[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 121 (Friday, June 22, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29038-29039]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-13475]
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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
48 CFR Parts 1802
RIN 2700-AE46
NASA Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Removal of
Definitions (NFS Case 2018-N017)
AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
ACTION: Direct final rule.
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SUMMARY: NASA is issuing a final rule to amend the NASA Federal
Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Supplement (NFS) to remove definitions
which affect only the internal Agency administrative procedures and
have no cost or administrative impact on contractors or prospective
contractors.
DATES: This final rule is effective August 21, 2018. Comments due on or
before July 23, 2018. If adverse comments are received, NASA will
publish a timely withdrawal of the rule in the Federal Register.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments identified by NFS Case 2018-N017, using any
of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Submit comments via the Federal eRulemaking portal by searching for
``NFS Case 2018-N017''. Select the link ``Comment Now'' that
corresponds with ``NFS Case 2018-N017''. Follow the instructions
provided on the screen. Please include your name, company name (if
any), and ``NFS Case 2018-N017'' on any uploaded files.''
Email: [email protected]. Include ``NFS Case 2018-
N017'' in the subject line of the message.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Geoffrey S. Sage, NASA Headquarters,
Office of Procurement, Contract and Grant Policy Division, Suite 5K32,
300 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20456-0001. Telephone 202-358-2420.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
NFS part 1802, Definitions of Words and Terms, contains the
following definitions that affect only the internal Agency
administrative procedures and have no cost or administrative impact on
contractors or prospective contractors: Administrator, Contracting
activity, Head of the agency or agency head, Head of the contracting
activity (HCA), NASA Acquisition internet Service (NAIS), Procurement
officer, and Senior Procurement Executive. Pursuant to Executive Order
13563, Improving Regulation and Regulatory
[[Page 29039]]
Review, and Executive Order 13777, Enforcing the Regulatory Reform
Agenda, NASA is continually reviewing existing regulations with the
objective of reducing or removing any unnecessary, outdated and
burdensome requirements that have outlived their intended purpose.
Because the definitions affect only the internal Agency administrative
procedures they can be removed from the regulatory section of the NFS.
NASA does not anticipate opposition to the changes or significant
adverse comments. However, if the Agency receives significant adverse
comment, it will withdraw this final rule by publishing a document in
the Federal Register. A significant adverse comment is one that
explains: (1) Why the final rule is inappropriate, including challenges
to the rule's underlying premise or approach; or (2) why the final rule
will be ineffective or unacceptable without change. In determining
whether a comment necessitates withdrawal of this final rule, NASA will
consider whether it warrants a substantive response in a notice and
comment process.
II. Publication of This Final Rule for Public Comment Is Not Required
by Statute
Publication of proposed regulations, 41 U.S.C. 1707, is the statute
which applies to the publication of the Federal Acquisition Regulation
(FAR). 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 makes nonsubstantive changes to Agency regulations that has
no impact on contractors or prospective offerors as the definitions
being removed affect only the internal Agency administrative
procedures.
III. 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.
IV. Executive Order 13371
This rule is not subject to Executive Order (E.O.) 13771, Reducing
Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs, because this rule is not a
significant regulatory action under E.O. 12866.
V. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act does not apply to this rule because
this final rule does not constitute a significant NFS revision within
the meaning of FAR 1.501-1 and 41 U.S.C. 1707 and therefore does not
require publication for public comment.
VI. 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 1802
Government procurement.
Geoffrey Sage,
NASA FAR Supplement Manager.
PART 1802--[REMOVED]
0
Accordingly, under the authority of 51 U.S.C. 20113(a), 48 CFR part
1802 is removed.
[FR Doc. 2018-13475 Filed 6-21-18; 8:45 am]
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