### 71922 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 224 / Monday, November 21, 2011 / Proposed Rules

**§ 17.56 [Amended]**

2. Revise § 17.56(a) by removing ‘‘and except for non-contractual payments for home health services and hospice care’’.

[FR Doc. 2011–29994 Filed 11–18–11; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 8302–01–P**

**ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY** 

**40 CFR Part 52**

**[EPA–R09–OAR–2011–0845; FRL–9492–1]**

**Revisions to the California State Implementation Plan, Placer County**  **Air Pollution Control District and Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality**  **Management District**

**AGENCY :**  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

**ACTION :**  Proposed rule.

**SUMMARY :**  EPA is proposing to approve revisions to the Placer County Air Pollution Control District (PCAPCD) and Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD) portion of the California State Implementation Plan (SIP). These revisions concern volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from coatings and strippers used on wood products, wood paneling, and miscellaneous metal parts and products. We are proposing to approve three local rules to regulate these emission sources under the Clean Air Act as amended in 1990 (CAA or the Act).

**DATES :**  Any comments on this proposal must arrive by December 21, 2011.

**ADDRESSES :**  Submit comments, identified by docket number EPA–R09– OAR–2011–0845, by one of the following methods:

1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions.

2. Email: steckel.andrew@epa.gov.
3. Mail or deliver: Andrew Steckel (Air–4), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region IX, 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105–3901.

Instructions: All comments will be included in the public docket without change and may be made available online at http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, unless the comment includes Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Information that you consider CBI or otherwise protected should be clearly identified as such and should not be submitted through http://www.regulations.gov or email. http://www.regulations.gov is an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system, and EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send email directly to EPA, your email address will be automatically captured and included as part of the public comment. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses.

Docket: Generally, documents in the docket for this action are available electronically at http://www. regulations.gov and in hard copy at EPA Region IX, 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, California. While all documents in the docket are listed at http://www.regulations.gov, some information may be publicly available only at the hard copy location (e.g., copyrighted material, large maps), and some may not be publicly available in either location (e.g., CBI). To inspect the hard copy materials, please schedule an appointment during normal business hours with the contact listed in the **FOR**
**FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT** section.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Nicole Law, EPA Region IX, (415) 947– 4126, law.nicole@epa.gov.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  This proposal addresses the following local rules: PCAPCD Rule 236 (Wood Products and Coating Operations), PCAPCD Rule 238 (Factory Coating of Flat Wood Paneling), and SMAQMD Rule 451 (Surface Coating of Miscellaneous Metal Parts and Products). In the Rules and Regulations section of this Federal Register, we are approving these local rules in a direct final action without prior proposal because we believe these SIP revisions are not controversial. If we receive adverse comments, however, we will publish a timely withdrawal of the direct final rule and address the comments in subsequent action based on this proposed rule. Please note that if we receive adverse comment on an amendment, paragraph, or section of this rule and if that provision may be severed from the remainder of the rule, we may adopt as final those provisions of the rule that are not the subject of an adverse comment.

We do not plan to open a second comment period, so anyone interested in commenting should do so at this time. If we do not receive adverse comments, no further activity is planned. For further information, please see the direct final action. Dated: October 24, 2011. Jared Blumenfeld, Regional Administrator, Region IX.
[FR Doc. 2011–29905 Filed 11–18–11; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 6560–50–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE**

**Defense Acquisition Regulations System** 

**48 CFR Parts 204, 209, 216, 229, and 252** 

**RIN 0750–AH38**

**Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Separation of**  **Combined Provisions and Clauses (DFARS Case 2011–D048)** 

**AGENCY :**  Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Department of Defense (DoD).

**ACTION :**  Proposed rule.

**SUMMARY :**  DoD is proposing to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to separate provisions and clauses that are currently combined, in order to be in compliance with DFARS drafting conventions.

**DATES :**  Comment Date: Comments on the proposed rule should be submitted in writing to the address shown below on or before January 20, 2012, to be considered in the formation of a final rule.

**ADDRESSES :**  Submit comments identified by DFARS Case 2011–D048, using any of the following methods:

Æ Regulations.gov: http:// www.regulations.gov. Submit comments via the Federal eRulemaking portal by inputting ‘‘DFARS Case 2011–D048’’ under the heading ‘‘Enter keyword or ID’’ and selecting ‘‘Search.’’ Select the link ‘‘Submit a Comment’’ that corresponds with ‘‘DFARS Case 2011– D048.’’ Follow the instructions provided at the ‘‘Submit a Comment’’ screen. Please include your name, company name (if any), and ‘‘DFARS Case 2011– D048’’ on your attached document.

