Agencies and Commissions October 5, 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is publishing for public comment a notice of receipt of a petition for rulemaking (PRM), dated May 5, 2011, and supplemented on August 3, 2011, which was filed with the NRC by Cheri Swensson (the petitioner), on behalf of the American Academy of Health Care Providers in the Addictive Disorders (the Academy). The petition was docketed by the NRC on September 9, 2011, and has been assigned Docket No. PRM-26-7. The petitioner requests that the NRC amend its regulations to include the Academy as one of the organizations authorized to certify a substance abuse expert.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA or Agency) is proposing to amend its regulations to implement provisions of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, which pertain to small business subcontracting. SBA is proposing to amend its regulations to provide for a ``covered contract'' (a contract for which a small business subcontracting plan is required, currently valued above $1.5 million for construction and $650,000 for all other contracts), a prime contractor must notify the contracting officer in writing whenever the prime contractor does not utilize a subcontractor used in preparing its bid or proposal during contract performance. SBA is also proposing to amend its regulations to require a prime contractor to notify a contracting officer in writing whenever the prime contractor reduces payments to a subcontractor or when payments to a subcontractor are 90 days or more past due. In addition, SBA is proposing to clarify that the contracting officer is responsible for monitoring and evaluating small business subcontracting plan performance. SBA is also proposing to clarify which subcontracts must be included in subcontracting data reporting, which subcontracts should be excluded, and the way subcontracting data is reported. SBA is also proposing to make other changes to update its subcontracting regulations, including changing subcontracting plan thresholds and referencing the electronic subcontracting reporting system (eSRS). Some of the SBA's proposed changes would require the contracting officer to review subcontracting plan reports within 60 days of the report ending date. Finally, SBA is also proposing to address how subcontracting plan requirements and credit towards subcontracting goals can be implemented in connection with Multi-agency, Federal Supply Schedule, Multiple Award Schedule and Government-wide Acquisition indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts.

The United States Postal Service[supreg] is proposing to modify one of its General Privacy Act Systems of Records: USPS 880.000, Post Office and Retail Services. These modifications reflect the changes that have been made in providing alternate access to customers such as ``Village Post Offices,'' which are operated by community businesses to provide selected postal products and services and Post Office BoxTM service at or near the business location.

This document informs the public that an appeal of the closing of the Pimmit Branch, Falls Church, Virginia post office has been filed. It identifies preliminary steps and provides a procedural schedule. Publication of this document will allow the Postal Service, petitioners, and others to take appropriate action.

The Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (Council) announces its October 2011 meeting.

This is an amendment of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for the State of Texas (FEMA-4029-DR), dated 09/09/2011. Incident: Wildfires. Incident Period: 08/30/2011 and continuing.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995. Comments are requested concerning (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and (e) ways to further reduce the information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees. The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the PRA that does not display a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.

This document informs the public that an appeal of the closing of the Breaks, Virginia post office has been filed. It identifies preliminary steps and provides a procedural schedule. Publication of this document will allow the Postal Service, petitioners, and others to take appropriate action.