80_FR_26608 80 FR 26519 - Drug- and Alcohol-Free Workforce and Mission Critical Systems Personnel Reliability Program

80 FR 26519 - Drug- and Alcohol-Free Workforce and Mission Critical Systems Personnel Reliability Program

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 89 (May 8, 2015)

Page Range26519-26521
FR Document2015-10945

NASA is proposing to amend the NASA FAR Supplement (NFS) to remove requirements related to the discontinued Space Flight Mission Critical Systems Personnel Reliability Program and to revise requirements related to contractor drug and alcohol testing.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 89 (Friday, May 8, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 89 (Friday, May 8, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 26519-26521]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-10945]


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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

48 CFR Parts 1823, 1846, and 1852

RIN 2700-AE17


Drug- and Alcohol-Free Workforce and Mission Critical Systems 
Personnel Reliability Program

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NASA is proposing to amend the NASA FAR Supplement (NFS) to 
remove requirements related to the discontinued Space Flight Mission 
Critical Systems Personnel Reliability Program and to revise 
requirements related to contractor drug and alcohol testing.

DATES: Interested parties should submit comments to NASA at the address 
below on or before July 7, 2015 to be considered in formulation of the 
final rule.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties may submit comments, identified by RIN 
number 2700-AE17 via the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. 
Comments may also be submitted to Marilyn E. Chambers via email at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

A. Background

    NASA is proposing to revise the NASA FAR Supplement (NFS) to remove 
policy at 1846.370 NASA contract clauses, and the related clause at 
1852.246-70, Mission Critical Space System Personnel Reliability 
Program. Additionally, other revisions, partially related to the 
removal of the Mission Critical Space System Personnel Reliability 
Program, and to clarify and update the guidance, are proposed to 
Subpart 1823.5, Drug-Free Workplace, and the associated clause at 
1852.223-74, Drug- and Alcohol-Free Workforce.
    NASA discontinued the Mission Critical Space System Personnel 
Reliability Program (the Program) effective April 8, 2014. As stated at 
79 FR 7391, the Agency conducted an analysis of its existing 
regulations and determined that 14 CFR part 1214, entitled ``Space 
Flight Mission Critical Systems Personnel Reliability Program,'' was 
obsolete and had been replaced by other measures to ensure that 
contractor employees assigned to mission-critical positions meet 
established screening requirements. Accordingly, NFS policy 
implementing the Program is no longer needed. However, the Program was 
linked to the prescription for the Drug- and Alcohol-Free Workforce 
clause which directed contracting officers to use the clause in all 
solicitations and contracts containing the clause at 1852.246-70, 
``Mission Critical Space Systems Personnel Reliability Program.'' With 
the discontinuance of the Program, the prescription for this clause 
must be revised.
    NASA's authority to require contractor alcohol and drug testing is 
derived from the Civil Space Employee Testing Act of 1991, Public Law 
102-195, sec. 21, 105 Stat. 1616 to 1619. The Act states the success of 
the United States civil space program is contingent upon the safe and 
successful development and deployment of the many varied components of 
that program and that the greatest efforts must be expended to 
eliminate the abuse of alcohol and use of illegal drugs. To this end, 
NASA is authorized to prescribe regulations which require contractors 
to conduct preemployment, reasonable suspicion, random, and post-
accident testing of contractor employees responsible for safety-
sensitive, security, or national security functions for use, in 
violation of applicable law or Federal regulation, of alcohol or a 
controlled substance. While the NFS drug and alcohol testing 
requirements are partially tied to the Mission Critical Space System 
Personnel Reliability Program, rescission of the program does not 
remove the need for such testing. Furthermore, 14 CFR, subpart 1214.5, 
contained two key terms and their definitions that will be helpful to 
Agency contracting officers in determining which contracts should 
include the drug and alcohol testing requirements. These terms are 
``mission critical space system'' and ``mission critical positions/
duties.'' This rule proposes to add these terms to NFS 1823.570, Drug- 
and Alcohol-free Workplace, and the associated clause at 1852.223-74, 
Drug- and Alcohol-Free Workforce.
    Two other terms, ``employee'' and ``controlled substance,'' are 
referenced, but not defined at 1823.570-1. These terms are defined at 
FAR 23.503. Additionally, NFS 1823.570-1 contained the statement, ``The 
use of a controlled substance in accordance with the terms of a valid 
prescription, or other uses authorized by law shall not be subject to 
the requirements of 1823.570 to 1823.570-3 and the clause at 1852.223-
74.'' This exemption of a controlled substance used in accordance with 
the terms of a valid prescription, or other uses authorized by law was 
removed from the definitions and added to paragraph (c)(1) of the 
clause, so that contractors may easily see when use of a controlled 
substance may be permitted.
    A revised section (b)(2) to the clause adds a reference to NASA 
Procedural Requirements (NPR) 3792.1, NASA's Plan for a Drug Free 
Workplace, Appendices A and B on ``Testing Designated Positions'' 
(TDPs) for federal employees, as a guide for contractors to use when 
determining if an employee is in a sensitive position and subject to 
drug and alcohol testing.
    The most recent titles and references for the applicable Federal 
drug testing programs are added: ``Mandatory Guidelines for Federal 
Workplace Drug Testing Programs'' published by the Department of Health 
and Human Services 73 FR 71858 and the procedures in 49 CFR part 40, 
``Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing 
Programs. Additionally, the rule expands the list of drugs required to 
be tested for from ``marijuana and cocaine'' to add amphetamines, 
opiates and phencyclidine (PCP) in accordance with the Mandatory 
Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs Mandatory 
Guidelines, Section 3.1, and 49 CFR 40.85.
    Based on the Civil Space Employee Testing Act requirements, the 
current clause at 1852.223-74 requires contractors to conduct ``post-
accident'' drug and alcohol testing. A new paragraph (5) is added to 
specify post-accident testing is required when the contractor 
determines the employee's actions are reasonably suspected of having 
caused or contributed to an accident resulting in death or personal 
injury requiring immediate hospitalization or damage to Government or 
private property estimated to exceed $20,000. Additionally, the 
contractor is advised that the contracting officer may request the 
results of this post-accident testing. The purpose of this is to inform 
any accident investigation NASA may conduct. The contractor is required 
to provide only information on whether the testing was conducted and 
whether results showed any evidence of drug or

