none
has been prepared. The factual support for this certification is
provided below.
Number of Small Entities
Small entities include small businesses, small organizations, and
small governmental jurisdictions. For purposes of assessing the impacts
of this proposed rule on small entities, a small business, as described
in the Small Business Administration's Table of Small Business Size
Standards Matched to North American Industry Classification System
Codes (Effective March 17, 2023), has a maximum annual revenue of $47
million and a maximum of 1,500 employees (for some business categories,
these numbers are lower). A small governmental jurisdiction is a
government of a city, town, school district or special district with a
population of less than 50,000. A small organization is any not-for-
profit enterprise which is independently owned and operated and is not
dominant in its field.
This proposed rule would make non-substantive changes to clarify
well-established standards and procedures under which BIS (or agencies
to which BIS delegates authority) would authorize prioritization of
certain orders or contracts as well as criteria under which BIS would
issue orders allocating resources or production facilities. This
proposed rule does not amend requirements for organizations that enter
into contracts to supply materials, services and facilities that are
necessary or appropriate for the national defense. Rather, this
proposed rule would provide transparency to organizations on the DPAS
to ensure ease of understanding and implementation of established
processes.
BIS's experience in administering its priorities authority
indicates that for-profit businesses are the organizations that provide
materials, services, and facilities necessary or appropriate to promote
the national defense. If it becomes necessary to exercise allocations
authority, the same types of materials, services, and facilities and
the same types of businesses are the ones likely to be affected.
Therefore, BIS believes that two of the categories of small entities
identified by the RFA, small organizations and small government
jurisdictions, are unlikely to experience any economic impact as a
result of this proposed rule. However, BIS has no basis on which to
estimate the number of small businesses that are likely to be affected
by this proposed rule.
[[Page 8369]]
Impact
BIS believes that any impact that this proposed rule might have on
small businesses would be minor. This proposed rule would not change
the processes for the placement, acceptance, and performance of rated
orders or for the allocation of materials, services, and facilities.
Nor does this proposed rule change the procedures to request special
priorities assistance. BIS expects that this proposed rule would not
result in any increase in the use of rated orders. The standards under
which a rated order would be issued are not changed by this proposed
rule. Rather, this proposed rule provides simplifications and
clarifications to the placement, acceptance, and performance of rated
orders and the SPA process to ensure ease of understanding and
implementation of established procedures.
Further, although rated orders could require a firm to fill one
order prior to filling another, they would not require a reduction in
the total volume of orders, nor would they require the recipient to
reduce prices or provide rated orders with more favorable terms than a
similar non-rated order. Under these circumstances, the economic
effects on the rated order recipient of substituting one order for
another are likely to be offsetting, resulting in no net loss.
Conclusion
Although BIS cannot determine precisely the number of small
entities that would be affected by this proposed rule, BIS believes
that the overall impact on such entities would not be significant as
this proposed rule would provide administrative changes to well-
established standards and procedures. Consequently, this proposed rule
would not likely increase the number of rated contracts and orders
compared to the number being placed currently. BIS believes that the
expected unchanged level of contract and order prioritizations,
planning and review requirements and requirements of section 701 of the
DPA, which are directed at protecting the interests of small
businesses, provide reasonable assurance that any impact on small
business will not be significant. For the reasons set forth above, the
Chief Counsel for Regulations at the Department of Commerce certified
that this action would not have a significant impact on a substantial
number of small entities.
List of Subjects in 15 CFR Part 700
Administrative practice and procedure, Business and industry,
Government contracts, National defense, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Strategic and critical materials.
Accordingly, 15 CFR part 700 of the DPAS regulation, proposes to
amend as follows:
PART 700--DEFENSE PRIORITIES AND ALLOCATIONS SYSTEM
0
1. The authority citation for 15 CFR part 700 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 50 U.S.C. 4501 et seq.; 42 U.S.C. 5195, et seq.; 50
U.S.C. 3816; 10 U.S.C. 2538; 50 U.S.C. 82; E.O. 12656, 53 FR 226, 3
CFR, 1988 Comp., p. 585; E.O. 12742, 56 FR 1079, 3 CFR, 1991 Comp.,
p. 309; E.O. 13603, 77 FR 16651, 3 CFR, 2012 Comp., p. 225.
0
2. Section 700.1 is amended by revising the second and third sentences
to read as follows:
Sec. 700.1 Purpose of this part.
* * * The DPAS implements the priorities and allocations authority
of the Defense Production Act (50 U.S.C. 4501 et seq.), delegated to
the Department of Commerce under Executive Order 13603, including use
of that authority to support emergency preparedness activities pursuant
to Title VI of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), and the priorities authority
of the Selective Service Act and related statutes, all with respect to
industrial resources. The DPAS establishes procedures for the
placement, acceptance, and performance of priority rated contracts and
orders (other than contracts of employment) and for the allocation of
materials, services, and facilities for approved programs. * * *
0
3. Revise section 700.2 to read as follows:
Sec. 700.2 Introduction.
(a) Certain national defense and energy programs (including
military, emergency preparedness, homeland security, and critical
infrastructure protection and restoration activities) may be eligible
for priorities and allocations support as determined by a Determination
Department.
(b) The Department of Commerce administers the DPAS and may
exercise priorities and allocations authority to ensure the timely
delivery of industrial resources to meet approved program requirements.