Æ Email: dfars@osd.mil. Include DFARS Case 2011–D048 in the subject line of the message.

Æ Fax: (703) 602–0350.

Æ Mail: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Attn.: Amy G. Williams, OUSD (AT&L) DPAP/DARS, Room 3B855, 3060 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301–3060.

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


### 71923 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 224 / Monday, November 21, 2011 / Proposed Rules

confirm receipt of your comment(s), please check www.regulations.gov, approximately two to three days after submission to verify posting (except allow 30 days for posting of comments submitted by mail).

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Amy G. Williams, telephone (703) 602–

0328. **SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  I. Background

A provision is included only in the solicitation and addresses the offeror. A contract clause is included in both the solicitation and the contract, and provides the terms that apply throughout contract performance. Representations and certifications are generally included in a provision, which the offeror responds to in its offer. It is against DFARS drafting conventions to combine a provision and a clause into a single clause.

This rule proposes to remove the representations from five DFARS clauses and create five new provisions to be used in solicitations that include the associated clauses, as follows:

DFARS Clause Proposed provision

252.209–7005, Reserve Officer Training Corps and Military Recruiting

on Campus. 252.209–7003, Reserve Officer Training Corps and Military Recruiting on Campus—Representation. 252.216–7000, Economic Price Adjustment—Basic Steel, Aluminum,

Brass, Bronze, or Copper Mill Products. 252.216–70XX, Economic Price Adjustment—Basic Steel, Aluminum, Brass, Bronze, or Copper Mill Products—Representation. 252.216–7003, Economic Price Adjustment—Wage Rates or Material

Prices Controlled by a Foreign Government. 252.216–70YY, Economic Price Adjustment—Wage Rates or Material Prices Controlled by a Foreign Government—Representation. 252.229–7003, Tax Exemptions (Italy) .................................................... 252.229–70XX, Tax Exemptions (Italy)—Representation. 252.229–7005, Tax Exemptions (Spain) .................................................. 252.229–70YY, Tax Exemptions (Spain)—Representation.

Conforming changes are also required to DFARS 252.204–7007, Alternate A, Annual Representations and Certifications and the associated prescription at DFARS 204.1202, to list the new provisions in lieu of the current DFARS clauses.

II. Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

Executive Orders (E.O.s) 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess all costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). E.O. 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility. This is not a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was not subject to review under section 6(b) of E.O. 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

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., because it does not add any new requirements—it only reformats existing requirements of five clauses into separate provisions and clauses. Therefore, an initial regulatory flexibility analysis has not been performed. DoD invites comments from small business concerns and other interested parties on the expected impact of this rule on small entities.

DoD will also consider comments from small entities concerning the existing regulations in subparts affected by this rule in accordance with 5 U.S.C.

610.

Interested parties must submit such comments separately and should cite 5 U.S.C. 610 (DFARS Case 2011–D048), in correspondence.
IV. Paperwork Reduction Act

The rule does not contain any information collection requirements that require the approval of the Office of Management and Budget under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35).
List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 204, 209, 216, 229, and 252

Government procurement.

Mary Overstreet, Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations System.

Therefore DoD proposes to amend 48 CFR parts 204, 209, 216, 229, and 252 as follows:

1. The authority citation for 48 CFR parts 204, 209, 216, 229, and 252 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 41 U.S.C. 1303 and 48 CFR chapter 1.

**PART 204—ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS** 

2. Amend section 204.1202(2) by revising paragraphs (ii), (iii), (iv), (xi), and (xii) to read as follows: **204.1202 Solicitation provision and contract clause.** 

* * * * *

(ii) 252.209–7002, Disclosure of Ownership or Control by a Foreign
Government.

(iii) 252.209–7003, Reserve Officer Training Corps and Military Recruiting on Campus—Representation.

(iv) 252.216–70YY, Economic Price Adjustment—Wage Rates or Material Prices Controlled by a Foreign Government—Representation.

* * * * *

(xi) 252.229–70XX, Tax Exemptions (Italy)—Representation.

(xii) 252.229–70YY, Tax Exemptions (Spain)—Representation.

