[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 30 (Friday, February 13, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7116-7119]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-3273]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

23 CFR Parts 140, 200, 630, 633, 635 and 640

RIN 2125-AF01


Contract Administration; Removal of Miscellaneous Obsolete or 
Redundant Regulations

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: Through this final rule the FHWA will remove several 
regulations that have been superseded by legislation. We are removing 
sections related to construction engineering costs, administration of 
Direct Federal Construction Contracts, Interstate maintenance guidance, 
and the Certification Acceptance program. The changes reflect 
applicable provisions of title 23, United States Code, as amended by 
legislation, and avoid any possible redundancy or conflict with other 
regulations.

DATES: This rule is effective February 13, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Jennifer Balis, Office of Program 
Administration, HIPA-30, (202) 493-7302, or Mr. Michael Harkins, Office 
of the Chief Counsel, (202) 366-4928, Federal Highway Administration, 
400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. Office hours are 
from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded by using a 
computer, modem, and suitable communications software from the 
Government Printing Office's Electronic Bulletin Board Service at (202) 
512-1661. Internet users may reach the Office of the Federal Register's 
Home page at: http://www.archives.gov and the Government Printing 
Office's Web site at: http://www.gpo.gov.

Background

    Over time various legislative or policy changes have made sections 
of title 23 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) obsolete. This 
rulemaking will remove several regulations that have become obsolete or 
redundant as a result of various surface transportation statutes and 
other pertinent laws. Specifically, we believe that the following 
regulations must be removed or amended as described in the following 
section-by-section analysis.

Section-by-Section Discussion

Part 140 Subpart B, Construction Engineering Costs

    Section 1305 of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century 
(TEA-21) (Pub. L. 105-178, 112 Stat. 107, June 9, 1998, as amended) 
repealed former 23 U.S.C. 106(c), which contained the 15 percent 
limitation previously established for Federal-aid reimbursement of 
construction engineering costs. The limitation for Federal-aid 
reimbursement of construction engineering costs was established by 
section 1018(a) of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act 
of 1991 (ISTEA) (Pub. L. 102-240, 105 Stat. 1914, December 18, 1991).
    On July 22, 1993, the FHWA amended 23 CFR part 140 to conform with 
section 1018 of the ISTEA. However, section 1305 of the TEA-21 amended 
23 U.S.C. 106 by deleting 23 U.S.C. 106(c), ``Limitation on Estimates 
for Construction Engineering,'' and substituting a new 23 U.S.C. 
106(c), ``Assumption by States of Responsibilities of the Secretary.'' 
Therefore, 23 CFR 140, Subpart B, is revised to remove the limitation 
on construction engineering costs.
    However, this subpart is not necessary in order for a State to 
recover these costs. We have determined that 23 CFR 1.11 allows for the 
reimbursement of ``directly attributable and properly allocable'' 
engineering costs incurred by a State or local transportation 
department for specific highway construction projects. For State or 
local transportation departments that have chosen to include 
construction engineering costs with other overhead costs, section 
1212(a) of the TEA-21 amended 23 U.S.C. 302(b) to allow reimbursement 
of indirect costs through a cost allocation plan approved by the FHWA. 
Therefore we believe that 23 CFR part 140, Subpart B, is no longer 
necessary, and may be removed without adversely impacting the ability 
of the FHWA or the State or local transportation departments to carry 
out the Federal-aid Highway Program (FAHP).

Part 200, Title VI Program and Related Statutes--Implementation and 
Review Procedures

    This subpart is revised to conform with the removal of Part 640, 
Certification Acceptance. Section 200.13 is removed.

Part 630, Subpart B, Plans, Specifications and Estimates

    This subpart is revised to conform with the removal of Part 640, 
Certification Acceptance. Section 630.203 is revised.

Part 633, Subpart A, Federal-Aid Construction Contracts (Other Than 
Appalachian Contracts)

    This subpart is revised to conform with the removal of Part 640, 
Certification Acceptance. Section 633.102(c) is removed and reserved.

