General Services Administration October 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The General Services Administration (GSA) is amending the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) by revising the mileage reimbursement rate reflecting costs of operating a Government-furnished automobile (GFA), and revising the table on how to determine distance measurements for travel. It also clarifies that, if determined to be advantageous to the Government, the employee may be reimbursed for mileage between the residence and office to a common carrier terminal, or from the residence directly to a common carrier terminal when on official travel requiring an overnight stay. An explanation of these changes is addressed in the ``Supplementary Information'' below. The FTR and any corresponding documents may be accessed at GSA's website at https://www.gsa.gov/ftr.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the General Services Administration has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve a renewal of a currently approved information collection requirement regarding preparation, submission, and negotiation of subcontracting plans. A request for public comments was published at 70 FR 24042, May 6, 2005. No comments were received. This information collection will ensure that small and small disadvantaged business concerns are afforded the maximum practicable opportunity to participate as subcontractors in construction, repair, and alteration or lease contracts. Preparation, submission, and negotiation of subcontracting plans requires for all negotiated solicitations having an anticipated award value over $500,000 ($1,000,000 for construction), submission of a subcontracting plan with other than small business concerns when a negotiated acquisition meets all four of the following conditions. 1. When the contracting officer anticipates receiving individual subcontracting plans (not commercial plans). 2. When the award is based on trade-offs among cost or price and technical and/or management factors under FAR 15.101-1. 3. The acquisition is not a commercial item acquisition. 4. The acquisition offers more than minimal subcontracting opportunities. Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary 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.

The General Services Administration (GSA) is amending the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR), by revising the meals and incidental expense (MI&E) allowance rates for the deduction of meals furnished by the Government or meals that are included in a registration fee, for travel within the Continental United States (CONUS). The FTR and any corresponding documents may be accessed at GSA's website at https:// www.gsa.gov/ftr.

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 progress payments. This OMB clearance currently expires on December 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.

This notice announces that the General Services Administration (GSA), Office of Governmentwide Policy (M), is granting a deviation from the Federal Management Regulation (FMR) to all agencies whose purchase of gasoline for motor vehicles has been impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. This deviation will allow Federal agencies to purchase premium gasoline for government owned and leased vehicles when lower grade gasoline is not available. This deviation can be found at www.gsa.gov/ vehiclepolicy and clicking on ``Deviation from 41 CFR 102-34.335''.

This notice announces GSA Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) Bulletin 05-07. This Bulletin informs agencies that certain provisions of the FTR governing the authorization of actual subsistence expenses for official travel (both TDY and relocation) are temporarily waived as a result of Hurricane Rita, because it is expected that finding lodging facilities and/or adequate meals may be difficult, and distances involved may be great resulting in increased costs for per diem expenses. Bulletin FTR 05-07 may be found at www.gsa.gov/ftrbulletins.