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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 225 (Thursday, November 21, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69927-69928]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-27949]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

Notice to Manufacturers of Continuous Friction Measurement 
Equipment (CFME)

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), US DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Information Request

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SUMMARY: Projects funded under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) 
must meet the requirements of 49 U.S.C. 50101, Buy American 
Preferences. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering 
issuing waivers to foreign manufacturers of Continuous Friction 
Measurement Equipment (CFME) that meet the requirements of FAA Advisory 
Circular (AC) 150/5320-12C, Measurement, Construction, and Maintenance 
of Skid-Resistant Airport Pavement Surfaces. This notice requests 
information from manufacturers of CFME meeting the technical 
requirements to determine whether a waiver to the Buy American 
Preferences should be issued.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Carlos N. Fields, Airport 
Improvement Program, APP 520, Room 619, FAA, 800 Independence Avenue 
SW., Washington, DC 20591, Telephone (202) 267-8826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 
manages a federal grant program for airports called the Airport 
Improvement Program (AIP). AIP grant recipients must follow 49 U.S.C. 
Sec.  50101, Buy American Preferences.
    Under 49 U.S.C. 50101(b)(3), the Secretary of Transportation may 
waive the Buy American Preference requirement if the goods are not 
produced in a sufficient and reasonably available amount or are not of 
a satisfactory quality.
    The purpose of this notice is to request FAA-approved manufacturers 
of CFME, both domestic and foreign, that meet the requirements of FAA 
Advisory Circular 150/5320-12C, Measurement,

[[Page 69928]]

Construction, and Maintenance of Skid-Resistant Airport Pavement 
Surfaces to submit a qualifications statement for the system for which 
they have received FAA approval. The detailed instructions for 
submitting the qualifications statement, including forms, may be found 
on the FAA Web site at: https://www.faa.gov/airports/aip/buy_american/ 
at the tab entitled, Continuous Friction Measurement Equipment Request 
for Qualifications.
    The FAA wants to determine if there is sufficient quantity of FAA-
approved domestic manufacturers capable of meeting the FAA technical 
requirements. If the FAA cannot find that there are a sufficient number 
of USA manufacturers, it will issue a nationwide waiver to the FAA 
approved foreign manufacturers.
    Technical Requirements: The CFME must have FAA approval indicating 
that the CFME meets the technical requirements listed in FAA Advisory 
Circular (AC) 150/5320-12C, Measurement, Construction, and Maintenance 
of Skid-Resistant Airport Pavement Surfaces. FAA approval is indicated 
by inclusion in Appendix 4 of the AC. After review, the FAA may issue a 
nationwide waiver to Buy American Preferences for foreign manufacturers 
or United States manufacturers that do not meet the Buy American 
Preference requirements. Waivers will not be issued for manufacturers 
that do not fully meet the technical requirements. This ``nationwide 
waiver'' allows CFME to be used on AIP projects without having to 
receive separate project waivers. Having a nationwide waiver allows 
projects to start quickly without having to wait for the Buy American 
analysis to be completed for every project, while still assuring the 
funds used for airport projects under the Act are being directed to 
U.S. manufacturers.
    Items that have been granted a ``nationwide waiver'' can be found 
on the FAA Web site at: https://www.faa.gov/airports/aip/buy_american/ 
at the tab entitled, National Buy American Waivers Issued.

    Issued in Washington, DC, November 1, 2013.
Frank J. San Martin,
Manager, Airports Financial Assistance Division.
[FR Doc. 2013-27949 Filed 11-20-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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