[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 89 (Tuesday, May 7, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20493-20494]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-11277]



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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
48 CFR Part 871

RIN 2900-AG65


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

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This document adopts as a final rule without substantive 
change the provisions of a proposed rule to amend the Department of 
Veterans Affairs (VA) acquisition regulations (VAAR). This final rule 
increases to $500 the blanket advance authority of management brokers 
to incur routine charges in connection with the management of 
properties acquired by VA under VA's housing and small business loan 
programs (38 U.S.C. Chapter 37). It also increases to $500 the property 
holders' emergency repair threshold. In addition, Regional Office 
Directors, Loan Guaranty Officers, and Assistant Loan Guaranty Officers 
are authorized to approve repair programs where the estimated cost 
(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) does not exceed $25,000. Further, 
nonsubstantive changes are made for purposes of clarity and to reflect 
organizational changes. These changes are intended to promote the 
efficient management of VA's acquired property inventory.

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 7, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wanza E. Lewis, Acquisition Policy 
Division (95A), Office of Acquisition and Materiel Management, 
Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 
20420, (202) 565-4424.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 14, 1994, we published in the 
Federal Register (59 FR 6942) a proposal to amend provisions of the 
VAAR captioned ``LOAN GUARANTY AND VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND 
COUNSELING PROGRAMS''. We solicited comments concerning the proposal 
for 60 days ending April 15, 1994. We did not receive any comments. The 
information presented in the proposal still provides a basis for this 
final rule. We are making several nonsubstantive changes, but 
otherwise, based on the rationale set forth in the proposal, we are 
adopting the provisions of the proposed rule as a final rule without 
change.
    The Secretary hereby certifies that this final rule will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities 
as they are defined in the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601-
612. This final rule would not cause a significant effect on any 
entities. Therefore, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 605(b), this final rule is 
exempt from the initial and final regulatory flexibility analyses 
requirements of Secs. 603 and 604.
    This document is made effective on the date of publication. It 
restates statutory provisions and relieves restrictions.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Part 871

    Government procurement, Loan programs-social programs, Loan 
programs-veterans, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Vocational 
rehabilitation.

    Approved: March 18, 1996.
Jesse Brown,
Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 48 CFR part 871 is 
amended as set forth below:

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

    1. The authority citation for part 871 is revised to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 10 U.S.C. ch. 106, 107, 1606; 38 U.S.C. 501, ch. 30, 
31, 32, 35, 36, 37; 40 U.S.C. 486(c).

Subpart 871.1--Loan Guaranty Program

    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 38 U.S.C. Chapter 37 shall be made in accordance with 
FAR Parts 14, 15, and 16; (VAAR) 48 CFR Parts 814, 815, and 816; and 
(VAAR) 48 CFR subpart 871.1.

(Authority: 10 U.S.C. ch. 106, 107, 1606; 38 U.S.C. 501, ch. 37; 40 
U.S.C. 486(c))


871.102  [Amended]

    3. In Sec. 871.102, paragraph (a) is amended by adding ``, Loan 
Guaranty Officers, and Assistant Loan Guaranty Officers'' after 
``Directors''; by removing ``purchase supplies and services for the 
repair to'' and adding, in its place, ``approve a repair program for''; 
and by removing ``$5,000 on any single transaction'' and adding in its 
place ``$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''.

[[Page 20494]]

    4. In Sec. 871.102, paragraph (b) is amended by removing ``$5,000'' 
and adding in its place ``$25,000'' and by removing ``Chief Benefits 
Director'' and adding in its place ``Under Secretary for Benefits''.
    5. In Sec. 871.102, in paragraph (c) the second sentence is amended 
by removing ``Chief Benefits Director'' and adding in its place ``Under 
Secretary for Benefits''.
    6. In Sec. 871.102, paragraph (d) is amended by removing ``$200'' 
and adding in its place ``$500''.
    7. In Sec. 871.102, in paragraph (e) the first sentence is amended 
by removing ``listed with him/her'' and adding in its place 
``assigned''; the second sentence is amended by removing ``$200'' and 
adding in its place ``$500'' and by removing ``his/her'' and adding in 
its place ``the''; and the third sentence is amended by removing 
``$200'' and adding in its place ``$500''.


871.103  [Removed]

    8. Section 871.103 is removed.


871.105  [Removed]

    9. Section 871.105 is removed.


871.106  [Amended]

    10. In Sec. 871.106, in paragraph (b) the second sentence is 
amended by removing ``or material men'' and is amended by removing 
``his/her'' and adding in its place ``the subcontractor's''.

Subpart 871.2--Vocational Rehabilitation and Counseling Program

    11. 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 38 U.S.C. Chapter 31, and contracts for counseling 
services under 38 U.S.C. Chapters 30, 31, 32, 35, and 36 and 10 U.S.C. 
Chapters 106, 107, and 1606.

(Authority: 10 U.S.C. ch. 106, 107, 1606; 38 U.S.C. 501, ch. 30, 31, 
32, 35, 36; 40 U.S.C. 486(c))


871.201-3  [Amended]

    12. Section 871.201-3 is amended by removing ``Veterans Health 
Services and Research Administration'' and adding in its place 
``Veterans Health Administration''.


871.207  [Amended]

    13. In Sec. 871.207, paragraph (b)(2) is amended by removing 
``Veterans Administration'' and adding in its place ``Department of 
Veterans Affairs''.

[FR Doc. 96-11277 Filed 5-6-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P