Department of Defense – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District (USACE) intends to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to address the directive in the 2024 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) to formally analyze an alternative that would cease hydropower operations at USACE owned and operated Willamette Valley Projects. The Willamette Valley System (WVS) must operate for its Congressionally authorized project purposes while complying with all applicable laws, including the Endangered Species Act (ESA), to avoid jeopardizing the continued existence of listed species. The USACE will serve as the lead Federal agency for the SEIS.

This document is issued under the joint authority of OFPP, 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) 2025-04, which amends the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Interested parties may obtain further information regarding these rules by referring to FAC 2025-04, which precedes this document.

OFPP, DoD, GSA, and NASA (collectively referred to as the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council) are issuing a final rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to revise the list of domestically nonavailable articles under the Buy American statute.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation (co-lead agencies) are further extending the scoping period and re- scheduling public meetings for the notice of intent entitled, "Notice of Intent to Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the Columbia River System Operations," published in the Federal Register on December 18, 2024. The revised scoping period will end on August 15, 2025. Information on the public meetings is provided under the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this Notice.

The U.S. Navy hereby announces that a Certificate of Alternate Compliance has been issued for USS PIERRE (LCS 38). Due to the special construction and purpose of this vessel, the Admiralty Counsel of the Navy has determined it is a vessel of the Navy which, due to its special construction and purpose, cannot comply fully with the navigation lights provisions of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS) without interfering with its special function as a naval ship. The intended effect of this notice is to warn mariners in waters where 72 COLREGS apply.

The U.S. Navy hereby announces that a Certificate of Alternate Compliance has been issued for USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124). Due to the special construction and purpose of this vessel, the Admiralty Counsel of the Navy has determined it is a vessel of the Navy which, due to its special construction and purpose, cannot comply fully with the navigation lights provisions of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS) without interfering with its special function as a naval ship. The intended effect of this notice is to warn mariners in waters where 72 COLREGS apply.

The U.S. Navy hereby announces that a Certificate of Alternate Compliance has been issued for USS BELOIT (LCS 29). Due to the special construction and purpose of this vessel, the Admiralty Counsel of the Navy has determined it is a vessel of the Navy which, due to its special construction and purpose, cannot comply fully with the navigation lights provisions of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS) without interfering with its special function as a naval ship. The intended effect of this notice is to warn mariners in waters where 72 COLREGS apply.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, DoD announces the proposed extension of a public information collection requirement and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. DoD invites comments on: whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of DoD, including whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of DoD's 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 through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved this information collection for use under Control Number 0704-0574 through August 31, 2025. DoD proposes that OMB approve an extension of the information collection requirement, to expire three years after the approval date.

The Defense Acquisition Regulations System has submitted to OMB for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act.

The DoD has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act.

The DoD has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Omaha District and Kansas City District (USACE) intend to jointly prepare a feasibility study with integrated programmatic environmental impact statement (PEIS) that analyzes and discloses effects associated with the Lower Missouri River Flood Risk and Resiliency System Plan. The System Plan is being developed to identify actions to address flood risk and resiliency along the entire Lower Missouri River. The System Plan seeks to identify projects that can achieve flood risk benefits while also providing ecological, recreational, economic, or social benefits.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District intends to prepare a draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to assess the potential social, economic, and environmental effects of the proposed extension of South Carolina Highway 22 (SAC-2024-00107) by the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT). In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Corps is the lead Federal agency responsible for the preparation of the DEIS. Information included in the DEIS will serve as the basis for the Corps' evaluation of the proposed highway extension project pursuant to section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act (RHA) and section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA). The DEIS will assess potential effects of the proposed highway extension project and a range of reasonable alternatives on impacts to navigable waters and other waters of the United States. The DEIS will also provide information for Federal, State, and local agencies having other jurisdictional responsibility.

The notice announces publication of the certification from the Secretary of Defense to the President that the provisions of the Federal Service Labor Management Relations Statute can be applied to the subdivisions listed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section in a manner consistent with national security requirements and consideration.

