04-3693. Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Protection of Privacy and Freedom of Information

AGENCY:

Department of Defense (DoD).

ACTION:

Proposed rule with request for comments.

SUMMARY:

DoD is proposing to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to delete text pertaining to the applicability of the Freedom of Information Act. This proposed rule is a result of a transformation initiative undertaken by DoD to dramatically change the purpose and content of the DFARS.

DATES:

Comments on the proposed rule should be submitted in writing to the address shown below on or before April 23, 2004, to be considered in the formation of the final rule.

ADDRESSES:

Respondents may submit comments via the Internet at http://emissary.acq.osd.mil/​dar/​dfars.nsf/​pubcomm. As an alternative, respondents may e-mail comments to: [e-mail]. Please cite DFARS Case 2003-D038 in the subject line of e-mailed comments.

Respondents that cannot submit comments using either of the above methods may submit comments to: Defense Acquisition Regulations Council, Attn: Mr. Euclides Barrera, OUSD(AT&L)DPAP(DAR), IMD 3C132, 3062 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3062; facsimile [phone]. Please cite DFARS Case 2003-D038.

At the end of the comment period, interested parties may view public comments on the Internet at http://emissary.acq.osd.mil/​dar/​dfars.nsf.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Euclides Barrera, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

DFARS Transformation is a major DoD initiative to dramatically change the purpose and content of the DFARS. The objective is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the acquisition process, while allowing the acquisition workforce the flexibility to innovate. The transformed DFARS will contain only requirements of law, DoD-wide policies, delegations of FAR authorities, deviations from FAR requirements, and policies/procedures that have a significant effect beyond the internal operating procedures of DoD or a significant cost or administrative impact on contractors or offerors. Additional information on the DFARS Transformation initiative is available at http://www.acq.osd.mil/​dp/​dars/​transf.htm.

This proposed rule is a result of the DFARS Transformation initiative. The rule deletes DFARS 224.102, which specifies that the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) does not apply to certain contractor records. DoD considers the DFARS text to be unnecessary, because this issue is adequately addressed in DoD 5400.11-R, Department of Defense Privacy Program, which is referenced in DFARS 224.103.

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 does not expect this rule to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities within the meaning of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq., because deletion of the DFARS text does not represent a change in DoD policy. Therefore, DoD has not performed an initial regulatory flexibility analysis. DoD invites comments from small businesses and other interested parties. DoD also will consider comments from small entities concerning the affected DFARS subpart in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610. Such comments should be submitted separately and should cite DFARS Case 2003-D038.

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 224

• Government procurement

Michele P. Peterson,

Executive Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations Council.

Therefore, DoD proposes to amend 48 CFR Part 224 as follows:

1. The authority citation for 48 CFR Part 224 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 41 U.S.C. 421 and 48 CFR Chapter 1.

PART 224—PROTECTION OF PRIVACY AND FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

224.102

[Removed]

2. Section 224.102 is removed.