* * * * *

**PART 209—CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS** 

3. Revise section 209.470–4 to read as follows:

**209.470–4 Solicitation provision and contract clause.** 

(a) Use the provision at 252.209–7003, Reserve Officer Training Corps and Military Recruiting on Campus— Representation, in all solicitations with institutions of higher education.

(b) Use the clause at 252.209–7005, Reserve Officer Training Corps and Military Recruiting on Campus, in all solicitations and contracts with institutions of higher education.


### 71924 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 224 / Monday, November 21, 2011 / Proposed Rules

**PART 216—TYPES OF CONTRACTS**

4. Amend section 216.203–4–70 by— (a) Revising the section heading; and (b) Revising paragraphs (a) and (c) to read as follows:

**216.203–4–70 Additional provisions and clauses.** 

(a) Price adjustment for basic steel, aluminum, brass, bronze, or copper mill products.

(1)(i) The price adjustment clause at 252.216–7000, Economic Price Adjustment—Basic Steel, Aluminum, Brass, Bronze, or Copper Mill Products, may be used in fixed-price supply solicitations and contracts for basic steel, aluminum, brass, bronze, or copper mill products, such as sheets, plates, and bars, when an established catalog or market price exists for the particular product being acquired.

(ii) The 10 percent figure in paragraph (d)(1) of the clause shall not be exceeded unless approval is obtained at a level above the contracting officer.

(2) Use the price adjustment provision at 252.216–70XX, Economic Price Adjustment—Basic Steel, Aluminum, Brass, Bronze, or Copper Mill Products—Representation, in solicitations that include the clause at 252.216–7000, Economic Price Adjustment—Basic Steel, Aluminum, Brass, Bronze, or Copper Mill Products.

* * * * *

(c) Price adjustment for wage rates or material prices controlled by a foreign government.

(1)(i) The price adjustment clause at 252.216–7003, Economic Price Adjustment—Wage Rates or Material Prices Controlled by a Foreign Government, may be used in fixed-price supply and service solicitations and contracts when—

(A) The contract is to be performed wholly or in part in a foreign country; and

(B) A foreign government controls wage rates or material prices and may, during contract performance, impose a mandatory change in wages or prices of material.

(ii) Verify the base wage rates and material prices prior to contract award and prior to making any adjustment in the contract price.

(2) Use the provision at 252.216– 70YY, Economic Price Adjustment— Wage Rates or Material Prices Controlled by a Foreign Government— Representation, in solicitations that include the clause at DFARS 252.216– 7003, Economic Price Adjustment— Wage Rates or Material Prices Controlled by a Foreign Government. **PART 229—TAXES**
5. Amend section 229.402–70 by— (a) Revising the section heading; and (b) Revising paragraphs (c) and (e) to read as follows:

**229.402–70 Additional provisions and clauses.** 
* * * * *

(c)(1) Use the clause at 252.229–7003, Tax Exemptions (Italy), in solicitations and contracts when contract performance will be in Italy.

(2) Use the provision at 252.229– 70XX, Tax Exemptions (Italy)— Representation, in solicitations that contain the clause at 252.229–7003, Tax Exemptions (Italy).

* * * * *

(e)(1) Use the clause at 252.229–7005, Tax Exemptions (Spain), in solicitations and contracts when contract performance will be in Spain.

(2) Use the provision at 252.229– 70YY, Tax Exemptions (Spain)— Representation, in solicitations that contain the clause at 252.229–7005, Tax Exemptions (Spain).

**PART 252—SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT**  **CLAUSES**

6. Amend section 252.204–7007 by— (a) Amending the clause date by removing ‘‘(SEP 2011)’’ and adding in its place ‘‘(DATE)’’; and

(b) Revising paragraph (d)(1) to read as follows:

**252.204–7007 Alternate A, Annual Representations and Certifications.** 
* * * * *

(d)(1) The following representations or certifications in ORCA are applicable to this solicitation as indicated:

(i) 252.209–7001, Disclosure of Ownership or Control by the Government of a Terrorist Country. Applies to all solicitations expected to result in contracts of $150,000 or more.

(ii) 252.209–7003, Reserve Officer Training Corps and Military Recruiting on Campus—Representation. Applies to all solicitations with institutions of higher education.

(iii) 252.216–70YY, Economic Price Adjustment—Wage Rates or Material Prices Controlled by a Foreign Government. Applies to solicitations for fixed-price supply and service contracts when the contract is to be performed wholly or in part in a foreign country, and a foreign government controls wage rates or material prices and may, during contract performance, impose a mandatory change in wages or prices of materials.

