2010-13549. Small Business Size Standards: Waiver of the Nonmanufacturer Rule

AGENCY:

U.S. Small Business Administration.

ACTION:

Notice of intent to waive the nonmanufacturer rule for configured tape library storage equipment.

SUMMARY:

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is considering granting a class waiver of the Nonmanufacturer Rule for Configured Tape Library Storage Equipment. SBA is initiating a request that an class waiver be granted for Configured Tape Library Storage Equipment, Product Service Code (PSC) 7025 Automated Data Processing (ADP) Input/Output and Storage Devices, 7035 ADP Support Equipment, and 7045 ADP Supplies, under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 334112 (Computer Storage Device Manufacturing). According to our research, no small business manufacturers supply these classes of products to the Federal government. Thus, SBA is seeking information on whether there are small business Configured Tape Library Storage Equipment manufacturers. If granted, the waiver would allow otherwise qualified small businesses to supply the products of any manufacturer on a Federal contract set aside for small businesses, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned (SDVO) small businesses or Participants in the SBA's 8(a) Business Development (BD) program.

DATES:

Comments and source information must be submitted June 22, 2010.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments and source information to Edith Butler, Program Analyst, Small Business Administration, Office of Government Contracting, 409 3rd Street, SW., Suite 8800, Washington, DC 20416.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ms. Edith Butler, Program Analyst, by telephone at [phone]; by Fax at [phone]; or by e-mail at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Section 8(a)(17) of the Small Business Act (Act), 15 U.S.C. 637(a)(17), and SBA's implementing regulations require that recipients of Federal supply contracts set aside for small businesses, SDVO small businesses, or Participants in the SBA's 8(a) BD Program provide the product of a small business manufacturer or processor, if the recipient is other than the actual manufacturer or processor of the product. This requirement is commonly referred to as the Nonmanufacturer Rule. 13 CFR 121.406(b), 125.15(c). Section 8(a)(17)(b)(iv) of the Act authorizes SBA to waive the Nonmanufacturer Rule for any “class of products” for which there are no small business manufacturers or processors available to participate in the Federal market.

In order to be considered available to participate in the Federal market for a class of products, a small business manufacturer must have submitted a proposal for a contract solicitation or received a contract from the Federal government within the last 24 months. 13 CFR 121.1202(c). The SBA defines “class of products” based on the Office of Management and Budget's NAICS.

In addition, SBA uses PSCs to further identify particular products within the NAICS code to which a waiver would apply. The SBA may then identify a specific item within a PSC and NAICS to which a class waiver would apply.

The SBA is currently processing a request to waive the Nonmanufacturer Rule for Configured Tape Library Storage Equipment, PSC 7025 (ADP Input/Output and Storage Devices), 7035 (ADP Support Equipment), and 7045 (ADP Supplies), under NAICS code 334112 (Computer Storage Device Manufacturing). The public is invited to comment or provide source information to SBA on the proposed waiver of the Nonmanufacturer Rule for the product within 15 days after date of publication in the Federal Register and on FedBizOpps.

Dated: May 26, 2010.

Randall Johnston,

Deputy Director, Office of Government Contracting.