[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 127 (Monday, July 3, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34470-34471]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-16158]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
48 CFR Part 225
Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Determinations
Under the Buy American Act
AGENCY: Department of Defense (DoD).
ACTION: Interim rule with request for comment.
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SUMMARY: The Director of Defense Procurement has issued an interim rule
amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS)
to expand the guidance regarding public interest exceptions to the Buy
American Act.
DATES: Effective Date: July 3, 1995.
Comment date: Comments on the interim rule should be submitted in
writing to the address shown below on or before September 1, 1995, to
be considered in the formulation of the final rule.
ADDRESSES: Interested parties should submit written comments to:
Defense Acquisition Regulations Council, Attn: Ms. Amy Williams,
PDUSD(A&T)DP(DAR), IMD 3D139, 3062 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC
20301-3062. Telefax number (703) 602-0350. Please cite DFARS Case 94-
D313 in all correspondence related to this issue.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Amy Williams, (703) 602-0131.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Background
This interim DFARS rule implements Section 812 of the Fiscal Year
1995 Defense Authorization Act (Pub. L. 103-337). Section 812 adds
several factors to the series of factors at 10 U.S.C. 2533 that DoD
must consider when determining whether to grant a public interest
exception to the Buy American Act (41 U.S.C. 10). In addition, this
rule revises the internal DoD approval requirements for granting such
exceptions.
B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
This interim rule is not expected 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., because the DFARS
already permits DoD to grant public interest exceptions to the Buy
American Act, where the purposes of the Buy American Act are not
served. This interim rule merely amends the DFARS guidance to reflect a
recent change to the list of considerations at 10 U.S.C. 2533, and to
streamline internal DoD approval requirements. An Initial Regulatory
Flexibility Analysis has therefore not been performed. Comments are
invited from small businesses and other interested parties. Comments
from small entities concerning the affected DFARS subparts will also be
considered in accordance with Section 610 of the Act. Such comments
must be submitted separately and cite DFARS Case 94-D313 in
correspondence.
C. Paperwork Reduction Act
The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because this interim
rule does not impose any new information collection requirements which
require the approval of OMB under 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.
D. Determination To Issue an Interim Rule
A determination has been made under the authority of the Secretary
of Defense that compelling reasons exist to publish this interim rule
prior to affording the public an opportunity to comment. This action is
necessary to implement Section 812 of the Fiscal Year 1995 Defense
Authorization Act (Pub. L. 103-337). Comments received in response to
the publication of this interim rule will be considered in formulating
the final rule.
List of Subjects in 48 CFR Part 225
Government procurement.
Michelle P. Peterson,
Executive Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations Council.
Therefore, 48 CFR Part 225 is amended as follows:
1. The authority citation for 48 CFR part 225 is revised to read as
follows:
Authority: 41 U.S.C. 421 and 48 CFR Chapter 1.
PART 225--FOREIGN ACQUISITION
2. Section 225.102 is amended by revising paragraph (a)(3) to
read as follows:
225.102 Policy.
(a)(2) * * *
(3)(A) Specific public interest exceptions for DoD are in 225.872.
(B) Normally, use the evaluation procedures in 225.105, but
consider recommending a public interest exception where the purposes of
the
[[Page 34471]]
Buy American Act are not served, or in order to meet a need set forth
in 10 U.S.C. 2533. For example, a public interest exception may be
appropriate--
(1) If accepting the low domestic offer will involve substantial
foreign expenditures, or accepting the low foreign offer will involve
substantial domestic expenditures;
(2) To ensure access to advanced state-of-the-art commercial
technology; or
(3) To maintain the same source of supply for spare and replacement
parts (also see paragraph (b)(iii)(B) of this section)--
(i) For an end item that qualifies as an American good; or
(ii) In order not to impair integration of the military and
commercial industrial base.
(C) A determination whether to grant a public interest exception
shall be made after consideration of the factors in 10 U.S.C. 2533--
(1) At a level above the contracting officer for acquisitions
valued at less than $100,000;
(2) By the head of the contracting activity for acquisitions valued
at $100,000 or more but less than $1,000,000; or
(3) By the agency head for acquisitions valued at $1,000,000 or
more.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 95-16158 Filed 6-30-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5000-04-M