(c) The Department of Commerce has delegated authority to place
priority ratings on contracts or orders necessary or appropriate to
promote the national defense to certain government agencies that issue
such contracts or orders. Such delegations include authority to
authorize recipients of rated orders to place ratings on contracts or
orders to contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers. Schedule I to
this part includes a list of agencies to which the Department of
Commerce has delegated authority. The Department of Commerce is also
listed as an agency for programs where its authorization is necessary
to place rated orders.
0
4. Section 700.3 is amended by revising paragraphs (a) and (d) to read
as follows:
Sec. 700.3 Priority ratings and rated orders.
(a) Rated orders are identified by a priority rating, which
consists of a rating symbol (DO or DX), and a program identification
symbol. Rated orders take precedence over all unrated orders as
necessary to meet required delivery dates. Rating symbols indicate the
level of priority. Among rated orders, DX rated orders take precedence
over DO rated orders. Program identification symbols indicate which
approved program is attributed to the rated order.
* * * * *
(d) Persons who receive rated orders must in turn place rated
orders with their suppliers for the industrial resources they need to
fill the orders. This provision ensures that suppliers will give
priority treatment to rated orders from contractor to subcontractor to
suppliers throughout the procurement chain.
* * * * *
0
5. Section 700.8 is amended by
0
a. Adding in alphabetical order the definitions of ``Determination
Department'', ``Facilities'', ``Materials'', ``Resource Department'',
and ``Services'';
0
b. Revising the definitions of ``Approved program'', ``Defense
Production Act'', ``Industrial resources'', ``National defense'',
``Official action'', ``Priorities authority'', ``Priority rating'',
``Selective Service Act'', and ``Stafford Act''; and
0
c. Removing the definition of ``Item''.
Revisions and additions read as follows:
Sec. 700.8 Definitions.
* * * * *
Approved program. A program determined in writing as necessary or
appropriate for priorities and allocations support to promote the
national defense by the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Energy,
or the Secretary of
[[Page 8370]]
Homeland Security, under the authority of the Defense Production Act
and Executive Order 13603, or the Selective Service Act and Executive
Order 12742.
* * * * *
Defense Production Act. The Defense Production Act of 1950, as
amended (50 U.S.C. 4501 et seq.).
* * * * *
Determination Department. Any of the three Federal departments
whose head is delegated authority by the President under section 202 of
Executive Order 13603 to determine in writing that a program is
necessary or appropriate to promote the national defense (referred to
as ``approved program''):
(1) The Secretary of Defense with respect to military production
and construction, military assistance to foreign nations, military use
of civil transportation, stockpiles managed by the Department of
Defense, space, and directly related activities;
(2) The Secretary of Energy with respect to energy production and
construction, distribution and use, and directly related activities;
and
(3) The Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to all other
national defense programs, including civil defense and continuity of
Government.
* * * * *
Facilities. The term ``facilities'' includes all types of
buildings, structures, or other improvements to real property (but
excluding farms, churches or other houses of worship, and private
dwelling houses), and services relating to the use of any such
building, structure, or other improvement.
* * * * *
Industrial resources. All materials, services, and facilities,
including construction materials, the authority for which has not been
delegated to other agencies under Executive Order 13603. This term may
also be referred to as ``item'' in this part.
* * * * *
Materials. Includes:
(1) Any raw materials (including minerals, metals, and advanced
processed materials), commodities, articles, components (including
critical components), products, and items of supply; and
(2) Any technical information or services ancillary to the use of
any such materials, commodities, articles, components, products, or
items.
National defense. Programs for military and energy production or
construction, military or critical infrastructure assistance to any
foreign nation, homeland security, stockpiling, space, and any directly
related activity. Such term includes emergency preparedness activities
conducted pursuant to Title VI of The Robert T. Stafford Disaster
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) and
critical infrastructure protection and restoration.
Official action. An action taken by the Department of Commerce
under the authority of the Defense Production Act, the Selective
Service Act and related statutes, and this part. Such actions include
the issuance of rating authorizations, directives, letters of
understanding, demands for information, inspection authorizations,
administrative subpoenas, and allocation orders.
* * * * *
Priorities authority. The authority of the Department of Commerce,
pursuant to section 101 of the Defense Production Act, to require
priority performance of contracts and orders (other than contracts of
employment) for industrial resources for use in approved programs.
Priority rating. An identifying code, consisting of the rating
symbol and the program identification symbol, assigned by the
Department of Commerce, a Delegate Agency, or authorized person and
placed on all rated orders.
* * * * *
Resource Department. Any of the six Federal departments whose head
is delegated authority by the President under section 201 of Executive
Order 13603 to require acceptance and priority performance of contracts
or orders (other than contracts of employment) to promote the national
defense over performance of any other contracts or orders, and to
allocate materials, services, and facilities as deemed necessary or
appropriate to promote the national defense (referred to as ``approved
program''):
(1) The Secretary of Agriculture with respect to food resources,
food resource facilities, livestock resources, veterinary resources,
plant health resources, and the domestic distribution of farm equipment
and commercial fertilizer;
(2) The Secretary of Energy with respect to all forms of energy;
(3) The Secretary of Health and Human Services with respect to
health resources;
(4) The Secretary of Transportation with respect to all forms of
civil transportation;
(5) The Secretary of Defense with respect to water resources; and
(6) The Secretary of Commerce with respect to all other materials,
services, and facilities, including construction materials (referred to
as ``industrial resources'').
* * * * *
Services. Includes any effort that is needed for or incidental to:
(1) The development, production, processing, distribution,
delivery, or use of an industrial resource or a critical technology
item;
(2) The construction of facilities; or
(3) Other national defense programs and activities.
