[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 179 (Wednesday, September 16, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 49504-49505]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-24764]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

7 CFR Part 1755

RIN 0572-AB41


Telecommunications System Construction Contract and 
Specifications

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Advanced notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is considering possible 
revisions that may be desirable in form and content of RUS Contract 
Form 515, Telephone System Construction Contract. This action will 
amend the Telephone System Specifications which include RUS Bulletin 
345-150, Specifications and Drawings for Construction of Direct Buried 
Plant (Form 515a); RUS Bulletin 345-151, Specifications and Drawings 
for Conduit and Manhole Construction (Form 515c); RUS Bulletin 345-152, 
Specifications and Drawings for Underground Cable Installation (Form 
515d); RUS Bulletin 345-153, Specifications and Drawings for 
Construction of Pole Lines, Aerial Cables and Wires (Form 515f); and 
RUS Bulletin 345-154, Specifications and Drawings for Service Entrance 
and Station Protector Installation (Form 515g). Changes to the 
Telephone System Construction Contract and Specifications will 
incorporate the latest technology, remove redundant or outdated 
requirements, and simplify the specification format.

DATES: Written comments must be received by RUS, or bear a postmark or 
equivalent, no later than December 15, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be mailed to Charlie I. Harper, Jr., Chief, 
Outside Plant Branch, Telecommunications Standards Division, Rural 
Utilities Service, STOP 1598, United States Department of Agriculture, 
1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-1598. RUS requests 
an original and three copies of all comments (7 CFR part 1700.4). All 
comments received will be available for public inspection at room 2835 
South Building (above address) during regular business hours (7 CFR 
1.27(b)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Charlie I. Harper, Jr., Chief, Outside Plant Branch, Telecommunications 
Standards Division, Rural Utilities Service, STOP 1598, United States 
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, 
DC 20250-1598. Telephone: (202) 720-0680. Fax: (202) 720-4099.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Telephone System Construction Contract 
and Specifications are used by borrowers of RUS funds to secure the 
services of a contractor for the construction of telecommunications 
facilities. The present form of the contract and specifications has not 
been

[[Page 49505]]

revised since January 1990. RUS is requesting comments from borrowers, 
consulting engineers, contractors, and other interested parties on 
recommended changes to the contract form and specifications.

    Dated: September 9, 1998.
Inga Smulkstys,
Acting Under Secretary, Rural Development.
[FR Doc. 98-24764 Filed 9-15-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-M