General Services Administration August 14, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On May 23, 2001, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the General Services Administration (GSA) jointly issued ``Guidelines for Public Access Defibrillation Programs in Federal Facilities.'' 66 FR 28495-28501. These guidelines were prepared, in part, in response to a May 19, 2000, Presidential Memorandum directing HHS and GSA to issue guidelines for the placement of automated external defibrillator (AED) devices in Federal buildings. In addition, section 7 of the Healthcare Research and Quality Act of 1999, Public Law 106- 129 (December 6, 1999), 42 U.S.C. 241 note, and section 247 of the Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. 238p (as added by section 403 of the Public Health Improvement Act, Pub. L. 106-505 (November 13, 2000)), directed the Secretary of HHS to establish and publish the guidelines. This bulletin cancels and replaces the May 23, 2001, notice and provides updated information for establishing public access defibrillation (PAD) programs in Federal facilities. The revised guidelines provide a general framework for initiating a design process for PAD programs in Federal facilities and provide basic information to familiarize facilities leadership with the essential elements of a PAD program. The guidelines do not exhaustively address or cover all aspects of AED or PAD programs. They are aimed at outlining the key elements of a PAD program so that facility-specific, detailed plans and programs can be developed in an informed manner. PAD programs are voluntary and are not mandatory for Federal facilities. The costs and expenses to establish and operate a PAD program are the responsibility of the agency sponsoring the program and not GSA or HHS.

The General Services Administration (GSA) is amending the General Services Administration Acquisition Regulation (GSAR) to amend its acquisition regulations to formally encourage GSA prime contractors to assist small business, including veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, HUBZone, small disadvantaged business, and women-owned small business, in enhancing their capabilities to perform contracts and subcontracts for GSA and other Federal agencies. The program seeks to increase the base of small business eligible to perform GSA contracts and subcontracts. The program also seeks to foster long-term business relationships between GSA prime contractors and small business entities and to increase the overall number of small business entities that receive GSA contracts, and subcontract awards.