[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 35 (Monday, February 23, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9059-9060]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-4301]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

48 CFR Part 25

[FAC 97-04; FAR Case 97-039; Item X]
RIN 9000-AH93


Federal Acquisition Regulation; Treatment of Caribbean Basin 
Country End Products

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 amending 
the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to extend the time period for 
treatment of Caribbean Basin country end products as eligible products 
under the Trade Agreements Act. 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: February 23, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The FAR Secretariat, Room 4035, GS 
Building, Washington, DC 20405 (202) 501-4755 for information 
pertaining to status or publication schedules. For clarification of 
content, contact Mr. Paul Linfield, Procurement Analyst, at (202) 501-
1757. Please cite FAC 97-04, FAR case 97-039.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 9060]]

A. Background

    This final rule revises FAR 25.402(b) to extend the time period for 
treatment of Caribbean Basin country end products as eligible products 
under the Trade Agreements Act. The United States Trade Representative 
has directed that such treatment continue through September 30, 1998 
(62 FR 59014, October 31, 1997).

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 should cite 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq. (FAC 97-04, FAR case 
97-039), 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: February 13, 1998.
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 is amended by revising paragraph (b) to read as 
follows:


25.402  Policy.

* * * * *
    (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 that 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. This determination is effective until September 30, 1998. 
This date may be extended by the U.S. Trade Representative by means of 
a notice in the Federal Register.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 98-4301 Filed 2-20-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-EP-P