[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 14, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13063-13065]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-3578]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

41 CFR Part 102-118

[FMR Case 2005-102-5]
RIN: 3090-AI14


Federal Management Regulation; Transportation Payment and Audit--
Use of SF 1113, Public Voucher for Transportation Charges

AGENCY: Office of Governmentwide Policy, General Services 
Administration (GSA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The General Services Administration proposes to amend the 
Federal Management Regulation (FMR) to discontinue use of the hard 
copy, paper construction of Standard Form (SF) 1113, Public Voucher for 
Transportation Charges, and its memorandum copy, SF 1113-A. Agencies 
are required to use electronic commerce for receiving bills and paying 
for transportation and transportation services. By using electronic 
commerce, the SF 1113 is not needed and is not essential for the 
transportation service provider to get paid. The FMR and any 
corresponding documents may be accessed at GSA's website at http://www.gsa.gov/fmr.

DATES: Comment Date: Comments must be received by May 15, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments identified by FMR case 2005-102-5 by any of 
the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

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     Agency Web Site: http://www.gsa.gov/fmr. Click on FMR 
Proposed Rules, and the FMR case number to submit comments.
     E-mail: [email protected]. Include FMR case 2005-
102-5 in the subject line of the message.
     Fax: 202-501-4067.
     Mail: General Services Administration, Regulatory 
Secretariat (VIR), 1800 F Street, NW., Room 4035, ATTN: Laurieann 
Duarte, Washington, DC 20405.
    Instructions: Please submit comments only and cite FMR case 2005-
102-5 in all correspondence related to this case. All comments received 
will be posted without change to http://www.gsa.gov/fmr, including any 
personal information provided. Click on FMR Public Comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Regulatory Secretariat, Room 4035, 
GS Building, Washington, DC 20405, at (202) 208-7312 for information 
pertaining to status or publication schedules. For clarification of 
content, contact Ted J. Bembenek, Jr., Office of Governmentwide Policy 
(MT), at (202) 208-7629. Please cite FMR case 2005-102-5.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    As the Government continues to make systematic management 
improvements across its business lines, use of electronic commerce has 
become a significant link and critical tool in accomplishing this task. 
In its role as a Governmentwide policymaker, GSA will use every 
feasible opportunity to incorporate and promote electronic commerce to 
the fullest extent of its authority, particularly in relation to the 
procurement, billing, and payment of transportation services.
    In part 102-118 of the Federal Management Regulation (FMR), (41 CFR 
part 102-118, Transportation Payment and Audit), GSA prescribes 
Standard Form (SF) 1113 for use by transportation service providers to 
bill transportation charges to the Government. GSA believes greater 
efficiencies can be gained for the Government and transportation 
service providers alike by requiring use of electronic commerce in all 
areas of transportation. This includes the use of electronic systems 
for ordering, receiving bills and paying for transportation and 
transportation services. This requirement will bring the Government 
closer to achieving a paperless environment and parity with the best 
business practices used in the private sector. Comments received from 
an exploratory notice published in the Federal Register at 69 FR 36088, 
June 28, 2004, generally favored the electronic billing of 
transportation charges.

B. Substantive Changes

    This proposed rule discontinues the requirement for use of the 
paper construction of Standard Form (SF) 1113, Public Voucher for 
Transportation Charges, and its memorandum copy, SF 1113-A. Agencies 
are required to use electronic commerce for receiving bills and paying 
for transportation and transportation services. By using electronic 
commerce, the SF 1113 is not needed and is not essential for the 
transportation service provider to get paid. Paper invoices will no 
longer be received.

C. Executive Order 12866

    GSA has determined that this proposed rule is not a significant 
rule for the purposes of Executive Order 12866 of September 30, 1993.

D. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    This proposed rule is not expected to have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities within the meaning of 
the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq. A regulatory 
flexibility analysis has therefore not been prepared.

E. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the proposed 
rule does not impose recordkeeping or information collection 
requirements, or the collection of information from offerors, 
contractors, or members of the public which require the approval of the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.

F. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    This proposed rule is exempt from Congressional review prescribed 
under 5 U.S.C. 801 since it relates solely to agency management and 
personnel.

List of Subjects in 41 CFR Part 102-118

    Accounting, Claims, Government property management, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Surplus Government property, 
Transportation.

    Dated: February 16, 2006.
John G. Sindelar,
Acting Associate Administrator, Office of Governmentwide Policy.
    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, GSA proposes to amend 41 
CFR part 102-118 as set forth below:

PART 102-118--TRANSPORTATION PAYMENT AND AUDIT

    1. The authority citation for 41 CFR part 102-118 continues to read 
as follows:

    Authority:  31 U.S.C. 3726; and 40 U.S.C. 121(c), and 49 U.S.C. 
10721, 13712, and 15504.

    2. Revise Sec.  102-118.65 to read as follows:


Sec.  102-118.65  Is my agency required to use electronic billing for 
payment and billing of transportation services?

    Yes, your agency must use electronic billing for the procurement 
and billing of transportation services.


Sec.  102-118.100  [Removed and Reserved]

    3. Remove and reserve Sec.  102-118.100.
    4. Revise Sec.  102-118.130 to read as follows:


Sec.  102-118.130  Must my agency use a GBL for express, courier, or 
small package shipments?

    No. However, in using commercial forms, all shipments must be 
subject to the terms and conditions set forth for the use of a bill of 
lading for the Government. Any other non-conflicting applicable 
contracts or agreements between the transportation service provider 
(TSP) and an agency involving buying transportation services for 
Government traffic remain binding. When you use GSA's schedule for 
small package express delivery, the terms and conditions of that 
contract are binding.
    5. Revise Sec.  102-118.195 to read as follows:


Sec.  102-118.195  What documents must a transportation service 
provider (TSP) send to receive payment for a transportation billing?

    For shipments bought on a transportation document, the 
transportation service provider (TSP) must submit an original properly 
certified International Government bill of lading (GBL) or bill of 
lading. The TSP must submit this package and all supporting documents 
to the agency paying office.
    6. Revise Sec.  102-118.560 to read as follows:


Sec.  102-118.560  What is the required format that a transportation 
service provider (TSP) must use to file an administrative claim?

    A transportation service provider (TSP) must bill for charges, when 
deemed necessary by your agency, in the manner prescribed in the ``U.S. 
Government Freight Transportation Handbook'' or the ``U.S. Government 
Passenger Transportation Handbook''. To get a copy of these 
publications, you

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may write to: General Services Administration, Federal Supply Service 
Audit Division (FBA), 1800 F Street, NW., Washington, DC 20405, 
www.gsa.gov/transaudits.

[FR Doc. E6-3578 Filed 3-13-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-14-S