97-26287. Office of Procurement and Property Management; Agriculture Acquisition Regulation; Preference for Selected Biobased Products  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 193 (Monday, October 6, 1997)]
    [Proposed Rules]
    [Pages 52081-52083]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-26287]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
    
    48 CFR Parts 426 and 452
    
    [AGAR Case 96-01]
    RIN 0599-AA00
    
    
    Office of Procurement and Property Management; Agriculture 
    Acquisition Regulation; Preference for Selected Biobased Products
    
    AGENCY: Office of Procurement and Property Management, USDA.
    
    ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
    
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    SUMMARY: This document invites written comments on a proposed amendment 
    to the Department of Agriculture's Acquisition Regulation (AGAR). We 
    are proposing to amend the AGAR to establish policy and procedures for 
    set-asides and preferences for products developed with assistance 
    provided by the Alternative Agricultural Research and Commercialization 
    Corporation (AARC).
    
    DATES: Submit comments on or before December 5, 1997.
    
    ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
    Office of Procurement and Property Management, Procurement Policy 
    Division, STOP 9303, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-
    9303. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for electronic access 
    addresses for comments.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: J. R. Holcombe, Jr., (202) 720-8484.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    I. Background
    II. Procedural Requirements
        A. Executive Order Nos. 12866 and 12988.
        B. Regulatory Flexibility Act.
        C. Paperwork Reduction Act.
    III. Public Comments
    IV. Electronic Access Addresses
    
    I. Background
    
        The AGAR implements the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) (48 
    CFR Ch. 1) where further implementation is needed, and supplements the 
    FAR when coverage is needed for subject matter not covered by the FAR. 
    This proposed rule would amend the AGAR to establish acquisition 
    preferences for selected biobased products; i.e., nonfood, nonfeed 
    products made from agricultural and forestry materials and animal by-
    products (AGAR Case 96-01).
        The Alternative Agricultural Research and Commercialization 
    Corporation (AARC), a wholly-owned government corporation of the 
    Department of Agriculture (USDA), provides financial assistance to 
    private companies and other parties to commercialize biobased products. 
    Section 1665 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 
    1990 (7 U.S.C. 5909), added by section 729 of the Federal Agricultural 
    Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, authorizes Federal executive 
    agencies to establish set asides and preferences for biobased products 
    that have been commercialized with assistance provided by AARC. 
    Pursuant to the authority provided by Section 1665, USDA proposes to 
    add subpart 426.70 to the AGAR to establish policies and procedures for 
    AARC preferences and set-asides.
        The following changes to the AGAR are proposed:
        (a) AGAR part 426 is proposed to be added, with a subpart 426.70, 
    Preference for Selected Biobased Products. This proposed subpart 
    establishes policy and procedures for preferences and set-asides for 
    products developed with AARC assistance.
        (b) Provisions 452.226-70, Preferred Products, 452.226-71, Set-
    aside for Mandatory Products, and 452.226-72, Price Preference for 
    Award, are proposed to be added to AGAR part 452.
    
    II. Procedural Requirements
    
    A. Executive Order Nos. 12866 and 12988
    
        A work plan was prepared for this proposed regulation and submitted 
    to the Office of Management and Budget pursuant to Executive Order No. 
    12866. The proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for 
    the purposes of Executive Order No. 12866. Therefore, the proposed rule 
    has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget. This rule 
    has been reviewed in accordance with Executive Order No. 12988, Civil 
    Justice Reform. The proposed rule meets the applicable standards in 
    section 3 of Executive Order No. 12988.
    
    B. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act
    
        This rule was reviewed under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 
    U.S.C. 601-611, 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. USDA certifies that 
    this proposed rule will not have a significant economic effect on a 
    substantial number of small entities, and, therefore, no regulatory 
    flexibility analysis has been prepared. However, comments from small 
    entities concerning parts affected by the proposed rule will be 
    considered. Such comments must be submitted separately and cite 5 
    U.S.C. 609 (AGAR Case 96-01) in correspondence.
    
    C. Paperwork Reduction Act
    
        No information collection or recordkeeping requirements are imposed 
    on the public by this proposed rule. Accordingly no OMB clearance is 
    required by section 350(h) of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 
    3501, et. seq., or OMB's implementing regulation at 5 CFR Part 1320.
    
    III. Public Comments
    
        Interested persons are invited to participate in this rule making 
    by submitting views and comments with respect to the proposed AGAR 
    revision set out in this notice. All written comments will be carefully 
    assessed and fully considered prior to publication of the final rule.
    
    IV. Electronic Access Addresses
    
        You may submit comments by sending electronic mail (E-mail) to 
    [email protected], or via fax at (202) 720-8972.
    
    [[Page 52082]]
    
    List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 426 and 452
    
        Agriculture, Government procurement.
    
        For the reasons set out in this preamble, the Department proposes 
    to amend Chapter 4 of Title 48 of the Code of Federal Regulations as 
    follows:
        Add Part 426 to subchapter D to read as follows:
    
    PART 426--OTHER SOCIOECONOMIC PROGRAMS
    
    Subpart 426.70--Preference for Selected Biobased Products
    
    Sec.
    426.7000  Scope of subpart.
    426.7001  Applicability.
    426.7002  Authority.
    426.7003  Policy.
    426.7004  Definitions.
    426.7005  Preference list.
    426.7006  Use of a set-aside or a price preference.
    426.7007  Use of a technical evaluation preference.
    426.7008  Identification of preferred products.
    426.7009  Contract provisions.
    
        Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 7 U.S.C. 5909; 40 U.S.C. 486(c)
    
    Subpart 426.70--Preference for Selected Biobased Products
    
    
    426.7000  Scope of subpart.
    
        This subpart supplements the FAR to implement the set-asides and 
    preferences described in section 1665 of the Food, Agriculture, 
    Conservation and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5909).
    
    
    426.7001  Applicability.
    
        This subpart applies to USDA and all of its components, including 
    corporations.
    
    
    426.7002  Authority.
    
        Section 1665 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act 
    of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5909) authorizes USDA to establish set-asides and 
    other preferences for products that have been assisted by the 
    Alternative Agricultural Research and Commercialization Corporation 
    (AARC).
    
    
    426.7003  Policy.
    
        (a) AARC provides financial assistance to private companies and 
    other parties to commercialize nonfood, nonfeed products made from 
    agricultural and forestry materials and animal by-products (biobased 
    products). Biobased products by their nature are environmentally 
    friendly, and, in many instances, use agricultural material that 
    otherwise would be wasted. It is the policy of USDA to acquire AARC 
    products to the maximum extent practicable. This policy applies to all 
    acquisitions of products regardless of dollar value.
        (b) USDA shall satisfy its requirements for products the same or 
    essentially the same as AARC products by applying the preferences or 
    set-asides described by this subpart.
    
    
    426.7004   Definitions.
    
        As used in this subpart--
        AARC products are products developed with assistance provided by 
    AARC as authorized by 7 U.S.C. 5905.
        Acquisitions involving the use of products means an acquisition in 
    which a Government contractor uses products in contract performance.
        Acquisitions of products means an acquisition of one or more 
    products for the use of the Government.
        Price preference means an amount, expressed as a percentage, to be 
    used in the evaluation of offers in an acquisition of products.
        Set-aside means a requirement that vendors responding to a 
    solicitation offer AARC products.
        Solicitation includes actions taken under parts 12, 13, 14, 15, and 
    36 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
        Technical evaluation preference means the use of an award factor or 
    subfactor in which the Government expresses its preference for AARC 
    products.
    
    
    426.7005   Preference list.
    
        (a) The Office of Procurement and Policy Management (OPPM) and AARC 
    jointly shall establish and maintain a Preference List for AARC 
    products.
        (b) The Preference List shall contain the list of preferred 
    products, source information for these products, the type(s) of 
    preference to be applied, the beginning and ending dates for the use of 
    preferences, and other terms established to define the preference given 
    to a product.
        (c) The Preference List will be publicized within USDA by means of 
    AGAR Advisories (see 401.371). Copies of the Preference List may be 
    obtained from OPPM. The Preference List will also be posted on the 
    World Wide Web at the USDA Procurement Home Page.
    
    
    426.7006   Use of a set-aside or a price preference.
    
        Acquisitions for products the same or essentially the same as those 
    products appearing on the Preference List shall either be set-aside 
    exclusively or shall include a price preference for those products 
    shown on the Preference List. The actual price preference to be used 
    shall be determined by the requiring office but may not exceed the 
    percentage shown on the Preference List.
    
    
    426.7007   Use of a technical evaluation preference.
    
        Acquisitions involving the use of products the same or essentially 
    the same as those products appearing on the Preference List shall 
    include a technical evaluation preference, if authorized in the 
    Preference List. The technical evaluation preference may be determined 
    by the contracting officer specifically for each acquisition.
    
    
    426.7008   Identification of preferred products.
    
        (a) Products subject to a set-aside or technical preference shall 
    be separately listed in the schedule, specification, or performance 
    work statement.
        (b) Products subject to a price preference shall be separately 
    listed in the schedule.
    
    
    426.7009   Contract provisions.
    
        (a) Each solicitation containing a price or technical preference 
    under this subpart shall contain the provision 452.226-70, Preferred 
    Products.
        (b) Each solicitation for products subject to a set-aside shall 
    include the provision 452.226-71, Set-Aside For Mandatory Products.
        (c) Each solicitation for products subject to a price preference 
    shall include the provision 452.226-72, Price Preference for Award.
        (d) Solicitations for products may contain both the provision in 
    452.226-71 and the provision found in 452.226-72.
        (e) The provisions prescribed in this section are not required for 
    acquisitions accomplished using the purchase card as a stand alone 
    tool.
    
    PART 452--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES
    
        1. The authority citation for Part 452 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301 and 40 U.S.C. 486(c).
    
        2. Add sections 452.226-70, 452.226-71, and 452.226-72 to read as 
    follows:
    
    
    452.226-70   Preferred Products.
    
        As prescribed in 426.7009(a), include the following provision:
    
    PREFERRED PRODUCTS (XXXX 1997)
    
        Specific products required by this solicitation and resulting 
    contract, are subject to a price or a technical preference. A list 
    of these products, the specific preference, and
    
    [[Page 52083]]
    
    the manufacturer or producer is included below.
    
    Contract Line Item (or other location in this solicitation):*
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    Product:*--------------------------------------------------------------
    
    Manufacturer/Producer:*------------------------------------------------
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Preference:*
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    (End of provision)
    
        *For each line item to which a preference applies. Contracting 
    officer shall insert appropriate information.
    
    
    452.26-71   Set-aside for Mandatory Products.
    
        As prescribed in 426.7009(b), include the following provision.
    
    SET-ASIDE FOR MANDATORY PRODUCTS (XXXX 1997)
    
        Specific products are set-aside as mandatory products. These are 
    separately listed in the schedule, specifications, or performance 
    work statement. Specific terms governing the set-aside, and source 
    information for the products are shown below.
    
    Contract Line Item (or other location in this solicitation):*
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    Product:*--------------------------------------------------------------
    
    Manufacturer/Producer:*
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    Set-Aside Terms:*------------------------------------------------------
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    (End of provision)
    
        * For each line item to which a set-aside applies, Contracting 
    officer shall insert appropriate information.
    
    
    452.226-72  Price Preference for Award.
    
        As prescribed in 426.7009(c), include the following provision:
    
    Price Preference for Award (XXXX 1997)
    
        Certain products listed in the schedule of this solicitation are 
    subject to a price preference. A list of these products, the amount 
    of the preference, and source information is included in provision 
    452.226-70, Preferred Products. For purposes of evaluation of offers 
    only, the offered prices for these products will be reduced by the 
    price preference listed in the solicitation.
    
    (End of provision)
    
    W.R. Ashworth,
    Director, Office of Procurement and Property Management.
    [FR Doc. 97-26287 Filed 10-3-97; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 3410-XE-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
10/06/1997
Department:
Agriculture Department
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Notice of proposed rulemaking.
Document Number:
97-26287
Dates:
Submit comments on or before December 5, 1997.
Pages:
52081-52083 (3 pages)
Docket Numbers:
AGAR Case 96-01
RINs:
0599-AA00: Agriculture Acquisition Regulation
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/0599-AA00/agriculture-acquisition-regulation
PDF File:
97-26287.pdf
CFR: (11)
48 CFR 426.7000
48 CFR 426.7001
48 CFR 426.7002
48 CFR 426.7003
48 CFR 426.7004
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