[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 34 (Wednesday, February 20, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7657-7660]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-4068]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

48 CFR Parts 1509 and 1552

[FRL-7147-4]


Acquisition Regulation: Contractor Performance Evaluations

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to 
amend the EPA Acquisition Regulation to revise its policy and 
procedures regarding the evaluation of contractor performance. This 
action is necessary because EPA's current regulation eliminates the use 
of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Contractor Performance 
System to record contractor performance histories for construction 
acquisitions. This revision will allow EPA contracting officers to 
utilize the NIH system for construction type acquisition in lieu of the 
Federal Acquisition Regulation prescribed Standard Form 1420, 
Performance Evaluation (Construction Contracts). The NIH obtained 
approval from the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council regarding the use 
of its construction module in lieu of Standard Form 1420.

DATES: Comments should be submitted no later than March 22, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to Frances Smith at the following 
address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Acquisition 
Management, Mail Code 3802R, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Ariel Rios 
Building, Washington, DC 20460. Comments may be sent electronically to 
[email protected]. Electronic comments must be submitted as an 
ASCII file, avoiding the use of special characters and any form of 
encryption. Floppy disks (3\1/2\ size) may also be submitted with 
comments in Corel WordPerfect format or ASCII file format. Do not 
submit confidential business information through E-mail.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frances Smith, U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, Office of Acquisition Management, (202) 564-4368.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    This proposed rule amends the Environmental Protection Agency 
Acquisition Regulation Subpart 1509.170 and 1552.209-76 to allow EPA 
contracting officers to utilize the construction module in the National 
Institutes of Health's Contractor

[[Page 7658]]

Performance System. EPA currently uses the services module in the NIH 
system to evaluate contractor performances of both large and small 
businesses who are awarded EPA contracts in excess of $100,000. This 
proposed rule will allow contracting officers to use either the 
services module or the construction module in the NIH system, depending 
on the type of acquisition.

B. Executive Order 12866

    This proposed rule is not a significant regulatory action for the 
purposes of Executive Order 12866; therefore, no review is required by 
the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs within the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB).

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act applies to this proposed rule, and the 
information collection request has been evaluated by the Office of 
Management and Budget. The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs 
within the Office of Management and Budget has issued OMB Clearance No. 
9000-0142 for the collection of contractor performance information. 
Comments regarding Paperwork Reduction Act concerns should be sent to 
the Office of Management and Budget (Attn: EPA Desk Officer).

D. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), as Amended by the Small 
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA), 5 
U.S.C. 601 et seq.

    The RFA generally requires an agency to prepare a regulatory 
flexibility analysis of any rule subject to notice and comment 
rulemaking requirements under the Administrative Procedure Act or any 
other statute unless the agency certifies that the rule will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
Small entities include small businesses, small organizations, and small 
governmental jurisdictions.
    For purposes of assessing the impact of today's proposed rule on 
small entities, small entity is defined as: (1) A small business that 
meets the definition of a small business found in the Small Business 
Act and codified at 13 CFR 121.201; (2) a small governmental 
jurisdiction that is a government of a city, county, town, school 
district or special district with a population of less than 50,000; and 
(3) a small organization that is any not-for-profit enterprise which is 
independently owned and operated and is not dominant in its field.
    After considering the economic impacts of today's proposed rule on 
small entities, I certify that this action will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. In 
determining whether a rule has a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities, the impact of concern is any 
significant adverse economic impact on small entities, since the 
primary purpose of the regulatory flexibility analyses is to identify 
and address regulatory alternatives ``which minimize any significant 
economic impact of the proposed rule on small entities.'' 5 U.S.C. 603 
and 604. Thus, an agency may certify that a rule will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities 
if the rule relieves regulatory burden, or otherwise has a positive 
economic effect on all of the small entities subject to the rule.
    This proposed rule requires no reporting or record-keeping by small 
or large business contractors. Rather, it provides EPA contractors with 
a formal opportunity, generally once a year per contract, to review and 
comment on their specific performance evaluations as conducted by the 
cognizant EPA contracting officer. Therefore, this proposed rule will 
have no adverse or significant economic impact on small entities.

E. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), Public 
Law 104-4, establishes requirements for Federal agencies to assess 
their regulatory actions on State, local, and Tribal governments, and 
the private sector. This proposed rule does not contain a Federal 
mandate that may result in expenditures of $100 million or more for 
State, local, and Tribal governments, in the aggregate, or the private 
sector in one year. Any private sector costs for this action relate to 
paperwork requirements and associated expenditures that are far below 
the level established for UMRA applicability. Thus, this proposed rule 
is not subject to the requirements of sections 202 and 205 of the UMRA.

