General Services Administration 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) have agreed on a final rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to provide internal procedures to cover situations when the FAR requires interaction with a procurement center representative and one has not been assigned to the procuring activity or contract administration office.

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 the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement with respect to El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua.

This document amends the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to make editorial changes.

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 and revision of a currently approved information collection requirement concerning small business procurement credit programs. A request for public comments was published in the Federal Register at 71 FR 16563 on April 3, 2006. 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 thepublic 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) proposes to establish a Government-wide system of records subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. 552a. The system of records, GSA SmartPay[reg] Purchase Charge Card Program (GSA/GOVT-6), will ensure that the Federal Purchase Charge Card Program, for which GSA has Government-wide responsibility, assembles and maintains information necessary for the efficient and cost effective operation, control, and management of commercial purchasing activities by Federal agencies. The system includes personal information of individuals to enhance the Federal Government's ability to monitor official purchases, payments, and expenses involving charge card transactions.

Pursuant to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, and the President's Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), as implemented by General Services Administration (GSA) Order PBS P 1095.4D, GSA announces its Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed consolidation of the two existing NIOSH facilities, the Robert A. Taft Laboratory and the Alice Hamilton Laboratory buildings, into a single consolidated facility at a new location in Ohio.

In furtherance of FMR Bulletin 2005-B4, this notice announces the FY 2005 release of the new version of the Federal Real Property Profile (FRPP) Summary Report, which provides an overview of the U.S. Government's owned and leased real property as of September 30, 2005. The FY 2005 FRPP Summary Report is now available.

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 the Central Contractor Registration database. A request for public comments was published in the Federal Register at 71 FR 6762, February 9, 2006. 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 place of performance. The clearance currently expires on October 31, 2006. 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; and ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected. When the On-Line Representation and Certifications Application (ORCA) becomes available, contractors will be able to complete the provision electronically; however, because the data being collected could change for a specific solicitation, contractor's will still be required to submit place of performance information on an exception basis; that is, whenever the place of performance for a specific solicitation is different from the place of performance shown in ORCA.

The General Services Administration (GSA) is amending the Federal Management Regulation (FMR) by updating requirements and information on motor vehicle management. This interim rule makes changes to vehicle identification requirements. Specifically, it allows agencies to have limited identification exemptions for motor vehicles that are regularly used for common administrative purposes. Some agencies have expressed a need to exempt even their administrative vehicles from displaying Government identification for situations with specifically identified security risks. Agencies will still need to have a certification of need signed by the agency head or designee before authorizing limited identification exceptions. This interim rule provides information for obtaining U.S. Government license plates from UNICOR, Federal Prison Industries Inc., the current license plate supplier. This interim rule further updates Federal motor vehicle management regulations by replacing the requirement for agencies to provide certain motor vehicle information to GSA on the Standard Form 82 with the requirement to use the Federal Automotive Statistical Tool (FAST), an Internet-based reporting tool. This interim rule also requires agencies to have an agency-wide fleet management information system that will link all fleet data throughout the agency and interface with the Federal Automotive Statistical Tool (FAST). This new FMR requirement implements 40 U.S.C. 17503 that gives the Administrator with others, the authority to prescribe data collection requirements for data on the costs and uses of motor vehicles by executive agencies. Furthermore, the requirement for an agency-wide management information system was a keystone report recommendation for improving agency fleet management made by the Federal Fleet Policy Council's interagency team of fleet professionals following their review of agencies' fleet management programs in 2002. The FMR and any corresponding documents may be accessed at GSA's Web site at https://www.gsa.gov/fmr.

The General Services Administration (GSA) is providing notice of the establishment of the Federal Acquisition Institute's FAI Online University (GSA/OAP-5) system of records. The purpose of the system is to develop a professional acquisition workforce by providing online training on Federal government acquisition and procurement to interested public and private individuals. The system is used to maintain and track the individuals' training records, provide course information, and administer the system. The system's online training provides a more flexible alternative to traditional classroom training.

