[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 214 (Friday, November 4, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 78011-78012]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-26367]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Defense Acquisition Regulations System

48 CFR Part 247

[Docket DARS-2016-0036]
RIN 0750-AJ09


Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Contiguous 
United States (DFARS Case 2016-D005)

AGENCY: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Department of Defense 
(DoD).

[[Page 78012]]


ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: DoD is issuing a final rule to amend the Defense Federal 
Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to remove the acronym for 
contiguous United States.

DATES: Effective November 4, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Julie Hammond, telephone 571-372-
6174.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    DoD is amending the DFARS to remove the acronym for contiguous 
United States (CONUS). While the term ``contiguous United States 
(CONUS)'' is defined in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 2.101, the 
acronym is sometimes misinterpreted as ``continental United States.'' 
Spelling out the acronym in the DFARS will eliminate any confusion.

II. Discussion and Analysis

    DFARS 274.301 is amended to update the reference to transportation 
guidance in DFARS Procedures, Guidance, and Information and, as a 
result, remove the acronym CONUS.
    DFARS 274.301-71 is amended to spell out ``the contiguous United 
States'' in lieu of CONUS.

III. Applicability to Contracts at or Below the Simplified Acquisition 
Threshold (SAT) and for Commercial Items, Including Commercially 
Available Off-the-Shelf (COTS) Items

    This case does not add any new provisions or clauses or impact any 
existing provisions or clauses.

IV. Publication of This Final Rule for Public Comment Is Not Required 
by Statute

    The statute that applies to the publication of the FAR is 41 U.S.C. 
1707 entitled ``Publication of Proposed Regulations.'' Paragraph (a)(1) 
of the statute requires that a procurement policy, regulation, 
procedure, or form (including an amendment or modification thereof) 
must be published for public comment if it relates to the expenditure 
of appropriated funds, and has either a significant effect beyond the 
internal operating procedures of the agency issuing the policy, 
regulation, procedure, or form, or has a significant cost or 
administrative impact on contractors or offerors. This final rule is 
not required to be published for public comment, because it is just 
removing and spelling out the acronym for ``contiguous United States''.

V. 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 is not a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was not 
subject to review under section 6(b) of E.O. 12866, Regulatory Planning 
and Review, dated September 30, 1993. This rule is not a major rule 
under 5 U.S.C. 804.

VI. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act does not apply to this rule because 
this final rule does not constitute a significant DFARS revision within 
the meaning of FAR 1.501-1, and 41 U.S.C. 1707 does not require 
publication for public comment.

VII. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The rule does not contain any information collection requirements 
that require the approval of the Office of Management and Budget under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35).

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Part 247

    Government procurement.

Jennifer L. Hawes,
Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations System.
    Therefore, 48 CFR part 247 is amended as follows:

PART 247--TRANSPORTATION

0
1. The authority citation for 48 CFR part 247 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority:  41 U.S.C. 1303 and 48 CFR chapter 1.


247.301   [Amended]

0
2. In section 247.301, remove the phrase ``that require shipments to 
destinations outside CONUS''.


247.301-71   [Amended]

0
3. In section 247.301-71, remove ``outside CONUS'' and add ``outside 
the contiguous United States'' in its place.

[FR Doc. 2016-26367 Filed 11-3-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 5001-06-P