95-681. Acquisition Regulation; Acquisition and Use of Environmentally Preferable Products and Services  

  • [Federal Register Volume 60, Number 7 (Wednesday, January 11, 1995)]
    [Proposed Rules]
    [Pages 2727-2729]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 95-681]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
    
    48 CFR Parts 923 and 970
    
    RIN 1991-AB05
    
    
    Acquisition Regulation; Acquisition and Use of Environmentally 
    Preferable Products and Services
    
    AGENCY: Department of Energy.
    
    ACTION: Proposed rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to amend the 
    Department of Energy Acquisition Regulation (DEAR) to provide for the 
    acquisition and use of environmentally preferable products and 
    services.
    
    DATES: Written comments must be received on or before March 13, 1995.
    
    ADDRESSES: Comments on the proposed rule should be addressed to the 
    U.S. Department of Energy, Procurement Policy Division (HR-521.1), 
    Attention: P. Devers Weaver, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, 
    D.C. 20585.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: P. Devers Weaver, Procurement Policy 
    Division (HR-521.1), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence 
    Avenue SW., Washington, D.C. 20585; telephone 202-586-8250.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    Table of Contents
    
    I. Background.
    II. Section-by-Section Analysis.
    III. Public Comments.
    IV. Procedural Requirements.
        A. Review Under Executive Order 12866.
        B. Review Under the National Environmental Policy Act.
        C. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act.
        D. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
        E. Review Under Executive Order 12612.
        F. Public Hearing Determination
        G. Review Under Executive Order 12778.
    
    I. Background
    
        Section 6002 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) 
    of 1976, Public Law 89-272, 42 U.S.C. 6962, requires procuring agencies 
    to establish a preference for the acquisition of products made with 
    recovered materials. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has 
    promulgated guidelines to implement section 6002 of RCRA. These 
    guidelines, for products that are designated ``environmentally 
    preferable,'' including retread tires, re-refined lubricating oil, and 
    recycled paper, are set forth at Title 40 of the Code of Federal 
    Regulations, Parts 247 through 253. Also, Executive Order 12873 of 
    October 20, 1993, Federal Acquisition, Recycling, and Waste Prevention, 
    requires management and operating contractors in their contracting 
    practices to comply with RCRA requirements that are applicable to 
    Federal agencies. Implementing RCRA, the Office of Federal Procurement 
    Policy on November 2, 1992, issued its Policy Letter No. 92-4, 
    Procurement of Environmentally-Sound and Energy Efficient Products.
        RCRA requires all Federal agencies to develop ``affirmative 
    procurement programs'' (APPs) to assure the purchase of materials 
    covered by the EPA guidelines. DOE issued its APP in May 1994 in the 
    document ``Affirmative Procurement Program For Products Containing 
    Recovered Materials,'' providing DOE guidance for compliance with RCRA 
    and the Executive Order.
        The Department proposes to amend the DEAR to provide a contract 
    clause, Acquisition and Use of Environmentally Preferable Products and 
    Services. The clause is to be incorporated in DOE management and 
    operating contracts, to promote the acquisition and use of 
    environmentally preferable products and services, in accordance with 
    specified Department of Energy and other Federal policies.
    
    II. Section-by-Section Analysis
    
        1. Section 923.471 describes DOE policy to acquire items composed 
    of the highest percentage of recovered/recycled materials without 
    adversely affecting performance requirements.
        2. To subpart 970.23, section 970.2304 is added.
        Section 970.2304-1 extends the requirements at subpart 923.4 on the 
    acquisition and use of environmentally preferable products and services 
    to management and operating contracts.
        3. Sections 970.5204-YY and 970.2304-2 provide a clause and a 
    requirement for the use of the clause, Acquisition and Use of 
    Environmentally Preferable Products and Services. The clause provides 
    for compliance with Executive Order 12873, certain RCRA and EPA 
    requirements, and certain DOE requirements involving the acquisition 
    and use of environmentally preferable products and services. Paragraph 
    (a)(4) of the clause at 970.5204-YY refers to an ``Affirmative 
    Procurement Program'' guidance document. A copy of this guidance 
    document is available, without charge, upon informal written request 
    to: Director, Waste Minimization Division (EM-334), U.S. Department of 
    Energy, Washington, DC 20585-0002. (Please do not use telephone or fax 
    to request the document.)
    
