General Services Administration – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the GSA Office of Governmentwide Policy will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve a new information collection requirement concerning reporting real property status. In support of OMB's continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, GSA invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on a proposed new information collection. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice seeks comments concerning forms that will be used to collect information related to real property when required by a Federal financial assistance award. To view the form, go to OMB's main Web page at https://www.OMB.gov and click on the ``Grants Management'' and ``Forms'' links. OMB specifically requests comments on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to permit the contractor to measure accrued PRB costs using either the criteria in Internal Revenue Code (IRC) 419 or the criteria in Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) 106.

This document is issued under the joint authority of the Secretary of Defense, the Administrator of General Services and the Administrator of 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) 2005-21 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 2005-21 which precedes this document. These documents are also available via the Internet at http:/ /www.regulations.gov.

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 revise references to published pricing sources available to the contracting officer. The revision will provide greater flexibilities for contracting officers when selecting sources of pricing data.

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 revise the current SCA exemption and to add a SCA exemption for contracts for certain additional services that meet specific criteria.

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 implement 7 U.S.C. 8102, as enacted by section 9002 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (FSRIA) (Pub. L. 107-171), and amended by sections 205 and 943 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Pub. L. 109-58). Entitled ``Federal Procurement of Biobased Products,'' 7 U.S.C. 8102 requires that a procurement preference be afforded biobased products within items designated by the Secretary of Agriculture.

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) 2005-21. 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.regulations.gov.

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 value engineering requirements. The clearance currently expires on February 29, 2008. 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 Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) are cosponsoring a public meeting to discuss the proposed Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) rule 2005-036 on cost or pricing data. The rule would revise the definition of ``cost or pricing data''; change the term ``information other than cost or pricing data'' to ``data other than certified cost or pricing data''; add a definition of ``certified cost or pricing data'' to make the terms and definitions consistent with 10 U.S.C. 2306(a) and 41 U.S.C. 254(b) and more understandable to the general reader; change terminology throughout the FAR; and clarify the need to obtain data other than certified cost or pricing data when there is no other means to determine fair and reasonable pricing during price analysis. The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register at 72 FR 20092 on April 23, 2007. The Councils are now seeking additional views before finalizing the proposed rule. A public meeting will be held on November 15, 2007, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EST, in the General Services Administration Building Auditorium, 1800 F Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20405. Interested parties may register electronically at: https://www.corpcomm-inc.com/ dpap/dars/farcase2005-036meetingregistration.php. Attendees are encouraged but not required to register for the public meeting, to ensure adequate room accommodations.

The General Services Administration (GSA) has issued FTR Bulletin 08-02. FTR Bulletin 08-02 informs agencies that certain provisions of the FTR governing the authorization of actual subsistence expenses for official travel (both TDY and relocation) are temporarily waived as a result of the Emergency Declaration signed by the President on October 23, 2007, in response to wildfires in parts of California. It is expected that finding lodging facilities and/or adequate meals in the affected areas may be difficult, and distances involved may be great resulting in increased costs for per diem expenses. FTR Bulletin 08-02 became effective on October 24, 2007 and will remain effective until January 24, 2008, unless extended or rescinded by GSA. This bulletin and all FTR bulletins are located at gsa.gov/bulletin.

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement the Governmentwide Enterprise Software Licensing Program, also known as SmartBUY. This action is necessary to comply with Office of Management and Budget Memorandum M-04-08, Maximizing Use of SmartBuy and Avoiding Duplication of Agency Activities with the President's 24 E-Gov Initiatives, dated February 25, 2004. By leveraging the Federal Government Enterprise Software Licensing Program, the Government will achieve the maximum cost savings and favorable terms and conditions for acquiring software and software maintenance. This rule impacts contracting officers and other acquisition officials responsible for reviewing the terms, conditions, and prices for the acquisition of commercial software and software maintenance.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the General Services Administration 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 regarding zero burden information collection reports. The clearance currently expires on August 31, 2007. 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.

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 to a currently approved information collection requirement concerning contract financing. A request for public comments was published in the Federal Register at 72 FR 31815, June 8, 2007. 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 trade agreements certificate. The clearance currently expires on February 29, 2008. 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 the Buy American Act certificate. The clearance currently expires on February 29, 2008. 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 statement and acknowledgment (Standard Form 1413). The clearance currently expires on January 31, 2008. 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), Public Buildings Service (PBS), is publishing a final Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the proposed construction of a new border station, or Land Port of Entry (LPOE), in Warroad, Minnesota.