[[Page 26520]]

alcohol use in violation of the clause. The contractor is not required 
to provide the names of individuals tested or of individual employee's 
test results.

B. Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

    Executive Orders (E.O.s) 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess 
all costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public 
health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). E.O. 
13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, 
of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility. 
This rule is not a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) of 
Executive Order 12866. This proposed rule is not a major rule under 5 
U.S.C. 804.

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    NASA does not expect this proposed rule to have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities within the 
meaning of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq. 
However, an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis has been performed 
and is summarized as follows:
     This proposed rule amends the NFS to remove requirements 
related to the Mission Critical Space System Personnel Reliability 
Program which was discontinued effective April 8, 2014. The NFS 
contains a clause at 1852.246-70, Mission Critical Space System 
Personnel Reliability Program, which implemented the requirements of 
the Program on NASA contracts involving critical positions designated 
in accordance with 14 CFR 1214.5, Mission Critical Space System 
Personnel Reliability Program. With the discontinuance of the Program 
the clause is no longer necessary and is removed.
     NFS 1823.570-2, Contract clause, requires the contracting 
officer to insert the clause at 1852.223-74, Drug- and Alcohol-Free 
Workforce, in all solicitations and contracts containing the clause at 
1852.246-70, ``Mission Critical Space Systems Personnel Reliability 
Program.'' With the discontinuance of the Program, the prescription for 
this is revised to remove the reference to the Program. However, 
because NASA's contractor drug and alcohol testing requirements are 
based on the statutory requirements of the Civil Space Employee Testing 
Act of 1991, Public Law 102-195, sec. 21, 105 Stat. 1616 to 1619, the 
terms ``mission critical space systems'' and ``mission critical 
positions/duties,'' previously used in the Program, are carried over to 
the drug and alcohol testing clause as a point of reference for 
defining contract personnel and contract functions which come under the 
civil space employee testing requirements. While the term ``mission 
critical space systems'' is carried over, the definition is revised 
from ``The Space Shuttle and other critical space systems, including 
Space Station Freedom, designated Expendable Launch Vehicles (ELV's), 
designated payloads, Shuttle Carrier Aircraft and other designated 
resources that provide access to space'' to ``the collection of all 
space-based and ground-based systems used to conduct space missions or 
support activity in space, including, but not limited to, the crewed 
space system, space-based communication and navigation systems, launch 
systems, and mission/launch control.'' The revised definition deletes 
obsolete references such as the ``Space Station Freedom'' and ``Shuttle 
Carrier Aircraft'' and characterizes the systems which are critical to 
NASA's space mission.
     The statement that use of a controlled substance in 
accordance with a valid prescription or otherwise authorized by law is 
moved from the definitions to 1823.570-1 to paragraph (c)(1) of the 
clause, so that contractors may readily see when use of a controlled 
substance may be permitted.
     A reference is added to NASA Procedural Requirements (NPR) 
3792.1, NASA's Plan for a Drug Free Workplace, Appendices A and B on 
``Testing Designated Positions'' (TDPs) for federal employees, as a 
guide for contractors to use when designating ``sensitive'' positions. 
This is intended as a guide and does not change the application of the 
policy.
     The clause contained an outdated Federal Register 
reference to the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug 
Testing Programs, published by the Department of Health and Human 
Services. The reference to the Department of Transportation's 
procedures at 49 CFR part 40 is revised to include the appropriate 
title, Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing 
Programs.
     The list of drugs required to be tested is revised from 
marijuana and cocaine to add amphetamines, opiates and phencyclidine 
(PCP) in accordance with the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace 
Drug Testing Programs Mandatory Guidelines, Section 3.1, and 49 CFR 
part 40 Section 40.85.
     A new paragraph (5) is added to specify that post-accident 
testing is required when the contractor determines the employee's 
actions are reasonably suspected of having caused or contributed to an 
accident resulting in death or personal injury requiring immediate 
hospitalization or damage to Government or private property estimated 
to exceed $20,000. Additionally, the contractor is informed that the 
contracting officer may request the results of this post-accident 
testing.
    The proposed rule will not change the application of the clause. 
This proposed rule imposes no new reporting requirements. This proposed 
rule does not duplicate, overlap, or conflict with any other Federal 
rules. No alternatives were identified that would meet the objectives 
of the rule. Excluding small business concerns that may be subject to 
the rule would not be in the best interest of the small business 
concerns or the Government, because drug and alcohol testing of 
contractors performing functions related to mission critical space 
systems is statutorily mandated and is necessary in order to protect 
human life and the nation's civil space assets. NASA invites comments 
from small business concerns and other interested parties on the 
expected impact of this proposed rule on small entities. NASA will also 
consider comments from small entities concerning the existing 
regulations in subparts affected by this proposed rule in accordance 
with 5 U.S.C. 610. Interested parties must submit such comments 
separately and should cite 5 U.S.C. 610 and RIN number 2700-AE17 in 
correspondence.

D. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The proposed rule does not contain information collection 
requirements that require the approval of the Office of Management and 
Budget under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35).

List of Subjects in 48 CFR 1823, 1846, and 1852

    Government procurement.

Cynthia D. Boots,
Alternate Federal Register Liaison.

    Accordingly, 48 CFR parts 1823, 1846, and 1852 are proposed to be 
amended as follows:

[[Page 26521]]

PART 1823--ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENCY, RENEWABLE 
ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES, OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY, AND DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE

0
1. The authority citation for part 1823 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 2473(c)(1)


1823.570-1  [Revised]

0
2. Section 1823.570-1 is revised by:
0
a. Removing the introductory paragraph,
0
b. Revising the definition for ``Employee in a sensitive position'', 
and
0
c. Adding the definitions for ``Mission Critical Space Systems'' and 
``Mission Critical Positions/Duties'' to read as follows:

Subpart 1823.5--Drug-Free Workplace

* * * * *


1823.570-1  Definitions.

    ``Employee in a sensitive position'' means a contractor or 
subcontractor employee who has been granted access to classified 
information; a contractor or subcontractor employee in other positions 
that the contractor or subcontractor determines could reasonably be 
expected to affect safety, security, National security, or functions 
other than the foregoing requiring a high degree of trust and 
confidence; and includes any employee performing in a position 
designated ``mission critical'' or performing mission-critical duties. 
The term also includes any applicant who is tentatively selected for a 
position described in this paragraph.
    ``Mission Critical Space Systems'' means the collection of all 
space-based and ground-based systems used to conduct space missions or 
support activity in space, including, but not limited to, the crewed 
space system, space-based communication and navigation systems, launch 
systems, and mission/launch control.
    ``Mission Critical Positions/Duties'' means positions or duties 
which, if performed in a faulty, negligent, or malicious manner, could 
jeopardize mission critical space systems and/or delay a mission.
* * * * *


1823.570-2  [Revised]

0
3. Section 1823.570-2 is revised to read as follows:


1823.570-2  Contract clause.

    The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 1852.223-74, 
``Drug- and Alcohol-Free Workforce,'' in all solicitations and 
contracts exceeding $5 million in which work is performed by an 
employee in a sensitive position. However, the contracting officer 
shall not insert the clause at 1852.223-74 in solicitations and 
contracts for commercial items.
* * * * *

PART 1846--QUALITY ASSURANCE

0
4. The authority citation for part 1846 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: U.S.C. 2473(c)(1).


1846.370  [Revised]

0
5. Section 1846.370 is revised to read as follows:


1846.370  NASA contract clauses

    The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 1852.246-73, 
Human Space Flight Item, in solicitations and contracts for human space 
flight hardware and flight-related equipment if the highest available 
quality standards are necessary to ensure astronaut safety.

PART 1852--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

0
6. The authority citation for part 1852 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 51 U.S.C. 20113(a) and 48 CFR chapter 1.


1852.223-74  [Revised]

0
7. Section 1852.223-74 is revised by:
0
a. Amending paragraph (a),
0
b. Amending paragraphs (b)(2) through (b)(4)
0
c. Adding a new paragraph (b)(5) to read as follows:


1852.223-74  Drug- and alcohol-free workforce.

