General Services Administration – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to change the provision regarding certification regarding debarment, suspension, proposed debarment, and other responsibility matters, and to make changes to the language regarding contractor qualifications, to add language regarding nonpayment of taxes. This proposed rule requires offerors to also certify whether or not they have, within a three-year period preceding the offer, been convicted of or had a civil judgment rendered against them for violating any tax law or failing to pay any tax, or been notified of any delinquent taxes for which the liability remains unsatisfied. In addition, the offeror will be required to certify whether or not they have received a notice of a tax lien filed against them for which the liability remains unsatisfied or the lien has not been released.

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 update the required contract clauses that implement provisions of law or executive orders for acquisitions of commercial items.

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) have agreed to adopt the interim rule published in the Federal Register at 71 FR 36930, June 28, 2006, as a final rule without change. This final rule amends the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement the Wage Determinations OnLine (WDOL) Internet website as the source for Federal contracting agencies to obtain wage determinations issued by the Department of Labor (DOL) for service contracts subject to the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA) and for construction contracts subject to the Davis-Bacon Act (DBA).

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 correct the inadvertent omission of an appropriate reference pertaining to the termination for cause procedures for purchase orders that have been accepted in writing.

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to require that contractors report specific subcontract awards to a public database. The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (FFATA) (Pub. L. 109-282) requires the existence and operation of a searchable website that provides public access to information about Federal expenditures. The FFATA specifically requires that a pilot program be established to test the collection and accession of subcontract award data. As a result, subcontracts awarded and funded with Federal appropriated funds will be disclosed to the public in a single searchable website.

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to update the procedures for the acceptance of a bond with a security interest in real property.

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to update and clarify policy for synopses of proposed contract actions and to delete all references to Numbered Notes.

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 transportation requirements. The clearance currently expires on June 30, 2007. 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 bulletin establishes guidelines for implementing and operating telework and other alternative workplace arrangement programs through the efficient and effective use of information technology and telecommunications. These policies are designed to assist agencies in the implementation and expansion of Federal alternative workplace arrangement programs.

The General Services Administration is publishing a Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the proposed construction of a new commercial port of entry in San Luis, Arizona.

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 debarment and suspension. A request for public comments was published in the Federal Register at 71 FR 75236, on December 14, 2006. No comments were received. This OMB clearance expires on March 31, 2007. 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 intent to distribute a Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 43214347 (NEPA) to assess the potential impacts of the construction of a New Border Station Facility in Madawaska, Maine (the ``Proposed Action''). At the request of Customs and BorderProtection (CBP), the GSA is proposing to construct a new border station facility which meets their needs, and the design requirements of the GSA. The existing facilities are undersized and obsolete, and consequently incapable of providing the level of security now required. The Proposed Action has been defined and includes: (a) Identification of land requirements, including acquisition of adjoining land; (b) demolition of existing government structures at the border station; (c) construction of a main administration building and ancillary support buildings; and (d) consequent potential alterations to secondary roads. Studied alternatives have identified alternative locations for the components of the border station including the main administration and ancillary support buildings, the associated roadway network and parking. A No Action alternative has also been studied and evaluates the consequences of not constructing the new border station facility. This alternative has been included to provide a basis for comparison to the action alternatives described above as required by NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1002.14(d)). Following this thirty (30) day notice in the Federal Register, GSA will issue a Record of Decision (ROD) at which time its availability will be announced in the Federal Register and local media. Contact: David M. Drevinsky P.E., PMP, Regional Environmental Quality Advocate (REQA), U.S. General Services Administration, 10 Causeway Street, Room 975, Boston, MA 02222. Fax: (617) 565-5967. Phone: (617) 565-6596. E-mail: david.drevinsky@gsa.gov.

The General Services Administration (GSA) is providing notice of an update to the record system Personnel Security Files (GSA/HRO- 37). The system provides control over personnel security. The update ensures that the system of records meets the requirements of Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and that individuals be fully informed about collection of their personal information.

The General Services Administration (GSA) is amending the General Services Administration Acquisition Regulation (GSAR) to implement Section 833 of the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (Pub. L. 109-364). Section 833 amends 40 U.S.C. 502 to authorize the Administrator of General Services to provide to State and local governments the use of Federal Supply Schedules of the GSA for purchase of products and services to be used to facilitate recovery from a major disaster, terrorism or nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological attack.

The General Services Administration (GSA) is amending the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR), by amending the mileage reimbursement rate for use of a privately owned automobile (POA) on official travel to reflect current costs of operation as determined in cost studies conducted by the General Services Administration (GSA). The governing regulation is revised to increase the mileage allowance for the cost of operating a privately owned automobile from $0.445 to $0.485 per mile. The FTR and any corresponding documents may be accessed at GSA's website at https://www.gsa.gov/ftr.

The Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI) and the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) will hold a vendor meeting to provide information on shared initiatives and activities. FAI will describe plans and requirements for training related services under the Acquisition Workforce Training Fund (AWTF). FAI and DAU work together to address many of the acquisition workforce training needs of the Federal government. Partnering with DAU enables FAI to build upon existing DAU training, develop governmentwide curriculum, and promote a cohesive and agile workforce. At the vendor meeting, DAU will present information on recent contracting curriculum changes. FAI will discuss how the curriculum changes impact the federal acquisition workforce. WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Training developers, vendors with Commercial- Off-The-Shelf (COTS) training products, vendors with capabilities related to the full Instructional System Design (ISD) methodologies, and acquisition training experts. The meeting will be held January 24, 2007 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., GSA Auditorium located at 1800 F Street, NW, Washington, D.C. Register by e-mail: mariahernandez@sra.com, or telphone (703) 284- 6988.

The General Services Administration (GSA) is providing notice of an update to the record system Grievance Records (GSA/HRO-10). The system includes grievances filed by agency employees under part 771 of OPM regulations. It also includes files of internal grievance and arbitration systems that are established through negotiations with recognized labor unions.

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement section 9002 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (FSRIA), as amended by Sections 205 and 943 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Entitled Federal Procurement of Biobased Products, section 9002 requires that a procurement preference be afforded biobased products within items designated by the Secretary of Agriculture.

GSA is proposing a change to the Centralized Household Goods Traffic Management Program (CHAMP) and the Household Goods Standard Tender of Service (HTOS) to implement a mileage based Fuel Cost Price Adjustment on the shipment of household goods effective May 1, 2007.

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement recommendations to change the regulations related to performance-based payments (PBP).

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) 2005-15 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 2005-15 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 clarify payment procedures for Time-and-Materials (T&M) and Labor-Hour (LH) Contracts.

The attached bulletin announces the designations and redesignations of nine (9) Federal Buildings.

The General Services Administration (GSA) has reviewed the lodging rate of a certain location in the State of Florida. Also, GSA is adding Greene County, Virginia to the County column for Charlottesville, Virginia, and will begin to receive Charlottesville's maximum per diem rate. The per diems prescribed in Bulletin 07-02 may be found at www.gsa.gov/perdiem.

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) 2005-14. 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.