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 use of data universal numbering system (DUNS) as primary contractor identification. The Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number is the nine-digit identification number assigned by Dun and Bradstreet Information Services to an establishment. A request for public comments was published in the Federal Register at 70 FR 75453 on December 20, 2005. 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) announces its intention to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 to assess the potential environmental effects of the proposed action and its alternatives described in the Master Site Plan to enable GSA to make an informed analysis and conclusion leading to the preparation of a Final Master Site Plan and Final EIS for the Denver Federal Center in Lakewood, Colorado. The existing Master Site Plan was completed in 1997. Since that time, potential development and redevelopment opportunities and the changing real estate market make the 1997 Master Site Plan outdated. The analysis will include a review of all existing buildings on site, all existing and planned infrastructure systems and improvements, necessary capital investment needs and all vacant land. A primary focus will be on short and long term planning for Federal agency needs and requirements. A No Action alternative will also be studied that will evaluate the consequences of not implementing an action alternative. This alternative is included to provide a basis for comparison to the action alternatives described above as required under NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1002.14(d)). GSA invites individuals, organizations and agencies to submit comments concerning the scope of the EIS. The public scoping period starts with the publication of this notice in the Federal Register and will continue for forty five (45) days from the date of this notice. GSA will consider all comments received or postmarked by that date in defining the scope of the EIS. GSA expects to issue a Draft EIS by January 2007 at which time its availability will be announced in the Federal Register and local media. A public comment period will commence upon the publication of the Notice of Availability. The GSA will consider and respond to comments received on the Draft EIS in preparing the Final EIS.

The General Services Administration (GSA) is announcing a public meeting of the GSA Small Business Advisory Committee (the Committee).

The General Services Administration (GSA) is amending the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR), to clarify existing authority under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 U.S.C. 701-796l, and 5 U.S.C. 3102, that allows agencies to reimburse employees with special needs for expenses incurred for the services of an attendant while on official travel. Specifically, this final rule amends the FTR by adding reimbursement for ``services of an attendant traveling with an employee with special needs'' as a miscellaneous expense item. The FTR and any corresponding documents may be accessed at GSA's website at https:// www.gsa.gov/ftr.

The General Services Administration is amending the Federal Management Regulation (FMR) language that pertains to personal property by correcting references to outdated or superceded provisions of law or regulation; correcting text to be in conformance with revised laws, regulation, or Federal agency responsibilities; and clarifying text where the intended meaning could be updated or made clearer. The FMR and any corresponding documents may be accessed at GSA's Web site at https://www.gsa.gov/fmr.

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 corporate aircraft costs. A request for public comments was published in the Federal Register at 71 FR 7743, on February 14, 2006. No comments were received. This OMB clearance expires on June 30, 2006. 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 is issued under the joint authority of the Secretary of Defense, the Administrator of General Services and the Administrator for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. This Small Entity Compliance Guide has been prepared in accordance with Section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. It consists of a summary of rules appearing in Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2005-09 which amend the FAR. An asterisk (*) next to a rule indicates that a regulatory flexibility analysis has been prepared. Interested parties may obtain further information regarding these rules by referring to FAC 2005-09 which precedes this document. These documents are also available via the Internet at https://www.acqnet.gov/far.

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) have agreed on a final rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) by revising fast payment procedures. The revision permits, but does not require, fast payment when invoices and/or outer shipping containers are not marked ``Fast Pay'' provided the contract includes the ``Fast Payment Procedure'' clause. As highlighted in the clause, if the clause is in the contract, the invoices will no longer be rejected, as is the current practice. Instead, they will be paid using either fast payment or normal payment procedures. In addition, the revision deletes the requirement for marking invoices ``No Receiving Report Prepared.''

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 remove the sanctions against certain European Union (EU) countries.

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) have agreed to adopt as final without change, the interim rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to clarify that prime contractors must confirm that a subcontractor representing itself as a Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) small business concern is certified, consistent with the requirements of 15 U.S.C. 632 et. seq., as amended.

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) have agreed to convert to a final rule without change, an interim rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to revise the definition of ``Information technology'' to reflect the changes to the definition resulting from the enactment of Public Law 108-199, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004. Section 535(b) of Division F of Public Law 108-199 permanently revises the term ``Information technology'', which is defined at 40 U.S.C. 11101, to add ``analysis and evaluation'' and to clarify the term ``ancillary equipment.''

This document summarizes the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) rules agreed to by the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council in this Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2005-09. A companion document, the Small Entity Compliance Guide (SECG), follows this FAC. The FAC, including the SECG, is available via the Internet at https://www.acqnet.gov/far.

The General Services Administration (GSA) has reviewed the lodging rates for certain non-standard locations in the States of California, Georgia, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina and Washington, using more current lodging industry data, as well as data on where Federal travelers actually stay when visiting these locations. Also, GSA has reviewed the meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) rate for Aiken, South Carolina. The per diems prescribed in Bulletin 06-06 may be found at https://www.gsa.gov/ perdiem.

This notice announces GSA Federal Management Regulation (FMR) Bulletin B-10. This bulletin provides guidance to Federal agencies that sell personal property. GSA Bulletin FMR B-10 may be found at www.gsa.gov/fmrbulletin.