[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 138 (Wednesday, July 19, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36990-36991]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-17132]



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INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION AGENCY

Agency for International Development

22 CFR Part 211

[AID Regulation 11]
RIN 0412-AA-27


Transfer of Food Commodities for Use in Disaster Relief, Economic 
Development and Other Assistance--Booking Guidelines

AGENCY: Agency for International Development (USAID).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: USAID is amending its regulations to provide that USAID may 
issue guidelines setting forth standard practices to be followed by 
Cooperating Sponsors for booking ocean freight under Public Law 480, 
title II food donation programs. Such guidelines are needed in order to 
ensure transparency, fairness, and effectiveness of such bookings. The 
guidelines themselves will not be included in the regulation; they are 
being developed in consultation with Cooperating Sponsors, forwarders, 
carriers, the Department of Agriculture and the Maritime 
Administration. The guidelines will set basic procedural standards for 
soliciting and evaluating freight quotations and provide certain 
standard contract provisions. They will not impose unnecessary burdens 
or restrictions on the operational flexibility and business judgment of 
Cooperating Sponsors and their forwarders.

EFFECTIVE DATE: August 18, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Robert M. Goldman, Chief, Transportation Division, Office of 
Procurement, USAID, Room 1442, SA-14, Washington, DC 20523-1419. 
Telephone: (703) 875-1300.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The regulation is being amended to provide 
that USAID may issue guidelines to be followed for booking Public Law 
480, title II food donations. Such guidelines are needed in order to 
ensure transparency, fairness, and effectiveness of such bookings. The 
guidelines themselves will not be included in the regulation; they are 
being developed in consultation with Cooperating Sponsors, forwarders, 
carriers, the Department of Agriculture and the Maritime 
Administration. The guidelines will set basic procedural standards for 
soliciting and evaluating freight quotations and provide certain 
standard contract provisions. They will not impose unnecessary burdens 
or restrictions on the operational flexibility and business judgment of 
Cooperating Sponsors and their forwarders.
    Modifications to the guidelines will be kept to a minimum, and will 
be issued only when determined to be 

[[Page 36991]]
necessary to ensure the prudent expenditure of Federal funds. Legal 
requirement for prior notification of proposed changes to the booking 
guidelines will be fully complied with. Cooperating Sponsors may 
supplement the guidelines with additional measures and provisions they 
deem appropriate, as long as such additions are not inconsistent with 
the guidelines.
    USAID has determined that this is not a significant regulatory 
action as defined in Executive Order 12866. This document will not have 
a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities 
under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, nor does it establish any 
collection of information as contemplated by the Paperwork Reduction 
Act.

List of Subjects in 22 CFR Part 211

    Agricultural commodities, Disaster assistance, Foreign assistance 
program, Foreign aid, Non-profit organizations.

    Accordingly, for the reasons set out in the preamble, 22 CFR part 
211 is amended as follows:

PART 211--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for part 211 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: Section 207(c) of the Agricultural Trade Development 
and Assistance Act of 1954, as amended; see Public Law 101-624, 104 
Stat. 3632, 3641, 7 U.S.C. 1726a(c).

    2. Section 211.4 is amended by adding a new paragraph (e)(3) to 
read as follows:


Sec. 211.4  Availability and shipment of commodities.

* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (3) Cooperating sponsors awarding USAID-financed ocean 
transportation bookings of food aid under the Public Law 480, title II 
program shall follow consistent, transparent, fair and effective 
procedures. In order to promote these objectives, USAID may formulate, 
and from time-to-time amend, uniform standard booking guidelines 
relating to such bookings. Guidelines will be finalized only after 
consultation with affected cooperating sponsors, freight forwarders and 
carriers as required by the Agricultural Development and Trade Act of 
1990 or other applicable legislation. Copies of the guidelines and any 
proposed amendments may be obtained from the Transportation Division, 
Office of Procurement, Agency for International Development, 
Washington, DC 20523.
* * * * *
    Dated: April 14, 1995.
M. Douglas Stafford,
Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Humanitarian Response.
[FR Doc. 95-17132 Filed 7-18-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6116-01-M