(iv) 252.225–7042, Authorization to Perform. Applies to all solicitations when performance will be wholly or in part in a foreign country.

(v) 252.229–70XX, Tax Exemptions (Italy)—Representation. Applies to solicitations when contract performance will be in Italy.

(vi) 252.229–70YY, Tax Exemptions (Spain)—Representation. Applies to solicitations when contract performance will be in Spain.

* * * * *

7. Add section 252.209–7003 to read as follows:

**252.209–7003 Reserve Officer Training Corps and Military Recruiting on Campus—**  **Representation.**

As prescribed in 209.470–4(a), use the following provision: Reserve Officer Training Corps and Military Recruiting on Campus—Representation (Date).

(a) Definition. Institution of higher education, as used in this provision, is defined in the clause at 252.209–7005, Reserve Officer Training Corps and Military Recruiting on Campus.

(b) Limitation on contract award. Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this provision, an institution of higher education is ineligible for contract award if the Secretary of Defense determines that the institution has a current policy or practice (regardless of when implemented) that prohibits or in effect prevents—

(1) The Secretary of a military department from maintaining, establishing, or operating a unit of the Senior Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) (in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 654 and other applicable Federal laws) at that institution;

(2) A student at that institution from enrolling in a unit of the Senior ROTC at another institution of higher education;

(3) The Secretary of a military department or the Secretary of Transportation from gaining entry to campuses, or access to students (who are 17 years of age or older) on campuses, for purposes of military recruiting; or

(4) Military recruiters from accessing, for purposes of military recruiting, the following information pertaining to students (who are 17 years of age or older) enrolled at that institution:

(i) Name. (ii) Address. (iii) Telephone number. (iv) Date and place of birth. (v) Educational level. (vi) Academic major. (vii) Degrees received. (viii) Most recent educational institution enrollment.


### 71925 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 224 / Monday, November 21, 2011 / Proposed Rules

(c) Exception. The limitation in paragraph (b) of this provision does not apply to an institution of higher education if the Secretary of Defense determines that the institution has a long-standing policy of pacifism based on historical religious affiliation.

(d) Representation. By submission of its offer, the offeror represents that the institution does not have any policy or practice described in paragraph (b) of this clause, unless the Secretary of Defense has determined that the institution has a long-standing policy of pacifism based on historical religious affiliation. (End of provision)

8. Amend section 252.209–7005 by— (a) Amending the introductory text by removing ‘‘209.470–4’’ and adding in its place ‘‘209.470–4(b)’’;

(b) Amending the clause date by removing ‘‘(Jan 2000)’’ and adding in its place ‘‘(Date)’’;

(c) Revising introductory text of paragraph (b);

(d) Removing paragraph (d); (e) Redesignating paragraph (e) as paragraph (d); and

(f) Revising the introductory text of the newly redesignated paragraph (d).

The revisions read as follows:

**252.209–7005 Reserve Officer Training Corps and Military Recruiting on Campus.** 
* * * * *

(b) Limitation. Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this clause, the Contractor shall not, during performance of this contract, have any policy or practice that prohibits or in effect prevents—

* * * * *

(d) Notwithstanding any other clause of this contract, if the Secretary of Defense determines that the Contractor misrepresented its policies and practices at the time of contract award or has violated the prohibition in paragraph (b) of this clause—

* * * * *

9. Amend section 252.216–7000 by— (a) Amending the introductory text by removing ‘‘216.203–4–70(a)’’ and adding in its place ‘‘216.203–4– 70(a)(1)’’;

(b) Amending the clause date by removing ‘‘(Jul 1997)’’ and adding in its place ‘‘(Date)’’; and

(c) Revising paragraph (b) to read as follows:

**252.216–7000 Economic Price Adjustment—Basic Steel, Aluminum, Brass,**  **Bronze, or Copper Mill Products.**
* * * * * (b) As represented by the Contractor in its offer, the unit price stated for (Identify the item) is not in excess of the Contractor’s established price in effect on the date set for opening of bids (or the contract date if this is a negotiated contract) for like quantities of the same item. This price is the net price after applying any applicable standard trade discounts offered by the Contractor from its catalog, list, or schedule price.