F. Executive Order 13045

    Executive Order 13045, Protection of Children from Environmental 
Health Risks and Safety Risks (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997), applies to 
any rule that: (1) Is determined to be economically significant as 
defined under Executive Order 12866, and (2) concerns an environmental 
health or safety risk that EPA has reason to believe may have a 
disproportionate effect on children. If the regulatory action meets 
both criteria, the Agency must evaluate the environmental health or 
safety effects of the planned rule on children, and explain why the 
planned regulation is preferable to other potentially effective and 
reasonably feasible alternatives considered by the Agency.
    This proposed rule is not subject to Executive Order 13045 because 
it is not an economically significant rule as defined by Executive 
Order 12866, and because it does not involve decisions on environmental 
health or safety risks.

G. Executive Order 13132

    Executive Order 13132 entitled ``Federalism'' (64 FR 43255, August 
10, 1999) requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure 
``meaningful and timely input by State and local officials in the 
development of regulatory policies that have federalism implications.'' 
``Policies that have federalism implications'' as defined in the 
Executive Order include regulations that have ``substantial direct 
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national 
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government.'' Under 
Section 6 of Executive Order 13132, EPA may not issue a regulation that 
has federalism implications, that imposes substantial direct compliance 
costs, and that is not required by statute, unless the Federal 
government provides the funds necessary to pay the direct compliance 
costs incurred by State and local governments, or EPA consults with 
State and local officials early in the process of developing the 
proposed regulation. EPA also may not issue a regulation that has 
federalism implications and that preempts State law, unless the Agency 
consults with State and local officials early in the process of 
developing the proposed regulation.
    This proposed rule does not have federalism implications. It will 
not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship 
between the national government and the States distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government, as 
specified in Executive Order 13132. Thus, the requirements of section 6 
of the Executive Order do not apply to this proposed rule.

H. Executive Order 13175

    Executive Order 13175, entitled ``Consultation and Coordination 
with Indian Tribal Governments'' (65 FR 67249, November 6, 2000), 
requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure ``meaningful 
and timely input by

[[Page 7659]]

tribal officials in the development of regulatory policies that have 
tribal implications.'' ``Policies that have tribal implications'' is 
defined in the Executive Order to include regulations that have 
``substantial direct effects on one or more Indian tribes, on the 
relationship between the Federal government and the Indian tribes, or 
on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal 
government and Indian tribes.''
    This proposed rule does not have tribal implications. It will not 
have substantial direct effects on tribal governments, on the 
relationship between the Federal government and Indian tribes, or on 
the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal 
government and Indian tribes, as specified in Executive Order 13175. 
Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to this proposed rule.
    In the spirit of Executive Order 13175, and consistent with EPA 
policy to promote communications between EPA and tribal governments, 
EPA specifically solicits additional comment on this proposed rule from 
tribal officials.

I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995

    EPA will use voluntary consensus standards, as directed by section 
12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 
(NTTAA), Public Law 104-113, section 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272 note), in its 
procurement activities. The NTTAA directs EPA to use voluntary 
consensus standards in its regulatory activities unless to do so would 
be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise impractical. Voluntary 
consensus standards are technical standards (e.g., materials 
specifications, test methods, sampling procedures, and business 
practices) that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus 
standards bodies. The NTTAA directs EPA to provide Congress, through 
OMB, explanations when the Agency decides not to use available and 
applicable voluntary consensus standards.
    This rulemaking does not involve technical standards. Therefore, 
EPA is not considering use of any voluntary consensus standards. EPA 
welcomes comments on this aspect of the interim rulemaking, and, 
specifically, invites the public to identify potentially applicable 
voluntary consensus standards and to explain why such standards should 
be used in this regulation.

J. Executive Order 13211 (Energy Effects)

    This proposed rule is not subject to Executive Order 13211, 
``Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy 
Supply, Distribution, or Use'' (66 FR 28355 (May 22, 2001)) because it 
is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 1509 and 1552.

    Government procurement.

    Therefore, 48 CFR Chapter 15 is proposed to be amended as set forth 
below:
    1. The authority citation for Parts 1509 and 1552 is revised to 
read as follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; Sec. 205(c), 63 Stat. 390, as amended, 
40 U.S.C. 486(c); and 41 U.S.C. 418b.

