[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 104 (Wednesday, May 31, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28493-28494]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-13255]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
48 CFR Parts 4 and 52
[FAC 90-27, FAR Case 92-50, Item I]
RIN 9000-AG41
Federal Acquisition Regulation; Double-Sided Copying
AGENCIES: Department of Defense (DOD), General Services Administration
(GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
ACTION: Interim rule with request for comment.
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SUMMARY: The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense
Acquisition Regulations Council have agreed to an interim rule amending
the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to encourage contractors to
maximize the use of double-sided copying on recycled paper when
submitting documents related to an acquisition. This regulatory action
was not subject to Office of Management and Budget review under
Executive Order 12866, dated September 30, 1993.
DATES: Effective Date: May 31, 1995.
Comment Date: Comments should be submitted to the FAR Secretariat
at the address shown below on or before July 31, 1995 to be considered
in the formulation of a final rule.
ADDRESSES: Interested parties should submit written comments to:
General Services Administration, FAR Secretariat (VRS), 18th & F
Streets, NW, Room 4035, Attn: Ms Beverly Fayson, Washington, DC 20405.
Please cite FAC 90-27, FAR case 92-50 in all correspondence related
to this case.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Ralph DeStefano at (202) 501-1758 in reference to this FAR case.
For general information, contact the FAR Secretariat, Room 4037, GS
Building, Washington, DC 20405 (202) 501-4755. Please cite FAC 90-27,
FAR case 92-50.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Background
Executive Order 12873, Federal Acquisition, Recycling, and Waste
Prevention, dated October 20, 1993 (58 FR 54911), encourages the use of
double-sided copying on recycled paper for documents printed within the
Government and under Government contracts.
B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
This interim rule is not expected 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 the
requirements under the rule are best efforts requirements. An Initial
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis has, therefore, not been performed.
Comments from small entities concerning the affected FAR subpart will
be considered in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610. Such comments must be
submitted separately and cite 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq. (FAC 90-27, FAR
Case 92-50), in correspondence.
C. Paperwork Reduction Act
The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the changes to
the FAR do not impose recordkeeping or information collection
requirements, or collection of information from offerors, contractors,
or members of the public which require the approval of OMB under 44
U.S.C. 3501, et seq.
D. Determination to Issue an Interim Rule
A determination has been made under the authority of the Secretary
of Defense (DOD), the Administrator of General Services (GSA), and the
Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA) that compelling reasons exist to promulgate this interim rule
without prior opportunity for public comment. This action is necessary
because the rule implements Executive Order 12873, which required FAR
revisions by April 18, 1994. However, pursuant to Public Law 98-577 and
FAR 1.501, public comments received in response to this interim rule
will be considered in the formation of the final rule.
List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 4 and 52
Government procurement.
Dated: May 24, 1995.
C. Allen Olson,
Director, Office of Federal Acquisition Policy.
Therefore, 48 CFR Parts 4 and 52 are amended as set forth below:
1. The authority citation for 48 CFR Parts 4 and 52 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).
PART 4--ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
2. Section 4.000 is revised to read as follows:
4.000 Scope of part.
This part prescribes policies and procedures relating to the
administrative aspects of contract execution, contractor-submitted
paper documents, distribution, reporting, retention, and files.
3. Subpart 4.3 is added to read as follows:
Subpart 4.3--Paper Documents
Sec.
4.300 Scope of subpart.
4.301 Authority.
4.302 Definition.
4.303 Policy.
4.304 Contract clause.
Subpart 4.3--Paper Documents
4.300 Scope of subpart.
This subpart provides policies and procedures on contractor-
submitted paper documents.
4.301 Authority.
The authority for this subpart is established in Executive Order
12873, Sections 402(d) and 504, October 20, 1993.
4.302 Definition.
Printing/copying double-sided, as used in this subpart, means
printing or reproducing a document so that information is on both sides
of a sheet of paper.
4.303 Policy.
It is the policy of the Government that a contractor submitting
paper documents to the Government relating to an acquisition should, if
possible, submit those documents printed/copied double-sided on
recycled paper. If the contractor can only print/copy double-sided or
use recycled paper, the contractor should accomplish whichever one the
contractor has the ability to achieve. [[Page 28494]]
4.304 Contract clause.
The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.204-4,
Printing/Copying Double-Sided on Recycled Paper, in solicitations and
contracts.
PART 52--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES
4. Section 52.204 is added to read as follows:
52.204-4 Printing/Copying Double-Sided on Recycled Paper.
As prescribed in 4.304, insert the following clause:
PRINTING/COPYING DOUBLE-SIDED ON RECYCLED PAPER (MAY 1995)
(a) In accordance with Executive Order 12873, dated October 20,
1993, the Offeror/Contractor is encouraged to submit paper
documents, such as offers, letters, or reports, that are printed/
copied double-sided on recycled paper that has at least 20%
postconsumer material.
(b) The 20% standard applies to high-speed copier paper, offset
paper, forms bond, computer printout paper, and carbonless paper. A
higher standard of 50% recovered material, with 20% postconsumer
material, applies to other uncoated printing and writing papers such
as writing and office paper, book paper, cotton fiber paper, and
cover stock. An alternative standard for either of the standards
specified in this clause is 50% recovered material content of
certain industrial by-products.
(End of clause)
[FR Doc. 95-13255 Filed 5-30-95; 8:45am]
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