Selective Service Act. Section 18 of the Selective Service Act of
1948 (50 U.S.C. 3816).
* * * * *
Stafford Act. Title VI (Emergency Preparedness) of the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as amended (42
U.S.C. 5121 et seq.).
* * * * *
0
6. Section 700.10 is amended by revising the last sentence in paragraph
(c)(1) to read as follows:
Sec. 700.10 Authority.
* * * * *
(c) Jurisdiction limitations.
(1) * * * Unless otherwise agreed to by the concerned agencies, the
provisions of this part are not applicable to:
* * * * *
0
7. Section 700.11 is amended by revising paragraph (a)(1), the second
and third sentences of paragraph (b), and the first sentence of
paragraph (c) to read as follows:
Sec. 700.11 Priority ratings.
(a) Levels of priority.
(1) There are two levels of priority established by this
regulation, identified by the rating symbols ``DO'' and ``DX.''
* * * * *
(b) * * * The list of approved programs and their identification
symbols is found in schedule I to this part. For example, A1 identifies
defense aircraft programs and A7 signifies defense electronic and
communications equipment programs. * * *
(c) Priority ratings. A priority rating consists of the rating
symbol--DO and DX--and the program identification symbol, such as A1,
A7, or N1. * * *
0
8. Section 700.12 is amended by revising paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(4)
to read as follows:
Sec. 700.12 Elements of a rated order.
(a) * * *
(1) The appropriate priority rating and program identification
symbol (e.g., DO-A1, DX-A2, DO-N1).
* * * * *
(4) A statement that reads in substance: ``This is a rated order
[[Page 8371]]
certified for national defense use and you are required to follow all
the provisions of the Defense Priorities and Allocations System
regulation (15 CFR part 700).''
* * * * *
0
9. Section 700.13 is amended by revising paragraphs (c)(5) and (d)(3)
to read as follows:
Sec. 700.13 Acceptance and rejection of rated orders.
* * * * *
(c) * * *
(5) If acceptance of a rated order or performance against a rated
order would violate any other regulation, official action, or order of
the Department of Commerce issued under the authority of the Defense
Production Act or the Selective Service Act and related statutes (see
Sec. 700.75).
(d) * * *
(3) If a person has accepted a rated order and subsequently finds
that shipment or performance will be delayed, the person must notify
the customer immediately, give the reasons for the delay, and advise of
a new shipment or performance date. If notification is given verbally,
written (hard copy) or electronic confirmation must be provided within
one (1) working day of the verbal notice.
0
10. Section 700.14 is amended by revising the second sentence in
``Examples'' to paragraph (b) to read as follows:
Sec. 700.14 Preferential Scheduling.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
Examples:
* * * If a DX rated order is received calling for delivery on July
15 and a person has a DO rated order requiring delivery on June 3 and
operations can be scheduled to meet both deliveries, there is no need
to alter production schedules to give any additional preference to the
DX rated order. * * *
* * * * *
0
11. Revise Section 700.15 to read as follows:
Sec. 700.15 Extension of priority ratings.
(a) A person must use rated orders with suppliers to obtain
industrial resources needed to fill a rated order. All elements of a
rated order outlined in section 700.12 must be included on the rated
order. The person must use the priority rating indicated on the
customer's rated order, except as otherwise provided in this part (see
Sec. 700.17) or as directed by the Department of Commerce.
Example:
If a person is in receipt of a rated order with a priority rating
of DO-A3 for a navigation system and needs to purchase semiconductors
for its manufacture, that person must use a DO-A3 priority rating to
obtain the needed semiconductors.
(b) The required elements of a rated order outlined in section
700.12 must be included on each successive order placed to obtain
industrial resources needed to fill a customer's rated order.
Therefore, the inclusion of the rating will continue from contractor to
subcontractor to supplier throughout the entire supply chain.
(c) A person must use rated orders with suppliers to obtain
industrial resources needed to fill an emergency preparedness rated
order. That person must require acceptance or rejection, and
transmission of that acceptance or rejection by the supplier within the
time limit stated in the rated order that is being filled.
0
12. Section 700.16 is amended by revising paragraph (b) to read as
follows:
Sec. 700.16 Changes or cancellations of priority ratings and rated
orders.
* * * * *
(b) If an unrated order is amended so as to make it a rated order,
or a DO rating is changed to a DX rating, the supplier must give the
appropriate preferential treatment to the order as of the date the
change is received by the supplier.
* * * * *
0
13. Section 700.17 is amended by revising paragraphs (a)(4), (b)(1),
(d)(1)(ii), and (f) to read as follows:
Sec. 700.17 Use of rated orders.
(a) * * *
(4) MRO needed to produce the finished items to fill rated orders.
However, for MRO, the priority rating used must contain the program
identification symbol H7 along with the rating symbol contained on the
customer's rated order. For example, a person in receipt of a rated
order with a priority rating of DO-A3 rated order, who needs MRO, would
place a rated order with a priority rating of DO-H7 rated order with
the person's supplier.
(b) * * *
(1) The order must be placed within ninety (90) days of the date of
use of the inventory.
* * * * *
(d) * * *
(1) * * *
(ii) The elements of a rated order, as required by Sec. 700.12,
are included on the order with the statement required in Sec.
