[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 186 (Friday, September 25, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51378-51379]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25653]


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OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET

Office of Federal Procurement Policy


Rescission of Office of Federal Procurement Policy Policy Letter 
79-4, Contracting for Motion Picture Productions and Videotape 
Productions

AGENCY: Office of Management and Budget, Office of Federal Procurement 
Policy.

ACTION: Proposed rescission of Office of Federal Procurement Policy 
(OFPP) Policy Letter 79-4, Contracting for Motion Picture Productions 
and Videotape Productions.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Office of Federal Procurement 
Policy intends to rescind Policy Letter 79-4, Contracting for Motion 
Picture Productions and Videotape Productions on December 24, 1998. The 
purpose of the Policy Letter was to designate a uniform government-wide 
system to be used in contracting for motion picture and videotape 
production, including the establishment of a Qualified Producers List 
to enhance competition. Management studies in the 1970s indicated 
dissatisfaction with the policies and procedures the government 
followed when contracting for production of motion pictures and 
videotapes. In response, OFPP Policy Letter 79-4 was developed to: 
reduce perceived waste and inefficiency in contracting for such 
services; ensure that the government obtains such services at fair, 
competitive prices; provide a central point within the government where 
interested persons can obtain information on relevant contracting 
procedures and opportunities; and increase competition for these 
contracts. However, changes over the last 19 years in both the 
marketplace for these services and procurement laws and regulations 
make the Policy Letter obsolete. Today there are thousands of 
commercial producers of motion picture and videotape productions, 
competition is the norm, contracting officers routinely obtain past 
performance information, and Internet access (see Supplementary 
Information below) as well as other marketplace tools provide sources 
of supply. It is no longer cost-effective or efficient for the 
government to maintain an office dedicated to evaluating contractors 
and maintaining a Qualified Producers List in this commercial 
environment.

DATES: Persons who wish to comment on the proposed rescission of OFPP 
Policy Letter 79-4 should submit their comments no later than December 
9, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Michael Gerich, Office of 
Federal Procurement Policy, Room 9001 New Executive Office Building, 
Washington, DC 20503.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Gerich, Office of Federal

[[Page 51379]]

Procurement Policy, 202-395-3501. Copies of Policy Letter 79-4 are 
available at the address above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The executive agent for Policy Letter 79-4, 
Defense Visual Information, is developing a world wide website that 
will contain an Interested Producers List (IPL) as well as links to 
other sites for current, up to date and valuable solicitation 
information. Thus, while a Qualified Producers List will no longer be a 
requirement, all persons or firms interested in doing business with the 
government will have access to, as a convenience, databases designed to 
promote the exchange of information for procurement of motion picture, 
video and multimedia productions. This virtual clearing house of 
information will provide federal agencies with a valuable information 
resource and will provide audiovisual and multimedia producers a forum, 
the IPL, to present their production capabilities, technical skills, 
experience, and subject matter expertise in a searchable on-line 
database. Access the website, http://dodimagery.afis.osd.mil and select 
``Order/Initiate VI Production'' for more information on the IPL 
website currently under development. This new website will be activated 
upon rescission of Policy Letter 79-4.
Deidre A. Lee,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 98-25653 Filed 9-24-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3110-01-U