Department of Defense October 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is proposing to establish a restricted area in the Washington Channel adjacent to Fort McNair. Fort McNair is the headquarters of the Army's Military District of Washington and home of the National Defense University as well as the official residence of the U.S. Army's Vice Chief of Staff. Fort McNair requested a restricted area to fulfill Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall (JBM-HH) security needs including Marine Helicopter Squadron (HMX) missions and protection of VIP quarters at Fort McNair. On August 8, 2019, the Corps published a proposed rule for the establishment of a restricted area in the Washington Channel adjacent to Fort McNair. After evaluating the comments received in response to that proposed rule, the proposal has been revised and the Corps is inviting public comment on the revised proposed rule text.

The Department of the Army announces the availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) as part of the environmental planning process to address heat and electrical upgrades at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. The current condition of the heat and power plant, one of the oldest coal-fired central heat and power plants (CHPP) in the United States, and its aging heat distribution system requires an upgrade to provide reliable heat and electrical infrastructure for the installation that resolves safety, resiliency, fiscal, and regulatory concerns. The Draft EIS evaluates reasonable alternatives, potential environmental impacts, and key issues of concern. A preferred alternative is not identified at this time. Comments received on the Draft EIS will be fully considered prior to determining which alternative would be the Army's preferred alternative, a preference that will be identified when the Final EIS is published.

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 Buy American, trade agreements, and duty-free entry. 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, 2020. DoD, GSA, and NASA propose that OMB extend its approval for use for three additional years beyond the current expiration date.

The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) requests comments on the alternatives considered to date by the Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries, Texas Resiliency Study (BBTRS) to help inform the Study Team's recommendation to the Chief of Engineers on reducing the flood risk along Buffalo Bayou and its tributaries in Harris and Fort Bend counties, Texas. An Interim Report has been prepared to document alternatives considered to date. The Interim Report, which does not include recommendations or decisions, is being published to solicit input from the public. Seeking this public input prior to identifying a preferred alternative will help ensure the analysis of a complex problemand ultimately decisionsare effective, responsive, sustainable and understood by the region's communities.

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 rule appearing in Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2021-01, which amends the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). An asterisk (*) next to a rule indicates that a regulatory flexibility analysis has been prepared. Interested parties may obtain further information regarding this rule by referring to FAC 2021-01, which precedes this document. These documents are also available via the internet at https:// www.regulations.gov.

This document summarizes the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) rule agreed to by the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) in this Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2021-01. A companion document, the Small Entity Compliance Guide (SECG), follows this FAC.