2012-455. Federal Acquisition Regulation; Set-Asides for Small Business; Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY:

Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION:

Interim rule; extension of comment period.

SUMMARY:

DoD, GSA, and NASA issued an interim rule on November 2, 2011, amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement section 1331 of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 (Jobs Act). Section 1331 addresses set-asides of task- and delivery-orders under multiple-award contracts, partial set-asides under multiple-award contracts, and the reserving of one or more multiple-award contracts that are awarded using full and open competition. Within this same context, section 1331 also addresses the Federal Supply Schedules Program managed by GSA. DoD, GSA, and NASA are coordinating with the Small Business Administration (SBA) on the development of an SBA proposed rule that will provide greater detail regarding implementation of section 1331 authorities. The comment period is being extended to provide additional time for interested parties to review the FAR changes of FAR Case 2011-024, Set-Asides for Small Business, to February 13, 2012.

DATES:

The comment period for the interim rule published November 2, 2011, at 76 FR 68032, and effective November 2, 2011, is extended. Interested parties should submit written comments to the Regulatory Secretariat on or before February 13, 2012.

ADDRESSES:

Submit comments identified by FAC 2005-54, FAR Case 2011-024, by any of the following methods:

• Regulations.gov: http://www.regulations.gov. Submit comments via the Federal eRulemaking portal by inputting “FAR Case 2011-024” under the heading “Enter Keyword or ID” and selecting “Search.” Select the link “Submit a Comment” that corresponds with “FAR Case 2011-024.” Follow the instructions provided at the “Submit a Comment” screen. Please include your name, company name (if any), and “FAR Case 2011-024” on your attached document.
• Fax: [phone].
• Mail: General Services Administration, Regulatory Secretariat (MVCB), ATTN: Hada Flowers, 1275 First Street NE., 7th Floor, Washington, DC 20417.

Instructions: Please submit comments only and cite FAC 2005-54, FAR Case 2011-024, in all correspondence related to this case. All comments received will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov,, including any personal and/or business confidential information provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Karlos Morgan, Procurement Analyst, at [phone], for clarification of content. For information pertaining to status or publication schedules, contact the Regulatory Secretariat at [phone]. Please cite FAC 2005-54, FAR Case 2011-024.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

DoD, GSA, and NASA published an interim rule in the Federal Register at 76 FR 68032, November 2, 2011. The comment period is extended to provide additional time for interested parties to review and submit comments on the published FAR changes until February 13, 2012.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 8, 12, 16, 19, 38, and 52

• Government procurement

Dated: January 9, 2012.

Laura Auletta,

Director, Office of Governmentwide Acquisition Policy, Office of Acquisition Policy. Office of Governmentwide Policy.