[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 246 (Monday, December 23, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 77352-77353]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-30510]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

14 CFR Part 1204

[Docket No.: NASA-2013-0005]
RIN 2700-AD97


Small Business Policy

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

ACTION: Direct final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This direct final rule makes administrative changes to correct 
organizational information and citations that have changed in a 
regulation that establishes NASA's small business policy and outlines 
the delegation of authority to implement this policy, as required by 
Federal law. The regulation is also being amended to include a 
reference to NASA's general policy for small business programs and NASA 
small business subcontracting plan and reporting information. The 
revisions to this rule are part of NASA's retrospective plan under EO 
13563 completed in August 2011. NASA's full plan can be accessed at: 
http://www.nasa.gov/open/.

DATES: This direct final rule is effective on February 21, 2014. 
Comments due on or before January 22, 2014. If adverse comment is 
received, NASA will publish a timely withdrawal of the rule in the 
Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Comments must be identified with RIN 2700-AD97 and may be 
sent to NASA via the Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitted 
comments. Please note that NASA will post all comments on the Internet 
with changes, including any personal information provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Mann, (202) 358-2438.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Direct Final Rule and Significant Adverse Comments

    NASA has determined this rulemaking meets the criteria for a direct 
final rule because it involves non-substantive changes dealing with 
NASA's small business policy. NASA expects no opposition to the changes 
and no significant adverse comments. However, if NASA receives a 
significant adverse comment, the Agency will withdraw this direct final 
rule by publishing a document in the Federal Register. A significant 
adverse comment is one that explains:
    (1) Why the direct final rule is inappropriate, including 
challenges to the rule's underlying premise or approach; or
    (2) Why the direct final rule will be ineffective or unacceptable 
without a change. In determining whether a comment necessitates 
withdrawal of this direct final rule, NASA will consider whether it 
warrants a substantive response in a notice and comment process.

Background

    NASA's small business policy, published August 17, 1993 [58 FR 
43554], was established to enable small businesses, historically black 
colleges and universities, and other minority educational institutions 
the opportunity to participate equitably and proportionately in its 
total purchases and contracts that are consistent with NASA's needs to 
execute it missions. While this regulation describes NASA's small 
business policy and outlines the delegation of authority to implement 
this policy as required by Federal law, NASA's general policy for small 
business programs is described in 48 CFR part 1819, Small Business 
Programs [62 FR 36707, July 9, 1997, as amended at 64 FR 25215, May 11, 
1999; 65 FR 38777, June 22, 2000; 65 FR 58932, Oct. 3, 2000; 67 FR 
53947, Oct. 23, 2001; 69 FR 21765, Apr. 22, 2004], and its small 
business subcontracting plan and reporting is described in 48 CFR part 
1852, Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses [62 FR 36733, July 
9, 1997; 62 FR 40309, July 28, 1997, as amended at 64 FR 25215, May 11, 
1999].

Statutory Authority

    The National Aeronautics and Space Act (the Space Act), 51 U.S.C. 
20113 (a), authorizes the Administrator of NASA to make, promulgate, 
issue, rescind, and amend rules and regulations governing the manner of 
its operations and the exercise of the powers vested in it by law.

Regulatory Analysis

Executive Order 12866 and Executive Order 13563

    Executive Orders 13563 and 12866 direct agencies to assess all 
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public 
health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). Executive 
Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and 
benefits, reducing costs, harmonizing rules, and promoting flexibility. 
This final rule has

[[Page 77353]]

been designated a ``significant regulatory action,'' although not 
economically significant, under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866. 
Accordingly, this rule has been reviewed by the Office of Management 
and Budget.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    It has been certified that this rule is not subject to the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601), because it would not, if 
promulgated, have a significant economic impact on a substantial number 
of small entities.

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement

    This rule does not contain an information collection requirement 
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et 
seq.).

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 1204

    Colleges and universities, Small business.

    Accordingly, 14 CFR part 1204 is amended as follows:

PART 1204--ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY AND POLICY

Subpart 4--Small Business Policy

0
1. The authority citation for subpart 4 to part 1204 continues to read 
as follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 2473(c)(5); 42 U.S.C. 2473b; Public Law 
101-507, the VA/HUD/Indep. Agencies Appropriation Act for FY 1991, 
at 104 Stat. 1380 (Nov. 5, 1990); and 15 U.S.C. 631-650.


0
2. Section 1204.401 is amended as follows:
0
a. Paragraph (a) is revised.
0
b. In paragraph (b), add the parenthesized acronym ``(R&D)'' after the 
word ``development'' in its first occurence, remove the phrase 
``research and development'' in the second occurrence and add in its 
place the acronym ``R&D,'' and remove the phrase ``and small 
disadvantaged'' in the last sentence.
    The revision reads as follows:


Sec.  1204.401  Policy.

    (a) It is NASA's policy to enable small businesses (including small 
disadvantaged businesses, small women-owned businesses, HUBZone small 
businesses, veteran-owned small businesses and service disabled 
veteran-owned small businesses), historically black colleges and 
universities, and other minority educational institutions the 
opportunity to participate equitably and proportionately in its total 
purchases and contracts that are consistent with the Agency's needs to 
execute its mission.
* * * * *

0
3. Section 1204.402 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  1204.402  Responsibilities.

    (a) Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP). The Associate 
Administrator for Small Business Programs, NASA Headquarters, is 
responsible for the activities described in NASA Policy Directive 
1000.3, The NASA Organization. The Associate Administrator is also 
responsible for representing NASA before other Government agencies on 
matters primarily affecting small businesses.
    (b) NASA Headquarters and NASA Centers. Center Directors (including 
the Executive Director for the NASA Shared Services Center and the 
Director for the NASA Management Office, but excluding the Director for 
the Jet Propulsion Laboratory) along with the Associate Administrator 
for the Office of Small Business Programs shall nominate a qualified 
individual in their contracting office as a small business specialist 
to provide a central point of contact to which small business concerns 
may direct inquiries concerning small business matters and 
participation in NASA acquisitions. When a Center Director determines 
that the volume of acquisitions or the functions relating to 
acquisitions at the Center do not warrant a full-time small business 
specialist, these duties may be assigned to procurement personnel on a 
part-time basis, with the concurrence of the Associate Administrator 
for the Office of Small Business Programs. NASA Centers shall establish 
and maintain liaison with the Small Business Administration (SBA) 
Procurement Center Representative (PCR) or the appropriate SBA Regional 
Office in matters relating to NASA Center procurement activities. Small 
Business Specialists shall perform the duties delineated in NASA FAR 
Supplement 1819.201(e)(ii). The Associate Administrator for Small 
Business Programs shall assign a Small Business Technical Advisor to 
each contracting activity within the Agency to which the SBA has 
assigned a PCR, pursuant to FAR 19.201(d)(8).

0
4. Section 1204.403 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  1204.403  General policy.

    NASA's general policy for small business programs is described in 
48 CFR part 1819, Small Business Programs; 48 CFR part 1852, 
Solicitation Provisions and Contract; and NASA Policy Directive 
5000.2C, Small Business Subcontracting Goals (http://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov/displayDir.cfm?t=NPD&c=5000&s=2).

Charles F. Bolden, Jr.,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2013-30510 Filed 12-20-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P