Department of Defense 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of the Air Force is amending a system of records notice in its existing inventory of record systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended.

The Defense Science Board Task Force on Nuclear Deterrence Skills will meet in closed session on December 11, 2006; at the Strategic Analysis Inc., 3601 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA. The mission of the Defense Science Board is to advise the Secretary of Defense and the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology & Logistics on scientific and technical matters as they affect the perceived needs of the Department of Defense. At these meetings, the Defense Science Board Task Force will: Assess all aspects of nuclear deterrent skills as well as the progress Department of Energy (DoE) has made since the publication of the Chiles Commission report. In accordance with section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Pub. L. 92-463, as amended (5 U.S.C. App. II), it has been determined that these Defense Science Board Task Force meetings concern matters listed in 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(1) and that, accordingly, the meetings will be closed to the public.

The Defense Science Board Task Force on Software Assurance will meet the closed session on December 14-15, 2006; at Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), 4001 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA. This meeting is to assess the future direction of space requirements and identify the industrial base to meet the Nation's future requirements. The mission of the Defense Science Board is to advise the Secretary of Defense and the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology & Logistics on scientific and technical matters as they affect the perceived needs of the Department of Defense. At these meetings, the Defense Science Board Task Force will: Assess the health of the U.S. space industrial base and determine if there is any adverse impact from export controls, in particular, on the health of lower-tier contractors; anticipate future space requirements and the shape of the space industrial base required to achieve the anticipated capabilities; and recommend improvements to current policies and processes, where applicable, while also identifying policies and processes that can shape the space industrial base to deliver future capabilities. In accordance with section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Pub. L. 92-463, as amended (5 U.S.C. App. II), it has been determined that these Defense Board Task Force meetings concern matters listed in 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(1) and that, accordingly, the meetings will be closed to the public.

Pursuant to Section (102)(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as implemented by the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508), and Executive Order 12114, the Department of the Navy (DON) announces its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)/Overseas EIS (OEIS) to evaluate the potential environmental consequences associated with naval training in the Virginia Capes (VACAPES) Range Complex. The DON proposes to support and conduct current and emerging training operations and research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E) operations in the VACAPES Range Complex by: (1) Maintaining baseline operations at current levels; (2) increasing training operations from current levels as necessary to support the Fleet Readiness Training Plan; (3) accommodating mission requirements associated with force structure change; and (4) implementing enhanced range complex capabilities. The EIS/OEIS study area is the VACAPES Range Complex which consists of targets and instrumented areas, airspace, surface and subsurface operations areas (OPAREAs), and land range facilities. Together the VACAPES Range Complex encompasses: 15,143 acres of land area (including 13,600 acres of land area for ranges); 5,158 nm2 of special use airspace (SUA) associated with land ranges; 27,661 nm2 of offshore surface and subsurface OPAREA; 9,589 nm2 of shallow ocean area less than 100 fathoms (600 feet); 18,072 nm2 of deep ocean areas greater than 100 fathoms; 330 nm2 of over water danger areas; and 28,672 nm2 of SUA warning areas. The scope of actions to be analyzed in this EIS/OEIS includes current and proposed future Navy training and RDT&E operations within Navy- controlled operating areas, airspace, and ranges. It also includes proposed Navy-funded range capabilities enhancements, including infrastructure improvements, which support range complex training and RDT&E operations. Training activities that involve the use of active sonar are conducted in the VACAPES Range Complex; however, those potential effects are being analyzed in detail in a separate document, the Atlantic Fleet Active Sonar Training EIS/OEIS. This separate sonar EIS/OEIS addresses active sonar use as a whole by the Atlantic Fleet in the eastern Atlantic Ocean (including waters that are part of the VACAPES Range Complex), and in the Gulf of Mexico. The results of this sonar EIS/OEIS will be incorporated into the VACAPES Range Complex EIS/ OEIS to account for active sonar effects that could occur within the geographic area of the VACAPES Range Complex. The DON will request the National Marine Fisheries Service to be a cooperating agency in the preparation of this EIS/OEIS. Dates and Addresses: Public scoping meetings will be held at the following four sites to receive oral and written comments on environmental concerns that should be addressed in the EIS/OEIS: Salisbury, MD; Chincoteague Island, VA; Virginia Beach, VA; and Nags Head, NC. Public scoping open houses are scheduled below:

The Department of the Army is removing its regulations concerning the biological Defense Safety Program and its requirements because it is now superseded through consolidation with other Army safety regulations into Army Regulation (AR) 385-10, Army Safety Program and does not affect the general public.

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: Name of Committee: Board of Visitors, United States Military Academy. Date: Wednesday, January 31, 2007. Place of Meeting: Veterans Affairs Conference room, Room 418, Senate Russell Building, Washington, DC. Start Time of Meeting: Approximately 9 a.m.