    As prescribed in 1823.570-2, insert the following clause:

Drug- and Alcohol-Free Workforce (XX/XXXX)

    (a) Definitions.
    ``Employee in a sensitive position'' means a contractor or 
subcontractor employee who has been granted access to classified 
information; a contractor or subcontractor employee in other 
positions that the contractor or subcontractor determines could 
reasonably be expected to affect safety, security, National 
security, or functions other than the foregoing requiring a high 
degree of trust and confidence; and includes any employee performing 
in a position designated mission critical or performing mission 
critical duties. The term also includes any applicant who is 
tentatively selected for a position described in this paragraph.
    ``Mission Critical Space Systems'' means the collection of all 
space-based and ground-based systems used to conduct space missions 
or support activity in space, including, but not limited to, the 
crewed space system, space-based communication and navigation 
systems, launch systems, and mission/launch control.
    ``Mission Critical Positions/Duties'' means positions or duties 
which, if performed in a faulty, negligent, or malicious manner, 
could jeopardize mission critical space systems and/or delay a 
mission.]
    (b) * * *
    (2) In determining which positions to designate as 
``sensitive,'' the contractor may use NASA Procedural Requirements 
(NPR) 3792.1, NASA's Plan for a Drug Free Workplace, Appendices A 
and B on ``Testing Designated Positions'' (TDPs) for Federal 
employees, as a guide for the criteria and in designating 
``sensitive'' positions for contractor employees.
    (3) This clause neither prohibits nor requires the Contractor to 
test employees in a foreign country. If the Contractor chooses to 
conduct such testing, this does not authorize the Contractor to 
violate foreign law in conducting such testing.
    (4) The Contractor's program shall conform to the ``Mandatory 
Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs'' published 
by the Department of Health and Human Services (73 FR 71858) and the 
procedures in 49 CFR part 40, ``Procedures for Transportation 
Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs.''
    (i) The Contractor shall test for the following drugs: 
Marijuana, Cocaine, Amphetamines, Opiates and Phencyclidine (PCP) in 
accordance with the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug 
Testing Programs Mandatory Guidelines, Section 3.1, and 49 CFR 
40.85.
    (ii) The contractor shall comply with the requirements and 
procedures for alcohol testing at 49 CFR part 40.
    (iii) The use of a controlled substance in accordance with the 
terms of a valid prescription, or other uses authorized by law shall 
not be subject to the requirements this clause.
    (5) The contractor shall conduct post-accident testing when the 
contractor determines the employee's actions are reasonably 
suspected of having caused or contributed to an accident resulting 
in death or personal injury requiring immediate hospitalization or 
damage to Government or private property estimated to exceed 
$20,000. Upon request, the Contractor shall provide the results of 
post-accident testing to the Contracting Officer.
* * * * *


1852.246-70  [Removed]

0
8. Section 1852.246-70 is removed.

[FR Doc. 2015-10945 Filed 5-7-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7510-13-P



                                                                                  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 89 / Friday, May 8, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                           26519

