[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 1 (Thursday, January 2, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 267-268]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-33213]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
48 CFR Part 25

[FAC 90-45; FAR Case 96-017; Item IX]
RIN 9000-AH48


Federal Acquisition Regulation; Caribbean Basin and Designated 
Countries

AGENCIES: Department of Defense (DOD), General Services Administration 
(GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense 
Acquisition Regulations Council have agreed on a final rule to amend 
the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to update the lists of 
Caribbean Basin countries and designated countries included in the 
definitions at FAR 25.401. This regulatory action was not subject to 
Office of Management and Budget review under Executive Order 12866, 
dated September 30, 1993, and is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804.

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Paul Linfield at (202) 501-1757 in 
reference to this FAR case. For general information, contact the FAR 
Secretariat, Room 4035, GS Building, Washington, DC 20405 (202) 501-
4755. Please cite FAC 90-45, FAR case 96-0174.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    As directed by the Office of the United States Trade 
Representative, this final rule updates the lists of Caribbean Basin 
countries and designated countries included in the definitions at FAR 
25.401. Haiti, Nicaragua, and Panama are added to the list of Caribbean 
Basin countries. Ten least-developed countries are added to the list of 
designated countries pursuant to Section 504(c)(6) of the Trade Act of 
1974, as amended. In addition, Singapore is added as a designated 
country pursuant to Section 1-101 of Executive Order 12260 (61 FR 
11233, March 19, 1996). The designation of Singapore does not apply to 
procurements by the Department of Energy, the Department of 
Transportation, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Tennessee Valley 
Authority, or the Bureau of Reclamation.
    Sudan is removed from the list of designated countries because the 
Acting U.S. Trade Representative has withdrawn the designation of Sudan 
under the Trade Agreements Act of 1979, as amended, in light of the 
political situation in Sudan and the lack of normal economic relations 
between the United States and Sudan.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The final rule does not constitute a significant FAR revision 
within the meaning of FAR 1.501 and Public Law 98-577, and publication 
for public comments is not required. However, comments from small 
entities concerning the affected FAR subpart will be considered in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610. Such comments must be submitted 
separately and cite 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq. (FAC 90-45, FAR case 96-017), 
in correspondence.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the changes to 
the FAR do not impose recordkeeping or information collection 
requirements, or collections of information from offerors, contractors, 
or members of the public which require the approval of the Office of 
Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Part 25

    Government procurement.

    Dated: December 24, 1996.
Edward C. Loeb,
Director, Federal Acquisition Policy Division.

    Therefore, 48 CFR Part 25 is amended as set forth below:

PART 25--FOREIGN ACQUISITION

    1. The authority citation for 48 CFR Part 25 continues to read as 
follows:


[[Page 268]]


    Authority: 40 U.S.C. 486(c); 10 U.S.C. chapter 137; and 42 
U.S.C. 2473(c).

    2. Section 25.401 is amended by revising the definitions 
``Caribbean Basin country'' and ``Designated country'' to read as 
follows:


25.401  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Caribbean Basin country, as used in this subpart, means a country 
designated by the President as a beneficiary under the Caribbean Basin 
Economic Recovery Act (19 U.S.C. 2701, et seq.) and listed as follows:

Antigua and Barbuda
Aruba
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
British Virgin Islands
Costa Rica
Dominica
Dominican Republic
El Salvador
Grenada
Guatemala
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Jamaica
Montserrat
Netherlands Antilles
Nicaragua
Panama
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Trinidad and Tobago
* * * * *
    Designated country, as used in this subpart, means a country or 
instrumentality designated under the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 and 
listed as follows:
Aruba
Austria
Bangladesh
Belgium
Benin
Bhutan
Botswana
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Canada
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
Chad
Comoros
Denmark
Djibouti
Equatorial Guinea
Finland
France
Gambia
Germany
Greece
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Haiti
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Kiribati
Lesotho
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Malawi
Maldives
Mali
Mozambique
Nepal
Netherlands
Niger
Norway
Portugal
Republic of Korea
Rwanda
Sao Tome and Principe
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Somalia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Tanzania U.R.
Togo
Tuvalu
Uganda
United Kingdom
Vanuatu
Western Samoa
Yemen
[FR Doc. 96-33213 Filed 12-31-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-EP-P