[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 40 (Monday, March 2, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11138-11139]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-04227]


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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

48 CFR Parts 1803, 1816, and 1852

RIN 2700-AE08


NASA Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (NFS); Contractor 
Whistleblower Protections

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: NASA has adopted, without change, an interim rule amending the 
NASA FAR Supplement (NFS) to implement Contractor Whistleblower 
Protections.

DATES: Effective date: April 1, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leigh Pomponio, NASA, Office of 
Procurement, Contract and Grant Policy Division, 300 E Street SW. 
(Suite 5K32), Washington, DC 20546; (202) 358-0592; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    An interim rule was published on July 29, 2014 (79 FR 43958) 
implementing 10 U.S.C. 2409, as amended by section 846 of the national 
Defense Authorization Act for FY 2008 (Pub. L. 110-181) and section 827 
of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2013 (Pub. L. 112-
239). The interim rule implemented Whistleblower protections for 
contractor employees performing under contracts with NASA.
    On August 29, 2014, technical amendments to the interim rule were 
published in the Federal Register (79 FR 51501). The technical 
amendments corrected the numbering of two sections. NASA received no 
comments on the interim rule and has adopted the interim rule as a 
final rule without change.

B. Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

    Executive Orders (E.O.s) 12866 and 13563 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). E.O. 
13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, 
of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility. 
This rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804.

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    NASA certifies that this final rule will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities within the 
meaning of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, at 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq., 
because it does not alter the solicitation or contract polices or 
procedures, nor does it create whistleblower protections for contractor 
employees. Such protections currently exist and this case sets forth 
requirements for contractors to notify employees of their rights and 
includes procedures and processes for contractor employees to exercise 
their rights.

[[Page 11139]]

D. Paperwork Reduction Act

    This final rule does not contain any information collection 
requirements that require the approval of the Office of Management and 
Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq. in accordance with The Paperwork 
Reduction Act.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 1803, 1816, and 1852

    Government procurement.

Cynthia D. Boots,
Alternate Federal Register Liaison.

PARTS 1803, 1816, AND 1852--[AMENDED]

0
Accordingly, the interim rule amending 48 CFR parts 1803, 1816, and 
1852 which was published at 79 FR 43958 on July 29, 2014, and 
technically amended by publication at 79 FR 51501, is adopted as a 
final rule without change.

[FR Doc. 2015-04227 Filed 2-27-15; 8:45 am]
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