                                                      information about the docket available                  effective April 8, 2014. As stated at 79              Additionally, NFS 1823.570–1
                                                      at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.                          FR 7391, the Agency conducted an                      contained the statement, ‘‘The use of a
                                                         Authority: 15 U.S.C. 2607(a).                        analysis of its existing regulations and              controlled substance in accordance with
                                                                                                              determined that 14 CFR part 1214,                     the terms of a valid prescription, or
                                                         Dated: May 4, 2015.                                  entitled ‘‘Space Flight Mission Critical              other uses authorized by law shall not
                                                      Maria J. Doa,                                           Systems Personnel Reliability Program,’’              be subject to the requirements of
                                                      Director, Chemical Control Division, Office             was obsolete and had been replaced by                 1823.570 to 1823.570–3 and the clause
                                                      of Pollution Prevention and Toxics.                     other measures to ensure that contractor              at 1852.223–74.’’ This exemption of a
                                                      [FR Doc. 2015–11215 Filed 5–7–15; 8:45 am]              employees assigned to mission-critical                controlled substance used in accordance
                                                      BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                  positions meet established screening                  with the terms of a valid prescription,
                                                                                                              requirements. Accordingly, NFS policy                 or other uses authorized by law was
                                                                                                              implementing the Program is no longer                 removed from the definitions and added
                                                      NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND                                needed. However, the Program was                      to paragraph (c)(1) of the clause, so that
                                                      SPACE ADMINISTRATION                                    linked to the prescription for the Drug-              contractors may easily see when use of
                                                                                                              and Alcohol-Free Workforce clause                     a controlled substance may be
                                                      48 CFR Parts 1823, 1846, and 1852                       which directed contracting officers to                permitted.
                                                                                                              use the clause in all solicitations and                  A revised section (b)(2) to the clause
                                                      RIN 2700–AE17
                                                                                                              contracts containing the clause at                    adds a reference to NASA Procedural
                                                      Drug- and Alcohol-Free Workforce and                    1852.246–70, ‘‘Mission Critical Space                 Requirements (NPR) 3792.1, NASA’s
                                                      Mission Critical Systems Personnel                      Systems Personnel Reliability Program.’’              Plan for a Drug Free Workplace,
                                                      Reliability Program                                     With the discontinuance of the Program,               Appendices A and B on ‘‘Testing
                                                                                                              the prescription for this clause must be              Designated Positions’’ (TDPs) for federal
                                                      AGENCY:  National Aeronautics and                       revised.                                              employees, as a guide for contractors to
                                                      Space Administration.                                      NASA’s authority to require                        use when determining if an employee is
                                                      ACTION: Proposed rule.                                  contractor alcohol and drug testing is                in a sensitive position and subject to
                                                                                                              derived from the Civil Space Employee                 drug and alcohol testing.
                                                      SUMMARY:   NASA is proposing to amend                   Testing Act of 1991, Public Law 102–                     The most recent titles and references
                                                      the NASA FAR Supplement (NFS) to                        195, sec. 21, 105 Stat. 1616 to 1619. The             for the applicable Federal drug testing
                                                      remove requirements related to the                      Act states the success of the United                  programs are added: ‘‘Mandatory
                                                      discontinued Space Flight Mission                       States civil space program is contingent              Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug
                                                      Critical Systems Personnel Reliability                  upon the safe and successful                          Testing Programs’’ published by the
                                                      Program and to revise requirements                      development and deployment of the                     Department of Health and Human
                                                      related to contractor drug and alcohol                  many varied components of that                        Services 73 FR 71858 and the
                                                      testing.                                                program and that the greatest efforts                 procedures in 49 CFR part 40,
                                                      DATES: Interested parties should submit                 must be expended to eliminate the                     ‘‘Procedures for Transportation
                                                      comments to NASA at the address                         abuse of alcohol and use of illegal drugs.            Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing
                                                      below on or before July 7, 2015 to be                   To this end, NASA is authorized to                    Programs. Additionally, the rule
                                                      considered in formulation of the final                  prescribe regulations which require                   expands the list of drugs required to be
                                                      rule.                                                   contractors to conduct preemployment,                 tested for from ‘‘marijuana and cocaine’’
                                                                                                              reasonable suspicion, random, and post-               to add amphetamines, opiates and
                                                      ADDRESSES: Interested parties may
                                                                                                              accident testing of contractor employees              phencyclidine (PCP) in accordance with
                                                      submit comments, identified by RIN                                                                            the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal
                                                                                                              responsible for safety-sensitive, security,
                                                      number 2700–AE17 via the Federal                        or national security functions for use, in            Workplace Drug Testing Programs
                                                      eRulemaking Portal: http://                             violation of applicable law or Federal                Mandatory Guidelines, Section 3.1, and
                                                      www.regulations.gov. Follow the                         regulation, of alcohol or a controlled                49 CFR 40.85.
                                                      instructions for submitting comments.                   substance. While the NFS drug and                        Based on the Civil Space Employee
                                                      Comments may also be submitted to                       alcohol testing requirements are                      Testing Act requirements, the current
                                                      Marilyn E. Chambers via email at                        partially tied to the Mission Critical                clause at 1852.223–74 requires
                                                      marilyn.chambers@nasa.gov.                              Space System Personnel Reliability                    contractors to conduct ‘‘post-accident’’
                                                      SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                              Program, rescission of the program does               drug and alcohol testing. A new
                                                                                                              not remove the need for such testing.                 paragraph (5) is added to specify post-
                                                      A. Background                                                                                                 accident testing is required when the
                                                                                                              Furthermore, 14 CFR, subpart 1214.5,
                                                         NASA is proposing to revise the                      contained two key terms and their                     contractor determines the employee’s
                                                      NASA FAR Supplement (NFS) to                            definitions that will be helpful to                   actions are reasonably suspected of
                                                      remove policy at 1846.370 NASA                          Agency contracting officers in                        having caused or contributed to an
                                                      contract clauses, and the related clause                determining which contracts should                    accident resulting in death or personal
                                                      at 1852.246–70, Mission Critical Space                  include the drug and alcohol testing                  injury requiring immediate
                                                      System Personnel Reliability Program.                   requirements. These terms are ‘‘mission               hospitalization or damage to
                                                      Additionally, other revisions, partially                critical space system’’ and ‘‘mission                 Government or private property
                                                      related to the removal of the Mission                   critical positions/duties.’’ This rule                estimated to exceed $20,000.
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                      Critical Space System Personnel                         proposes to add these terms to NFS                    Additionally, the contractor is advised
                                                      Reliability Program, and to clarify and                 1823.570, Drug- and Alcohol-free                      that the contracting officer may request
                                                      update the guidance, are proposed to                    Workplace, and the associated clause at               the results of this post-accident testing.
                                                      Subpart 1823.5, Drug-Free Workplace,                    1852.223–74, Drug- and Alcohol-Free                   The purpose of this is to inform any
                                                      and the associated clause at 1852.223–                  Workforce.                                            accident investigation NASA may
                                                      74, Drug- and Alcohol-Free Workforce.                      Two other terms, ‘‘employee’’ and                  conduct. The contractor is required to
                                                         NASA discontinued the Mission                        ‘‘controlled substance,’’ are referenced,             provide only information on whether
                                                      Critical Space System Personnel                         but not defined at 1823.570–1. These                  the testing was conducted and whether
                                                      Reliability Program (the Program)                       terms are defined at FAR 23.503.                      results showed any evidence of drug or