700.12(a)(4) modified to read in substance: ``This purchase order
contains rated order quantities certified for national defense use, and
you are required to follow all the provisions of the Defense Priorities
and Allocations System regulation (15 CFR part 700) as it pertains to
the rated quantities.''
* * * * *
(f) A person is not required to place a priority rating on an order
for less than $125,000, or one half of the Simplified Acquisition
Threshold (as established in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR))
(see FAR section 2.101), whichever amount is greater, provided that
delivery can be obtained in a timely fashion without the use of the
priority rating.
0
14. Section 700.18 is amended by revising paragraphs (a)(2)(iii),
(a)(2)(iv)(A), and (a)(2)(iv)(B) to read as follows:
Sec. 700.18 Limitations on placing rated orders.
(a) * * *
(2) * * *
(iii) Items in advance of the receipt of a rated order, except as
specifically authorized by the Department of Commerce (see Sec.
700.51(c) for information on obtaining authorization for a priority
rating in advance of a rated order); or
(iv) * * *
(A) Items for plant improvement, expansion, or construction, unless
they will be physically incorporated into a construction project
covered by a rated order; or
(B) Production or construction equipment or items to be used for
the manufacture of production equipment (for information on requesting
priority rating authority, see Sec. 700.51).
* * * * *
0
15. Section 700.21 is amended by revising the last sentence of
paragraph (a) to read as follows:
Sec. 700.21 Application for priority rating authority.
(a) * * *Further information may be obtained from the Department of
Energy, Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency
Response, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585; Telephone:
(202) 586-8100; Email: [email protected].
* * * * *
0
16. Section 700.31 is amended by revising paragraph (f) to read as
follows:
Sec. 700.31 General procedures.
* * * * *
(f) A detailed description of the provisions that will be included
in the allocation orders, including the type(s) of allocation orders,
the percentages or quantity of capacity or output to be allocated for
each purpose, the
[[Page 8372]]
relationship with previously or subsequently received priority rated
and unrated contracts and orders, and the duration of the allocation
action (e.g., anticipated start and end dates);
* * * * *
0
17. Section 700.33 is amended by revising the section heading and
introductory text to read as follows:
Sec. 700.33 Types of allocation orders.
There are three types of allocation orders available for
communicating allocation actions.
* * * * *
0
18. Section 700.34 is amended by revising paragraphs (a)(1), (b)(1),
(c) introductory text, and (c)(1) to read as follows:
Sec. 700.34 Elements of an allocation order.
* * * * *
(a) * * *
(1) A detailed description of the required allocation action(s),
including its relationship to previously or subsequently received DX
rated orders, DO rated orders, and unrated orders.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(1) A statement that reads in substance: ``This is an allocation
order certified for national defense use. [Insert the name of the
person receiving the order] is required to comply with this order, in
accordance with the provisions of the Defense Priorities and
Allocations System regulation (15 CFR part 700).''
* * * * *
(c) Elements to be included in an allocation order issued by
constructive notice through publication in the Federal Register.
(1) A statement that reads in substance: ``This is an allocation
order certified for national defense use. [Insert the name(s) of the
person(s) to whom the order applies or a description of the class of
persons to whom the order applies] is (are) required to comply with
this order, in accordance with the provisions of the Defense Priorities
and Allocations System regulation (15 CFR part 700).''
* * * * *
0
19. Revise section 700.50 to read as follows:
Sec. 700.50 General provisions.
(a) Once a priority rating has been authorized pursuant to this
part, further action by the Department of Commerce generally is not
needed. However, it is anticipated that from time-to-time problems will
occur. In this event, a person should immediately contact the
appropriate contract administration officer or the Department of
Commerce for guidance or assistance. Special priorities assistance is a
service provided to alleviate problems that do arise.
(1) If additional formal aid is needed for a rated order placed by
a Delegate Agency, special priorities assistance should be sought from
the Delegate Agency through the contract administration officer. If the
Delegate Agency is unable to resolve the problem or to authorize the
use of a priority rating and believes additional assistance is
warranted, the Delegate Agency may forward the request to the
Department of Commerce for action.
(2) If additional formal aid is needed for a rated order placed by
other authorized persons, special priorities assistance should be
sought from the Department of Commerce.
(b) Special priorities assistance may be provided for any reason
consistent with this part, such as assisting in obtaining timely
deliveries of items needed to satisfy rated orders or authorizing the
use of priority ratings on orders to obtain items not otherwise ratable
under this part. If the Department of Commerce is unable to resolve the
problem or to authorize the use of a priority rating and believes
additional assistance is warranted, the Department of Commerce may
forward the request to another agency, identified in Sec. 700.10(c),
as appropriate, for action.
(c) A request for special priorities assistance must be submitted
on Form BIS-999 (OMB control number 0694-0057) to the local contract
administration representative or to the Department of Commerce. Form
BIS-999 may be obtained from the Delegate Agency representative or from
the Department of Commerce. A sample Form BIS-999 is attached at
Appendix I. A fillable Form BIS-999 may be obtained on the following
website: https://www.bis.doc.gov/.
0
20. Revise 700.51 to read as follows:
Sec. 700.51 Requests for priority rating authority.
(a) If a rated order is likely to be delayed because a person is
unable to obtain items not normally rated under this part, the person
may request the authority to use a priority rating in ordering the
needed items. Examples of items for which priority ratings may be
authorized include:
(1) Production or construction equipment;
(2) Computers when not used as production items; and
(3) Expansion, rebuilding or replacing plant facilities.
