National Aeronautics and Space Administration October 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, DoD, GSA, and NASA invite the public to comment on a revision and renewal concerning payment by electronic fund transfer (other than System for Award Management). DoD, GSA, and NASA invite comments on: Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of Federal Government acquisitions, including whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of the estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. OMB has approved this information collection for use through January 31, 2021. DoD, GSA, and NASA propose that OMB extend its approval for use for three additional years beyond the current expiration date.

This document is issued under the joint authority of DOD, GSA, and NASA. 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 rules appearing in Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2021-02, which amends the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Interested parties may obtain further information regarding these rules by referring to FAC 2021-02, which precedes this document.

DoD, GSA, and NASA are issuing a final rule to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement a Department of Labor (DOL) rule, which exempts certain contracts for seasonal recreational services or seasonal recreational equipment rental for the general public on Federal lands from an Executive order on minimum wage. This rule does not change the extent to which contractors can be used to assist Federal agencies with providing services on Federal lands. This rule only changes the extent to which minimum wages are required for applicable Federal contracts.

DoD, GSA, and NASA are issuing a final rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement a section of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 that requires the head of the agency to document the results of market research in a manner appropriate to the size and complexity of the acquisition.

DoD, GSA, and NASA are issuing a final rule to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to update internal Government procedures on how agencies can locate excess personal property and to remove obsolete requirements.

DoD, GSA, and NASA are issuing a final rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to remove references to the FAR appendix. The Cost Accounting Standards Board regulations remain available in the Code of Federal Regulations. This final rule also deletes the few additional references to the FAR ``looseleaf''.

DoD, GSA, and NASA are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement a section of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 that raises the threshold for fair opportunity on certain task and delivery orders to the micro-purchase threshold.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announces a meeting of the Aeronautics Committee of the NASA Advisory Council (NAC). This meeting will be held for soliciting, from the aeronautics community and other persons, research and technical information relevant to program planning.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections.

In accordance with section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, DoD, GSA, and NASA invite the public to comment on a revision and renewal concerning presolicitation notice and response. DoD, GSA, and NASA invite comments on: Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of Federal Government acquisitions, including whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of the estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. OMB has approved this information collection for use through January 31, 2021. DoD, GSA, and NASA propose that OMB extend its approval for use for three additional years beyond the current expiration date.

DoD, GSA and NASA are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation to implement a section of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 to change the definition of ``commercial item.''

NASA is issuing a final rule to amend the NASA Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Supplement (NFS) to remove the sections governing ``Use of Government property for commercial work'' from NFS as this only affects the internal Agency administrative procedures and has no cost or administrative impact on contractors or prospective contractors.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announces a meeting of the Earth Science Advisory Committee (ESAC). This Committee functions in an advisory capacity to the Director, Earth Science Division, in the NASA Science Mission Directorate. The meeting will be held for the purpose of soliciting, from the science community and other persons, scientific and technical information relevant to program planning.

NASA announces its decision concerning agency actions related to soil cleanup activities at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory, Ventura County, California. NASA's decision is supported by the detailed analysis found in the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for Soil Cleanup Activities (SEIS), as summarized in the agency's Record of Decision (ROD).

DoD, GSA, and NASA are issuing a final rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to further implement the statute which requires an adjustment every five years of statutory acquisition- related thresholds for inflation. The adjustment uses the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers, and does not apply to the Construction Wage Rate Requirements statute (Davis-Bacon Act), Service Contract Labor Standards statute, and trade agreements thresholds. DoD, GSA, and NASA are also using the same methodology to adjust nonstatutory FAR acquisition-related thresholds in 2020.