* * * * *

10. Amend section 252.216–7003 by— (a) Amending the introductory text by removing ‘‘216.203–4–70(c)’’ and adding in its place ‘‘216.203–4– 70(c)(1)’’;

(b) Amending the clause date by removing ‘‘(Jun 1997)’’ and adding in its place ‘‘(Date)’’; and

(c) Revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:

**252.216–7003 Economic Price Adjustment—Wage Rates or Material Prices**  **Controlled by a Foreign Government.**

* * * * *

(a) As represented by the Contractor in its offer, the prices set forth in this

contract—

(1) Are based on the wage rate(s) or material price(s) established and controlled by the government of the country specified by the Contractor in the solicitation; and

(2) Do not include contingency allowances to pay for possible increases in wage rates or material prices.

* * * * *

11. Add section 252.216–70XX to read as follows:

**252.216–70XX Economic Price Adjustment—Basic Steel, Aluminum, Brass,**  **Bronze, or Copper Mill Products— Representation.** 

As prescribed in 216.203–4–70(a)(2), use the following provision:

Economic Price Adjustment—Basic Steel, Aluminum, Brass, Bronze, or Copper Mill Products—Representation (Date)

(a) Definitions. The terms established price and unit price, as used in this provision, have the meaning given in the clause 252.216–7000, Economic Price Adjustment—Basic Steel, Aluminum, Brass, Bronze, or Copper Mill Products.

(b) By submission of its offer, the offeror represents that the unit price stated in this offer for (Identify the item) is not in excess of the offeror’s established price in effect on the date set for opening of bids (or the contract date if this is to be a negotiated contract) for like quantities of the same item. This price is the net price after applying any applicable standard trade discounts offered by the offeror from its catalog, list, or schedule price.
(End of provision)

12. Add section 252.216–70YY to read as follows:

**252.216–70YY Economic Price Adjustment—Wage Rates or Material Prices**  **Controlled by a Foreign Government— Representation.** 

As prescribed in 216.203–4–70(c)(2), use the following provision:

Economic Price Adjustment—Wage Rates or Material Prices Controlled by a Foreign Government—Representation (Date)

(a) By submission of its offer, the offeror represents that the prices set forth in this offer—

(1) Are based on the wage rate(s) or material price(s) established and controlled by the government of

lllllllllllllllllll ( Offeror insert name of host country );

and

(2) Do not include contingency allowances to pay for possible increases in wage rates or material prices. (End of provision)

13. Amend section 252.229–7003 by— (a) Amending the introductory text by removing ‘‘229.402–70(c)’’ and adding in its place ‘‘229.402–70(c)(1)’’;

(b) Amending the clause date by removing ‘‘(Jan 2002)’’ and adding in its place ‘‘(Date)’’; and

(c) Revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:

**252.229–7003 Tax Exemptions (Italy).**

* * * * *

(a) As the Contractor represented in its offer, the contract price, including the prices in subcontracts awarded under this contract, does not include taxes from which the United States Government is exempt.

* * * * *

14. Amend section 252.229–7005 by— (a) Amending the introductory text by removing ‘‘229.402–70(e)’’ and adding in its place ‘‘229.402–70(e)(1)’’;

(b) Amending the clause date by removing ‘‘(Jun 1997)’’ and adding in its place ‘‘(Date)’’; and

(c) Revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:


### 71926 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 224 / Monday, November 21, 2011 / Proposed Rules

**252.229–7005 Tax Exemptions (Spain).**
* * * * *

(a) As the Contractor represented in its offer, the contract prices, including subcontract prices, does not include the taxes identified herein, or any other taxes from which the United States Government is exempt.

* * * * *

15. Add section 252.229–70XX to read as follows:

**252.229–70XX Tax Exemptions (Italy)— Representation.** 

As prescribed in 229.402–70(c)(2), use the following provision:

Tax Exemptions (Italy)— Representation (Date)

(a) Exemptions. The United States Government is exempt from payment of—

(1) Imposta Valore Aggiunto (IVA) tax in accordance with Article 72 of the IVA implementing decree on all supplies and services sold to United States Military Commands in Italy; and

(2) The other taxes specified in paragraph (c) of the clause DFARS 252.229–7003, Tax Exemptions (Italy).

