[Federal Register: January 15, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 10)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 2417-2418]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15ja09-35]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Defense Acquisition Regulations System
48 CFR Parts 225, 236, and 252
RIN 0750-AG16
Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Steel for
Military Construction Projects (DFARS Case 2008-D038)
AGENCY: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Department of Defense
(DoD).
ACTION: Interim rule with request for comments.
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SUMMARY: DoD has issued an interim rule amending the Defense Federal
Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement Section 108 of
the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act,
2009. Section 108 requires that American steel producers, fabricators,
and manufacturers be given the opportunity to compete for contracts and
subcontracts for the acquisition of steel for use in military
construction projects or activities.
DATES: Effective date: January 15, 2009.
Comment date: Comments on the interim rule should be submitted in
writing to the address shown below on or before March 16, 2009, to be
considered in the formation of the final rule.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by DFARS Case 2008-D038,
using any of the following methods:
[cir] Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
[cir] E-mail: dfars@osd.mil. Include DFARS Case 2008-D038 in the
subject line of the message.
[cir] Fax: 703-602-7887.
[cir] Mail: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Attn: Ms. Amy
Williams, OUSD (AT&L) DPAP (DARS), IMD 3D139, 3062 Defense Pentagon,
Washington, DC 20301-3062.
[cir] Hand Delivery/Courier: Defense Acquisition Regulations
System, Crystal Square 4, Suite 200A, 241 18th Street, Arlington, VA
22202-3402.
Comments received generally will be posted without change to http:/
/www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Amy Williams, 703-602-0328.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Background
Section 108 of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs
Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 110-329, Division E) prohibits the
use of funds appropriated in Title I of that Act for the procurement of
steel for any military construction project or activity for which
American steel producers, fabricators, or manufacturers have been
denied the opportunity to compete. This interim rule adds DFARS policy
and a contract clause to implement the statutory prohibition.
This rule was not subject to Office of Management and Budget review
under Executive Order 12866, dated September 30, 1993.
B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
DoD has prepared an initial regulatory flexibility analysis
consistent with 5 U.S.C. 603. A copy of the analysis may be obtained
from the point of contact specified herein. The analysis is summarized
as follows:
This interim rule implements Section 108 of the Military
Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2009. The
objective of the rule is to ensure that American steel producers,
fabricators, and manufacturers are given the opportunity to compete for
contracts and subcontracts for the acquisition of steel for use in
military construction projects and activities. Existing Buy American
Act and Balance of Payments Program requirements, implemented in FAR
Subpart 25.2 and DFARS Subpart 225.75 respectively, already provide for
DoD acquisition of domestic construction materials, including steel.
However, this DFARS rule will prohibit use of the exceptions to Buy
American Act/Balance of Program requirements otherwise permitted by
FAR/DFARS, with regard to the acquisition of steel, unless American
steel producers, fabricators, and manufacturers are first provided the
opportunity to compete. The rule is expected to benefit American steel
producers, fabricators, and manufacturers by ensuring they are provided
an opportunity to compete for contracts and subcontracts for the
acquisition of steel for use in military construction projects and
activities.
DoD invites comments from small businesses and other interested
parties. DoD also will consider comments from small entities concerning
the affected DFARS subparts in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610. Such
comments should be submitted separately and should cite DFARS Case
2008-D038.
C. Paperwork Reduction Act
The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply, because the rule does
not impose any information collection requirements that require the
approval of the Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3501,
et seq.
D. Determination To Issue an Interim Rule
A determination has been made under the authority of the Secretary
of Defense that urgent and compelling reasons exist to publish an
interim rule prior to affording the public an opportunity to comment.
This interim rule implements Section 108 of the Military Construction
and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 110-329,
Division E). Section 108 establishes a prohibition on the expenditure
of funds for the procurement of steel for any military construction
project or activity, unless American steel producers, fabricators, and
manufacturers have been provided an opportunity to compete. Comments
received in response to this interim rule will be considered in the
formation of the final rule.
List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 225, 236, and 252
Government procurement.
Michele P. Peterson,
Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations System.
0
Therefore, 48 CFR parts 225, 236, and 252 are amended as follows:
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1. The authority citation for 48 CFR parts 225, 236, and 252 continues
to read as follows:
Authority: 41 U.S.C. 421 and 48 CFR chapter 1.
PART 225--FOREIGN ACQUISITION
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2. Section 225.7014 is revised to read as follows:
225.7014 Restrictions on military construction.
(a) For restriction on award of military construction contracts to
be performed in the United States outlying areas in the Pacific and on
Kwajalein Atoll, or in
[[Page 2418]]
countries bordering the Arabian Gulf, see 236.273(a).
(b) For restriction on acquisition of steel for use in military
construction projects, see 236.274.
PART 236--CONSTRUCTION AND ARCHITECT-ENGINEER CONTRACTS
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3. Section 236.274 is added to read as follows:
236.274 Restriction on acquisition of steel for use in military
construction projects.
In accordance with section 108 of the Military Construction and
Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 110-329, Division
E), do not acquire, or allow a contractor to acquire, steel for any
construction project or activity for which American steel producers,
fabricators, or manufacturers have been denied the opportunity to
compete for such acquisition of steel.
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4. Section 236.570 is amended as follows:
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a. By redesignating paragraph (d) as paragraph (e); and
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b. By adding a new paragraph (d) to read as follows:
236.570 Additional provisions and clauses.
* * * * *
(d) Use the clause at 252.236-7013, Requirement for Competition
Opportunity for American Steel Producers, Fabricators, and
Manufacturers, in solicitations and contracts that--
(1) Use funds appropriated by Title I of the Military Construction
and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 110-329,
Division E); and
(2) May require the acquisition of steel as a construction
material.
* * * * *
PART 252--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES
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5. Section 252.236-7013 is added to read as follows:
252.236-7013 Requirement for competition opportunity for american
steel producers, fabricators, and manufacturers.
As prescribed in 236.570(d), use the following clause:
REQUIREMENT FOR COMPETITION OPPORTUNITY FOR AMERICAN STEEL PRODUCERS,
FABRICATORS, AND MANUFACTURERS (JAN 2009)
(a) Definition. Construction material, as used in this clause,
means an article, material, or supply brought to the construction
site by the Contractor or a subcontractor for incorporation into the
building or work.
(b) The Contractor shall provide American steel producers,
fabricators, and manufacturers the opportunity to compete when
acquiring steel as a construction material (e.g., steel beams, rods,
cables, plates).
(c) The Contractor shall insert the substance of this clause,
including this paragraph (c), in any subcontract that involves the
acquisition of steel as a construction material.
(End of clause)
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6. Section 252.244-7000 is amended as follows:
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a. By revising the clause date;
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b. By redesignating paragraphs (b) through (d) as paragraphs (c)
through (e) respectively; and
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c. By adding a new paragraph (b) to read as follows:
252.244-7000 Subcontracts for commercial items and commercial
components (DOD contracts).
* * * * *
SUBCONTRACTS FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS AND COMMERCIAL COMPONENTS (DOD
CONTRACTS) (JAN 2009)
* * * * *
(b) 252.236-7013 Requirement for Competition Opportunity for
American Steel Producers, Fabricators, and Manufacturers (Pub. L.
110-329, Division E, Section 108).
* * * * *
[FR Doc. E9-677 Filed 1-14-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-08-P