[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 119 (Monday, June 22, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34075-34076]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-16117]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

48 CFR Part 25

[FAC 97-05; FAR Case 97-044; Item VI]
RIN 9000-AI02


Federal Acquisition Regulation; Trade Agreements Thresholds

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 implement revised 
thresholds for application of the Trade Agreements Act and the North 
American Free Trade Agreement. 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: August 21, 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 97-05, FAR case 97-044.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    This final rule amends FAR Part 25 to implement revised thresholds 
for application of the Trade Agreements Act and the North American Free 
Trade Agreement, as published by the Office of the United States Trade 
Representative in the Federal Register on January 14, 1998 (63 FR 
2295).

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The final rule does not constitute a significant FAR revision 
within the

[[Page 34076]]

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 subparts 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 97-05, FAR case 97-044), 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: June 11, 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 25.105 is amended by revising paragraph (e) to read as 
follows:


25.105  Evaluating offers.

* * * * *
    (e) The evaluation in paragraph (a) of this section shall not be 
applied to offers of Canadian end products above $25,000 or Mexican end 
products above $53,150 (see 25.402(a)(3)(ii)). For the definitions of 
``Canadian end product'' and ``Mexican end product,'' see 25.401.


25.202, 25.207, 25.305, 25.402, 25.408, 25.1002, and 25.1003  [Amended]

    3. In the list below, for each section listed in the left column, 
remove the dollar amount indicated in the middle column, and add the 
dollar amount indicated in the right column:

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            Section                                    Remove                                    Add            
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25.202(d).....................  $6,500,000.........................................  $6,909,500                 
                                7,311,000 (twice)..................................  7,143,000 (twice)          
25.207(d)(1)..................  7,311,000..........................................  7,143,000                  
25.207(d)(2)..................  6,500,000..........................................  6,909,500                  
                                7,311,000..........................................  7,143,000                  
25.305(c)(2)..................  6,500,000..........................................  6,909,500                  
25.402(a)(1)..................  190,000............................................  186,000                    
                                7,311,000..........................................  7,143,000                  
25.402(a)(3)(i)...............  6,500,000..........................................  6,909,500                  
25.402(a)(3)(ii)..............  50,000.............................................  53,150                     
25.402(g).....................  50,000.............................................  53,150                     
                                6,500,000..........................................  6,909,500                  
25.408(a)(3)..................  50,000.............................................  53,150                     
25.408(a)(4)..................  50,000.............................................  53,150                     
25.1002(a)(1).................  190,000............................................  186,000                    
25.1002(a)(2).................  7,311,000..........................................  7,143,000                  
25.1002(a)(3)(i)..............  190,000............................................  186,000                    
25.1003(a)....................  190,000............................................  186,000                    
25.1003(b)(1).................  190,000............................................  186,000                    
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[FR Doc. 98-16117 Filed 6-19-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-EP-P