2015-32875. Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Trade Agreements Thresholds (DFARS Case 2016-D003)
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Start Preamble
AGENCY:
Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Department of Defense (DoD).
ACTION:
Final rule.
SUMMARY:
DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to incorporate increased thresholds for application of the World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement and the Free Trade Agreements, as determined by the United States Trade Representative.
DATES:
Effective: January 1, 2016.
Start Further InfoFOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Amy G. Williams, telephone 571-372-6106.
End Further Info End Preamble Start Supplemental InformationSUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Every two years, the trade agreements thresholds are escalated according to a predetermined formula set forth in the agreements. The United States Trade Representative has specified the following new thresholds in the Federal Register (80 FR 77694, December 15, 2015):
Trade agreement Supply contract (equal to or exceeding) Construction contract (equal to or exceeding) WTO GPA 191,000 7,358,000 FTAs: Australia FTA 77,533 7,358,000 Bahrain FTA 191,000 10,079,365 CAFTA-DR (Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua) 77,533 7,358,000 Chile FTA 77,533 7,358,000 Colombia FTA 77,533 7,358,000 Korea FTA 100,000 7,358,000 Morocco FTA 191,000 7,358,000 NAFTA —Canada 25,000 10,079,365 —Mexico 77,533 10,079,365 Panama FTA 191,000 7,358,000 Peru FTA 191,000 7,358,000 Singapore FTA 77,533 7,358,000 II. Discussion and Analysis
This final rule implements the new thresholds in DFARS part 225, Foreign Contracting, for sections that include trade agreements thresholds (i.e., 225.1101, 225.7017-3, 225.7017-4, and 225.7503). Additionally, the rule updates clauses 252.225-7017, Photovoltaic Devices, and 252.225-7018, Photovoltaic Devices—Certificate, with conforming changes. A minor technical amendment corrects cross references at 225.1101(10)(i) and paragraphs (b)(1)(i) and (ii) of the clause at 252.225-7018.
III. Publication of This Final Rule for Public Comment Is Not Required by Statute
The statute that applies to the publication of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is 41. U.S.C. entitled “Publication of Proposed Regulations.” Paragraph (a)(1) of the statute requires that a procurement policy, regulation, procedure or form (including an amendment or modification thereof) must be published for public comment if it relates to the expenditure of appropriated funds, and has either a significant effect beyond the internal operating procedures of the agency Start Printed Page 81471issuing the policy, regulation, procedure or form, or has a significant cost or administrative impact on contractors or offerors. This final rule is not required to be published for public comment, because it only adjusts the thresholds according to predetermined formulae to adjust for changes in economic conditions, thus maintaining the status quo, without significant effect beyond the internal operating procedures of the Government.
IV. Executive Orders 12866 and 13563
Executive Orders (E.O.s) 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess all costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). E.O. 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility. This is not a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was not subject to review under section 6(b) of E.O. 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, dated September 30, 1993. This rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804.
V. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act does not apply to this rule because this final rule does not constitute a significant FAR revision within the meaning of FAR 1.501-1, and 41 U.S.C. 1707 does not require publication for public comment.
VI. Paperwork Reduction Act
The Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35) does apply, because the final rule affects the prescriptions for use of the certification and information collection requirements in the provision at DFARS 252.225-7035 and the certification and information collection requirements in the provision at DFARS 252.225-7018 (both currently approved under OMB Control #0704-0229), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement Part 225, Foreign Acquisition and Related Clauses. However, there is no impact on the estimated burden hours, because the threshold changes are in line with inflation and maintain the status quo.
Start List of SubjectsList of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 225 and 252
- Government procurement
Jennifer L. Hawes,
Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations System.
Therefore, 48 CFR parts 225 and 252 are amended as follows:
Start Amendment Part1. The authority citation for 48 CFR parts 225 and 252 continues to read as follows:
End Amendment Part Start PartPART 225—FOREIGN CONTRACTING
[Amended]2. Amend section 225.1101—
End Amendment Part Start Amendment Parta. In paragraph (6) introductory text, by removing “$204,000” and adding “$191,000” in its place;
End Amendment Part Start Amendment Partb. In paragraph (10)(i) introductory text, by removing “$204,000” and adding “$191,000” in its place, and removing “at 25.401 applies” and adding “at FAR 25.401 or 225.401 applies” in its place;
End Amendment Part Start Amendment Partc. In paragraphs (10)(i)(A), by removing “$204,000” and adding “$191,000” in its place;
End Amendment Part Start Amendment Partd. In paragraph (10)(i)(B), by removing “$79,507” and adding “$77,533” in its place;
End Amendment Part Start Amendment Parte. In paragraph (10)(i)(C), by removing “$204,000” and adding “$191,000” in its place; and
End Amendment Part Start Amendment Partf. In paragraphs (10)(i)(D) through (F), by removing “$79,507” wherever it appears and adding “$77,533)” in its place.
