[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 1 (Thursday, January 2, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 268-269]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-33214]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
48 CFR Part 25

[FAC 90-45; FAR Case 96-020; Item X]
RIN 9000-AH49


Federal Acquisition Regulation; Caribbean Basin Country End 
Products--Renewal of Treatment as Eligible

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 amended the Federal Acquisition 
Regulation (FAR) to implement the extension by the U.S. Trade 
Representative of the date of eligibility under the Trade Agreements 
Act for products of Caribbean Basin countries. 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 L. Linfield at (202) 501-1757 
in reference to this FAR case. For general information, contact the FAR 
Secretariat, Room 4037, GS Building, Washington, DC 20405, (202) 501-
4755. Please cite FAC 90-45, FAR case 96-020.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    FAR 25.404(b) provides that products of Caribbean Basin countries 
which are eligible for duty-free treatment under the Caribbean Basin 
Economic Recovery Act shall be treated as eligible products under the 
Trade Agreements Act. This final rule extends the eligibility date from 
September 30, 1996, to September 30, 1997, except that for products of 
Panama, the date is extended through September 30, 1998, in accordance 
with the notice published by the U.S. Trade Representative on September 
30, 1996 (61 FR 51134).

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 96-020), 
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:

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

    2. Section 25.402(b) is revised to read as follows:

[[Page 269]]

25.402  Policy.

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    (b) The U.S. Trade Representative has determined that in order to 
promote further economic recovery of the Caribbean Basin countries (as 
defined in 25.401), products originating in those countries which are 
eligible for duty-free treatment under the Caribbean Basin Economic 
Recovery Act shall be treated as eligible products for the purposes of 
this subpart. Except for products of Panama, this determination is 
effective until September 30, 1997. For products of Panama, this 
determination is effective until September 30, 1998. These dates may be 
extended by the U.S. Trade Representative by means of a notice in the 
Federal Register.
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[FR Doc. 96-33214 Filed 12-31-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-EP-P