(b) Representation. By submission of its offer, the offeror represents that the offered price, including the prices of subcontracts to be awarded under the contract, does not include the taxes identified herein, or any other taxes from which the United States Government is exempt. (End of provision)

16. Add section 252.229–70YY to read as follows:

**252.229–70YY Tax Exemptions (Spain)— Representation.** 

As prescribed in 229.402–70(e)(2), use the following clause:

Tax Exemptions (Spain)— Representation (Date)

(a) Exemptions. In accordance with tax relief agreements between the United States Government and the Spanish Government, and because the resultant contract arises from the activities of the United States Forces in Spain, the contract will be exempt from the excise, luxury, and transaction taxes listed in paragraph (b) of the clause DFARS 252.229–7005, Tax Exemptions (Spain).

(b) Representation. By submission of its offer, the offeror represents that the offered price, including the prices of subcontracts to be awarded under the contract, does not include the taxes identified herein, or any other taxes from which the United States Government is exempt. (End of provision)

[FR Doc. 2011–29857 Filed 11–18–11; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 5001–06–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE** 

**Defense Acquisition Regulations System** 

**48 CFR Parts 212, 244, and 252**

**RIN 0750–AH39**

**Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Applicability**  **of Hexavalent Chromium Policy to Commercial Items (DFARS Case 2011–**  **D047)**

**AGENCY :**  Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Department of Defense (DoD).

**ACTION :**  Proposed rule.

**SUMMARY :**  DoD is proposing to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement to clarify the applicability to commercial items of DoD policies relating to the use of materials containing hexavalent chromium.

**DATES :**  Comment Date: Comments on the proposed rule should be submitted in writing to the address shown below on or before January 20, 2012, to be considered in the formation of a final rule.

**ADDRESSES :**  Submit comments identified by DFARS Case 2011–D047, using any of the following methods:

Æ Regulations.gov: http:// www.regulations.gov.

Submit comments via the Federal eRulemaking portal by inputting ‘‘DFARS Case 2011–D047’’ under the heading ‘‘Enter keyword or ID’’ and selecting ‘‘Search.’’ Select the link ‘‘Submit a Comment’’ that corresponds with ‘‘DFARS Case 2011–D047.’’ Follow the instructions provided at the ‘‘Submit a Comment’’ screen. Please include your name, company name (if any), and ‘‘DFARS Case 2009–D047’’ on your attached document.

Æ Email: dfars@osd.mil. Include DFARS Case 2011–D047 in the subject line of the message.

Æ Fax: 703–602–0350.

Æ Mail: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Attn: Amy G. Williams, OUSD (AT&L) DPAP/DARS, Room 3B855, 3060 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301–3060.

Comments received generally will be posted without change to http:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. To confirm receipt of your comment(s), please check www.regulations.gov approximately two to three days after submission to verify posting (except allow 30 days for posting of comments submitted by mail). **FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Ms. Amy G. Williams, telephone 703–602–
0328.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  I. Background

DoD published a final rule at in the Federal Register at 76 FR 25569 on May 5, 2011, to implement in the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) the DoD policy addressing the serious human health and environmental risks related to the use of hexavalent chromium. Hexavalent chromium is a chemical that has been used in numerous DoD weapons systems platforms due to its corrosion protection properties. However, hexavalent chromium is a known carcinogen. The final rule minimized the use of materials containing hexavalent chromium in items acquired by DoD, including the creation of a new DFARS clause, 252.223–7008, Prohibition of Hexavalent Chromium, which prohibits the contractor from providing any deliverables or construction material that—

(1) Contains hexavalent chromium in a concentration greater than 0.1 percent by weight in any homogeneous material;

or (2) Requires the removal or reapplication of hexavalent chromium materials during subsequent sustainment phases of the deliverable or construction material.

The final rule prescribed use of the clause in solicitations and contracts for supplies, maintenance and repair services, or construction, unless an exception at DFARS 223.7304 applies or use has been authorized in accordance with DFARS 223.7305. II. Discussion and Analysis

The preamble to the final rule stated the clear intent that the rule should apply to commercial items. In response to a respondent who requested an exception for all commercial items, DoD stated that to provide an exception for all commercial items will jeopardize the intent of the rule and be contrary to DoD policy (section II.F.).

However, although the final rule did not specify an exception for commercial items, the rule overlooked the need to separately prescribe the clause in part 212 in order to require use of the clause in acquisitions conducted under part 212. FAR 12.301(d)(1) states that prescriptions contained elsewhere in the FAR do not apply to acquisitions under FAR part 12, unless separately included in FAR part 12.

Therefore, this rule proposes to correct that oversight and provide at