[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 207 (Thursday, October 25, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 54012]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-26929]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

[GSA Bulletin FRM B-1]


Personal Property

    This notice contains GSA Bulletin FMR B-1 which announces a new 
provider for official U.S. Government license plates and clarifies 
changes in the way official identification is displayed on motor 
vehicles. The text of the bulletin follows:

To: Heads of Federal agencies.
Subject: Acquisition and display of official U.S. Government licence 
plates and other motor vehicle identification.

    1. What is the purpose of this bulletin? This bulletin announces a 
new provider for official U.S. Government license plates and clarifies 
changes in the way official identification is displayed on motor 
vehicles.
    2. What is the effective date of this bulletin? This bulletin is 
effective October 25, 2001.
    3. What is the expiration date of this bulletin? This bulletin 
expires October 25, 2002.
    4. What is the background to this announcement?
    a. The previous supplier of official U.S. Government license 
plates, the District of Columbia Department of Correction, Lorton 
Prison, stopped taking license plate orders on June 30, 2001. The new 
supplier, Federal Prison Industries, Inc. (UNICOR), started taking 
license plate orders on July 1, 2001. Actual production of license 
plates at the UNICOR facility will begin on or about September 15, 
2001.
    b. Subsection 211(k) of the Federal Property and Administrative 
Services Act of 1949, as amended, requires motor vehicles owned or 
leased by the Government to display official U.S. Government 
identification. Sections 102-34.110 and 102-34.120 of the Federal 
Management Regulation (FMR) implemented this section of the Property 
Act, providing for placement and size of this identification.
    c. On June 21, 2001, the General Services Administration's (GSA) 
Office of Governmentwide Policy entered into a Memorandum of 
Understanding (MOU) with UNICOR for the production of license plates 
for Federal agencies. Prior to entering into the MOU, GSA's Office of 
Governmentwide Policy obtained a waiver from the provisions of sections 
102-34.110 through 102-34.120 and 102-34.170 of the FMR. This 
Memorandum of Understanding and FMR waiver were coordinated through the 
Federal Fleet Policy Council, obtaining the approval of all agencies 
operating motor vehicle fleets.
    d. The MOU between GSA and UNICOR and the FMR waiver allow changes 
to the way license plates are produced in order to increase the 
security of Federal license plates and eliminate the need for 
identification decals in the rear windows of motor vehicles owned or 
leased by the Government.
    5. What does the new license plate look like? The new license 
plates will have the following characteristics:
    a. The plate will be flat and digitally produced with an embossed 
flange rim.
    b. The plate will have a reflective sheeting similar to most 
regular State-issued license plates.
    c. The plate will have a security reflective watermark consistent 
on all plates (repeating the phrase ``U.S. Government'') and a hologram 
positioned vertically down the center (an American eagle).
    d. The plate will contain Federal agency or bureau identification 
that readily identifies the vehicle's owner.
    6. What must agencies do to order license plates? All Federal 
agencies must execute an addendum to the MOU between GSA and UNICOR. 
Agencies will prepare only one addendum listing all bureaus, 
departments, districts, etc. authorized to order license plates. This 
addendum will provide UNICOR with specific ordering and payment 
information, and include, at a minimum, the following information:
    a. Agency name.
    b. Agency code.
    c. Point of contact.
    d. Mailing address.
    e. Telephone number.
    f. Email address.
    g. Anticipated annual need.
    h. Personnel authorized to order license plates.
    i. Invoicing and billing information.
    j. Shipping instructions.
    k. Graphic description of agency information on license plates.
    7. Can a Federal agency or activity order license plates without 
completing an addendum to the Memorandum of Understanding? No.
    8. What activities may order and receive shipments of license 
plates? Only Federal agencies or activities may order or receive 
shipments of official U.S. Government license plates.
    9. What procedures should agency field activities follow when 
ordering license plates? Agency field activities should contact their 
agency (national level) Fleet Manager for guidance.
    10. What is the point of contact at UNICOR?

Mr. Abraham Burgos, Program Manager, U.S. Department of Justice, UNICOR 
Federal Prison Industries, Inc., 400 First Street, NW., Room 6010, 
Washington, DC 20534, (202) 305-3752, [email protected]

    11. Who do I contact if I still have questions?

Mr. Michael Moses, Team Leader, General Services Administration, Office 
of Governmentwide Policy, Federal Vehicle Policy Division (MTV), 1800 F 
Street, NW., Room G241, Washington, DC 20405, (202) 501-2507, 
[email protected]

G. Martin Wagner,
Associate Administrator for Governmentwide Policy.
[FR Doc. 01-26929 Filed 10-24-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-14-M