[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 60 (Wednesday, March 30, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 16145]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-6261]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of Procurement and Property Management

48 CFR Parts 401, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 410, 411, 413, 414, 
415, 416, 419, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426, 428, 432, 433, 434, 436, 
439, 445, 450, 452, 453

RIN 0599-AA11


Agriculture Acquisition Regulation: Miscellaneous Amendments 
(AGAR Case 2004-01)

AGENCY: Office of Procurement and Property Management, USDA.

ACTION: Direct final rule; Confirmation of effective date.

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SUMMARY: This document confirms the effective date of the direct final 
rule that makes miscellaneous amendments to the Agriculture Acquisition 
Regulation (AGAR), 48 CFR ch 4.

DATES: Effective Date: The direct final rule published on January 3, 
2005 (70 FR 41-50), is effective April 4, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph J. Daragan, USDAOffice of 
Procurement and Property Management, Procurement Policy Division, STOP 
9303, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-9303, (202) 
720-5729.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a direct final rule published on January 
3, 2005 (70 FR 41-50), we notified the public of our intent to amend 
the AGAR to reflect changes in the FAR made by Federal Acquisition 
Circulars (FACs) 97-02 through 2001-24 and to implement changes in USDA 
delegated authorities and internal procedures since October 2001.
    We solicited comments concerning the direct final rule for a 30 day 
comment period ending February 2, 2005. We stated that the effective 
date of the proposed amendment would be April 4, 2005, unless we 
received adverse comments or notice of intent to submit adverse 
comments by the close of the comment period.
    We received neither adverse comments nor notice of intent to submit 
adverse comments by February 2, 2005. We received one comment objecting 
to USDA marketing programs and to the burden on taxpayers of 
rulemaking. This comment is not considered adverse because it raises no 
objection germane to the substance of the proposed direct final rule. 
The rule does not address marketing programs, marketing studies or 
agricultural studies, but establishes procedures for acquisition 
personnel to follow in researching sources of supply prior to acquiring 
supplies or services. The general comment concerning taxpayer burden 
does not relate to this rule or the rulemaking procedures USDA followed 
in promulgating the rule. Therefore, the direct final rule is effective 
on April 4, 2005, as scheduled.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 21st day of March, 2005.
W.R. Ashworth,
Director, Office of Procurement and Property Management.
[FR Doc. 05-6261 Filed 3-29-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-96-P