[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 236 (Thursday, December 7, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 76600-76601]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-31102]


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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

48 CFR Parts 1842 and 1852


Emergency Medical Services and Evacuation

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: This proposed rule would amend the NASA FAR Supplement (NFS) 
by adding a prescription and clause requiring contractors to make all 
arrangements for emergency medical services and evacuation for its 
employees when performing a NASA contract outside the United States or 
in remote locations in the United States. The clause also requires the 
contractor to reimburse the Government for costs that are incurred in 
cases where the Government is requested by the contractor, and the 
Government agrees to provide the medical services or evacuation.

DATES: Comments should be submitted on or before February 5, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties should submit written comments to Joseph 
Le Cren, NASA Headquarters, Office of Procurement, Contract Management 
Division (Code HK), Washington, DC 20546. Comments also may be 
submitted by e-mail to: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Le Cren, (202) 358-0444, or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    There have been some cases where contractor employees were required 
to receive emergency medical services and be evacuated while performing 
on NASA contracts outside the United States. Although not responsible 
for providing the emergency medical or evacuation services, NASA 
believed that the interests of the contractor employees were paramount. 
However, this resulted in situations where NASA incurred significant 
costs, which ultimately were reimbursed by the contractor, but possibly 
could have been disputed. NASA desires to eliminate such situations 
which could have a significant adverse financial impact on the agency. 
The proposed clause notifies offerors and contractors that they are 
responsible for making all arrangements for providing emergency medical 
services and evacuation, if necessary, for their employees when 
performing NASA contracts outside the United States. The proposed 
clause also recognizes that similar situations may occur in remote 
locations in the United States. In addition, the clause recognizes that 
certain situations could arise where the Government would be requested 
to provide emergency medical services or evacuate contractor employees. 
The clause makes it clear that, if the Government provides such 
services or evacuation, the contractor will reimburse the Government 
for the costs incurred.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    This proposed rule is not expected to have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small businesses within the meaning 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) because of the 
small number of contracts awarded to small businesses involving 
contract performance outside the United States or in remote locations 
in the United States.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the changes to 
the NFS 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 Parts 42 and 52

    Government procurement.

Tom Luedtke,
Associate Administrator for Procurement.

    Accordingly, 48 CFR Parts 1842 and 1852 are proposed to be amended 
as follows:
    1. The authority citation for 48 CFR Parts 1842 and 1852 continues 
to read as follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 2473(c)(1).

PART 1842--CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION AND AUDIT PROCEDURES

    2. Amend Part 1842 by adding section 1842.7003 to read as follows:


1842.7003  Emergency medical services and evacuation.

    The contracting officer must insert the clause at 1852.242-78, 
Emergency Medical Services and Evacuation, in all solicitations and 
contracts when employees of the contractor are required to travel 
outside the United States or to remote locations in the United States.
    3. Amend Part 1852 by adding section 1852.242-78 to read as 
follows:

PART 1852--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES


1852.242-78  Emergency Medical Services and Evacuation.

    As prescribed in 1842.7003, insert the following clause:

[[Page 76601]]

Emergency Medical Services and Evaluation (XXXX)

    The Contractor shall be responsible for making all arrangements 
for emergency medical services and evacuation, if required, for its 
employees while performing work under this contract outside the 
United States or in remote locations in the United States. If 
necessary to deal with certain emergencies, the Contractor may 
request the Government to provide medical or evacuation services. If 
the Government provides such services, the Contractor shall 
reimburse the Government for the costs incurred.

(End of clause)
[FR Doc. 00-31102 Filed 12-6-00; 8:45 am]
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