Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; New Designated Countries (DFARS Case 2006-D062)

AGENCY:

Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Department of Defense (DoD).

ACTION:

Interim rule with request for comments.

SUMMARY:

DoD has issued an interim rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement with respect to the Dominican Republic. The rule also adds Bulgaria and Romania to the list of countries covered by the World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement.

DATES:

Effective date: March 27, 2007.

Comment date: Comments on the interim rule should be submitted in writing to the address shown below on or before May 29, 2007, to be considered in the formation of the final rule.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments, identified by DFARS Case 2006-D062, using any of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
• E-mail: dfars@osd.mil. Include DFARS Case 2006-D062 in the subject line of the message.
• Fax: (703) 602-0350.
• Mail: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Attn: Ms. Amy Williams, OUSD(AT&L)DPAP(DARS), IMD 3C132, 3062 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3062.
• Hand Delivery/Courier: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Crystal Square 4, Suite 200A, 241 18th Street, Arlington, VA 22202-3402.

Comments received generally will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov,, including any personal information provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ms. Amy Williams, (703) 602-0328.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

This interim rule amends DFARS clauses relating to trade agreements to implement the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) with respect to the Dominican Republic. Congress approved the CAFTA-DR in the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (Public Law 109-53). The CAFTA-DR waives the applicability of the Buy American Act for some foreign supplies and construction materials and specifies procurement procedures designed to ensure fairness.

The rule adds the Dominican Republic to the definitions of “designated country” and “Free Trade Agreement country.” In addition, the rule removes the Dominican Republic from the list of Caribbean Basin countries, because, in accordance with Section 201(a)(3) of Public Law 109-53, when the CAFTA-DR enters into force with respect to a country, that country is no longer designated as a beneficiary country for purposes of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act.

The rule also adds Bulgaria and Romania to the list of World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement countries, based upon direction from the United States Trade Representative.

This rule was not subject to Office of Management and Budget review under Executive Order 12866, dated September 30, 1993.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

DoD does not expect this rule to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities within the meaning of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq. Although the rule opens up DoD procurement to the products of Bulgaria, the Dominican Republic, and Romania, DoD does not believe there will be a significant economic impact on U.S. small businesses. DoD applies the trade agreements to only those non-defense items listed at DFARS 225.401-70, and procurements that are set aside for small businesses are exempt from application of the trade agreements. Therefore, DoD has not performed an initial regulatory flexibility analysis. DoD invites comments from small businesses and other interested parties. DoD also will consider comments from small entities concerning the affected DFARS subparts in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610. Such comments should be submitted separately and should cite DFARS Case 2006-D062.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

This rule affects the certification and information collection requirements in the provisions at DFARS 252.225-7020 and 252.225-7035, currently approved under Office of Management and Budget Control Number 0704-0229. The impact, however, is negligible.

D. Determination To Issue an Interim Rule

A determination has been made under the authority of the Secretary of Defense that urgent and compelling reasons exist to publish an interim rule prior to affording the public an opportunity to comment. This interim rule implements the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement with respect to the Dominican Republic, which became effective on March 1, 2007. The rule also implements the addition of Bulgaria and Romania to the countries covered by the World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement, which became effective on January 1, 2007. Comments received in response to this interim rule will be considered in the formation of the final rule.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Part 252

• Government procurement

Therefore, 48 CFR part 252 is amended as follows:

PART 252—SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

1. The authority citation for 48 CFR part 252 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 41 U.S.C. 421 and 48 CFR Chapter 1.

2. Section 252.212-7001 is amended as follows:

a. By revising the clause date to read “(MAR 2007)”;

b. In paragraph (b)(9) by removing “(NOV 2006)” and adding in its place “(MAR 2007)”; and

c. In paragraph (b)(12)(i) by removing “(OCT 2006)” and adding in its place “(MAR 2007)”.

3. Section 252.225-7021 is amended by revising the clause date and paragraphs (a)(3)(i), (ii), and (iv) to read as follows:

4. Section 252.225-7036 is amended by revising the clause date and paragraph (a)(6) to read as follows:

5. Section 252.225-7045 is amended as follows:

a. By revising the clause date; and

b. In paragraph (a), in the definition of “Designated country” by revising paragraphs (1), (2), and (4) to read as follows: