97-21388. Management, Use, and Disposal of Government Aircraft Parts  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 157 (Thursday, August 14, 1997)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 43472-43474]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-21388]
    
    
    =======================================================================
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
    
    41 CFR Part 101-37
    
    [FPMR Amdt. G-112]
    RIN 3090-AG54
    
    
    Management, Use, and Disposal of Government Aircraft Parts
    
    AGENCY: Office of Governmentwide Policy, GSA.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    SUMMARY: This regulation provides policy on the management and disposal 
    of Government-owned aircraft parts. This change is issued to address 
    safety concerns that surplus Government aircraft parts are distributed 
    without proper documentation and control, and to establish procedures 
    to ensure that only eligible parts are made available for transfer and 
    donation purposes.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: August 14, 1997.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Zuidema, Director, Aircraft 
    Management Policy Division (MTA), 202-219-1377.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The General Services Administration (GSA) 
    has determined that this rule is not a significant regulatory action 
    for the purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    
    Regulatory Flexibility Act
    
        This rule is not required to be published in the Federal Register 
    for notice and comment. Therefore, the Regulatory Flexibility Act does 
    not apply.
    
    Paperwork Reduction Act
    
        GSA has determined that the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 
    chapter 35) does not apply because this regulation does not contain any 
    information collection requirements that require the approval of the 
    Office of Management and Budget. This rule also is exempt from 
    Congressional review prescribed under 5 U.S.C. 801 since it relates 
    solely to agency management and personnel. This rule is written in a 
    ``plain English'' style.
    
    What is the ``plain English'' style of regulation writing?
    
        The ``plain English'' style of regulation writing is a new, simpler 
    to read and understand, question and answer regulatory format.
    
    How does the plain English style of regulation writing affect 
    employees?
    
        A question and its answer combine to establish a rule. The employee 
    and the agency must follow the language contained in both the question 
    and its answer.
    
    List of Subjects in 41 CFR Part 101-37
    
        Aircraft, Government property management.
    
        For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 41 CFR part 101-37 is 
    amended as follows:
    
    PART 101-37--[AMENDED]
    
        1. The authority citation for Part 101-37 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: Sec. 205(c), 63 Stat. 390; 40 U.S.C. 486(c); the 
    Budget and Accounting Act of 1921, as amended; the Budget and 
    Accounting Procedures Act of 1950, as amended; Reorganization Plan 
    No. 2 of 1970; Executive Order 11541; and OMB circular No. A-126 
    (Revised May 22, 1992).
    
        2. Section 101-37.100 is amended by adding in alphabetical order 
    the following definitions:
    
    
    Sec. 101-37.100  Definitions.
    
    * * * * *
        Aircraft part means any part, component, system, or assembly 
    primarily designated for aircraft.
    * * * * *
        Criticality Code is the one-digit code assigned by Department of 
    Defense to designate an aircraft part as a Flight Safety Critical 
    Aircraft Part (FSCAP).
    * * * * *
        Flight Safety Critical Aircraft Part (FSCAP) means any aircraft 
    part, assembly, or installation containing a critical characteristic 
    whose failure, malfunction, or absence could cause a catastrophic 
    failure resulting in loss or serious damage to the aircraft or an 
    uncommanded engine shut-down resulting in an unsafe condition.
    * * * * *
        Military surplus aircraft part is an aircraft part that has been 
    released as surplus by the military, even if subsequently resold by 
    manufacturers, owner/operators, repair facilities, or any other parts 
    supplier.
    * * * * *
        Production approval holder is the holder of a Federal Aviation 
    Administration Production Certificate (PC), Approved Production 
    Inspection System (APIS), Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA), or 
    Technical Standard Order (TSO) who controls the design and quality of a 
    product or part thereof, in accordance with Part 21 of the Federal 
    Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.305).
    * * * * *
        Replacement means the process of acquiring property specifically to 
    be used in place of property which is still needed but will no longer 
    adequately perform all the tasks for which it was used.
    * * * * *
        Unsalvageable aircraft part is an aircraft part which cannot be 
    restored to an airworthy condition due to its age, physical condition, 
    a non-repairable defect, insufficient documentation, or non-conformance 
    with applicable specifications. For additional information on 
    disposition of such parts refer to FAA Advisory Circular No. 21-38, or 
    other current applicable guidelines.
        3. Subpart 101-37.6 is added to read as follows:
    
    Subpart 101-37.6--Management, Use, and Disposal of Government Aircraft 
    Parts
    
    Sec.
    101-37.600  What does this subpart do?
    101-37.601  What responsibilities does the owning/operating agency 
    have in the management and use of Government aircraft parts?
    101-37.602  Are there special requirements in the management, use 
    and disposal of military Flight Safety Critical Aircraft Parts 
    (FSCAP)?
    101-37.603  What are the owning/operating agency's responsibilities 
    in reporting excess Government aircraft parts?
    101-37.604  What are the procedures for transferring and donating 
    excess and surplus Government aircraft parts?
    101-37.605  What are the receiving agency's responsibilities in the 
    transfer and donation of excess and surplus Government aircraft 
    parts?
    
    [[Page 43473]]
    
    101-37.606  What are the GSA approving official's responsibilities 
    in transferring and donating excess and surplus Government aircraft 
    parts?
    101-37.607  What are the State Agency's responsibilities in the 
    donation of surplus Government aircraft parts?
    101-37.608  What are the responsibilities of the Federal agency 
    conducting the sale of Government aircraft parts?
    101-37.609  What are the procedures for mutilating unsalvageable 
    aircraft parts?
    101-37.610  Are there special procedures for the exchange/sale of 
    Government aircraft parts?
    
    Subpart 101-37.6--Management, Use, and Disposal of Government 
    Aircraft Parts
    
    
    Sec. 101-37.600  What does this subpart do?
    
        This subpart prescribes special policies and procedures governing 
    the management, use, and disposal of Government-owned aircraft parts.
    
    
    Sec. 101-37.601  What responsibilities does the owning/operating agency 
    have in the management and use of Government aircraft parts?
    
        (a) The owning/operating agency is responsible for ensuring the 
    continued airworthiness of an aircraft, including replacement parts. 
    The owning/operating agency must ensure that replacement parts conform 
    to an approved type design, have been maintained in accordance with 
    applicable standards, and are in condition for safe operation.
        (b) In evaluating the acceptability of a part, the owning/operating 
    agency should review the appropriate log books and historical/
    maintenance records. The maintenance records must contain the data set 
    forth in the latest version of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 
    Advisory Circular 43-9. When the quality and origin of a part is 
    questionable, the owning/operating agency should seek guidance from the 
    local FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) in establishing the 
    part's airworthiness eligibility.
    
    
    Sec. 101-37.602  Are there special requirements in the management, use, 
    and disposal of military Flight Safety Critical Aircraft Parts (FSCAP)?
    
        (a) Yes. Any aircraft part designated by the Department of Defense 
    as a FSCAP must be identified with the appropriate FSCAP Criticality 
    Code which must be perpetuated on all documentation pertaining to such 
    parts.
        (b) A military FSCAP may be installed on a FAA type-certificated 
    aircraft holding either a restricted or standard airworthiness 
    certificate, provided the part is inspected and approved for such 
    installation in accordance with the applicable Federal Aviation 
    Regulations.
        (c) If a FSCAP has no maintenance or historical records with which 
    to determine its airworthiness, it must be mutilated and scrapped in 
    accordance with Sec. 101-37.609. However, FSCAP still in its original 
    unopened package, and with sufficient documentation traceable to the 
    Production Approval Holder (PAH), need not be mutilated. Undocumented 
    FSCAP with no traceability to either the original manufacturer or PAH 
    must not be made available for transfer or donation. For assistance in 
    the evaluation of FSCAP, contact the local FAA Flight Standards 
    District Office (FSDO).
    
    
    Sec. 101-37.603   What are the owning/operating agency's 
    responsibilities in reporting excess Government aircraft parts?
    
