[Federal Register: October 22, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 204)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 53500]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22oc01-15]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

48 CFR Part 19

[FAC 2001-01, FAR Case 2001-001; Item VI]
RIN 9000-AJ16

 
Federal Acquisition Regulation; Very Small Business Pilot Program

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense 
Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) have agreed on a final rule 
amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) by extending, for 
three additional years, the Very Small Business Pilot Program until 
September 30, 2003. This rule implements section 503(c) of the Small 
Business Reauthorization Act of 2000 (part of Public Law 106-554).

DATES: Effective Date: December 21, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The FAR Secretariat, Room 4035, GS 
Building, Washington, DC, 20405, at (202) 501-4755 for information 
pertaining to status or publication schedules. For clarification of 
content, contact Ms. Rhonda Cundiff, Procurement Analyst, at (202) 501-
0044. Please cite FAC 2001-01, FAR case 2001-001

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    This final rule amends paragraph (c) of section 19.901 to implement 
section 503(c) of the Small Business Reauthorization Act of 2000 (part 
of Public Law 106-554). Section 503(c) amends Section 304 of Public Law 
103-403 (15 U.S.C. 644 note) to extend the pilot program through 
September 30, 2003. The purpose of the program is to improve access to 
Government contract opportunities for concerns that are substantially 
below SBA's size standards by reserving certain acquisitions for 
competition among such concerns. This is not a significant regulatory 
action and, therefore, was not subject to review under Section 6(b) of 
Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, dated September 
30, 1993. This is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The final rule does not constitute a significant revision within 
the meaning of FAR 1.501 and Public Law 98-577, and publication for 
public comment is not required. However, the Councils will consider 
comments from small entities concerning the affected FAR Part in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610. Interested parties must submit such 
comments separately and should cite 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq. (FAC 2001-01, 
FAR case 2001-001), in correspondence.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the rule does 
not impose any new information collection requirements that require 
Office of Management and Budget approval under 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Part 19

    Government Procurement.

    Dated: October 12, 2001.
Al Matera,
Director, Acquisition Policy Division.

    Therefore, DoD, GSA and NASA amend 48 CFR part 19 as set forth 
below:

PART 19--VERY SMALL BUSINESS PILOT PROGRAM

    1. The authority citation for 48 CFR part 19 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 40 U.S.C. 486(c); 10 U.S.C. chapter 137; and 42 
U.S.C. 2473(c).


19.901  [Amended]

    2. Amend section 19.901 in the first sentence of paragraph (c) by 
removing ``2000'' and adding ``2003'' in its place.
[FR Doc. 01-26301 Filed 10-19-01; 8:45 am]
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