Department of Defense February 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice advises the public that pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, the Pittsburgh District (District), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, intends to develop a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The Draft EIS will consider Federal actions associated with the District's proposal to restore the aquatic ecosystem of the lower Mahoning River in Ohio through (1) Dredging contaminated sediments lining the river; (2) bioremediating sediments in the bank and river where applicable; (3) capping contaminants in the bank; and (4) removing low-head dams along the river; or a combination of all four actions. The lower Mahoning River's ecosystem has been severely impacted by contamination from industries that once lined the valley and by several low-head dams that disrupt the river's natural hydrology. The proposed project will improve the lower Mahoning River's ecosystem to a level found at a model reach located just upstream of the project area.

DoD is proposing to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to update text pertaining to processing of requests for extraordinary contract adjustments. This proposed rule is a result of a transformation initiative undertaken by DoD to dramatically change the purpose and content of the DFARS.

DoD has issued a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to extend the ending date for phasing out domestic source restrictions on the acquisition of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) carbon fiber. The ending date is extended from May 31, 2005, to May 31, 2006.

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 contractor use of interagency motor pool vehicles. The clearance currently expires on May 31, 2005. 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 North Carolina sales tax certification. The clearance currently expires May 31, 2005. 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.

In compliance with Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), DoD announces the proposed extension of a public information collection requirement and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. DoD invites comments on: (a) 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; (b) the accuracy of the estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved this information collection requirement for use through June 30, 2005. DoD proposes that OMB extend its approval for use through June 30, 2008.

The Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC), as the Traffic Manager for Department of Defense (DOD) Personal Property Program, is informing the TSP community of SDDC's mandatory requirement to use US Bank's PowerTrack System as the transaction and payment system for all DOD TSP's handling personal property. Furthermore, the use of SDDC's Centralized Web Application (CWA) will also be mandatory. This mandatory usage is effective 30 days from publication of this notice beginning with all TSP's who have a Letter of Intent (LOI) on file with participating sites. Each time a new site is added to Phase I, TSPs not participating in Phase I will have 30 days to execute a Trading Partner Agreement with USBank and be PowerTrack certified. Implementation of PowerTrack at all Military Services and Coast Guard installations is the goal of Families First, which is the first step in moving toward the reengineered Personal Property Program of the future. This announcement is a follow-on to Federal Register notices published on June 5, 2003 (68 FR 33683) and September 29, 2003 (68 FR 55947) proposing mandatory use of US Bank's Power Track System by Department of Defense Personal Property Transportation Service Providers. Effective 30 days from publication of this notice, they are required to have a Trading Partner Agreement with US Bank and be PowerTrack certified in order to participate in the DoD Personal Property Program. This notice affords TSP's ample time to plan for the use of PowerTrack. The Electronic Billing and Payment portion of the Families First Web site is located at https://www.sddc.army.mil, under Personal Property Program. This site offers industry access to updates on the Business Rules, Concept of Operations (CONOPS), System Interface Specifications and the latest information.

The invention listed below is assigned to the United States Government as represented by the Secretary of the Navy and is available for licensing by the Department of the Navy. U.S. Patent No. 6,280,759: Method of Controlled Release and Controlled Release Microstructures, and any continuations, divisionals, or re-issues thereof.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (42 United States Code 4321, et seq.), the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 1500- 1508), and Air Force's Environmental Impact Analysis Process (EIAP) as implemented by 32 CFR Part 989, the United States Air Force (Air Force) is issuing this notice to advise the public of our preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Housing Privatization Phase II at Hickam Air Force Base (AFB) and Bellows Air Force Station (AFS), O'ahu, Hawaii (Including Privatization of Housing in Historic Districts Eligible for Inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places). The project will require Section 106 consultation pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act to run concurrently with the NEPA documentation. The Air Force proposes to transfer 1,332 housing units (1,326 units on Hickam AFB and six units on Bellows AFS) and associated facilities (e.g., sidewalks and roads) to a successful offeror (SO) and implementation of a long-term lease to the SO for land associated with the housing units. The current proposal evaluates four alternatives(1) No Action; (2) Proposed Action: Privatization of remaining housing units on Hickam AFB and Bellows AFS to include the removal of historic homes from the housing inventory (demolition, relocate from the site, redesignation as non-residential units or a combination of these three sub alternatives); (3) privatization of remaining housing units on Hickam AFB and Bellows AFS with terms and conditions to insure preservation of historic property; and (4) privatization of remaining housing units on Hickam AFB and Bellows AFS with the exception of housing units in the historic districts that would remain under Government control. Information: The Air Force, through the 15 Airlift Wing (AW), will conduct a Public Scoping Meeting on February 17, 2005, 6 p.m. at the Best Western Plaza Hotel, 3253 N. Nimitz Highway, Honolulu, Hawaii. The meeting's purpose is to determine the environmental issues and concerns to be analyzed, to solicit comments on the Proposed Action and alternatives, and to solicit input for other alternatives to be considered in the EIS. All comments received during the scoping meeting will be considered prior to the Air Force making a final decision. Point of Contact: For further information concerning the proposed action or alternatives to the proposed action, please contact Mr. Richard Parkinson, Chief, Environmental Flight, 15 CES/CEV, 75 H Street, Hickam AFB, HI 96853-5233, phone: (808) 449-1584, x232.

In Accordance with 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463), announcement is made of the forthcoming meeting. Name of Committee: Inland Waterways Users Board (Board). Date: February 24, 2005. Location: The Washington Court Hotel, 525 New Jersey Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20001-1527, (1-202-628-2100). Time: Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the meeting is scheduled to adjourn at 1 p.m. Agenda: The Board will hear briefings on the status of both the funding for inland navigation projects and studies, and the Inland Waterways Trust Fund. The Board will also consider its priorities for the next fiscal year.

In accordance with Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463), announcement is made of the following Committee meeting:

The Per Diem, Travel and Transportation Allowance Committee is publishing Civilian Personnel Per Diem Bulletin Number 237. This bulletin lists revisions in the per diem rates prescribed for U.S. Government employees for official travel in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands and Possessions of the United States. AEA changes announced in Bulletin Number 194 remain in effect. Bulletin Number 237 is being published in the Federal Register to assure that travelers are paid per diem at the most current rates.

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 material and workmanship. The clearance currently expires on May 31, 2005. 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.