Rescission of Office of Federal Procurement Policy Policy Letter 79-4, Contracting for Motion Picture Productions and Videotape Productions

In 1979, OFPP issued OFPP Policy Letter 79-4 to designate a uniform government-wide system to be used in contracting for motion picture and videotape production, including the establishment of a Qualified Producers List to enhance competition. Management studies in the 1970s indicated dissatisfaction with the policies and procedures the government followed when contracting for production of motion pictures and videotapes. In response, OFPP Policy Letter 79-4 was developed to: reduce perceived waste and inefficiency in contracting for such services; ensure that the government obtains such services at fair, competitive prices; provide a central point within the government where interested persons can obtain information on relevant contracting procedures and opportunities; and increase competition for these contracts. However, changes over the last 19 years in both the marketplace for these services and procurement laws and regulations make the Policy Letter obsolete. Today there are thousands of commercial producers of motion picture and videotape productions, competition is the norm, contracting officers routinely obtain past performance information, and Internet access as well as other marketplace tools provide sources of supply. It is no longer cost-effective or efficient for the government to maintain an office dedicated to evaluating contractors and maintaining a Qualified Producers List in this commercial environment. OFPP issued a notice of proposed rescission of the Policy Letter that was published in the Federal Register on September 25, 1998 (63 FR 51378). Only one comment was received in response to the notice. That comment fully supported rescission of the Policy Letter. Accordingly, OFPP Policy Letter 79-4 is hereby rescinded. The executive agent for Policy Letter 79-4, Defense Visual Information, is developing a world wide website that will contain an Interested Producers List (IPL) as well as links to other sites for current, up to date and valuable solicitation information. Thus, while a Qualified Producers List will no longer be a requirement, all persons or firms interested in doing business with the government will have access to, as a convenience, databases designed to promote the exchange of information for procurement of motion picture, video and multimedia productions. This virtual clearing house of information

will provide federal agencies with a valuable information resource and will provide audiovisual and multimedia producers a forum, the IPL, to present their production capabilities, technical skills, experience, and subject matter expertise in a searchable on-line database. Access the website, dodimagery.afis.osd.mil and select ``Order/Initiate VI Production'' for more information on the IPL website. Deidre A. Lee, Administrator. [FR Doc. 99-4235 Filed 2-19-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3110-01-P