[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 30 (Monday, February 14, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-3287]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: February 14, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

48 CFR Part 871

RIN-2900-AG65

 

VA Acquisition Regulation: Loan Guaranty and Vocational 
Rehabilitation and Counseling Programs

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is proposing to amend 
the VA Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) to increase the amount which 
property holders and management brokers may spend for emergency 
property repairs. Advance blanket authorization to management brokers 
is also being increased. Additionally, the dollar amount that Regional 
Office Directors, Loan Guaranty Officers, and Assistant Loan Guaranty 
Officers are authorized to approve for the repair of VA property, 
acquired under Chapter 37, Title 38, United States Code, is being 
increased to conform with the current statutory authority.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 15, 1994. All comments 
received will be available for public inspection until April 25, 1994. 
This amendment is proposed to be effective on the date of publication 
of the Final rule.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
(271A), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., 
Washington DC 20420. All written comments received will be available 
for public inspection.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia Viverette, Acquisition Policy 
Division (95A), Office of Acquisition and Materiel Management, 
Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington DC 
20420, (202) 233-5001.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Purchase of supplies and services for the repair to any VA property 
is authorized by Chapter 37, Title 38, United States Code (U.S.C.). The 
dollar limit for management brokers' blanket advance authority to incur 
routine charges in connection with the management of properties 
acquired by VA under Chapter 37, Title 38, U.S.C., was increased from 
$75 to $200 in 1981. Since that time, costs associated with services 
for which management brokers routinely incur expenses have increased. 
Because of this, an increase to $500 is being implemented for both the 
management brokers' blanket authority to incur expenses and the 
property holders' emergency repair threshold. Also, because of the 
increased costs of repairs, Regional Office Directors, Loan Guaranty 
Officers, and Assistant Loan Guaranty Officers are authorized to 
approve repair programs, (i.e., the aggregate amount of the proposed 
contracts to purchase supplies and services as contemplated in a 
property analysis by the Loan Guaranty activity), where the estimated 
cost does not exceed $25,000.
    These changes will further promote the efficient management of VA's 
acquired property inventory. Additionally, VAAR Sections 871.103 and 
871.106 are being removed because they are duplicative of the Federal 
Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Technical amendments are being made to 
reflect the current organizational titles.

II. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)

    The Secretary certifies that this change 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. 601-612. 
The increase in the amount for routine charges or emergency repairs in 
connection with the management of properties will reduce the economic 
burden placed on management brokers or property holders by reducing the 
administrative approval process. The remaining proposed changes are VA 
internal procedures and will not directly affect any small entity.

III. Paperwork Reduction Act

    This amendment does not impose any additional reporting or 
recordkeeping requirements on the public which require the approval of 
the Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.

List of Subject in 48 CFR Part 871

    Government procurement.

    Approved: December 10, 1993.
Jesse Brown,
Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 48 CFR part 871 is 
proposed to be amended as set forth below:
    1. The authority citation for part 871 is revised to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 40 U.S.C. 486(c), 38 CFR 36.4320, 38 
U.S.C. Chs. 30, 31, 32, 35, 36, and 37, 10 U.S.C. Chs. 106 and 107, 
and Pub. L. 102-16.

PART 871--LOAN GUARANTY AND VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND 
COUNSELING PROGRAMS

Subpart 871.1--[Amended]

    2. Section 871.101 is revised to read as follows:


871.101  Policy.

    All acquisitions for the repair and maintenance of VA property 
acquired under Chapter 37, Title 38, United States Code, shall be made 
in accordance with those regulations as set forth in (FAR) 48 CFR parts 
14, 15, and 16, and (VAAR) 48 CFR parts 814, 815, 816, and 871.


871.102  [Amended]

    3. Section 871.102, paragraph (a) is amended by adding the comma 
and words ``, Loan Guaranty Officers, and Assistant Loan Guaranty 
Officers'' after the word ``Directors''; by removing the words, 
``purchase supplies and services for the repair to'' and adding, in 
their place, the words ``approve a repair program for''; by removing 
the figure and words ``$5,000 on any single transaction.'' and adding, 
in its place, the figure and words ``$25,000. A repair program means 
the aggregate amount of the proposed contracts which are contemplated 
in a property analysis by the Loan Guaranty activity.''; paragraph (b) 
is amended by removing figure ``$5,000'' and adding, in its place, the 
figure ``$25,000''; and is amended by removing the title ``Chief 
Benefits Director'' and adding, in its place, the title ``Under 
Secretary for Benefits''; the second sentence in paragraph (c) is 
amended by removing the title ``Chief Benefits Director'' and adding, 
in its place, the title ``Under Secretary for Benefits''; paragraph (d) 
is amended by removing the figure ``$200'' and adding, in its place, 
the figure ``$500''; the first sentence in paragraph (e) is amended by 
removing the word ``listed'' and adding, in its place, the word 
``assigned'' and by removing the words ``with him/her''; the second 
sentence in paragraph (e) is amended by removing the figure ``$200'' 
and adding, in its place, the figure ``$500'' and by removing the words 
``his/her'' and adding, in their place, the word ``the''; the third 
sentence in paragraph (e) is amended by removing the figure ``$200'' 
and adding, in its place, the figure ``$500''.


871.103  [Removed]

    4. Section 871.103 is removed.


871.105  [Removed]

    5. Section 871.105 is removed.


871.106  [Amended]

    6. Section 871.106, paragraph (b) is amended by removing the words 
``his/her'' and adding, in their place, the word ``the 
subcontractor's''.

Subpart 871.2--[Amended]

    7. Section 871.200 is revised to read as follows:


871.200  Scope of subpart.

    This subpart establishes policy and procedures for the vocational 
rehabilitation and counseling program as it pertains to contracts for 
training and rehabilitation services, approval of institutions 
(including rehabilitation facilities), training establishments, and 
employers under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code, contracts for 
counseling services under Title 38, United States Code, Chapters 30, 
31, 32, 35, and 36; Title 10, United States Code, Chapters 106 and 107; 
and Public Law 102-16, Veterans Education and Employment Amendments.


871.201-3  [Amended]

    7. Section 871.201-3 is amended by removing the words ``Veterans 
Health Services and Research Administration'' and adding, in their 
place, the words ``Veterans Health Administration.''


871.207  [Amended]

    8. Section 871.207, paragraph (b)(2) is amended by removing the 
words ``Veterans Administration'' and adding, in their place, the words 
``Department of Veterans Affairs''.
[FR Doc. 94-3287 Filed 2-11-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P