[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 132 (Tuesday, July 11, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 35719-35720]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-16949]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
48 CFR Part 1552
[FRL-5225-7]
Acquisition Regulation; Compliance With EPA Policies for
Information Resources Management
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: This document proposes a change to the Environmental
Protection
[[Page 35720]]
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 bulletin board service (BBS). Agency
contractors will be required to review the Internet or bulletin board
when receiving a work request (i.e. delivery order or work assignment)
to ascertain the applicable IRM policies. The intended effect of this
proposed rule is to ensure that contractors perform IRM related work in
accordance with current EPA policies.
DATES: Written comments shall be submitted not later than September 11,
1995.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to: Environmental Protection
Agency, Office of Acquisition Management (3802F), 401 M Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20460, Attention: Edward N. Chambers.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edward N. Chambers, telephone: (202)
260-6028.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Background
The required EPA 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be at risk for requiring compliance with outdated directives.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
locating the references and providing the full text of all required IRM
policies on the Internet or the Agency's bulletin board service, 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).
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 proposed 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.
Internet and electronic bulletin boards are widely available
information services, 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.
List of Subjects in 48 CFR Part 1552
Government Procurement, Specifications, Standards, and other
Purchase Descriptions, Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses.
Dated: June 14, 1995.
Betty L. Bailey,
Director, Office of Acquisition Management.
For reasons set out in the preamble, chapter 15 of title 48 Code of
Federal Regulations is proposed to be amended as set forth below:
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 the date in the
clause heading and paragraphs (b), (c) and (d); and by removing
paragraphs (e) and (f) to read as follows:
Sec. 1552.210-79 Compliance with EPA Policies for Information
Resources Management.
* * * * *
Compliance With EPA Policies for Information Resources Management (XXX-
1995)
* * * * *
(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 Directives System contain 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 Quality.
(3) EPA Computing and Telecommunications Services. The National
Data Processing Division (NDPD) 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.
(c) Printed Documents. Documents listed in paragraphs (b)(1) and
(b)(2) above 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 SW.,
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 Directives
System as well as the two other EPA documents noted in this clause
is maintained on the EPA Public Access Server on the Internet. The
listing is located in the EPA policy section under IRM Policy,
Standards and Guidance. The address is gopher.epa.gov.
(2) Bulletin Board Notices. All documents, including the
listing, are available for browsing and electronic download through
a dial-up modem bulletin board service (BBS). Dial (919) 558-0335
for access to the BBS. 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 the BBS
or the Internet. For technical assistance, call 1-800-334-2405.
(End of Clause)
[FR Doc. 95-16949 Filed 7-10-95; 8:45 am]
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