01-26301. Federal Acquisition Regulation; Very Small Business Pilot Program

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) by extending, for three additional years, the Very Small Business Pilot Program until September 30, 2003. This rule implements section 503(c) of the Small Business Reauthorization Act of 2000 (part of Public Law 106-554).

DATES:

Effective Date: December 21, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

The FAR Secretariat, Room 4035, GS Building, Washington, DC, 20405, at [phone] for information pertaining to status or publication schedules. For clarification of content, contact Ms. Rhonda Cundiff, Procurement Analyst, at [phone]. Please cite FAC 2001-01, FAR case 2001-001

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

This final rule amends paragraph (c) of section 19.901 to implement section 503(c) of the Small Business Reauthorization Act of 2000 (part of Public Law 106-554). Section 503(c) amends Section 304 of Public Law 103-403 (15 U.S.C. 644 note) to extend the pilot program through September 30, 2003. The purpose of the program is to improve access to Government contract opportunities for concerns that are substantially below SBA's size standards by reserving certain acquisitions for competition among such concerns. This is not a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was not subject to review under Section 6(b) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, dated September 30, 1993. This is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

The final rule does not constitute a significant revision within the meaning of FAR 1.501 and Public Law 98-577, and publication for public comment is not required. However, the Councils will consider comments from small entities concerning the affected FAR Part 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 2001-01, FAR case 2001-001), in correspondence.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

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

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Part 19

• Government Procurement

Dated: October 12, 2001.

Al Matera,

Director, Acquisition Policy Division.

Therefore, DoD, GSA and NASA amend 48 CFR part 19 as set forth below:

PART 19—VERY SMALL BUSINESS PILOT PROGRAM

1. The authority citation for 48 CFR part 19 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).

19.901

[Amended]

2. Amend section 19.901 in the first sentence of paragraph (c) by removing “2000” and adding “2003” in its place.