(b) If a person does not have priority rating authority under this
part from a Delegate Agency or the Department of Commerce and is unable
to ensure the timely delivery of industrial resources, the person may
request the authority to use a priority rating in ordering the needed
items.
(1) A request for priority rating authority under this part must be
submitted on Form BIS-999 to the Department of Commerce (see Sec.
700.50(c) for information on Form BIS-999).
(2) A request for priority rating authority under this part may be
used only to support approved programs (see Sec. 700.55, Sec. 700.57,
and Sec. 700.58 for information on requesting a determination by the
appropriate Determination Department that the request supports a
program that is necessary or appropriate to promote the national
defense).
(c) Rating authority for production or construction equipment.
(1) A request for priority rating authority for production or
construction equipment must be submitted to the appropriate Delegate
Agency or the Department of Commerce. Requests in support of Department
of Defense approved programs should be submitted to the Department of
Defense on Department of Defense Form DD 691. All other requests should
be submitted on Form BIS-999. If the Delegate Agency is unable to
resolve the problem or authorize the use of a priority rating, the
Delegate Agency may forward the request to the Department of Commerce
for action.
(2) When the use of a priority rating is authorized for the
procurement of production or construction equipment, a rated order may
be used either to purchase or to lease such equipment. However, in the
latter case, the equipment may be leased only from a person engaged in
the business of leasing such equipment or from a person willing to
lease rather than sell.
(d) Rating authority in advance of a rated prime contract.
(1) In certain cases and upon specific request, the Department of
Commerce, in order to promote the national defense, may authorize a
person to place a priority rating on an order to a supplier in advance
of the issuance of a rated prime contract. In these instances, the
person requesting advance rating authority must obtain sponsorship of
the request from the appropriate Delegate Agency or those authorized by
the Department of Commerce to priority rate the prime contract. The
person shall also assume any business risk associated with the placing
of rated orders if these orders
[[Page 8373]]
have to be cancelled in the event the rated prime contract is not
issued.
(2) The person must state the following in the request:
It is understood that the authorization of a priority rating in
advance of our receiving a rated prime contract and our use of that
priority rating with our suppliers in no way commits the Department of
Commerce or any other government agency to enter into a contract or
order or to expend funds. Further, we understand that the Federal
Government shall not be liable for any cancellation charges,
termination costs, or other damages that may accrue if a rated prime
contract is not eventually placed and, as a result, we must
subsequently cancel orders placed with the use of the priority rating
authorized as a result of this request.
(3) In reviewing requests for rating authority in advance of a
rated prime contract, the Department of Commerce will consider, among
other things, the following criteria:
(i) The probability that the prime contract will be awarded;
(ii) The impact of the resulting rated orders on suppliers and on
other authorized programs;
(iii) Whether the contractor is the sole source;
(iv) Whether the item being produced has a long lead time; and
(v) The time period for which the rating is being requested.
(4) The Department of Commerce may require periodic reports on the
use of the rating authority granted under paragraph (c) of this
section.
(5) If a rated prime contract is not issued, the person shall
promptly notify all suppliers who have received rated orders pursuant
to the advanced rating authority that the priority rating on those
orders is cancelled.
0
21. Section 700.52 is amended by revising paragraph (a) and adding new
paragraph (a)(3) to read as follows:
Sec. 700.52 Examples of assistance.
(a) While special priorities assistance may be provided for any
reason in support of this regulation and an approved program (see Sec.
700.55, Sec. 700.57, Sec. 700.58, and Schedule I of this part), it is
usually provided in situations where:
(1) A person is experiencing difficulty in obtaining delivery
against a rated order by the required delivery date;
(2) A person cannot locate a supplier for an item needed to fill a
rated order; or
(3) A person is experiencing difficulty in obtaining delivery for
an unrated order by the required delivery date.
* * * * *
0
22. Amend section 700.53 by revising the introductory text to read as
follows:
Sec. 700.53 Criteria for assistance.
Requests for special priorities assistance should be timely, i.e.,
the request has been submitted promptly and enough time exists for the
Determination Department, Delegate Agency, or the Department of
Commerce to effect a meaningful resolution to the problem, and must
establish that:
* * * * *
0
23. Amend section 700.54 by revising the first sentence of the
introductory text to read as follows:
Sec. 700.54 Instances where assistance will not be provided.
Special priorities assistance is provided at the discretion of the
Determination Departments, Delegate Agencies, and the Department of
Commerce when it is determined that such assistance is warranted to
meet the objectives of this regulation. * * *
* * * * *
0
24. Revise section 700.55 to read as follows:
Sec. 700.55 Requests for determination that program within the
United States is necessary or appropriate to promote the national
defense.
(a) Homeland security, emergency response, and critical
infrastructure protection and restoration assistance programs within
the United States. Any person requesting priority rating authority or
requiring assistance in obtaining rated items under this part
supporting homeland security, emergency preparedness, and critical
infrastructure protection and restoration related activities should
submit a request for a determination in writing that the request
supports a program that is necessary or appropriate to promote the
national defense (referred to as ``approved program'') to the Office of
Policy and Program Analysis, Federal Emergency Management Agency,
Department of Homeland Security, 500 C Street SW, Washington, DC 20472;
Telephone: (202) 212-2900; Fax: (202) 646-4601; Email: [email protected], website: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/defense-production-act.