        (a) The owning/operating agency must report excess aircraft parts 
    to GSA in accordance with the provisions set forth in part 101-43 of 
    this chapter. The owning/operating agency must indicate on the 
    reporting document if any of the parts are life-limited parts and/or 
    military FSCAP, and ensure that tags and labels, applicable historical 
    data and maintenance records accompany these aircraft parts.
        (b) The owning/operating agency must identify excess aircraft parts 
    which are unsalvageable according to FAA or DOD guidance, and ensure 
    that such parts are mutilated in accordance with Sec. 101-37.609. The 
    owning/operating agency should not report such parts to GSA.
    
    
    Sec. 101-37.604  What are the procedures for transferring and donating 
    excess and surplus Government aircraft parts?
    
        (a) Transfer and donate excess and surplus aircraft parts in 
    accordance with part 101-43, Utilization of Personal Property, and part 
    101-44, Donation of Personal Property.
        (b) Unsalvageable aircraft parts must not be issued for transfer or 
    donation; they must be mutilated in accordance with Sec. 101-37.609.
    
    
    Sec. 101-37.605  What are the receiving agency's responsibilities in 
    the transfer or donation of excess and surplus Government aircraft 
    parts?
    
        (a) The receiving agency must verify that all applicable labels and 
    tags, and historical/modification records are furnished with the 
    aircraft parts. The receiving agency must also ensure the continued 
    airworthiness of these parts by following proper storage, protection 
    and maintenance procedures, and by maintaining appropriate records 
    throughout the life cycle of these parts.
        (b) The receiving agency must perpetuate the DOD-assigned 
    Criticality Code on all property records of acquired military FSCAP. 
    The receiving agency must ensure that flight use of military FSCAP on 
    civil aircraft meets all Federal Aviation Regulation requirements.
        (c) The receiving agency must certify and ensure that when a 
    transferred or donated part is no longer needed, and the part is 
    determined to be unsalvageable, the part must be mutilated in 
    accordance with Sec. 101-37.609 and properly disposed.
    
    
    Sec. 101-37.606  What are the GSA approving official's responsibilities 
    in transferring and donating excess and surplus Government aircraft 
    parts?
    
        (a) The GSA approving official must review transfer documents of 
    excess and surplus aircraft parts for completeness and accuracy, and 
    ensure that the certification required in Sec. 101-37.605(c) is 
    included in the transfer document.
        (b) The GSA approving official must also ensure the following 
    statement is included on the SF123, Transfer Order Surplus Personal 
    Property:
    
        ``Due to the critical nature of aircraft parts failure and the 
    resulting potential safety threat, recipients of aircraft parts must 
    ensure that any parts installed on a civil aircraft meet applicable 
    Federal Aviation Administration Regulations, and that required 
    certifications are obtained. The General Services Administration 
    makes no representation as to a part's conformance with FAA 
    requirements.''
    
    
    Sec. 101-37.607  What are the State Agency's responsibilities in the 
    donation of surplus Government aircraft parts?
    
        (a) The State Agency must review donation transfer documents for 
    completeness and accuracy, and ensure that the certification provisions 
    set forth in Sec. 101-37.605(c) is included in the transfer documents.
        (b) The State Agency must ensure that when a donated part is no 
    longer needed, and the part is determined to be unsalvageable, the 
    donee mutilates the part in accordance with Sec. 101-37.609.
    
    
    Sec. 101-37.608  What are the responsibilities of the Federal agency 
    conducting the sale of Government aircraft parts?
    
        (a) The Federal agency must sell Government aircraft parts in 
    accordance with the provisions set forth in Part 101-45, Sale, 
    Abandonment, or Destruction of Personal Property of this chapter.
        (b) The Federal agency must ensure that the documentation required 
    pursuant to Sec. 101-37.603(a) accompanies the parts at the time of 
    sale, and that sales offerings on aircraft parts contain the following 
    statement:
    
    
    [[Page 43474]]
    
    
        ``Purchasers are warned that the parts purchased herewith may 
    not be in compliance with applicable Federal Aviation Administration 
    requirements. Purchasers are not exempted from and must comply with 
    applicable Federal Aviation Administration requirements. Purchasers 
    are solely responsible for all FAA inspections and/or modifications 
    necessary to bring the purchased items into compliance with 14 CFR 
    (Code of Federal Regulations).''
    
