[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 34 (Monday, February 22, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8631-8632]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-4235]


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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: 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 is rescinding Policy Letter 79-4, Contracting for Motion Picture 
Productions and Videotape Productions.

EFFECTIVE DATE: February 22, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Gerich, Office of Federal 
Procurement Policy, 202-395-3501.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1979, OFPP issued OFPP Policy Letter 79-4 
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 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.
    OFPP issued a notice of proposed rescission of the Policy Letter 
that was published in the Federal Register on September 25, 1998 (63 FR 
51378). Only one comment was received in response to the notice. That 
comment fully supported rescission of the Policy Letter. Accordingly, 
OFPP Policy Letter 79-4 is hereby rescinded.
    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

[[Page 8632]]

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.
Deidre A. Lee,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 99-4235 Filed 2-19-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3110-01-P