[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 247 (Monday, December 27, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 72447]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-33436]



[[Page 72447]]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

48 CFR Parts 12, 19, and 52

[FAC 97-15; FAR Case 98-011; Item VII]
RIN 9000-AI33


Federal Acquisition Regulation; SBA's 8(a) Business Development 
Program

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 (Councils) have agreed on a final rule 
amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement 
revisions made to Small Business Administration (SBA) regulations 
pertaining to its 8(a) Business Development (8(a)BD) Program.

DATES: Effective Date: December 27, 1999.
    Applicability Date: The FAR, as amended by this rule, is applicable 
to solicitations issued on or after December 21, 1999.

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 Ms. Victoria Moss, Procurement Analyst, at (202) 501-
4764. Please cite FAC 97-15, FAR case 98-011.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    The Councils published an interim rule in the Federal Register on 
June 17, 1999 (64 FR 32742). The rule amended FAR Parts 12, 19, and 52 
to conform to recent amendments made by the Small Business 
Administration (SBA) to their regulations pertaining to the 8(a)BD 
Program. The SBA published a final rule in the Federal Register on June 
30, 1998 (63 FR 35726). The SBA rule amended the eligibility procedures 
for admission to the 8(a)BD and contractual assistance programs. These 
changes involve administrative matters concerning requirement 
offerings, contract execution, contract administration, and SBA 
appeals.
    There were no public comments submitted in response to the interim 
rule. Therefore, the Councils have agreed to convert the interim rule 
to a final rule without change.
    This rule was not subject to Office of Management and Budget review 
under Section 6(b) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and 
Review, dated September 30, 1993. This rule is not a major rule under 5 
U.S.C. 804.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, and 
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration certify that this 
final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities within the meaning of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq., because the rule merely 
addresses changes made by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to 13 
CFR parts 121, 124, and 134. The SBA has certified that the changes set 
forth in its rule will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities because the changes do not 
increase the net number of current 8(a) certified small businesses or 
the net number of current 8(a) participants by more than 500 to 800 
businesses, or less than 1 percent of the total universe of small firms 
seeking Government contracts.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the changes to 
the FAR do not impose information collection requirements that require 
the approval of the Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 
3501, et seq.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 12, 19, and 52

    Government procurement.

    Dated: December 20, 1999.
Edward C. Loeb,
Director, Federal Acquisition Policy Division.

Interim Rule Adopted as Final Without Change

    Accordingly, DoD, GSA, and NASA adopt the interim rule amending 48 
CFR parts 12, 19, and 52, which was published in the Federal Register 
on June 17, 1999 (64 FR 32742), as a final rule without change.

    Authority: 40 U.S.C. 486(c); 10 U.S.C. chapter 137; and 42 
U.S.C. 2473(c).

[FR Doc. 99-33436 Filed 12-23-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-EP-P