[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 126 (Friday, June 28, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33693-33694]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-16583]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
48 CFR Part 1552
[FRL-5525-6]
Acquisition Regulation; Coverage on Information Resources
Management (IRM)
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Environmental Protection Agency
Acquisition Regulation (EPAAR) coverage on Information Resources
Management (IRM) by providing electronic access to EPA IRM policies for
the Agency's contractors. Electronic access is available through the
Internet or a dial-up modem. Agency contractors will be required to
review the Internet or access the dial-up modem when receiving a work
request (i.e. delivery order or work assignment) to ascertain the
applicable IRM policies. The intended effect of this rule is to ensure
that contractors perform IRM related work in accordance with current
EPA policies.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This rule is effective July 15, 1996.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edward N. Chambers at (202) 260-6028.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Background
The required EPA Information Resource Management (IRM) policies are
currently referenced in a clause contained in all Agency solicitations
and contracts. While this clause provides for revised and new
directives through attachments to contracts, because of the rapid
changes in the IRM field, EPA may still be at risk for requiring
compliance with outdated directives. By providing the references and
the full text of all required IRM policies on the Internet, or through
a dial-up modem, EPA will be able to update this information as changes
occur to ensure contractor compliance with current IRM policies. This
effort to provide electronic access is consistent with the Federally
mandated Government Information Locator Service (GILS), a key
initiative of the National Performance Review (NPR).
This regulation was published as a proposed rule in the Federal
Register on July 11, 1995. No comments were received.
Minor edits have been made to clarify the nature and protocols of
the electronic access. While the proposed rule referenced a dial-up
modem bulletin board service (BBS), EPA has subsequently decided that
this mode of electronic access does not qualify as a BBS. Therefore,
the final rule drops the reference to a BBS.
B. Executive Order 12866
This is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order
12866; therefore, no review is required by the Office of Information
and Regulatory Affairs.
C. Paperwork Reduction Act
The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because this rule does
not contain information collection requirements that require the
approval of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under 44. U.S.C.
3501, et. seq.
D. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The rule is not expected to have a significant impact on a
substantial number of small entities within the meaning of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act, U.S.C. 601 et seq.
The Internet and dial-up modems are widely available mechanisms to
access information, used commonly in the conduct of business by both
small and large entities. Compliance with this requirement will require
minimal cost or effort for any entity, large or small.
E. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) P.L.
104-4, establishes requirements for Federal agencies to assess their
regulatory actions on State, local, and tribal governments and the
private sector.
EPA has determined that this rule does not contain a Federal
mandate that may result in expenditures of $100 million or more for
State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or the private
sector in any one year. Private sector costs for this action relate to
expenditures that are far below the level established for UMRA
applicability. Thus, the rule is not subject to the requirements of
section 202 and 205 of the UMRA.
F. Regulated Entities
EPA contractors are entities potentially regulated by this action.
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Category Regulated Entities
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Industry.................................. EPA contractors.
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Questions regarding the applicability of this action to a
particular entity, should be directed to the person listed in the
preceding FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
List of Subjects in 48 CFR Part 1552
Government Procurement, Specifications, Standards, and other
Purchase Descriptions, Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses.
For reasons set out in the preamble, Chapter 15 of Title 48 Code of
Federal Regulations is amended as set forth below:
PART 1552--[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for 48 CFR Part 1552 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: Section 205(c), 63 Stat. 390, as amended, 40 U.S.C.
486(c).
2. Section 1552.210-79 is amended by revising paragraphs (b), (c),
and (d); and by removing paragraphs (e) and (f) to read as follows:
1552.210-79 Compliance with EPA Policies for Information Resources
Management.
* * * * *
[[Page 33694]]
Compliance With EPA Policies for Information Resources Management (June
1996)
* * * * *
(b) General. The Contractor shall perform any IRM related work
under this contract in accordance with the IRM policies, standards
and procedures set forth in this clause and noted below. Upon
receipt of a work request (i.e. delivery order or work assignment),
the Contractor shall check this listing of directives (see paragraph
(d) for electronic access). The applicable directives for
performance of the work request are those in effect on the date of
issuance of the work request.
(1) IRM Policies, Standards and Procedures. The 2100 Series
(2100-2199) of the Agency's Directive System contains the majority
of the Agency's IRM policies, standards and procedures.
(2) Groundwater Program IRM Requirement. A contractor performing
any work related to collecting Groundwater data; or developing or
enhancing data bases containing Groundwater quality data shall
comply with EPA Order 7500.1A--Minimum Set of Data Elements for
Groundwater.
(3) EPA Computing and Telecommunications Services. The
Enterprise Technology Services Division (ETSD) Operational
Directives Manual contains procedural information about the
operation of the Agency's computing and telecommunications services.
Contractors performing work for the Agency's National Computer
Center or those who are developing systems which will be operating
on the Agency's national platforms must comply with procedures
established in the Manual. (This document is only available through
electronic access.)
(c) Printed Documents. Documents listed in (b)(1) and (b)(2) may
be obtained from: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of
Administration Facilities Management and Services Division
Distribution Section Mail Code: 3204 401 M Street, S.W. Washington,
D.C. 20460 Phone: (202) 260-5797
(d) Electronic access. (1) Internet. A complete listing,
including full text, of documents included in the 2100 Series of the
Agency's Directive System, as well as the two other EPA documents
noted in this clause, is maintained on the EPA Public Access Server
on the Internet. Gopher Access: gopher.epa.gov is the address to
access the EPA Gopher. Select `menu keyword search' from the menu
and search on the term `IRM Policy'. Look for IRM Policy, Standards
and Guidance. World Wide Web Access: http://www.epa.gov is the
address for the EPA's www homepage. From the homepage, search on the
term `IRM Policy' and look for IRM Policy, Standards and Guidance.
(2) Dial-Up Modem. All documents, including the listing, are
available for browsing and electronic download through a dial-up
modem. Dial (919) 558-0335 for access to the menu that contains the
listing for EPA policies. Set the communication parameters to 8 data
bits, no parity, 1 stop bit (8,N,1) Full Duplex, and the emulator to
VT-100. The information is the same whether accessed through dial-up
or the Internet. For technical assistance, call 1-800-334-2405.
(End of Clause)
Dated: June 5, 1996.
Betty L. Bailey,
Director, Office of Acquisition Management.
[FR Doc. 96-16583 Filed 6-27-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
