Proposed Rules. Interim rule with request for comments

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BILLING CODE 5001-08-P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 48 CFR Part 217 [DFARS Case 2003-D004] Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Multiyear Procurement Authority for Environmental Services for Military Installations AGENCY: Department of Defense (DoD). ACTION: Interim rule with request for comments. SUMMARY: DoD has issued an interim rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement Section 827 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003.

Section 827 authorizes DoD to enter into multiyear contracts for environmental remediation services for military installations. DATES: *Effective date:* July 22, 2003. *Comment date:* Comments on the interim rule should be submitted to the address shown below on or before September 22, 2003, to be considered in the formation of the final rule. ADDRESSES: Respondents may submit comments directly on the World Wide Web at *http://emissary.acq.osd.mil/dar/dfars.nsf/pubcomm.* As an alternative, respondents may e-mail comments to: *dfars@acq.osd.mil.* Please cite DFARS Case 2003-D004 in the subject line of e-mailed comments.

Respondents that cannot submit comments using either of the above methods may submit comments to: Defense Acquisition Regulations Council, Attn: Mr. Euclides Barrera, OUSD(AT&L)DPAP(DAR), IMD 3C132, 3062 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3062; facsimile

(703)602-0350. Please cite DFARS Case 2003-D004. At the end of the comment period, interested parties may view public comments on the World Wide Web at *http://emissary.acq.osd.mil/dar/dfars.nsf.* FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Euclides Barrera,

(703)602-0296. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A. Background 10 U.S.C. 2306c provides authority for DoD to enter into contracts for periods of not more than 5 years for certain services, and for items of supply related to those services, even though funds would otherwise be available for obligation only within the fiscal year for which appropriated. Such contracts are authorized if the head of the agency finds that

(1)there will be a continuing requirement for the services consonant with current plans for the proposed contract period;

(2)the furnishing of such services will require a substantial initial investment in plant or equipment, or the incurrence of substantial contingent liabilities for the assembly, training, or transportation of a specialized work force; and

(3)the use of such a contract will promote the best interests of the United States by encouraging effective competition and promoting economies in operation. 10 U.S.C. 2306c is implemented at DFARS 217.171(a). Section 827 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 (Pub. L. 107-314) amended 10 U.S.C. 2306c to add environmental remediation services for military installations to the types of services for which multiyear contracting is authorized. This interim rule amends DFARS 217.171(a), and adds a definition of “military installation” at DFARS 217.103, to implement Section 827. 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 does not expect this rule to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities within the meaning of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, *et seq.* , because application of the rule is limited to contracts for environmental remediation services for military installations. In addition, before using the multiyear contracting authority provided by the rule, the head of the agency must determine that certain conditions exist, to include a determination that use of a multiyear contract will promote the best interests of the United States by encouraging effective competition and promoting economies in operations. Therefore, DoD has not performed an initial regulatory flexibility analysis. DoD invites comments from small businesses and other interested parties. DoD also will consider comments from small entities concerning the affected DFARS subpart in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610. Such comments should be submitted separately and should cite DFARS Case 2003-D004. 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 827 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 (Pub. L. 107-314), which provides authority for DoD to enter into multiyear contracts for environmental remediation services for military installations. Section 827 became effective upon enactment on December 2, 2002. Comments received in response to this interim rule will be considered in the formation of the final rule. List of Subjects in 48 CFR Part 217 Government procurement. Michele P. Peterson, Executive Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations Council. Therefore, 48 CFR Part 217 is amended as follows: 1. The authority citation for 48 CFR Part 217 continues to read as follows: Authority: 41 U.S.C. 421 and 48 CFR Chapter 1. PART 217—SPECIAL CONTRACTING METHODS 2. Section 217.103 is revised to read as follows: 217.103 Definitions. As used in this subpart— *Advance procurement* means an exception to the full funding policy that allows acquisition of long lead time items (advance long lead acquisition) or economic order quantities

(EOQ)of items (advance EOQ acquisition) in a fiscal year in advance of that in which the related end item is to be acquired. Advance procurements may include materials, parts, components, and effort that must be funded in advance to maintain a planned production schedule. *Military installation* means a base, camp, post, station, yard, center, or other activity under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of a military department or, in the case of an activity in a foreign country, under the operational control of the Secretary of a military department or the Secretary of Defense (10 U.S.C. 2801(c)(2)). 3. Section 217.171 is amended by adding paragraph (a)(1)(v) to read as follows: 217.171 Multiyear contracts for services.

(a)* * *

(1)* * *

(v)Environmental remediation services for—

(A)An active military installation;

(B)A military installation being closed or realigned under a base closure law as defined in 10 U.S.C. 2667(h)(2); or

(C)A site formerly used by DoD. [FR Doc. 03-18450 Filed 7-21-03; 8:45 am]

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