In accordance with section 10(a)(2) of Public Law 92-463, The Federal Advisory Committee Act announcement is made of the following meeting: Name of Committee: DoD Task Force on Mental Health, a Subcommittee of the Defense Health Board. Dates: December 18, 2006 (MorningOpen Session); December 19, 2006 (MorningOpen Session); December 20, 2006 (MorningOpen Session). Times: 0800-1200 hours (18, 19 and 20 December). Location: Hyatt Regency Crystal City, 2799 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA. Agenda: The purpose of the meeting is to obtain, review, and evaluate information related to the Mental Health Task Force's congressionally-directed task of assessing the efficacy of mental health services provided to members of the Armed Forces by the Department of Defense. The Task Force members will receive briefings on topics related to mental health concerns among military service members and mental health care delivery. The Task Force will hold a ``Town Hall Meeting'' session to hear concerns from the Washington, DC metro area Active Duty Military, National Guard and Reserve, and Veterans communities and conduct executive working sessions.

The U.S. Naval Academy Board of Visitors will meet to make such inquiry as the Board shall deem necessary into the state of morale and discipline, the curriculum, instruction, physical equipment, fiscal affairs, and academic methods of the Naval Academy. The meeting will include discussions of personnel issues at the Naval Academy, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. The executive session of this meeting will be closed to the public.

DoD has issued a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to update text addressing contract pricing matters and cost accounting standards administration. The rule implements statutory provisions regarding exceptions to cost or pricing data requirements and waiver of cost accounting standards, and relocates internal DoD procedures relating to pricing considerations and cost accounting standards to the DFARS companion resource, Procedures, Guidance, and Information.

DoD has issued a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to update text pertaining to the designation of a contracting officer's representative. The rule clarifies the authority of a contracting officer's representative and relocates text to the DFARS companion resource, Procedures, Guidance, and Information.

The Department of the Army is publishing as a final rule an amendment to its regulation to reflect a substantial revision of AR 27- 20, an Army publication which governs the processing of claims worldwide. The purpose of this revision is to make AR 27-20 clearer and easier to use, after years of piecemeal amendments. This rewrite also ensures that AR 27-20 is in keeping with current statutes, legal opinions and Department of Justice guidance pertaining to claims processing. This updated rule will expedite payment of meritorious claims throughout the world. AR 27-20 includes rules for processing affirmative claims, i.e., recovery actions on behalf of the United States.

The DoD Advisory Group on Electron Devices (AGED) announces a closed session meeting.

The Naval Research Advisory Committee (NRAC) will meet to discuss classified information from government organizations. All sessions of the meetings, except the NRAC Security, Ethics, and Travel Brief on Tuesday, December 5, 2006 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., will be devoted to briefings, discussions, and technical examinations of issues related to maritime strategy and Department of the Navy plans, programs, and objectives. It is envisioned that these discussions will enable the NRAC to identify technology gaps where additional science and technology investments may be needed to satisfy current and projected Navy and Marine Corps requirements.

This proposed rule amends TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP) Basic benefit descriptions by replacing specific American Dental Association (ADA) dental procedure codes and nomenclature with general benefit categories and descriptions. This revision is necessary to keep the regulation current, since dental procedure codes are added, revised, and deleted on a regular basis. This proposed rule does not change or eliminate any benefits that are currently available under the TRDP program. This proposed rule also revises several incorrect, obsolete, or historical terms pertaining to the TRICARE program.

In compliance with Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service announces the extension of a proposed public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited 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 agency's 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 through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Notice is given of update to the names of members of a Performance Review Board for the Department of the Air Force. Effective date is November 15, 2006.

In accordance with section 10(a)(2) of Public Law 92-463, The Federal Advisory Committee Act, announcement is made of the following meeting: Name of Committee: Defense Health Board (DHB). Dates: December 5, 2006 (Open meeting). December 6, 2006 (Open meeting). Times: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. (December 5, 2006). 8 a.m.-4 p.m. (December 6, 2006). Location: Naval Amphibious Base Conference Center, Little Creek, 1120 A Street, Building 3430, Norfolk, Virginia 23521-3297. Agenda: The purpose of the meeting is to address pending and new Board issues and provide briefings for Board members on topics related to ongoing and new Board business. The Board will conduct an executive working session to address administrative matters related internal Board operations.

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) have agreed to convert the interim rule published in the Federal Register at 71 FR 208 on January 3, 2006, to a final rule with changes. This final rule is amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to add the contractor personal identification requirements identified in the Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD) 12, ``Policy for a Common Identification Standard for Federal Employees and Contractors,'' and Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) Number 201, ``Personal Identity Verification (PIV) of Federal Employees and Contractors,'' as amended.

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 the Dominican RepublicCentral AmericaUnited States Free Trade Agreement with respect to Guatemala and the United StatesBahrain Free Trade Agreement.

This document makes amendments to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) in order to make editorial changes.

Pursuant to the provisions of Subsection (d) of Section 10 of Public Law 92-463, as amended by Section 5 of Public Law 94-409, notice is hereby given that a closed meeting of the DIA Joint Military Intelligence College Board of Visitors has been scheduled as follows: