04-25814. Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Contracting for Architect-Engineer Services

AGENCY:

Department of Defense (DoD).

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

DoD has adopted as final, without change, an interim rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement Section 1427 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004. Section 1427 increases, from $85,000 to $300,000, the threshold below which acquisitions for architect-engineer services for military construction or family housing projects are set aside for small business concerns.

DATES:

Effective November 22, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Euclides Barrera, Defense Acquisition Regulations Council, OUSD(AT&L)DPAP(DAR), IMD 3C132, 3062 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3062. Telephone [phone]; facsimile [phone]. Please cite DFARS Case 2003-D105.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

DoD published an interim rule at 69 FR 31909 on June 8, 2004, to implement Section 1427 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (Pub. L. 108-136). Section 1427 amended 10 U.S.C. 2855 to increase, from $85,000 to $300,000, the threshold below which acquisitions for architect-engineer services for military construction or family housing projects are set aside for small business concerns. DoD received no comments on the interim rule. Therefore, DoD has adopted the interim rule as a final rule without change.

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 has prepared a final regulatory flexibility analysis consistent with 5 U.S.C. 604. The analysis is summarized as follows:

This rule finalizes an interim DFARS rule published on June 8, 2004, to implement Section 1427 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (Pub. L. 108-136). Section 1427 amended 10 U.S.C. 2855 to increase, from $85,000 to $300,000, the threshold below which acquisitions for architect-engineer services for military construction or family housing projects are set aside for small business concerns. DoD received no public comments on the initial regulatory flexibility analysis or the interim DFARS rule. Therefore, DoD has adopted the interim rule as a final rule without change. The rule will benefit small entities that perform architect-engineer services by increasing opportunities for these entities to receive DoD contract awards.

A copy of the analysis may be obtained from the point of contact specified herein.

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.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Part 219

• Government procurement

Michele P. Peterson,

Executive Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations Council.

Interim Rule Adopted as Final Without Change

Accordingly, the interim rule amending 48 CFR Part 219, which was published at 69 FR 31909 on June 8, 2004, is adopted as a final rule without change.