(b) Military production and construction, military use of civil
transportation, stockpiles managed by the Department of Defense, space,
and directly related activities within the United States. Any person
requesting priority rating authority or requiring assistance under this
part in obtaining rated items supporting military production and
construction, military use of civil transportation, stockpiles managed
by the Department of Defense, space, and directly related activities
should submit a request for a determination in writing that the request
supports a program that is necessary or appropriate to promote the
national defense (referred to as ``approved program'') to the
Department of Defense DPA Title I Lead in the Office of the Assistant
Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy, 3330 Defense Pentagon,
Room 3B854, Washington, DC 20301; Telephone: (703) 697-0051; Fax: (703)
695-4885; Email: [email protected];
website: https://www.businessdefense.gov/.
(c) Energy production and construction, distribution and use, and
directly related activities within the United States. Any person
requesting priority rating authority or requiring assistance under this
part in obtaining rated items supporting energy production and
construction, distribution and use, and directly related activities
should submit a request for a determination in writing that the request
supports a program that is necessary or appropriate to promote the
national defense (referred to as ``approved program'') to the
Department of Energy, Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and
Emergency Response, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585;
Telephone: (202) 586-8100; Email: [email protected].
0
25. Section 700.56 is amended by revising paragraphs (c), (d), (e),
(f), and (g) to read as follows:
Sec. 700.56 Military assistance programs with Canada.
* * * * *
(c) The Department of Commerce coordinates with Public Works and
Government Services Canada on all matters of mutual concern relating to
the administration of this part.
(d) Any person in the United States ordering defense items in
Canada in support of an approved program should inform the Canadian
supplier that the items being ordered are to be used to fill a rated
order. The Canadian supplier should be informed that if production
materials are needed from the United States by the Canadian supplier or
the Canadian supplier's vendor to fill the order, the Canadian supplier
or vendor should contact Public Works and Government Services Canada
for authority to place rated orders in the United States: Public Works
and Government Services Canada, Acquisitions Branch, Business
[[Page 8374]]
Management Directorate, Phase 3, Place du Portage, 0B2-103, 11 Laurier
Street, Gatineau, Quebec, K1A 0S5, Canada; Telephone: (819) 420-7200;
Fax: (819) 997-9776, or electronically at pwgsc.gc.ca">TPSGC.PAPrioritesdedefense-APDefencePriorities.PWGSC@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca.
(e) Any person in Canada producing defense items for the Canadian
government may also obtain priority rating authority for items to be
purchased in the United States by applying to Public Works and
Government Services Canada, Acquisitions Branch, Business Management
Directorate, in accordance with its procedures.
(f) Persons in Canada needing special priorities assistance in
obtaining defense items in the United States may apply to Public Works
and Government Services Canada, Acquisitions Branch, Business
Management Directorate, for such assistance. Public Works and
Government Services Canada will forward appropriate requests to the
Department of Commerce.
(g) Any person in the United States requiring assistance in
obtaining items in Canada must submit a request to the Office of
Strategic Industries and Economic Security, U.S. Department of Commerce
on Form BIS-999. The Department of Commerce will forward appropriate
requests to Public Works and Government Services Canada.
0
26. Section 700.57 is amended by revising paragraphs (a), (b)(1), and
(c) to read as follows:
Sec. 700.57 Military assistance programs with other nations and
international organizations.
(a) Scope. To promote military assistance to foreign nations and
international organizations (for example, the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization or the United Nations), this section provides for
authorizing priority ratings to persons in foreign nations or
international organizations to obtain items in the United States in
support of approved programs. Although priority ratings have no legal
authority outside of the United States, this section also provides
information on how persons in the United States may obtain informal
assistance in foreign nations that are signatories to bilateral
security of supply arrangements with the Department of Defense. These
foreign nations include Australia, Denmark, Finland, Israel, Italy,
Japan, Latvia, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the United
Kingdom. The most current security of supply arrangement information,
including an up-to-date list of countries, may be found on the
following website: https://www.businessdefense.gov/security-of-supply.html.
(b) * * *
(1) Any person in a foreign nation other than Canada, or any person
in an international organization, requiring assistance in obtaining
items in the United States or priority rating authority for items to be
purchased in the United States, should submit a request for such
assistance or priority rating authority to: the Department of Defense
DPA Title I Lead in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense
for Industrial Base Policy, 3330 Defense Pentagon, Room 3B854,
Washington, DC 20301; Telephone: (703) 697-0051; Fax: (703) 695-4885;
Email: [email protected], website:
https://www.businessdefense.gov/.
(i) If the end product is being acquired by a U.S. Government
agency, the request should be submitted to the Department of Defense
DPA Title I Lead through the U.S. contract administration
representative.
(ii) If the end product is being acquired by a foreign nation or
international organization, the request must be sponsored prior to its
submission to the Department of Defense DPA Title I Lead by the
government of the foreign nation or the international organization that
will use the end product.
* * * * *
(c) Requesting assistance in foreign nations that are signatories
to bilateral security of supply arrangements.
(1) The Department of Defense has entered into bilateral security
of supply arrangements with several foreign nations that allow the
Department of Defense to request the priority delivery for Department
of Defense contracts, subcontracts, and orders from companies in these
countries. These countries include Australia, Denmark, Finland, Israel,
Italy, Japan, Latvia, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the
United Kingdom. The most current security of supply arrangement
information, including an up-to-date list of countries, may be found on
the following website: https://www.businessdefense.gov/security-of-supply.html.
(2) Any person in the United States requiring assistance in
obtaining the priority delivery of a contract, subcontract, or order in
foreign nations that are signatories to bilateral security of supply
arrangements with the Department of Defense should contact the
Department of Defense DPA Title I Lead in the Office of the Assistant
Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy for assistance.
(3) Persons in foreign nations that are signatories to bilateral
security of supply arrangements with the Department of Defense should
request assistance in accordance with paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
0
27. Revise section 700.58 to read as follows:
Sec. 700.58 Critical infrastructure assistance programs to foreign
nations and international organizations.
(a) Scope. To promote critical infrastructure assistance to foreign
nations, this section provides for authorizing priority ratings to
persons in foreign nations or international organizations (for example,
the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or the United Nations) to obtain
items in the United States in support of approved programs.
(b) Foreign nations or international organizations. (1) Any person
in a foreign nation or representing an international organization
requiring assistance in obtaining items under this part to be purchased
in the United States for support of critical infrastructure protection
and restoration should submit a request for priority rating authority
on Form BIS-999 to the Department of Commerce (see Sec. 700.50(c) for
information on Form BIS-999).
(2) Any person in a foreign nation or representing an international
organization requesting priority rating authority or requiring
assistance in obtaining rated items under this part in support of
critical infrastructure protection and restoration related activities
should submit a request for a determination in writing that the request
supports a program that is necessary or appropriate to promote the
national defense to the Office of Policy and Program Analysis, Federal
Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security, 500 C
Street SW, Washington, DC 20472; Telephone: (202) 212-2900; Fax: (202)
646-4601; Email: [email protected], website: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/defense-production-act.
0
28. Section 700.61 is amended by revising paragraph (a)(1) to read as
follows:
Sec. 700.61 Rating authorization.
(a) * * *
(1) Permits a person to place a priority rating on an order for an
item, such as an item not normally ratable under this regulation; or
* * * * *
0
29. Section 700.63 is amended by revising paragraph (a) to read as
follows:
[[Page 8375]]
Sec. 700.63 Letters of understanding.
(a) A letter of understanding is an official action that may be
issued in resolving special priorities assistance cases to reflect an
agreement reached by all parties (e.g., the Department of Commerce, the
Determination Department, the Delegate Agency, the supplier, the
customer).
* * * * *
0
30. Section 700.70 is amended by revising paragraph (b) to read as
follows:
Sec. 700.70 General provisions.
* * * * *
(b) Willful violation of any of the provisions of Title I or
section 705 of the Defense Production Act, this part, or an official
action of the Department of Commerce, is a criminal act, punishable as
provided in sections 103 and 705 of the Defense Production Act.
0
31. Section 700.71 is amended by revising the first sentence of
paragraph (a) to read as follows:
Sec. 700.71 Audits and investigations.
(a) Audits and investigations are official actions involving the
examination of books, records, documents, other writings, and
information to ensure that the provisions of the Defense Production
Act, the Selective Service Act and related statutes, and this part have
been properly followed. * * *
* * * * *
0
32. Section 700.74 is amended by revising paragraph (a) and paragraph
(c) introductory text to read as follows:
Sec. 700.74 Violations, penalties, and remedies.
(a) Willful violation of the provisions of Title I or sections 705
or 707 of the Defense Production Act, the priorities provisions of the
Selective Service Act and related statutes or this part is a crime and
upon conviction, a person may be punished by fine or imprisonment, or
both as provided in sections 103 and 705 of the Defense Production Act
and in section 468(f) of the Selective Service Act.
* * * * *
(c) In order to secure the effective enforcement of the Defense
Production Act, this part, and official actions, the following are
prohibited (see section 704 of the Defense Production Act; see e.g.,
sections 2 and 371 of Title 18 United States Code):
* * * * *
0
33. Section 700.80 is amended by revising the last sentence in
paragraph (c) to read as follows:
Sec. 700.80 Adjustments or exceptions.
* * * * *
(c) * * * The Office of Strategic Industries and Economic Security
shall respond to requests for adjustment of or exceptions to compliance
with the provisions of this part or an official action within twenty-
five (25) days, not including Saturdays, Sundays or Government
holidays, of the date of receipt.
* * * * *
0
34. Section 700.81 is amended by revising paragraph (b) to read as
follows:
Sec. 700.81 Appeals.
* * * * *
(b) Appeals of denied requests for exceptions from or adjustments
to compliance with the provisions of this part or an official action
must be received by the Assistant Secretary for Export Administration
no later than forty-five (45) days after receipt of a written notice of
denial from the Office of Strategic Industries and Economic Security.
After this forty-five (45) day period, an appeal may be accepted at the
discretion of the Assistant Secretary for Export Administration.
* * * * *
0
35. Revise section 700.93 to read as follows:
Sec. 700.93 Communications.
General communications concerning this part, including how to
obtain copies of this part, explanatory information, and requests for
guidance or clarification, may be addressed to the Office of Strategic
Industries and Economic Security, Room 3876, Department of Commerce,
1401 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20230, Ref: DPAS; Telephone
(202) 482-3634, email [email protected]. Request for special priorities
assistance under Sec. 700.50, adjustments or exceptions under Sec.
700.80, or appeals under Sec. 700.81, must be submitted in the manner
specified in those sections.
0
36. Revise Schedule I to Part 700 to read as follows:
Schedule I to Part 700--Approved Programs and Delegate Agencies
Schedule I provides a list of approved programs. They have equal
preferential status. Use of this part in support of an approved program
requires written authorization by the Department of Commerce. The
Department of Commerce has authorized the delegate agencies listed in
the third column to use this part in support of those programs assigned
to them, as indicated below. The Department of Commerce is also listed
as an agency in the third column for programs where its authorization
in writing is necessary to place rated orders (see Sec. 700.51 for
information on how to request priority rating authority).