        (c) The Federal agency must ensure that the following certification 
    is executed by the purchaser and received by the Government prior to 
    releasing such parts to the purchaser:
    
        ``The purchaser agrees that the Government shall not be liable 
    for personal injuries to, disabilities of, or death of the 
    purchaser, the purchaser's employees, or to any other persons 
    arising from or incident to the purchase of this item, its use, or 
    disposition. The purchaser shall hold the Government harmless from 
    any or all debts, liabilities, judgments, costs, demands, suits, 
    actions, or claims of any nature arising from or incident to 
    purchase or resale of this item.''
    
    
    Sec. 101-37.609  What are the procedures for mutilating unsalvageable 
    aircraft parts?
    
        (a) Identify unsalvageable aircraft parts which require mutilation.
        (b) Mutilate unsalvageable aircraft parts so they can no longer be 
    utilized for aviation purposes. Mutilation includes destruction of the 
    data plate, removing the serial/lot/part number, and cutting, crushing, 
    grinding, melting, burning, or other means which will prevent the parts 
    from being misidentified or used as serviceable aircraft parts. Obtain 
    additional guidance on the mutilation of unsalvageable aircraft parts 
    in FAA AC No. 21-38, Disposition of Unsalvageable Aircraft Parts and 
    Materials.
        (c) Ensure an authorized agency official witnesses and documents 
    the mutilation, retain a signed certification and statement of 
    mutilation.
        (d) If unable to perform the mutilation, turn in the parts to a 
    Federal or Federally-approved facility for mutilation and proper 
    disposition. Ensure that contractor performance is in accordance with 
    the provisions of this part.
        (e) Ensure that mutilated aircraft parts are sold only as scrap.
    
    
    Sec. 101-37.610  Are there special procedures for the exchange/sale of 
    Government aircraft parts?
    
        Yes. Executive agencies may exchange or sell aircraft parts as part 
    of a transaction to acquire similar replacement parts in accordance 
    with FPMR part 101-46. In addition to the requirements of this subpart, 
    agencies must ensure that the exchange/sale transaction is accomplished 
    in accordance with the methods and procedures contained in part 101-46 
    of this chapter, and comply with the restrictions and limitations under 
    Sec. 101-46.202 of this chapter.
        (a) Prior to the proposed exchange/sale, agencies should determine 
    whether the parts identified for disposition are airworthy parts. For 
    additional guidance refer to the applicable FAA Advisory Circular(s), 
    or contact the local FAA FSDO.
        (b) At the time of exchange or sale, agencies must ensure that 
    applicable labels and tags, historical data and modification records 
    accompany the aircraft parts prior to release. The records must contain 
    the information and content as required by current DOD and FAA 
    requirements for maintenance and inspections.
        (c) Life limited parts that have reached or exceeded their life 
    limits, or which have missing or incomplete documentation, must either 
    be returned to the FAA production approval holder as part of an 
    exchange transaction, or mutilated in accordance with Sec. 101-37.609.
        (d) Unsalvageable aircraft parts, other than parts in paragraph (c) 
    of this section, must not be used for exchange/sale purposes; they must 
    be mutilated in accordance with Sec. 101-37.609.
    
        Dated: July 7, 1997.
    David J. Barram,
    Administrator of General Services.
    [FR Doc. 97-21388 Filed 8-13-97; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 6820-24-U
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
8/14/1997
Published:
08/14/1997
Department:
General Services Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
97-21388
Dates:
August 14, 1997.
Pages:
43472-43474 (3 pages)
Docket Numbers:
FPMR Amdt. G-112
RINs:
3090-AG54
PDF File:
97-21388.pdf
CFR: (13)
41 CFR 101-37.100
41 CFR 101-37.600
41 CFR 101-37.601
41 CFR 101-37.602
41 CFR 101-37.603
More ...