[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 16, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 14570]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-5558]



[[Page 14570]]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

48 CFR Parts 22, 25, and 52

[FAC 2005-50; FAR Case 2009-040; Item VII; Docket 2010-0092, Sequence 
1]
RIN 9000-AL57


Federal Acquisition Regulation; Trade Agreements Thresholds

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: DoD, GSA, and NASA have adopted as final, without change, an 
interim rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to 
incorporate increased thresholds for application of the World Trade 
Organization Government Procurement Agreement and the Free Trade 
Agreements, as determined by the United States Trade Representative.

DATES: Effective Date: March 16, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
    Ms. Cecelia L. Davis, Procurement Analyst, at (202) 219-0202, for 
clarification of content. For information pertaining to status or 
publication schedules, contact the Regulatory Secretariat at (202) 501-
4755. Please cite FAC 2005-50, FAR Case 2009-040.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    DoD, GSA, and NASA published an interim rule in the Federal 
Register at 75 FR 38689 on July 2, 2010, to incorporate increased 
thresholds for application of the World Trade Organization Government 
Procurement Agreement and the Free Trade Agreements, as determined by 
the United States Trade Representative. Every two years, the trade 
agreements thresholds are adjusted according to a pre-determined 
formula under the agreements. These thresholds were effective on 
January 1, 2010. No public comments were received. DoD, GSA, and NASA 
have agreed to convert this FAR case from an interim to a final rule 
without change.

II. Executive Order 12866

    This is a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was subject 
to review under Section 6(b) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory 
Planning and Review, dated September 30, 1993. This rule is not a major 
rule under 5 U.S.C. 804.

III. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, and 
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration certify that this 
final rule will not 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., because the dollar threshold 
changes are designed to keep pace with inflation and thus maintain the 
status quo.

IV. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35) does apply; 
however, these changes to the FAR do not impose additional information 
collection requirements to the paperwork burden previously approved 
under OMB Control Numbers 9000-0130, titled: Buy American Act-Free 
Trade Agreements-Israeli Trade Act Certificate; 9000-0025, titled: Buy 
American Act, Trade Agreements Act Certificate; and 9000-0141, titled: 
Buy American Act-Construction.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 22, 25, and 52

    Government procurement.

    Dated: March 4, 2011.
Millisa Gary,
Acting Director, Office of Governmentwide Acquisition Policy.

Interim Rule Adopted as Final Without Change

0
Accordingly, the interim rule amending 48 CFR parts 22, 25, and 52, 
which was published in the Federal Register at 75 FR 38689 on July 2, 
2010, is adopted as a final rule without change.

[FR Doc. 2011-5558 Filed 3-15-11; 8:45 am]
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