End Amendment Part[Amended]3. Amend section 225.7017-3 in paragraph (b) by removing “$204,000” and adding “$191,000” in its place.
End Amendment Part[Amended]4. Amend section 225.7017-4 in paragraphs (a)(1) and (b)(1) by removing “$204,000” and adding “$191,000” in both places.
End Amendment Part[Amended]5. Amend section 225.7503—
End Amendment Part Start Amendment Parta. In paragraphs (a) and (b) introductory text, by removing “$7,864,000” and adding “$7,358,000” in both places;
End Amendment Part Start Amendment Partb. In paragraph (b)(1), by removing “$10,335,931” and adding “$10,079,365” in its place;
End Amendment Part Start Amendment Partc. In paragraph (b)(2), by removing “$7,864,000” and adding “$7,358,000” in its place, and removing “$10,335,931” and adding “$10,079,365” in its place;
End Amendment Part Start Amendment Partd. In paragraph (b)(3) by removing, “$10,335,931” and adding “$10,079,365” in its place; and
End Amendment Part Start Amendment Parte. In paragraph (b)(4), by removing “$7,864,000” and adding “$7,358,000” in its place, and removing “$10,335,931” and adding “$10,079,365” in its place.
End Amendment Part Start PartPART 252—SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES
[Amended]6. Amend section 252.225-7017—
End Amendment Part Start Amendment Parta. By removing clause date “(NOV 2015)” and adding “(JAN 2016)” in its place;
End Amendment Part Start Amendment Partb. In paragraphs (c)(2) and (3), by removing “$79,507” and adding “$77,533” in its place; and
End Amendment Part Start Amendment Partc. In paragraphs (c)(4) and (5), by removing “$204,000” and adding “$191,000” in its place.
End Amendment Part[Amended]7. Amend section 252.225-7018—
End Amendment Part Start Amendment Parta. By removing clause date “(NOV 2015)” and adding “(JAN 2016)” in its place;
End Amendment Part Start Amendment Partb. In paragraph (b)(1) introductory text, by removing “$204,000” and adding “$191,000” in its place;
End Amendment Part Start Amendment Partc. In paragraph (b)(1)(i), by removing “DFARS 225.217-4(b)” and adding “DFARS 225.7017-4(b)” in its place;
End Amendment Part Start Amendment Partd. In paragraph (b)(1)(ii), by removing “DFARS 225.217-4(a)” and adding “DFARS 225.7017-4(a)” in its place;
End Amendment Part Start Amendment Parte. In paragraph (b)(2), by removing “$204,000” and adding “$191,000” in its place;
End Amendment Part Start Amendment Partf. In paragraphs (d)(3) and (4) introductory text, by removing “$79,507” and adding “$77,533” in both places; and
End Amendment Part Start Amendment Partg. In paragraphs (d)(5) and (6) introductory text, by removing “$204,000” and adding “$191,000” in both places.
End Amendment Part End Supplemental Information[FR Doc. 2015-32875 Filed 12-29-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P
Document Information
- Effective Date:
- 1/1/2016
- Published:
- 12/30/2015
- Department:
- Defense Acquisition Regulations System
- Entry Type:
- Rule
- Action:
- Final rule.
- Document Number:
- 2015-32875
- Dates:
- Effective: January 1, 2016.
- Pages:
- 81470-81471 (2 pages)
- Docket Numbers:
- Docket DARS-2015-0066
- RINs:
- 0750-AI79
- Topics:
- Government procurement
- PDF File:
- 2015-32875.pdf
- CFR: (6)
- 48 CFR 225.1101
- 48 CFR 225.7503
- 48 CFR 225.7017-3
- 48 CFR 225.7017-4
- 48 CFR 252.225-7017
- More ...