[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 61 (Friday, March 30, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15147-15148]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-5913]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of the Secretary


Departmental Non-Retaliation Policy

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Interior announces adoption of a small 
business non-retaliation policy. If a small business questions or 
lodges a complaint regarding a policy or action of the Department or 
one of its bureaus, or seeks outside help in dealing with a Department 
or Bureau policy or action, the Department of the Interior will not 
retaliate in any fashion. The full policy is set out in the body of 
this notice.

DATES: This policy is effective on March 30, 2007 and remains in effect 
until modified or rescinded.

ADDRESSES: Although we are not requesting them, you may make comments 
on this notice. To make sure that your comments and related material 
are not entered more than once in the docket, please submit them by 
only one of the following means:

--Mail: John Strylowski, Executive Secretariat, Department of the 
Interior, MS-7229 MIB, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240.
--E-mail: [email protected] Include the number 1084-AA00 in 
the subject line of the message.
--Fax: (202) 219-2100.
--Hand delivery: Executive Secretariat, Department of the Interior, MS-
7229 MIB, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Strylowski, Executive 
Secretariat, 1849 C Street, NW., MS 7229 MIB, Washington, DC 20240; 
telephone: 202-208-3071; e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of the National Ombudsman of the 
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has asked each Federal agency 
to adopt a policy that the agency will not retaliate against small 
businesses that question or complain about the way the agency does 
business. In response to this request, the Department hereby 
establishes the following non-retaliation policy, which applies to any 
person or organization commenting on any action taken by the 
Department:
    We will not retaliate against you in any fashion if you question or 
lodge a complaint regarding a policy or action of the Department of the 
Interior or any of its bureaus. This policy applies if you complain or 
comment to us or to anyone else, or if you seek outside help in dealing 
with a Department or bureau policy or action. This policy does not 
affect the right of the Department or any of its bureaus to impose 
penalties allowed by a contract or agreement or to terminate for 
unsatisfactory performance any contract or agreement. This policy does 
not require the Department or its bureaus to enter into or continue any 
contract or agreement that is not satisfactory to the Department.
    If you think that we have broken this promise, we will investigate, 
take appropriate action, and make sure that mistakes are not repeated. 
You may comment, ask questions, or file a complaint about Department of 
the Interior policies or actions by:

--Contacting any office of Department of the Interior or any of its 
constituent bureaus;
--Writing to the Small Business Contact, Executive Secretariat, 
Department of the Interior, MS-7229 MIB, 1849 C Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20240;
--Sending an e-mail to: [email protected].

    If you are a small business, you can also contact the Small 
Business

[[Page 15148]]

Administration Office of the National Ombudsman at 888-REG-FAIR (734-
3247), fax: 202-481-5719, e-mail: [email protected].
    Small businesses generally are independently owned and operated and 
are not dominant in their field. If you need help determining whether 
or not your business qualifies as a ``small business,'' contact SBA's 
Office of the National Ombudsman using the information in the preceding 
paragraph.

    Dated: February 26, 2007.
R. Thomas Weimer,
Assistant Secretary--Policy, Management and Budget.
 [FR Doc. E7-5913 Filed 3-29-07; 8:45 am]
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