[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 132 (Tuesday, July 11, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 35719-35720]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-16949]



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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

48 CFR Part 1552

[FRL-5225-7]


Acquisition Regulation; Compliance With EPA Policies for 
Information Resources Management

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: This document proposes a change to the Environmental 
Protection 

[[Page 35720]]
Agency Acquisition Regulation (EPAAR) coverage on Information Resources 
Management (IRM) by providing electronic access to EPA IRM policies for 
the Agency's contractors. Electronic access is available through the 
Internet or a dial-up modem bulletin board service (BBS). Agency 
contractors will be required to review the Internet or bulletin board 
when receiving a work request (i.e. delivery order or work assignment) 
to ascertain the applicable IRM policies. The intended effect of this 
proposed rule is to ensure that contractors perform IRM related work in 
accordance with current EPA policies.

DATES: Written comments shall be submitted not later than September 11, 
1995.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to: Environmental Protection 
Agency, Office of Acquisition Management (3802F), 401 M Street SW., 
Washington, DC 20460, Attention: Edward N. Chambers.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edward N. Chambers, telephone: (202) 
260-6028.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    The required EPA IRM policies are currently referenced in a clause 
contained in all Agency solicitations and contracts. While this clause 
provides for revised and new directives through attachments to 
contracts, because of the rapid changes in the IRM field EPA may still 
be at risk for requiring compliance with outdated directives. By 
locating the references and providing the full text of all required IRM 
policies on the Internet or the Agency's bulletin board service, EPA 
will be able to update this information as changes occur to ensure 
contractor compliance with current IRM policies. This effort to provide 
electronic access is consistent with the Federally mandated Government 
Information Locator Service (GILS), a key initiative of the National 
Performance Review (NPR).

B. Executive Order 12866

    This is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 
12866; therefore, no review is required by the Office of Information 
and Regulatory Affairs.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because this rule does 
not contain information collection requirements that require the 
approval of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under 44. U.S.C. 
3501 et seq.

D. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The proposed rule is not expected to have a significant impact on a 
substantial number of small entities within the meaning of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act, U.S.C. 601 et. seq.
    Internet and electronic bulletin boards are widely available 
information services, used commonly in the conduct of business by both 
small and large entities. Compliance with this requirement will require 
minimal cost or effort for any entity, large or small.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Part 1552

    Government Procurement, Specifications, Standards, and other 
Purchase Descriptions, Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses.

    Dated: June 14, 1995.
Betty L. Bailey,
Director, Office of Acquisition Management.
    For reasons set out in the preamble, chapter 15 of title 48 Code of 
Federal Regulations is proposed to be amended as set forth below:
    1. The authority citation for 48 CFR part 1552 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: Section 205(c), 63 Stat. 390, as amended, 40 U.S.C. 
486(c).

    2. Section 1552.210-79 is amended by revising the date in the 
clause heading and paragraphs (b), (c) and (d); and by removing 
paragraphs (e) and (f) to read as follows:


Sec. 1552.210-79  Compliance with EPA Policies for Information 
Resources Management.

* * * * *

Compliance With EPA Policies for Information Resources Management (XXX-
1995)

* * * * *
    (b) General. The contractor shall perform any IRM related work 
under this contract in accordance with the IRM policies, standards 
and procedures set forth in this clause and noted below. Upon 
receipt of a work request (i.e. delivery order or work assignment) 
the contractor shall check this listing of directives (See paragraph 
(d) for electronic access). The applicable directives for 
performance of the work request are those in effect on the date of 
issuance of the work request.
    (1) IRM Policies, Standards and Procedures. The 2100 Series 
(2100-2199) of the Agency's Directives System contain the majority 
of the Agency's IRM policies, standards and procedures.
    (2) Groundwater Program IRM Requirement. A contractor performing 
any work related to collecting groundwater data, or developing or 
enhancing data bases containing groundwater quality data, shall 
comply with EPA Order 7500.1A--Minimum Set of Data Elements for 
Groundwater Quality.
    (3) EPA Computing and Telecommunications Services. The National 
Data Processing Division (NDPD) Operational Directives Manual 
contains procedural information about the operation of the Agency's 
computing and telecommunications services. Contractors performing 
work for the Agency's National Computer Center or those who are 
developing systems which will be operating on the Agency's national 
platforms must comply with procedures established in the Manual.
    (c) Printed Documents. Documents listed in paragraphs (b)(1) and 
(b)(2) above may be obtained from: U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency, Office of Administration, Facilities Management and Services 
Division, Distribution Section, Mail Code: 3204, 401 M Street SW., 
Washington, D.C. 20460, Phone: (202) 260-5797.
    (d) Electronic Access.
    (1) Internet. A complete listing, including full text, of 
documents included in the 2100 Series of the Agency's Directives 
System as well as the two other EPA documents noted in this clause 
is maintained on the EPA Public Access Server on the Internet. The 
listing is located in the EPA policy section under IRM Policy, 
Standards and Guidance. The address is gopher.epa.gov.
    (2) Bulletin Board Notices. All documents, including the 
listing, are available for browsing and electronic download through 
a dial-up modem bulletin board service (BBS). Dial (919) 558-0335 
for access to the BBS. Set the communication parameters to 8 data 
bits, no parity, 1 stop bit (8,N,1) Full Duplex, and the emulator to 
VT-100. The information is the same whether accessed through the BBS 
or the Internet. For technical assistance, call 1-800-334-2405.

(End of Clause)

[FR Doc. 95-16949 Filed 7-10-95; 8:45 am]
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