[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 12 (Friday, January 17, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2857-2858]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-1042]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

48 CFR Parts 225, 236, and 252

[DFARS Case 96-D329]


Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Restriction on 
MILCON Overseas Architect-Engineer Contracts

AGENCY: Department of Defense (DoD).

ACTION: Interim rule with request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Director of Defense Procurement has issued an interim rule 
amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 
to implement Section 111 of the Fiscal Year 1997 Military Construction 
Appropriations Act (Pub. L. 104-196). Section 111 restricts award of 
architect-engineer contracts estimated to exceed $500,000 for projects 
to be accomplished in Japan, in any North Atlantic Treaty Organization 
member country, or in countries bordering the Arabian Gulf, to United 
States firms or United States firms in joint venture with host nation 
firms.

DATES: Effective date: January 17, 1997.
    Comment date: Comments on the interim rule should be submitted in 
writing to the address shown below on or before March 18, 1997, to be 
considered in the formulation of the final rule.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties should submit written comments to: 
Defense Acquisition Regulations Council, Attn: Ms. Amy Williams, PDUSD 
(A&T) DP (DAR), IMD 3D139, 3062 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-
3062. Telefax number (703) 602-0350. Please cite DFARS Case 96-D329 in 
all correspondence related to this issue.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Amy Williams, (703) 602-0131.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    This interim rule amends the DFARS to implement Section 111 of the 
Fiscal Year 1997 Military Construction Appropriations Act (Public Law 
104-196). The rule contains, at 236.602-70, the statutory restriction 
on award of overseas architect-engineer contracts; and adds a new 
solicitation provision at 252.236-7011, Overseas Architect-Engineer 
Services-Restriction to United States Firms.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    This interim rule is not expected to have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities within the meaning of 
the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq., because the rule 
only applies to architect-engineer contracts estimated to exceed 
$500,000 for projects to be accomplished in Japan, in any North 
Atlantic Treaty Organization member country, or in countries bordering 
the Arabian Gulf. An Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis has, 
therefore, not been performed. Comments are invited from small 
businesses and other interested parties. Comments from small entities 
concerning the affected DFARS subparts also will be considered in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610. Such comments should be submitted 
separately and should cite DFARS Case 96-D329 in correspondence.

C. Paperwork Reduction act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because this interim 
rule does not impose any information collection requirements that 
require approval of the Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 
3501, et seq.

D. Determination to Issue an Interim Rule

    A determination has been made under the authority of the Secretary 
of Defense that urgent and compelling reasons exist to publish this 
interim rule prior to affording the public an opportunity to comment. 
This interim rule implements Section 111 of the Fiscal Year 1997 
Military Construction Appropriations Act (Public Law 104-196). Section 
111 restricts award of architect-engineer contracts estimated to exceed 
$500,000 for projects to be accomplished in Japan, in any North 
Atlantic Treaty Organization member country, or in countries bordering 
the Arabian Gulf, to United States firms or United States firms in 
joint venture with host nation firms. Immediate publication of an 
interim rule is necessary to promptly comply with Section 111. Comments 
received in response to the publication of this interim rule will be 
considered in formulating the final rule.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 225, 236, and 252

    Government procurement.
Michele P. Peterson,
Executive Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations Council.

    Therefore, 48 CFR Parts 225, 236, and 252 are amended as follows:
    1. The authority citation for 48 CFR Parts 225, 236, and 252 
continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 41 U.S.C. 421 and 48 CFR Chapter 1.

PART 225--FOREIGN ACQUISITION

    2. Section 225.7004 is added to read as follows:


225.7004  Restriction on overseas architect-engineer services.

    For restriction on award of architect-engineer contracts to be 
performed in Japan, in any North Atlantic Treaty Organization member 
country, or in countries bordering the Arabian Gulf, see 236.602-70.

PART 236--CONSTRUCTION AND ARCHITECT-ENGINEER CONTRACTS

    3. Section 236.102 is amended by adding paragraph (4) to read as 
follows:


236.102  Definitions.

* * * * *
    (4) United States firm is defined in the provisions at 252.236-
7010, Overseas Military Construction-Preference for United States 
Firms, and 252.236-7011,

[[Page 2858]]

Overseas Architect-Engineer Services-Restriction to United States 
firms.
    4. Section 236.602-70 is added to read as follows:


236.602-70  Restriction on award of overseas architect-engineer 
contracts to foreign firms.

    In accordance with Section 111 of Public Law 104-32 and similar 
sections in subsequent military construction appropriations acts, A-E 
contracts funded by military construction appropriations that are 
estimated to exceed $500,000 and are to be performed in Japan, in any 
North Atlantic Treaty Organization member country, or in countries 
bordering the Arabian Gulf, shall be awarded only to United States 
firms or to joint ventures of United States and host nation firms.
    5. Section 236.609-70 is amended by revising the title; by 
redesignating paragraphs (a)(1) and (2)(2) as paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and 
(a)(1)(ii), respectively; by redesignating paragraph (a) introductory 
text as paragraph (a)(1); by redesignating paragraph (b) as paragraph 
(a)(2); and by adding a new paragraph (b) to read as follows:


236.609-70  Additional provisions and clauses.

* * * * *
    (b) Use the provision 252.236-7011, Overseas Architect-Engineer 
Services--Restriction to United States Firms, in solicitations for A-E 
contracts that are estimated to exceed $500,000 and are to be performed 
in Japan, in any North Atlantic Treaty Organization member country, or 
in countries bordering the Arabian Gulf.

PART 252--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

    6. Section 252.236-7011 is added to read as follows:


252.236-7011  Overseas Architect-Engineer Services--Restriction to 
United States Firms.

    As prescribed in 236.609-70(b), use the following provision:

Overseas Architect-Engineer Services--Restriction to United States 
Firms (Jan 1997)

    (a) Definition.
    United States firm, as used in this provision, means a firm 
incorporated in the United States that complies with the following:
    (1) The corporate headquarters are in the United States;
    (2) The firm has filed corporate and employment tax returns in 
the United States for a minimum of 12 years (if required), has filed 
State and Federal income tax returns (if required) for 2 years, and 
has paid any taxes due as a result of these filings; and
    (3) The firm employs United States citizens in key management 
positions.
    (b) Restriction. Military construction appropriations acts 
restrict award of a contract, resulting from this solicitation, to a 
United States firm or a joint venture of United States and host 
nation firms.
    (c) Status. The offeror confirms, by submission of its offer, 
that it is a United States firm or a joint venture of United States 
and host nation firms.

(End of provision)

[FR Doc. 97-1042 Filed 1-16-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5000-04-M