The Department of Commerce has authorized Delegate Agencies to
place priority ratings on contracts and orders for industrial resources
needed to implement any approved program that has been authorized for
priorities support by the appropriate Resource Department. The program
identification symbol used on priority rated contracts and orders
authorized by the appropriate Resource Department to support the
approved program must also be used on rated orders for industrial
resources needed to implement the approved program. However, any rated
order for industrial resources placed to implement an approved program
that has been authorized for priorities support by a Resource
Department remains subject to the provisions of this part. The program
identification symbols for these approved programs are found under the
``Other Programs'' section of Schedule I.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Program identification symbol Approved program Agency(ies)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defense Programs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A1............................ Aircraft.............. Department of
Defense.
A2............................ Missiles and Space.... Department of
Defense.
A3............................ Ships................. Department of
Defense.
A4............................ Tank--Automotive...... Department of
Defense.
A5............................ Weapons............... Department of
Defense.
A6............................ Ammunition............ Department of
Defense.
A7............................ Electronic and Department of
communications Defense.
equipment.
B1............................ Military building Department of
supplies. Defense.
B8............................ Production equipment Department of
(for defense Defense.
contractor's account).
B9............................ Production equipment Department of
(Government owned). Defense.
[[Page 8376]]
C2............................ Department of Defense Department of
construction. Defense.
C3............................ Maintenance, repair, Department of
and operating Defense.
supplies (MRO) for
Department of Defense
facilities.
C9............................ Miscellaneous......... Department of
Defense.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Military Assistance to Canada
------------------------------------------------------------------------
D1............................ Canadian military Department of
programs. Commerce.
D2............................ Canadian production Department of
and construction. Commerce.
D3............................ Canadian atomic energy Department of
program. Commerce.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Military Assistance to Other Foreign Nations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
G1............................ Certain munitions Department of
items purchased by Commerce.
foreign governments
through domestic
commercial channels
for export.
G2............................ Certain direct defense Department of
needs of foreign Commerce.
governments other
than Canada.
G3............................ Foreign nations (other Department of
than Canada) Commerce.
production and
construction.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Critical Infrastructure Assistance to Foreign Nations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
G4............................ Foreign critical Department of
infrastructure Commerce.
programs.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Co-Production
------------------------------------------------------------------------
J1............................ Co-Production Program. Departments of
Commerce and
Defense.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atomic Energy Programs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
E1............................ Construction.......... Department of
Energy.
E2............................ Operations--including Department of
maintenance, repair, Energy.
and operating
supplies (MRO).
E3............................ Privately owned Department of
facilities. Energy.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Domestic Energy Programs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
F1............................ Exploration, Department of
production, refining, Energy.
and transportation.
F2............................ Conservation.......... Department of
Energy.
F3............................ Construction, repair, Department of
and maintenance. Energy.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Defense, Energy, and Related Programs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
H1............................ Certain combined Department of
orders (see Sec. Commerce.
700.17(c)).
H5............................ Private domestic Department of
production. Commerce.
H6............................ Private domestic Department of
construction. Commerce.
H7............................ Maintenance, repair, Department of
and operating Commerce.
supplies (MRO).
H8............................ Designated Programs... Department of
Commerce.
K1............................ Federal supply items.. General Services
Administration.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Homeland Security Programs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
N1............................ Federal emergency Department of
preparedness, Homeland
mitigation, response, Security.
and recovery.
N2............................ State, local, tribal, Department of
and territorial Homeland
government emergency Security.
preparedness,
mitigation, response,
and recovery.
N3............................ Intelligence and Department of
warning systems. Homeland
Security.
N4............................ Border and Department of
transportation Homeland
security. Security.
N5............................ Domestic counter- Department of
terrorism, including Homeland
law enforcement. Security.
N6............................ Chemical, biological, Department of
radiological, and Homeland
nuclear Security.
countermeasures.
N7............................ Critical Department of
infrastructure Homeland
protection and Security.
restoration.
N8............................ Continuity of Department of
Government. Homeland
Security.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Programs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Health Resources/Health Resources Priorities and Allocations System
(HRPAS):
------------------------------------------------------------------------
M1............................ Pharmaceuticals and
biological related
products.
M2............................ Health, medical, and
safety supply chains.
M3............................ Health related
equipment, devices,
and material.
M4............................ Vaccines..............
M5............................ Mental Health.........
M6............................ Mitigation measures...
M7............................ Facilities............
M8............................ Personal protective
equipment.
M9............................ Miscellaneous.........
[[Page 8377]]
[80 FR 42408; Jul. 15, 2015]..
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Food Resources/Agriculture Priorities and Allocations System (APAS):
------------------------------------------------------------------------
P1............................ Food and food
resources (civilian).
P2............................ Agriculture and food
critical
infrastructure
protection and
restoration.
P3............................ Food resources (combat
rations).
P4............................ Certain combined
orders.
[80 FR 63890; Dec. 21, 2015]..
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transportation Resources/Transportation Priorities and Allocations
System (TPAS):
------------------------------------------------------------------------
T1............................ Federal emergency
preparedness,
mitigation, response,
and recovery.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thea D. Rozman Kendler,
Assistant Secretary for Export Administration
[FR Doc. 2024-01930 Filed 2-6-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-JT-P