Part 633, Subpart C, Direct Federal Construction Contracts

    Prior to 1984, Federal procurement was done using one of two 
procedures. The military followed the Defense Acquisition Regulations 
(DAR) while civilian agencies followed the Federal Procurement 
Regulations (FPR).
    In the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act of 1974 (Pub. L. 
93-400, 88 Stat. 796, August 30, 1974), the Congress ordered that a 
unified procurement system be developed for the Federal government. The 
Federal Acquisition Regulations System (FARS) was implemented in 1984. 
The FHWA is required to comply with FARS when the agency directly 
procures highway-related design or construction services.
    The FHWA issued 23 CFR 633, Subpart C, on June 24, 1974, at 39 FR 
22418. This subpart deals primarily with supplementary language for the 
Standard Form 19A (Labor Standards Provisions) which is an obsolete FPR 
form. Labor Standards provisions are now covered by FARS clauses in 48 
CFR 52.222. Additionally, the remaining requirements contained in 
Subpart C are covered by current FARS clauses.

[[Page 7117]]

Therefore, 23 CFR part 633, subpart C, and Appendix A to subpart C are 
removed to avoid any conflict with the FARS.

Part 635, Subpart A, Contract Procedures

    This subpart is revised to conform with the removal of part 640, 
Certification Acceptance. Sections 635.103 and 635.124 are amended.

Part 635, Subpart B, Force Account Construction

    This subpart is revised to conform with the removal of part 640, 
Certification Acceptance. Section 635.202 is amended.

Part 635, Subpart C, Physical Construction Authorization

    This subpart is revised to conform with the removal of part 640, 
Certification Acceptance. Section 635.303 is amended.

Part 635, Subpart D, General Material Requirements

    This subpart is revised to conform with the removal of part 640, 
Certification Acceptance. Section 635.405 is amended.

Part 635, Subpart E, Interstate Maintenance Guidelines

    Section 1306(a) of the TEA-21 removed 23 U.S.C. 109(m) which 
contained the requirement for Interstate maintenance guidelines. 
Additionally, TEA-21, section 1107 revised 23 U.S.C. 119 to create the 
Interstate Maintenance Program. Section 116 of the Surface 
Transportation Assistance Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 95-599, 92 Stat. 2689), 
codified as 23 U.S.C. 109(m) and 119(b), required the FHWA to issue 
guidelines that would ensure the Interstate System was being maintained 
appropriately. The legislation also required that we receive an annual 
certification from each State transportation department that the 
Interstate highways within the State were being maintained. However, 
sections 1306(a) and 1107 of the TEA-21 eliminated the requirements for 
both Interstate Maintenance guidelines and the annual certification; 
therefore, 23 CFR part 635, subpart E, is now obsolete and is removed 
from the regulations. The removal of the Interstate maintenance 
guidelines and annual certification does not change the States' 
responsibility for maintenance under 23 CFR 1.27, nor does it affect 
the FHWA's role in ensuring that adequate maintenance is being 
performed.

Part 640, Certification Acceptance

    Section 1601 of the TEA-21 eliminated the certification acceptance 
program implemented by this part; therefore, part 640 is removed from 
the regulation without adverse impact to the FAHP. For conformity 
within 23 CFR, references to the certification acceptance program are 
removed from 23 CFR 200.13, 23 CFR 630.203, 23 CFR 633.102(c), 23 CFR 
635.103, 635.124(b), 635.202, 635.303, and 635.405.

Rulemaking Analyses and Notices

    Under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553(b)), an 
agency may waive the prior notice and opportunity for public comment 
requirements if it finds, for good cause, that the requirements are 
impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest. The 
issuance of this rule without prior notice and opportunity for public 
comment is based on the good cause exception in 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B). 
Seeking public comment is unnecessary and contrary to the public 
interest. This action is merely a ministerial action to remove obsolete 
regulations from the CFR and the removal of these regulations will have 
no substantive impact. Therefore, the FHWA does not anticipate 
receiving meaningful comments on a proposal to remove these provisions 
from the CFR. Prior notice is therefore unnecessary, and it would be 
contrary to the public interest to delay unnecessarily this effort to 
eliminate outdated rules. Furthermore, the FHWA believes that because 
the underlying statutory authority for these regulations no longer 
exist, we are eliminating any confusion that may be caused by their 
existence in the CFR.
    The APA also allows agencies, upon finding of good cause, to make a 
rule effective immediately upon publication (5 U.S.C. 533(d)(3)). For 
the same reasons discussed above, the agency believes good cause exists 
for making this action effective immediately upon publication.

Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) and DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures

    We have determined that this action is not a significant regulatory 
action within the meaning of Executive Order 12866 nor is it 
significant within the meaning of Department of Transportation 
regulatory policies and procedures. We anticipate that the economic 
impact of this rulemaking will be minimal. The removal of 23 CFR part 
140, subpart B, and 23 CFR part 633, subpart C, eliminates redundancy 
and the removal of part 635, subpart E, and 23 CFR part 640 conforms 
with TEA-21. For conformity within the regulations, obsolete references 
to 23 CFR part 640 are removed from 23 CFR parts 200, 630, 633, and 
635.
    This final rule will not adversely affect, in a material way, any 
sector of the economy. In addition, these changes will not interfere 
with any action taken or planned by another agency and will not 
materially alter the budgetary impact of any entitlements, grants, user 
fees, or loan programs.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    In compliance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) of 1980 (5 
U.S.C. 601-612), we have evaluated the effects of this action on small 
entities and have determined that the action will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
Deletion of these regulations will eliminate redundancy and possible 
conflicts within the regulations. Administration of Federal-aid highway 
construction projects by small entities will not be affected by the 
deletions. For these reasons, we certify that this action would not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities.

Unfunded Mandates Assessment

    This rule does not impose unfunded mandates as defined by the 
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4, 109 Stat. 48, 
March 22, 1995) as it will not result in a $100 million or more 
expenditure (adjusted annually for inflation) in any one year by State, 
local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private 
sector (2 U.S.C. 1532). This rule simply deletes obsolete and redundant 
regulatory provisions.

Executive Order 13132, Federalism

    The FHWA has analyzed this rule in accordance with the principles 
and criteria of Executive Order 13132, dated August 4, 1999. We have 
determined that this action will not have a substantial direct effect 
on the States. Since this rule is intended only to remove obsolete or 
redundant regulations from title 23 of the Code of Federal Regulations, 
we have determined that this rule does not have federalism 
implications.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501, 
et. seq.), the FHWA must obtain approval from the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information we conduct, 
sponsor, or require through regulations. Since we do not seek to 
collect any information

[[Page 7118]]

through this rule, the requirements of the PRA do not apply.

National Environmental Policy Act

    We have analyzed this action for the purposes of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), 
and have determined that it would not have any effect on the quality of 
the environment.

Executive Order 13175 (Tribal Consultation)

    We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13175, dated 
November 6, 2000, and we believe that our action will not have 
substantial direct effects on one or more Indian tribes; will not 
impose substantial direct compliance costs on Indian tribal 
governments; and will not preempt tribal laws. Therefore, a tribal 
summary impact statement is not required.

Executive Order 13211 (Energy Effects)

    We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13211, Actions 
Concerning Regulations that Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 
Distribution, or Use dated May 18, 2001. We have determined that this 
rule is not a significant energy action under that order since it is 
not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866 and is 
not likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, 
distribution or use of energy. Therefore, a Statement of Energy Effects 
is not required.

Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform)

    This rule meets the applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 
3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize 
litigation, eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.

Executive Order 13045 (Protection of Children)

    We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13045, Protection 
of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks. This rule 
is not economically significant and does not concern an environmental 
risk to health or safety that might disproportionately affect children.

Executive Order 12630 (Taking of Private Property)

    This rule will not result in a taking of private property or 
otherwise have taking implications under Executive Order 12630, 
Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected 
Property Rights.

Executive Order 12372 (Intergovernmental Review)

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, 
Highway planning and construction. The regulations implementing 
Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on 
Federal programs and activities apply to this program.

Regulation Identification Number

    A regulation identification number (RIN) is assigned to each 
regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulations. 
The Regulatory Information Service Center publishes the Unified Agenda 
in April and October of each year. You can use the RIN contained in the 
heading of this document to cross reference this action with the 
Unified Agenda.

List of Subjects

23 CFR Part 140

    Bonds, Claims, Grant programs--transportation, Highways and roads, 
Railroads.

23 CFR Part 200

    Civil rights, Highways and roads.