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                                                      26520                       Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 89 / Friday, May 8, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                      alcohol use in violation of the clause.                 critical positions/duties,’’ previously                 • A new paragraph (5) is added to
                                                      The contractor is not required to                       used in the Program, are carried over to              specify that post-accident testing is
                                                      provide the names of individuals tested                 the drug and alcohol testing clause as a              required when the contractor
                                                      or of individual employee’s test results.               point of reference for defining contract              determines the employee’s actions are
                                                                                                              personnel and contract functions which                reasonably suspected of having caused
                                                      B. Executive Orders 12866 and 13563
                                                                                                              come under the civil space employee                   or contributed to an accident resulting
                                                         Executive Orders (E.O.s) 12866 and                   testing requirements. While the term                  in death or personal injury requiring
                                                      13563 direct agencies to assess all costs               ‘‘mission critical space systems’’ is                 immediate hospitalization or damage to
                                                      and benefits of available regulatory                    carried over, the definition is revised
                                                      alternatives and, if regulation is                                                                            Government or private property
                                                                                                              from ‘‘The Space Shuttle and other                    estimated to exceed $20,000.
                                                      necessary, to select regulatory                         critical space systems, including Space
                                                      approaches that maximize net benefits                                                                         Additionally, the contractor is informed
                                                                                                              Station Freedom, designated                           that the contracting officer may request
                                                      (including potential economic,                          Expendable Launch Vehicles (ELV’s),
                                                      environmental, public health and safety                                                                       the results of this post-accident testing.
                                                                                                              designated payloads, Shuttle Carrier
                                                      effects, distributive impacts, and                      Aircraft and other designated resources                 The proposed rule will not change the
                                                      equity). E.O. 13563 emphasizes the                      that provide access to space’’ to ‘‘the               application of the clause. This proposed
                                                      importance of quantifying both costs                    collection of all space-based and                     rule imposes no new reporting
                                                      and benefits, of reducing costs, of                     ground-based systems used to conduct                  requirements. This proposed rule does
                                                      harmonizing rules, and of promoting                     space missions or support activity in                 not duplicate, overlap, or conflict with
                                                      flexibility. This rule is not a significant             space, including, but not limited to, the             any other Federal rules. No alternatives
                                                      regulatory action under section 3(f) of                 crewed space system, space-based                      were identified that would meet the
                                                      Executive Order 12866. This proposed                    communication and navigation systems,                 objectives of the rule. Excluding small
                                                      rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C.                 launch systems, and mission/launch                    business concerns that may be subject to
                                                      804.                                                    control.’’ The revised definition deletes             the rule would not be in the best interest
                                                      C. Regulatory Flexibility Act                           obsolete references such as the ‘‘Space               of the small business concerns or the
                                                         NASA does not expect this proposed                   Station Freedom’’ and ‘‘Shuttle Carrier               Government, because drug and alcohol
                                                      rule to have a significant economic                     Aircraft’’ and characterizes the systems              testing of contractors performing
                                                      impact on a substantial number of small                 which are critical to NASA’s space                    functions related to mission critical
                                                      entities within the meaning of the                      mission.                                              space systems is statutorily mandated
                                                      Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601,                  • The statement that use of a                      and is necessary in order to protect
                                                      et seq. However, an Initial Regulatory                  controlled substance in accordance with               human life and the nation’s civil space
                                                      Flexibility Analysis has been performed                 a valid prescription or otherwise                     assets. NASA invites comments from
                                                      and is summarized as follows:                           authorized by law is moved from the
                                                                                                                                                                    small business concerns and other
                                                         • This proposed rule amends the NFS                  definitions to 1823.570–1 to paragraph
                                                                                                                                                                    interested parties on the expected
                                                      to remove requirements related to the                   (c)(1) of the clause, so that contractors
                                                                                                              may readily see when use of a                         impact of this proposed rule on small
                                                      Mission Critical Space System                                                                                 entities. NASA will also consider
                                                      Personnel Reliability Program which                     controlled substance may be permitted.
                                                                                                                 • A reference is added to NASA                     comments from small entities
                                                      was discontinued effective April 8,                                                                           concerning the existing regulations in
                                                      2014. The NFS contains a clause at                      Procedural Requirements (NPR) 3792.1,
                                                                                                              NASA’s Plan for a Drug Free Workplace,                subparts affected by this proposed rule
                                                      1852.246–70, Mission Critical Space
                                                                                                              Appendices A and B on ‘‘Testing                       in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610.
                                                      System Personnel Reliability Program,
                                                      which implemented the requirements of                   Designated Positions’’ (TDPs) for federal             Interested parties must submit such
                                                      the Program on NASA contracts                           employees, as a guide for contractors to              comments separately and should cite 5
                                                      involving critical positions designated                 use when designating ‘‘sensitive’’                    U.S.C. 610 and RIN number 2700–AE17
                                                      in accordance with 14 CFR 1214.5,                       positions. This is intended as a guide                in correspondence.
                                                      Mission Critical Space System                           and does not change the application of
                                                                                                                                                                    D. Paperwork Reduction Act
                                                      Personnel Reliability Program. With the                 the policy.
                                                      discontinuance of the Program the                          • The clause contained an outdated                   The proposed rule does not contain
                                                      clause is no longer necessary and is                    Federal Register reference to the                     information collection requirements that
                                                      removed.                                                Mandatory Guidelines for Federal                      require the approval of the Office of
                                                         • NFS 1823.570–2, Contract clause,                   Workplace Drug Testing Programs,                      Management and Budget under the
                                                      requires the contracting officer to insert              published by the Department of Health                 Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C.
                                                      the clause at 1852.223–74, Drug- and                    and Human Services. The reference to                  Chapter 35).
                                                      Alcohol-Free Workforce, in all                          the Department of Transportation’s
                                                      solicitations and contracts containing                  procedures at 49 CFR part 40 is revised               List of Subjects in 48 CFR 1823, 1846,
                                                      the clause at 1852.246–70, ‘‘Mission                    to include the appropriate title,                     and 1852
                                                      Critical Space Systems Personnel                        Procedures for Transportation
                                                      Reliability Program.’’ With the                         Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing                      Government procurement.
                                                      discontinuance of the Program, the                      Programs.
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                                                                                                                                                                    Cynthia D. Boots,
                                                      prescription for this is revised to remove                 • The list of drugs required to be                 Alternate Federal Register Liaison.
                                                      the reference to the Program. However,                  tested is revised from marijuana and
                                                      because NASA’s contractor drug and                      cocaine to add amphetamines, opiates                    Accordingly, 48 CFR parts 1823, 1846,
                                                      alcohol testing requirements are based                  and phencyclidine (PCP) in accordance                 and 1852 are proposed to be amended
                                                      on the statutory requirements of the                    with the Mandatory Guidelines for                     as follows:
                                                      Civil Space Employee Testing Act of                     Federal Workplace Drug Testing
                                                      1991, Public Law 102–195, sec. 21, 105                  Programs Mandatory Guidelines,
                                                      Stat. 1616 to 1619, the terms ‘‘mission                 Section 3.1, and 49 CFR part 40 Section
                                                      critical space systems’’ and ‘‘mission                  40.85.


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                                                                                   Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 89 / Friday, May 8, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                                 26521

                                                      PART 1823—ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY                            Alcohol-Free Workforce,’’ in all                         ‘‘Mission Critical Space Systems’’ means
                                                      AND WATER EFFICIENCY,                                    solicitations and contracts exceeding $5              the collection of all space-based and ground-
                                                      RENEWABLE ENERGY                                         million in which work is performed by                 based systems used to conduct space
                                                      TECHNOLOGIES, OCCUPATIONAL                               an employee in a sensitive position.                  missions or support activity in space,
                                                                                                               However, the contracting officer shall                including, but not limited to, the crewed
                                                      SAFETY, AND DRUG–FREE
                                                                                                               not insert the clause at 1852.223–74 in               space system, space-based communication
                                                      WORKPLACE
                                                                                                                                                                     and navigation systems, launch systems, and
                                                                                                               solicitations and contracts for
                                                      ■ 1. The authority citation for part 1823                                                                      mission/launch control.
                                                                                                               commercial items.                                        ‘‘Mission Critical Positions/Duties’’ means
                                                      continues to read as follows:                            *     *     *     *    *                              positions or duties which, if performed in a
                                                          Authority: 42 U.S.C. 2473(c)(1)                                                                            faulty, negligent, or malicious manner, could
                                                                                                               PART 1846—QUALITY ASSURANCE                           jeopardize mission critical space systems
                                                      1823.570–1       [Revised]
                                                                                                               ■ 4. The authority citation for part 1846             and/or delay a mission.]
                                                      ■  2. Section 1823.570–1 is revised by:                                                                           (b) * * *
                                                      ■  a. Removing the introductory                          continues to read as follows:
                                                                                                                                                                        (2) In determining which positions to
                                                      paragraph,                                                   Authority: U.S.C. 2473(c)(1).                     designate as ‘‘sensitive,’’ the contractor may
                                                      ■ b. Revising the definition for
                                                                                                                                                                     use NASA Procedural Requirements (NPR)
                                                      ‘‘Employee in a sensitive position’’, and                1846.370     [Revised]
                                                                                                                                                                     3792.1, NASA’s Plan for a Drug Free
                                                      ■ c. Adding the definitions for ‘‘Mission                ■ 5. Section 1846.370 is revised to read              Workplace, Appendices A and B on ‘‘Testing
                                                      Critical Space Systems’’ and ‘‘Mission                   as follows:                                           Designated Positions’’ (TDPs) for Federal
                                                      Critical Positions/Duties’’ to read as                                                                         employees, as a guide for the criteria and in
                                                      follows:                                                 1846.370     NASA contract clauses
                                                                                                                                                                     designating ‘‘sensitive’’ positions for
                                                                                                                  The contracting officer shall insert the           contractor employees.
                                                      Subpart 1823.5—Drug-Free Workplace                       clause at 1852.246–73, Human Space                       (3) This clause neither prohibits nor
                                                                                                               Flight Item, in solicitations and                     requires the Contractor to test employees in
                                                      *       *     *       *      *                           contracts for human space flight                      a foreign country. If the Contractor chooses
                                                      1823.570–1       Definitions.                            hardware and flight-related equipment                 to conduct such testing, this does not
                                                        ‘‘Employee in a sensitive position’’                   if the highest available quality standards            authorize the Contractor to violate foreign
                                                      means a contractor or subcontractor                      are necessary to ensure astronaut safety.             law in conducting such testing.
                                                      employee who has been granted access                                                                              (4) The Contractor’s program shall conform
                                                                                                               PART 1852—SOLICITATION                                to the ‘‘Mandatory Guidelines for Federal
                                                      to classified information; a contractor or
                                                                                                               PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT                               Workplace Drug Testing Programs’’
                                                      subcontractor employee in other
                                                                                                               CLAUSES                                               published by the Department of Health and
                                                      positions that the contractor or
                                                                                                                                                                     Human Services (73 FR 71858) and the
                                                      subcontractor determines could                           ■ 6. The authority citation for part 1852             procedures in 49 CFR part 40, ‘‘Procedures
                                                      reasonably be expected to affect safety,                 continues to read as follows:                         for Transportation Workplace Drug and
                                                      security, National security, or functions                  Authority: 51 U.S.C. 20113(a) and 48 CFR            Alcohol Testing Programs.’’
                                                      other than the foregoing requiring a high                chapter 1.                                               (i) The Contractor shall test for the
                                                      degree of trust and confidence; and                                                                            following drugs: Marijuana, Cocaine,
                                                      includes any employee performing in a                    1852.223–74       [Revised]                           Amphetamines, Opiates and Phencyclidine
                                                      position designated ‘‘mission critical’’                 ■ 7. Section 1852.223–74 is revised by:               (PCP) in accordance with the Mandatory
                                                      or performing mission-critical duties.                   ■ a. Amending paragraph (a),                          Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug
                                                      The term also includes any applicant                     ■ b. Amending paragraphs (b)(2)                       Testing Programs Mandatory Guidelines,
                                                      who is tentatively selected for a position               through (b)(4)                                        Section 3.1, and 49 CFR 40.85.
                                                      described in this paragraph.                             ■ c. Adding a new paragraph (b)(5) to                    (ii) The contractor shall comply with the
                                                        ‘‘Mission Critical Space Systems’’                     read as follows:                                      requirements and procedures for alcohol
                                                      means the collection of all space-based                                                                        testing at 49 CFR part 40.
                                                                                                               1852.223–74       Drug- and alcohol-free                 (iii) The use of a controlled substance in
                                                      and ground-based systems used to                         workforce.
                                                      conduct space missions or support                                                                              accordance with the terms of a valid
                                                      activity in space, including, but not                      As prescribed in 1823.570–2, insert                 prescription, or other uses authorized by law
                                                      limited to, the crewed space system,                     the following clause:                                 shall not be subject to the requirements this
                                                                                                                                                                     clause.
                                                      space-based communication and                            Drug- and Alcohol-Free Workforce (XX/
                                                                                                                                                                        (5) The contractor shall conduct post-
                                                      navigation systems, launch systems, and                  XXXX)
                                                                                                                                                                     accident testing when the contractor
                                                      mission/launch control.                                    (a) Definitions.                                    determines the employee’s actions are
                                                        ‘‘Mission Critical Positions/Duties’’                    ‘‘Employee in a sensitive position’’ means          reasonably suspected of having caused or
                                                      means positions or duties which, if                      a contractor or subcontractor employee who            contributed to an accident resulting in death
                                                      performed in a faulty, negligent, or                     has been granted access to classified                 or personal injury requiring immediate
                                                      malicious manner, could jeopardize                       information; a contractor or subcontractor            hospitalization or damage to Government or
                                                      mission critical space systems and/or                    employee in other positions that the
                                                                                                                                                                     private property estimated to exceed $20,000.
                                                                                                               contractor or subcontractor determines could
                                                      delay a mission.                                                                                               Upon request, the Contractor shall provide
                                                                                                               reasonably be expected to affect safety,
                                                      *     *     *     *     *                                                                                      the results of post-accident testing to the
                                                                                                               security, National security, or functions other
                                                                                                                                                                     Contracting Officer.
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                                                                                                               than the foregoing requiring a high degree of
                                                      1823.570–2       [Revised]                                                                                     *        *       *      *    *
                                                                                                               trust and confidence; and includes any
                                                      ■ 3. Section 1823.570–2 is revised to                    employee performing in a position
                                                      read as follows:                                         designated mission critical or performing             1852.246–70           [Removed]
                                                                                                               mission critical duties. The term also                ■   8. Section 1852.246–70 is removed.
                                                      1823.570–2       Contract clause.                        includes any applicant who is tentatively
                                                        The contracting officer shall insert the               selected for a position described in this             [FR Doc. 2015–10945 Filed 5–7–15; 8:45 am]
                                                      clause at 1852.223–74, ‘‘Drug- and                       paragraph.                                            BILLING CODE 7510–13–P




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Document Created: 2018-02-21 10:24:44
Document Modified: 2018-02-21 10:24:44
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionProposed rule.
FR Citation80 FR 26519 
RIN Number2700-AE17
CFR Citation48 CFR 1823
48 CFR 1846
48 CFR 1852

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