The DoD is publishing this notice to announce that the following Federal Advisory Committee meeting of the U.S. Naval Academy Board of Visitors, hereafter "Board," will take place.

The Department of the Army (Army) announces the availability of a Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) regarding its proposed action to retain up to approximately 22,750 acres of the 23,000 acres of land the Army currently leases from the State of Hawai[revaps]i ("State-owned land") at P[omacr]hakuloa Training Area (PTA) on the island of Hawai`i. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Hawai`i Environmental Policy Act (HEPA), the Final EIS analyzes the potential direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of a range of reasonable alternatives that meet the purpose of and need for the proposed action. Because the proposed action involves State-owned land, the EIS is a joint NEPA-HEPA document that meets both NEPA and HEPA requirements. The Army will observe a 30- day waiting period before deciding how much land, if any, it will seek to retain.

This notice provides information on the proposed conveyance of approximately 5.2 acres of underutilized land at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Special Area Bronson Field, Florida, to Escambia County, a political subdivision of the State of Florida, in exchange for a restrictive easement over approximately 31.15 acres of Escambia County owned land within portions of NAS Pensacola's Accident Potential Zones 1 and 2, which will limit encroachment and constraints on military training, testing, and operations.

Pursuant to the Bayh-Dole Act and implementing regulations, the Department of the Air Force hereby gives notice of its intent to grant an exclusive patent license to Kennon Products, Inc., a corporation of the state of Wyoming having a place of business at 1100 Hi Tech Dr., Sheridan, WY 82801.

In accordance with 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 an extension concerning change order accounting and notification of changes. 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 August 31, 2025. DoD, GSA, and NASA propose that OMB extend its approval for use for three additional years beyond the current expiration date.

In accordance with 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 an extension concerning contractors performing private security functions outside the United States. 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 September 30, 2025. DoD, GSA, and NASA propose that OMB extend its approval for use for three additional years beyond the current expiration date.

In accordance with 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 an extension concerning cost accounting standards administration. 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 August 31, 2025. DoD, GSA, and NASA propose that OMB extend its approval for use for three additional years beyond the current expiration date.

In accordance with 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 an extension concerning Federal Acquisition Regulation part 46 requirements. 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 November 30, 2025. DoD, GSA, and NASA propose that OMB extend its approval for use for three additional years beyond the current expiration date.

In accordance with 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 an extension concerning indirect cost rate proposals, payments to small business subcontractors, and bankruptcy notifications. 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 July 31, 2025. DoD, GSA, and NASA propose that OMB extend its approval for use for three additional years beyond the current expiration date.

Pursuant to the Bayh-Dole Act and implementing regulations, the Department of the Air Force hereby gives notice of its intent to grant an exclusive patent license to Trustees of Tufts College, 136 Harrison Avenue, Suite 75K-950, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA. Such license is exclusive.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army intend to engage with State and Tribal co- regulators; industry and agricultural stakeholders; environmental and conservation stakeholders; and the public on certain key topics related to the implementation of the definition of "waters of the United States" in light of the Supreme Court's 2023 decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency. The agencies are committed to learning from the past regulatory approachesthe pre-2015 regulations and guidance, the 2015 Clean Water Rule, the 2020 Navigable Waters Protection Rule, the 2023 Rule, and the Amended 2023 Rulewhile engaging with stakeholders before taking further administrative action to provide any additional clarification to agency staff, co-regulators, and the public on specific aspects of the definition of "waters of the United States." This notice includes an announcement of forthcoming listening sessions on specific key topic areas to hear interested stakeholders' perspectives on defining "waters of the United States" consistent with the Supreme Court's interpretation of the scope of Clean Water Act jurisdiction and how to implement that interpretation as the agencies consider next steps. The agencies are also accepting written recommendations from members of the public via a recommendations docket. These opportunities are intended to provide for broad, transparent engagement with a full spectrum of stakeholders.