23 CFR Part 630

    Bonds, Government contracts, Grant programs--transportation, 
Highways and roads, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

23 CFR Part 633

    Government contracts, Grant programs--transportation, Highways and 
roads.

23 CFR Part 635

    Grant programs--transportation, Highways and roads, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

23 CFR Part 640

    Government procurement, Grant programs--transportation, Highways 
and roads.

    Issued on: February 6, 2004.
Mary E. Peters,
Federal Highway Administrator.

0
Under the authority of title 23, United States Code, and as discussed 
in the preamble, the FHWA amends, title 23, Code of Federal 
Regulations, parts 140, 200, 630, 633, 635, and 640 to read as follows:

PART 140--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for part 140 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 101(e), 106, 109(e), 114(a), 120(g), 121, 
122, 130, and 315; and 49 CFR 1.48(b).

Subpart B--[Removed and Reserved]

0
2. Remove and reserve part 140, subpart B.

PART 200--[AMENDED]

0
3. The authority citation for part 200 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. 
2000d to 2000d-4; Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, 42 
U.S.C. 3601-3619; 42 U.S.C. 4601 to 4655; 23 U.S.C. 109(h); 23 
U.S.C. 324.


Sec. 200.13  [Removed]

0
4. Remove Sec. 200.13.

PART 630--[AMENDED]

0
5. The authority citation for part 630 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 106, 109, 315, 320, 402(a); 23 CFR 1.32; 
and 49 CFR 1.48(b).

0
6. Revise Sec. 630.203 to read as follows:


Sec. 630.203  Applicability.

    The provisions of this regulation apply to all highway construction 
projects financed in whole or in part with Federal-aid highway funds 
and to be undertaken by a State or political subdivision.

PART 633--[AMENDED]

0
7. The authority citation for part 633 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 114 and 315; 49 CFR 1.48.


Sec. 633.102  [Amended]

0
8. In Sec. 633.102, remove and reserve paragraph (c).

Subpart C to Part 633--[Removed]

0
9. Remove subpart C to part 633 and Appendix A to subpart C of part 
633.

PART 635--[AMENDED]

0
10. The authority citation for part 635 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 101(note), 109, 112, 113, 114, 116, 119, 
128, and 315; 31 U.S.C. 6505; 42 U.S.C. 3334, 4601 et seq.; Sec. 
1041 (a), Pub. L. 102-240, 105 Stat. 1914; 23 CFR 1.32; 49 CFR 
1.48(b)

0
11. Revise Sec. 635.103 to read as follows:


Sec. 635.103  Applicability.

    The policies, requirements, and procedures prescribed in this 
subpart shall apply to all Federal-aid highway projects.

0
12. Revise paragraph (b) of Sec. 635.124 to read as follows:

[[Page 7119]]

Sec. 635.124  Participation in contract claim awards and settlements.

* * * * *
    (b) The FHWA shall be made aware by the STD of the details of the 
claim at an early stage so that coordination of efforts can be 
satisfactorily accomplished. It is expected that STDs will diligently 
pursue the satisfactory resolution of claims within a reasonable period 
of time. Claims arising on exempt non-NHS projects should be processed 
in accordance with the State's approved Stewardship Plan.
* * * * *

0
13. Revise Sec. 635.202 to read as follows:


Sec. 635.202  Applicability.

    This subpart applies to all Federal-aid and other highway 
construction projects financed in whole or in part with Federal funds 
and to be constructed by a State transportation department or a 
subdivision thereof in pursuant of agreements between any other State 
transportation department and the Federal Highway Administration 
(FHWA).

0
14. Revise Sec. 635.303 to read as follows:


Sec. 635.303  Applicability.

    The provisions of this subpart are applicable to all Federal-aid 
highway construction projects.

0
15. Revise Sec. 635.405 to read as follows:


Sec. 635.405  Applicability.

    The requirements and procedures prescribed in this subpart apply to 
all contracts relating to Federal-aid highway projects.

Subpart E to Part 635--[Removed]

0
16. Remove subpart E to part 635.

PART 640--[REMOVED]

0
17. Remove part 640.

[FR Doc. 04-3273 Filed 2-12-04; 8:45 am]
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