[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 2, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14506-14507]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-7749]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
48 CFR Parts 1523 and 1552
[FRL-5448-6]
Acquisition Regulation; Energy-Efficient Computer Equipment
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This document adds coverage to the EPA Acquisition Regulation
(EPAAR) on energy-efficient computer equipment. This final rule is
necessary for ensuring that all purchases of microcomputers, including
personal computers, monitors, and printers meet ``EPA Energy Star''
requirements for energy efficiency, unless exempted.
EFFECTIVE DATE: April 17, 1996.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Schaffer at (202) 260-9032,
Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street SW., Washington, D.C.
20460 (Mail Code 3802F).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Background
Executive Order 12845 (April 23, 1993) requires the Federal
Government to purchase only microcomputers, including personal
computers, monitors and printers, which meet ``EPA Energy Star''
requirements for energy efficiency.
A proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on July 25,
1995 (60 FR 37982). No public comments were received.
B. Executive Order 12866
This rule is not a significant regulatory action as defined in
Executive Order 12866. Therefore no review is required at the Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs within OMB.
C. Paperwork Reduction Act
The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because this rule does
not propose any information collection requirements which would require
the approval of OMB under 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.
D. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The EPA certifies this rule does not exert a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities. The rule establishes
EPA policy for purchasing microcomputers, including personal computers,
monitors, and printers which must meet ``EPA Energy Star'' requirements
for energy efficiency. The ``Energy Star Program'' is a voluntary
partnership effort with the computer industry, which includes small
entities, to promote the introduction of energy-efficient personal
computers, monitors, and printers which can reduce air pollution caused
by utility power generation. The ``Energy Star Program'' has no
barriers to entry for small entities to procure or develop the
necessary technology or components to manufacture Energy Star compliant
computers, monitors and printers. Therefore, no regulatory flexibility
analysis has been prepared.
E. Unfunded Mandates
This rule will not impose unfunded mandates on state or local
entities or others.
List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 1523 and 1552
Environmental Conservation, Environmental Safety, Government
procurement, Solicitation provisions and contract clauses.
For the reasons set out in the preamble, Chapter 15 of Title 48
Code of Federal Regulations is amended as set forth below:
1. The authority citation for Parts 1523 and 1552 continues to read
as follows:
Authority: Sec 205(c), 63 Stat. 390, as amended, 40 U.S.C.
486(c).
1a. The heading for part 1523 is revised to read as follows:
PART 1523--ENVIRONMENT, CONSERVATION, OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY, AND
DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE.
2. Subpart 1523.70 is added to read as follows:
Subpart 1523.70--Energy-Efficient Computer Equipment
1523.7000 Background.
(a) Executive Order 12845 requires the Federal Government to
purchase only microcomputers, including personal computers, monitors
and printers, which meet ``EPA Energy Star'' requirements for energy
efficiency. This equipment is often identified by the Energy
StarTM logo and is capable of entering and recovering from an
energy-efficient low power state.
(b) The EPA Energy Star Computer Program is a voluntary partnership
effort with the computer industry to promote the introduction of
energy-efficient personal computers, monitors, and printers which can
reduce air pollution caused by utility power generation, and ease the
burden on building air conditioning and electrical systems. The Energy
Star Program is designed to be a self-certifying computer industry
program, policed informally by the computer industry itself.
(c) FIRMR Bulletin C-35 (dated 11/19/93) describes procedures that
will promote the acquisition of energy-efficient microcomputers and
associated computer equipment.
1523.7001 Policy.
(a) The ``Energy Star'' Executive Order (E.O. 12845) applies to the
following equipment:
(1) Personal Computers (stand-alone).
(2) Personal Computers (end-user on network).
(3) Notebook and other portable computers.
(4) PC printers - laser, inkjet or dot matrix (stand-alone or
networked).
(5) High-speed printers used on a PC network (less than
approximately 20 pages per minute).
(6) Monitors (CRT or Flat-panel LCD).
(b) ``Energy Star'' requirements do not apply to the following
equipment:
(1) Workstations.
(2) File servers.
(3) Mainframe equipment.
(4) Minicomputers.
(5) High-speed printers used with mainframe computers (30 or more
pages per minute).
(6) Mainframe or ``dumb'' terminals.
(7) X-terminals.
(c) All new acquisitions for microcomputers, including personal
computers, monitors, and printers, shall
[[Page 14507]]
contain specifications which meet EPA Energy Star requirements for
energy efficiency unless a waiver has been obtained in accordance with
internal Agency procedures. The EPA Energy Star requirement applies in
instances where the Contracting Officer authorizes the contractor to
acquire property in accordance with FAR 45.302-1.
(d) The Energy Star requirement also applies to all applicable
equipment ordered from GSA Schedule Contracts, open market buys, and
Bankcard purchases.
1523.7002 Waivers.
(a) There are several types of computer equipment which technically
fall under the current Energy Star Program, but for which EPA
established blanket waivers because Energy Star compliant versions of
this equipment were unavailable in the marketplace. Blanket waivers
apply to the following types of equipment:
(1) LAN servers, including file servers; application servers;
communication servers; including bridges and routers;
(2) UNIX RISC based processors with their high-end monitors;
(3) Large LAN printers (greater than 19 pages/minute output); and
(4) Scientific computing equipment which is used for real-time data
acquisition and which, if subjected to a power down mode, would
jeopardize the research project.
(b) It is anticipated that there will be Energy Star models of this
equipment in the future, but in the near term EPA will not specify
Energy Star qualifications when purchasing the items listed in this
section.
1523.7003 Contract clause.
The Contracting Officer shall insert a clause substantially the
same as 48 CFR 1552.239-103, Acquisition of Energy Star Compliant
Microcomputers, Including Personal Computers, Monitors, and Printers,
in all solicitations and contracts for the acquisition of
microcomputers, including personal computers, monitors and printers.
The Contracting Officer shall also insert the clause in solicitations
and contracts where the Contracting Officer authorizes the contractor
to acquire property in accordance with FAR 45.302-1.
3. Section 1552.239-103 is added to read as follows:
1552.239-103 Acquisition of Energy Star Compliant Microcomputers,
Including Personal Computers, Monitors and Printers.
As prescribed in 1523.7003, insert the following clause:
ACQUISITION OF ENERGY STAR COMPLIANT MICROCOMPUTERS, INCLUDING PERSONAL
COMPUTERS, MONITORS, AND PRINTERS
(APRIL 1996)
(a) The Contractor shall provide computer products that meet EPA
Energy Star requirements for energy efficiency. By acceptance of
this contract, the Contractor certifies that all microcomputers,
including personal computers, monitors, and printers to be provided
under this contract meet EPA Energy Star requirements for energy
efficiency.
(b) The Contractor shall ship all products with the standby
feature activated or enabled.
(c) The Contractor shall provide models that have equivalent
functionality to similar non-power managed models. This
functionality should include as a minimum:
(1) The ability to run commercial off-the-shelf software both
before and after recovery from a low power state, including
retention of files opened (with no loss of data) before the power
management feature was activated.
(2) If equipment will be used on a local area network (LAN), the
contractor shall provide equipment that is fully compatible with
network environments, e.g., personal computers resting in a low-
power state should not be disconnected from the network.
(d) The contractor shall provide monitors that are capable of
being powered down when connected to the accompanying personal
computer.
(End of Clause)
Dated: March 18, 1996.
Betty L. Bailey,
Director, Office of Acquisition Management.
[FR Doc. 96-7749 Filed 4-1-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P