Federal Acquisition Regulation; General Records Schedules

AGENCIES:

Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) have agreed on a final rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement the revised National Archives and Records Administration General Records Schedule 3, Procurement, Supply, and Grants Records (NARA Schedule 3), dated December 15, 1998.

DATES:

Effective Date: August 7, 2000.

Applicability Date: The FAR, as amended by this rule, is applicable to solicitations issued on or after August 7, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

The FAR Secretariat, Room 4035, GS Building, Washington, DC, 20405, (202) 501-4755, for information pertaining to status or publication schedules. For clarification of content, contact Ms. Linda K. Nelson, Procurement Analyst, at (202) 501-1900. Please cite FAC 97-18, FAR case 1999-615.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

The intent of the update was to align the FAR text with the revised NARA Schedule 3.

The rule—

• Amends FAR 4.705-2 and revises 4.805 to align the text with the new NARA Schedule 3;
• Revises and rearranges the table at FAR 4.805(b) to group similar types of contract instruments together (e.g., construction contracts and related case files, and unsuccessful offers and proposals); and
• Reorganizes and revises the FAR text for ease of use. The rule is written using plain language in accordance with the White House memorandum, Plain Language in Government Writing, dated June 1, 1999.

This rule was not subject to Office of Management and Budget review under Section 6(b) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, dated September 30, 1993. This rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

The final rule does not constitute a significant FAR revision within the meaning of FAR 1.501 and Public Law 98-577, and publication for public comments is not required. However, the Councils will consider comments from small entities concerning the affected FAR subpart in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610. Interested parties must submit such comments separately and should cite 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq. (FAC 97-18, FAR case 1999-615), in correspondence.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the changes to the FAR do not impose information collection requirements that require the approval of the Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Part 4

• Government procurement

Therefore, DoD, GSA, and NASA amend 48 CFR part 4 as set forth below:

PART 4—ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

1. The authority citation for 48 CFR part 4 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 40 U.S.C. 486(c); 10 U.S.C. chapter 137; and 42 U.S.C. 2473(c).

2. Amend section 4.705-2 by revising the section heading and paragraph (a) to read as follows:

3. Revise section 4.800 to read as follows:

4. Revise section 4.805 to read as follows: