Department of Defense 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

DoD is proposing to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to modify the text of an existing DFARS clause to clarify its intent and conform its language to current DFARS terminology, pursuant to action taken by the Regulatory Reform Task Force.

The DoD is publishing this notice to announce that the following Federal Advisory Committee meeting of the Defense Innovation Board (``the Board'') will take place.

On September 19, 2019 the Department of the Army notified the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) of the Army's intent to request a Program Comment for Army Inter-War Era Historic Housing 1919-1940 in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106, and 36 CFR 800.14(e). The Program Comment will demonstrate Army compliance with the NHPA regarding management of its inventory of Inter-War Era historic housing, associated structures, and landscape features. The Army plans to submit its formal request for Program Comment for Army Inter-War Era Historic Housing (1919-1940) to the ACHP in July 2020.

The Department of Defense (DoD) is publishing this notice to announce the following Federal Advisory Committee meeting of the Board of Visitors (BoV) of the Air University.

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

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency announces a proposed public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: 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; the accuracy of the agency'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 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army (``the agencies'') are publishing a final rule to repeal the 2015 Clean Water Rule: Definition of ``Waters of the United States'' (``2015 Rule''), which amended portions of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), and to restore the regulatory text that existed prior to the 2015 Rule. The agencies will implement the pre-2015 Rule regulations informed by applicable agency guidance documents and consistent with Supreme Court decisions and longstanding agency practice. The agencies are repealing the 2015 Rule for four primary reasons. First, the agencies conclude that the 2015 Rule did not implement the legal limits on the scope of the agencies' authority under the Clean Water Act (CWA) as intended by Congress and reflected in Supreme Court cases, including Justice Kennedy's articulation of the significant nexus test in Rapanos. Second, the agencies conclude that in promulgating the 2015 Rule the agencies failed to adequately consider and accord due weight to the policy of the Congress in CWA section 101(b) to ``recognize, preserve, and protect the primary responsibilities and rights of States to prevent, reduce, and eliminate pollution'' and ``to plan the development and use . . . of land and water resources.'' 33 U.S.C. 1251(b). Third, the agencies repeal the 2015 Rule to avoid interpretations of the CWA that push the envelope of their constitutional and statutory authority absent a clear statement from Congress authorizing the encroachment of federal jurisdiction over traditional State land-use planning authority. Lastly, the agencies conclude that the 2015 Rule's distance-based limitations suffered from certain procedural errors and a lack of adequate record support. The agencies find that these reasons, collectively and individually, warrant repealing the 2015 Rule. With this final rule, the regulations defining the scope of federal CWA jurisdiction will be those portions of the CFR as they existed before the amendments promulgated in the 2015 Rule.

DoD, GSA, and NASA are proposing 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 minimum wage.

This notice announces the appointment of the Department of Defense, Fourth Estate, Performance Review Board (PRB) members, to include the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Joint Staff, Defense Field Activities, U.S Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, and the following Defense Agencies: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Defense Commissary Agency, Defense Contract Audit Agency, Defense Contract Management Agency, Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Defense Health Agency, Defense Information Systems Agency, Defense Legal Services Agency, Defense Logistics Agency, Defense Prisoners of War/Missing in Action Accounting Agency, Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Missile Defense Agency, and Pentagon Force Protection Agency. The PRB shall provide fair and impartial review of Senior Executive Service and Senior Professional performance appraisals and make recommendations regarding performance ratings and performance awards to the Deputy Secretary of Defense.

The Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) is modifying a System of Records titled, ``Joint Advertising, Market Research & Studies (JAMRS) Recruiting Database,'' DHRA 04. Records in the JAMRS system are used to compile, process and distribute files of individuals to the Services to assist them in their direct marketing recruiting efforts. The system also provides JAMRS with the ability to measure effectiveness of list purchases through ongoing analysis and to remove the names of individuals who are currently members of, or are enlisting in, the Armed Forces or who have asked that their names be removed from future recruitment lists. The JAMRS Recruiting Database serves as a foundation for the Services' outreach efforts.

The United States Air Force (USAF) is issuing this notice of intent to advise the public of its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate potential environmental impacts associated with a proposed action on Airspace Optimization at Mountain Home Air Force Base (AFB), Idaho (ID).

It is the policy of the Uniformed Services to accept written requests from current and former members for voluntary State income tax withholding from monthly retired or retainer pay when the Department has an agreement for such withholding with the State named in the request. Rather than an unnecessary part in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this notice provides administrative-type information to those members and States interested in applying for or engaging in this tax withholding arrangement.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Department of Army United States Military Academy announces a proposed public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: 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; the accuracy of the agency'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.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness announces a proposed public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: 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; the accuracy of the agency'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.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Defense Acquisition University announces a proposed public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: 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; the accuracy of the agency'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.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (Military Personnel Policy) announces a proposed public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: 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; the accuracy of the agency'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.

DoD, GSA and NASA are issuing a final rule to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement a section of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 to revise the definition of a ``commercial item.''

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Marine Corps announces a proposed public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: 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; the accuracy of the agency'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.

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 prohibition on contracting for certain telecommunications and video surveillance services or equipment. OMB has approved this information collection for use through February 29, 2019. DoD, GSA, and NASA propose that OMB extend its approval for use for three additional years beyond the current expiration date.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Regulatory Secretariat Division has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve a revision and renewal of a previously approved information collection requirement regarding Cost Accounting Standards administration.

The Air National Guard (ANG) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are notifying interested parties of the decision to withdraw the Notice of Intent to prepare an environmental impact statement for the Modification of the Condor Military Operation Areas used by the 104th Fighter Wing of the Massachusetts Air National Guard.

The U.S. Navy hereby announces that a Certificate of Alternate Compliance has been issued for USS VERMONT (SSN 792). Due to the special construction and purpose of this vessel, Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General (DAJAG) (Admiralty and Maritime Law) has determined that 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 functions as a naval ship. The intended effect of this notice is to warn mariners in waters where 72 COLREGS apply.

This final rule removes DoD's regulation concerning the management of the misdemeanor criminal investigation program by Department of the Army personnel. This part conveys internal Army policy and procedures, and is unnecessary.

DoD, GSA, and NASA are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement a section of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 to increase the threshold for requiring certified cost or pricing data.

The Department of Defense (DoD) is publishing this notice to announce that it is amending the charter for the Board of Advisors to the Presidents of the Naval Postgraduate School and the Naval War College (``the Board'').