PART 1509--[AMENDED]

    2. Section 1509.170-3 is amended by revising paragraphs (a), (c), 
and adding paragraph (d) to read as follows:


1509.170-3  Applicability

    (a) This subpart applies to all EPA acquisitions in excess of 
$100,000, except for architect-engineer acquisitions, acquisitions 
awarded under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 8.6, 
Acquisitions from Federal Prison Industries, Incorporated, FAR Subpart 
8.7, Acquisitions from Nonprofit Agencies Employing People Who Are 
Blind or Severely Disabled, and FAR 13.5, Test Program for Certain 
Commercial Items. FAR 36.604 provides detailed instructions for 
architect-engineer contractor performance evaluations.
* * * * *
    (c) EPA Form 1900-26, Contracting Officer's Evaluation of 
Contractor Performance, and EPA Form 1900-27, Project Officer's 
Evaluation of Contractor Performance, applies to all performance 
evaluations completed prior to May 26, 1999. Thereafter, EPA Forms 
1900-26 and 1900-27 are obsolete, and contracting officers shall 
complete all contractor performance evaluations by use of the National 
Institutes of Health's Contractor Performance System in accordance with 
EPAAR paragraph (a) of this section.
    (d) Construction acquisitions shall be completed by use of the NIH 
construction module. Performance evaluations for construction 
acquisitions shall be completed in accordance with EPAAR 1509.170-5.
    3. Section 1509.170-4 is amended by revising the last sentence of 
paragraph (f) to read as follows:


1509.170-4  Definitions

* * * * *
    (f) * * * Performance categories include quality, cost control, 
timeliness of performance, business relations, compliance with labor 
standards, compliance with safety standards, and meeting Small 
Disadvantaged Business subcontracting requirements.
    4. Section 1509.170-5 is amended by revising paragraph (b) to read 
as follows:


1509.170-5  Policy

* * * * *
    (b) For service type acquisitions, contracting officers shall use 
the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Contractor Performance System 
to record evaluations for all contract performance periods expiring 
after May 26, 1999. For construction type acquisitions, contracting 
officers shall use the NIH system to record evaluations for all 
contract performance periods expiring after [the effective date of the 
final rule].
* * * * *
    5. Section 1509.170-8 is amended by revising paragraph (b) to read 
as follows:


1509.170-8  Contractor Performance Report

* * * * *
    (b) The performance categories and ratings used in the evaluation 
of contractor performance are described in the clause at 1552.209-76. 
The NIH system provides instructions to assist contracting officers and 
project officers with completing evaluations.

PART 1552--[AMENDED]

    6. Section 1552.209-76 is amended by revising the undesignated text 
between the section heading and paragraph (a), revising paragraphs 
(a)(2), (b)(2) and (b)(4) to read as follows:


1552.209-76  Contractor Performance Evaluations.

    As prescribed in section 1509-170-1, insert the following clause in 
all applicable solicitations and contracts.

Contractor Performance Evaluations (XX 2002)

    The contracting officer shall complete a Contractor Performance 
Report (Report) within ninety (90) business days after the end of each 
12 months of contract performance (interim Report) or after the last 12 
months (or less) of contract performance (final Report) in accordance 
with EPAAR 1509.170-5. The contractor shall be evaluated based

[[Page 7660]]

on the following ratings: 0 = Unsatisfactory, 1 = Poor, 2 = Fair, 3 = 
Good, 4 = Excellent, 5 = Outstanding, N/A = Not Applicable.
    The contractor may be evaluated based on the following performance 
categories: Quality, Cost Control, Timeliness of Performance, Business 
Relations, Compliance with Labor Standards, Compliance with Safety 
Standards, and Meeting Small Disadvantaged Business Subcontracting 
Requirements.

    (a) * * *
    (2) Evaluate contractor performance and assign a rating for 
quality, cost control, timeliness of performance, compliance with 
labor standards, and compliance with safety standards performance 
categories (including a narrative for each rating);
* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (2) Assign a rating for the business relations and meeting small 
disadvantaged business subcontracting requirements performance 
categories (including a narrative for each rating).
* * * * *
    (4) Provide any additional information concerning the quality, 
cost control, timeliness of performance, compliance with labor 
standards, and compliance with safety standards performance 
categories if deemed appropriate for the evaluation or future 
evaluations (if any), and provide any information regarding 
subcontracts, key personnel, and customer satisfaction; and
* * * * *

    Dated: January 24, 2002.
John Oliver,
Acting Director, Office of Acquisition Management.
[FR Doc. 02-4068 Filed 2-19-02; 8:45 am]
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