The Travel and Transportation Reform Act of 1998 (Pub. L. 105- 264, October 19, 1998), authorized Federal agencies to conduct travel and relocation expenses test programs when determined by the Administrator of General Services to be in the interest of the Government. The provisions of the Act were implemented by a Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) amendment, and published in the Federal Register at 64 FR 28880, May 27, 1999. They permit agencies to test new and innovative methods of reimbursing travel and relocation expenses without seeking a waiver of current rules or authorizing legislation. However, the test authority for the travel and relocation programs expired in October 2005. Pub. L. 109-325, October 11, 2006, amends 5 U.S.C. 5739 by extending the authority for the General Services Administration (GSA) to approve relocation expenses test programs for an additional four years. In addition, the law removes the 24-month period in which an agency had to complete an approved relocation expense test program. The amendments provided by Pub. L. No. 109-325 are effective as though enacted as part of the Travel and Transportation Reform Act of 1998. This final rule incorporates Pub. L. 109-325 by removing the required period of time to complete a relocation test program and extends the authority to conduct relocation tests for an additional four years. The authority to conduct a travel test expense program was not renewed; accordingly, this final rule also deletes those provisions. The FTR and any corresponding documents may be accessed at GSA's website at https://www.gsa.gov/ftr.

This document is issued under the joint authority of the Secretary of Defense, the Administrator of General Services and the Administrator of 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 the rule appearing in Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2005-20 which amends the FAR. An asterisk (*) next to a rule indicates that a regulatory flexibility analysis has been prepared. Interested parties may obtain further information regarding this rule by referring to FAC 2005-20 which precedes this document. These documents are also available via the Internet at http:/ /www.regulations.gov.

Under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, (5 U.S.C. Appendix, as amended), the Sunshine in the Government Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended), and 41 CFR 102-3.65, the U.S. General Services Administration gives notice that it intends to renew the Small Business Advisory Committee (SBAC), as a discretionary Federal advisory committee. The Office of Small Business Utilization (OSBU) has responsibility for overseeing the General Services Administration's (GSA) best efforts to achieve the small business procurement goals set by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Several procurement preference program goals (HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran, Women-Owned) have proven to be difficult for GSA and the Federal government as a whole to reach. Other procurement issues such as subcontracting, size standards, and availability of small manufacturers, impact the government beyond procurement goals. As the Federal government's primary contracting agency, GSA's procurement practices and policies to a large extent affect all other Federal agencies. The GSA Small Business Advisory Committee (SBAC) was established by the OSBU to solicit the ideas and experience of association executives and small business owners in the hopes that their recommendations would serve to make the GSA small business program more effective in the future, and in turn, the entire Federal government's program. Committee members will represent a cross-section of various socio- economic groups and chambers of commerce. One member will be appointed from a chamber of commerce from each of the following socio-economic groups: African American, Asian American / Pacific Islander, Hispanic, Native American / Alaska Native, Veteran / Service-Disabled Veteran, and Women-owned businesses. Additional members may be selected based on their expertise in government contracting, doing business with the Federal government, and small business knowledge in general.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Office of Federal Procurement Policy's (OFPP) and the General Services Administration's (GSA) intention to initiate a new information collection to conduct two surveys on Online Procurement Services. The results from these surveys will be incorporated into a report to Congress. A request for public comments was published in the Federal Register at 72 FR 19884, on April 20, 2007. 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 attached bulletin announces the redesignations of (6) Federal Buildings.

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) have agreed on a final rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) in order to be consistent with the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Interim Final Guidance, and to improve clarity of the regulation through improved use of plain language and compliance with FAR drafting conventions.

This document is issued under the joint authority of the Secretary of Defense, the Administrator of General Services and the Administrator of 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- 19 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 2005-19 which precedes this document. These documents are also available via the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov.

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 104 of the Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005. Section 104 requires that entities that operate any business on any premises owned or controlled by the United States be capable of accepting and dispensing $1 coins on and after January 1, 2008.