July 17, 1996

Dear [Designated Senior Official]

The Information Technology Management Reform Act of 1996 (ITMRA) begins a new direction for information technology (IT) in the Federal Government in light of the repeal of the Brooks Act. This letter summarizes the effect of ITMRA on some of current IT programs and activities managed by the General Services Administration's (GSA's) Office of Policy, Planning and Evaluation. Additional information will be provided at a future date.

Federal Information Resources Management Regulation (FIRMR) . GSA will abolish the FIRMR effective August 7, 1996 at 12:00 pm (midnight). The abolishment of the FIRMR is intended to give effect to ITMRA by eliminating GSA's Governmentwide IT regulations at the time ITMRA becomes effective. Agencies should note that although the FIRMR will be abolished, agencies are still required to use the FTS2000 program since its use is predicated on a statutory mandate. Public Law 104-52, at Section 629, prohibits the expenditures of funds outside the FTS2000 unless there is an exception granted by the Administrator of GSA. Section 5124(b) of ITMRA provides explicit authority to GSA "to continue to manage the FTS2000 program." Agencies should contact GSA's Federal Telecommunications Service at (703) 285-1020 with any questions concerning the use of FTS2000. Agencies also are advised that certain portions of the FIRMR may be reissued as part of the Federal Acquisition Regulation or Federal Property Management Regulation. An interagency work group has initially identified FIRMR provisions which are recommended for retention. Larry Wolfe may be contacted on (202) 501-1126 or at larry.wolfe@gsa.gov, if there are questions on abolishment of the FIRMR.

IT Delegations Program . This regulatory program will be eliminated effective August 7, 1996 at 12:00 pm (midnight). Of particular concern to agencies involved in an IT acquisition is that portion of the FIRMR setting forth the delegations of procurement authority process. The timing of the FIRMR's abolishment is to ensure that those agencies operating under a Brooks Act delegations of procurement authority are not

deprived of acquisition authority before the agencies' independent procurement authority under Section 5124 of ITMRA becomes effective on August 8, 1996.

All contracts established under Brooks Act delegations of procurement authority will remain in effect until modified or terminated by an authorized party under ITMRA. All Brooks Act delegations of procurement authority are superseded by agencies' independent procurement authority under ITMRA. Any procurements for Governmentwide Agency Contracts authorized under a specific Brooks Act delegation of procurement authority may proceed to award. All reporting requirements, established in specific Brooks Act delegations of procurement authority are canceled effective August 7, 1996 at 12:00 pm (midnight). All conditions and limitations established in specific Brooks Act delegations of procurement authority may be modified or terminated by agencies effective August 7, 1996 at 12:00 pm (midnight).

If there are questions on termination of the delegations program, Mr. Kenneth Touloumes may be contacted on (202) 501-1126 or at kenneth.touloumes@gsa.gov.

Information Resources Procurement and Management Review Program . This program is terminated .

Federal Information Resources Management Review Program . This program is terminated.

Federal ADP and Telecommunications Standard Index . GSA is working with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to accomplish the transfer of the index to NIST.

Federal Telecommunications Standards . ITMRA, with an effective date of August 8, 1996, transfers the responsibility for telecommunications standards from GSA to NIST.

IT Sharing Program . This program is expected to continue in some form. GSA will develop for OMB a proposal for the most cost effective way to collect and distribute information on sharing opportunities now available in FIRMR Bulletins.

Inventory System . The automatic Data Processing Equipment/Data System (ADPE/DS) will be terminated effective August 7, 1996 at 12:00 pm (midnight). ITMRA requires that agencies conduct an inventory of computer equipment. Two actions are required: conduct an inventory of all equipment currently in use; and, maintain an inventory of excess equipment available for reassignment. At OMB's request, guidance on these two ITMRA requirements was provided to agencies by GSA via a separate letter on May 9, 1996.

If there are questions on the above programs for which a specific contact is not given, Fred Sims may be contacted on (202) 501-0202 or at fred.sims@gsa.gov.

Sincerely,

/S/ G. Martin Wagner

G. Martin Wagner

Associate Administrator