    III. Public Comments
    
        DOE invites interested persons to participate by submitting data, 
    views, or arguments with respect to the proposed DEAR amendments set 
    forth in this rule. Three copies of written comments should be 
    submitted to the address indicated in the ADDRESSES section of this 
    rule. All comments received will be available for public inspection 
    during normal work hours. All written comments received by the date 
    indicated in the DATES section of this notice will be carefully 
    assessed and fully considered prior to the effective date of these 
    amendments as a final rule. Any information considered to be 
    confidential must be so identified and submitted in writing, one copy 
    only. DOE reserves the right to determine the confidential status of 
    the information and to treat it according to its determination in 
    accordance with 10 CFR 1004.11.
    
    [[Page 2728]]
    
    IV. Procedural Requirements
    
    A. Review Under Executive Order 12866
    
        This regulatory action has been determined not to be a 
    ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866, 
    Regulatory Planning and Review, (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993). 
    Accordingly this action was not subject to review under the Executive 
    Order by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs.
    
    B. Review Under the National Environmental Policy Act
    
        Pursuant to the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 
    CFR 1500-1508), the Department has established guidelines for its 
    compliance with the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act 
    (NEPA) of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). Pursuant to Subpart D of 10 
    CFR Part 1021, National Environmental Policy Act Implementing 
    Procedures, the Department of Energy has determined that this rule is 
    categorically excluded from the need to prepare an environmental impact 
    statement or environmental assessment. This rule establishes a clause 
    and practices for the purchase of goods and services and does not 
    require preparation of an environmental impact statement or an 
    environmental assessment under categorical exclusion A6 of Subpart D.
    
    C. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act
    
        To the extent that new information collection or recordkeeping 
    requirements are imposed by this rulemaking, they are provided for 
    under Office of Management and Budget paperwork clearance package No. 
    1910-0300.
    
    D. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act
    
        This rule was reviewed under the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 
    1980, Pub. L. 96-354, which requires preparation of a regulatory 
    flexibility analysis for any rule which is likely to have significant 
    economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. This rule 
    will have no impact on interest rates, tax policies or liabilities, the 
    cost of goods or services, or other direct economic factors. It will 
    also not have any indirect economic consequences, such as changed 
    construction rates. DOE certifies that this rule will not have a 
    significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities 
    and, therefore, no regulatory flexibility analysis has been prepared.
    
    E. Review Under Executive Order 12612
    
        Executive Order 12612 entitled ``Federalism,'' 52 FR 41685 (October 
    30, 1987), requires that regulations, rules, legislation, and any other 
    policy actions be reviewed for any substantial direct effects on 
    States, on the relationship between the Federal Government and the 
    States, or in the distribution of power and responsibilities among 
    various levels of Government. If there are sufficient substantial 
    direct effects, then the Executive Order requires preparation of a 
    federalism assessment to be used in all decisions involved in 
    promulgating and implementing a policy action. The Department of Energy 
    has determined that this rule will not have a substantial direct effect 
    on the institutional interests or traditional functions of States.
    
    F. Public Hearing Determination
    
        DOE has concluded that the proposed rule does not involve any 
    significant issues of law or fact. Therefore, consistent with 5 U.S.C. 
    553, DOE has not scheduled a public hearing.
    
    G. Review Under Executive Order 12778
    
        Section 2 of Executive Order 12778 instructs each agency to adhere 
    to certain requirements in promulgating new regulations and reviewing 
    existing regulations. These requirements, set forth in sections 2(a) 
    and (b)(2), include eliminating drafting errors and needless ambiguity, 
    drafting the regulations to minimize litigation, providing clear and 
    certain legal standards for affected legal conduct, and promoting 
    simplification and burden reduction. Agencies are also instructed to 
    make every reasonable effort to ensure that the regulation: specifies 
    clearly any preemptive effect, effect on existing Federal law or 
    regulation, and retroactive effect; describes any administrative 
    proceedings to be available prior to judicial review and any provisions 
    for the exhaustion of such administrative proceedings; and defines key 
    terms. DOE certifies that this rule meets the requirements of sections 
    2(a) and 2(b) of Executive Order 12778.
    
    List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 923 and 970
    
        Government procurement.
    
        Issued in Washington, D.C. on January 6, 1995.
    Richard H. Hopf,
    Deputy Assistant Secretary for Procurement and Assistance Management.
    
        For the reasons set forth in the preamble, Chapter 9 of Title 48 of 
    the Code of Federal Regulations is proposed to be amended as set forth 
    below.
    
    PART 923--ENVIRONMENT, CONSERVATION, AND OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
    
        1. The authority citation for Part 923 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7254; 40 U.S.C. 486(c).
    
        2. New subpart 923.4 is added as follows:
    
    Subpart 923.4--Use of Recovered Materials
    
    
    923.471  Policy.
    
        The DOE policy is to acquire items composed of the highest 
    percentage of recovered/recycled materials practicable (consistent with 
    published minimum content standards), without adversely affecting 
    performance requirements; consistent with maintaining a satisfactory 
    level of competition; and consistent with maintaining cost 
    effectiveness and not having a price premium paid for products 
    containing recovered/recycled materials.
    
    PART 970--DOE MANAGEMENT AND OPERATING CONTRACTS
    
        3. The authority citation for Part 970 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: Sec. 161 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 
    2201), sec. 644 of the Department of Energy Organization Act, Pub. 
    L. 95-91 (42 U.S.C. 7254), sec. 201 of the Federal Civilian Employee 
    and Contractor Travel Expenses Act of 1985 (41 U.S.C. 420) and sec. 
    1534 of the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1986, Pub. L. 
    99-145 (42 U.S.C. 7256a), as amended.
    
        4. Section 970.2304 is added to read as follows:
    
    
    970.2304  Use of Recovered/Recycled Materials.
    
    
    970.2304-1  General.
    
        The policy for the acquisition and use of environmentally 
    preferable products and services is described at 48 CFR part 923, 
    subpart 923.4.
    
    
    970.2304-2  Contract clause.
    
        The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 970.5204-YY, 
    Acquisition and Use of Environmentally Preferable Products and 
    Services, in management and operating contracts.
        5. To subpart 970.52 add section 970.5204-YY as follows:
    
    
    970.5204-YY  Acquisition and Use of Environmentally Preferable Products 
    and Services.
    
        As prescribed in 970.2304-2, insert the following clause in 
    management and operating contracts.
    
    [[Page 2729]]
    
    Acquisition and Use of Environmentally Preferable Products and Services
    
        (a) In the performance of this contract, the Contractor shall 
    comply with the requirements of the following issuances:
        (1) Executive Order 12873 of October 20, 1993, entitled 
    ``Federal Acquisition, Recycling, and Waste Prevention,''
        (2) Section 6002 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act 
    (RCRA) of 1976, as amended (42 U.S.C. 6962, Pub. L. 94-580, 90 Stat. 
    2822),
        (3) Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Subchapter I, 
    Parts 247 through 253 (Solid Wastes, Guidelines for the procurement 
    of certain products that contain recovered/recycled materials) and 
    such other Subchapter I Parts or Comprehensive Procurement 
    Guidelines as the Environmental Protection Agency may issue from 
    time to time as guidelines for the procurement of products that 
    contain recovered/recycled materials,
        (4) ``U.S. Department of Energy Affirmative Procurement Program 
    for Products Containing Recovered Materials'' and related guidance 
    document(s), as they are identified in writing by the Department.
        (b) The Contractor shall prepare and submit reports on matters 
    related to the use of environmentally preferable products and 
    services from time to time in accordance with written direction 
    (e.g., in a specified format) from the Contracting Officer.
        (c) In complying with the requirements of paragraph (a), the 
    Contractor shall coordinate its concerns and seek implementing 
    guidance on Federal and Departmental policy, plans, and program 
    guidance with the DOE recycling point of contact, who shall be 
    identified by the Contracting Officer. Reports required pursuant to 
    paragraph (b) shall be submitted through the DOE recycling point of 
    contact.
    
    (End of clause)
    
    [FR Doc. 95-681 Filed 1-10-95; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 6450-01-U
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
01/11/1995
Department:
Energy Department
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Proposed rule.
Document Number:
95-681
Dates:
Written comments must be received on or before March 13, 1995.
Pages:
2727-2729 (3 pages)
RINs:
1991-AB05
PDF File:
95-681.pdf
CFR: (2)
48 CFR 923
48 CFR 970