General Services Administration April 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The General Services Administration (GSA) has reviewed the lodging rates of certain locations in the States of Arizona, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington and determined that they are inadequate. The per diems prescribed in Bulletin 05-5 may be found at https://www.gsa.gov/perdiem.

The Federal Acquisition Conference and Exposition (FACE) 2005 is a forum for Federal acquisition professionals and policy makers to share their insights and experiences. FACE also provides a full range of training on the latest acquisition issues and an opportunity to review exhibitors' products and services. The Chief Acquisition Officers Council, Federal Acquisition Institute, U.S. General Services Administration, and Department of Defense are sponsoring the FACE 2005. This Governmentwide conference has become a major event for the acquisition community. The Federal Acquisition Institute is serving as the conference planner. The conference will be held June 7-8, 2005 at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. The theme of this year's conference, ``Mission Possible through Acquisition,'' recognizes contracting as a key component in supporting how Federal agencies acquire the goods and services that enable them to perform their missions. Benefits of Attending Earn 10.5 Continuous Learning Points; Learn about important issues and emerging trends in acquisition; Hear from senior managers, agency experts, and industry partners; Visit the exhibit hall to review products and services; and Network with your colleagues in the Federal acquisition community throughout the conference and at the reception Tuesday evening. WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Contracting officers, contract specialists, contracting officer's technical representatives/contracting officer's representatives, program managers, and private industry contractors. REGISTRATION: Registration rates are $400 for government attendees and $700 for industry attendees. These registration rates and online registration expire on May 31, 2005. After May 31, attendees may register onsite. Onsite rates are $500 for government attendees and $750 for industry attendees. Register online: www.fai.gov/face.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Secretariat has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a currently approved information collection requirement concerning North Carolina sales tax certification. A request for public comments was published at 70 FR 5970, on February 4, 2005. No comments were received. Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the FAR, 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; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Secretariat has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a currently approved information collection requirement concerning contractor use of Government supply sources. A request for public comments was published at 70 FR 5971, February 4, 2005, No comments were received. Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the FAR, 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; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Secretariat will be submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a currently approved information collection requirement concerning accident prevention plans and recordkeeping. A request for public comments was published in the Federal Register at 70 FR 4097, January 28, 2005. No comments were received. Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the FAR, 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; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

The General Services Administration (GSA) is requesting comments from both Government and industry on whether the General Services Administration Acquisition Regulation (GSAR) should be revised to include a waiver of consequential damages for contracts awarded for commercial items under the FAR. GSA is also requesting comments on whether ``post award'' audit provisions should be included in its Multiple Award Schedules (MAS) contracts and Governmentwide acquisition contracts (GWACs). GSA is further amending the correction notice published in the Federal Register at 70 FR 13005, March 17, 2005, to add the following: In addition, GSA is interested in receiving comments on whether the Examination of Records clause at GSAR 552.215-71 should be modified to reinstate post-award access to and the right to examine records to verify that preaward/modification pricing, sales, or other data related to the supplies or services offered under a contract which formed the basis for an award/modification was accurate, current, and complete. The notice published in the Federal Register at 70 FR 12167, March 11, 2005, is amended to extend the public comment date to May 10, 2005, and to allow interested parties to submit presentations by April 7, 2005.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Secretariat will be submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a currently approved information collection requirement concerning organization and direction of work. A request for public comments was published in the Federal Register at 70 FR 5169, February 1, 2005. No comments were received. Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the FAR, 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; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

This document makes amendments to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) in order to make editorial corrections.

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) have agreed on an interim rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement Section 637 of Division H of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005. Section 637 provides that no funds made available under the Consolidated Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2005, or under any other Act for fiscal year 2005 and each fiscal year thereafter, shall be expended for purchase of a product or service offered by Federal Prison Industries, Inc., unless the agency making the purchase determines that the offered product or service provides the best value to the buying agency, pursuant to Governmentwide procurement regulations issued pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 421(c)(1) that impose procedures, standards, and limitations of 10 U.S.C. 2410n.

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement earned value management system (EVMS) policy. FAR coverage is essential to help standardize the use of EVMS across the Government. The proposed rule specifically impacts contracting officers, program managers, and contractors with earned value management systems.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Secretariat will be submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a currently approved information collection requirement concerning drug-free workplace. A request for public comments was published at 70 FR 5615 onFebruary 3, 2005. No comments were received. Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the FAR, 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; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the General Services Administration has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve a renewal of a currently approved information collection requirement regarding Standard Form 151, Deposit Bond, Annual Sale of Government Personal Property. A request for public comments was published at 69 FR 63387, November 1, 2004. No comments were received. 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; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected.