[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 120 (Thursday, June 20, 1996)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 31646] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-14528] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 48 CFR Parts 25 and 52 [FAC 90-39; FAR Case 95-304; Item XIII] RIN 9000-AG80 Federal Acquisition Regulation; Uruguay Round (1996 Code) AGENCIES: Department of Defense (DOD), General Services Administration (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Action
Interim rule adopted as final.
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Summary
The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council are finalizing without further change the interim rule on the renegotiated General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) Government Procurement Agreement (1996 Code) (Uruguay Round). This regulatory action was not subject to Office of Management and Budget review under Executive Order 12866, dated September 30, 1993, and is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804.
EFFECTIVE DATE: June 20, 1996.
For Further Information Contact
Mr. Peter O'Such at (202) 501-1759 in reference to this FAR case. For general information, contact the FAR Secretariat, Room 4037, GS Building, Washington, DC 20405 (202) 501- 4755. Please cite FAC 90-39, FAR case 95-304.
Supplementary Information
A. Background
This rule finalizes without further change the interim rule, published in the Federal Register on December 29, 1995 (60 FR 67514), which implemented the Uruguay Round Agreement Act, Public Law 103-465. No public comments were received in response to the interim rule.
B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration certify that this final rule will not 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., because the rule does not impose any new requirements on contractors, large or small. The rule primarily changes the list of designated foreign countries and extends applicability of the Trade Agreements Act to all agencies for supply and construction contracts over certain dollar thresholds. However, those contracts which are now subject to the Trade Agreements Act were already subject to the Memorandum of Understanding between the United States of America and the European Community on Government Procurement. This change will have minimal impact on U.S. firms. The rule does not diminish existing preferences for small businesses, because purchases under small and small disadvantaged business preference programs are exempted from the Trade Agreements Act.
C. Paperwork Reduction Act
The final rule does not impose any new reporting or recordkeeping requirements which require OMB approval under 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq. Contractors, which previously were required to respond to the now deleted provision at 52.225-16, Buy American Act--Supplies under European Community Agreement Certificate, will now be required to respond to the comparable provision at 52.225-8, Buy American Act-- Trade Agreements--Balance of Payments Program Certificate (OMB Control No. 9000-0046).
List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 25 and 52
Government procurement.
Interim Rule Adopted as Final
Accordingly, the interim rule amending 48 CFR Parts 25 and 52, which was published at 60 FR 67514, December 29, 1995, is adopted as final without further change. The authority citation for 48 CFR Parts 25 and 52 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 40 U.S.C. 486(c); 10 U.S.C. chapter 137; and 42 U.S.C. 2473(c).
Dated: June 4, 1996. Edward C. Loeb, Director, Federal Acquisition Policy Division. [FR Doc. 96-14528 Filed 6-19-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6820-EP-P