[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 163 (Friday, August 22, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44821-44822]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-21495]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

48 CFR Part 19

[FAC 97-01; FAR Case 97-008; Item X]
RIN 9000-AH65


Federal Acquisition Regulation; Economically Disadvantaged 
Individuals

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 have agreed on a final rule amending 
the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to update the definition of 
``small disadvantaged business concern'' for conformance with Small 
Business Administration regulations. This regulatory action was not 
subject to Office of Management and Budget review under Executive Order 
12866, dated September 30, 1993. This is not a major rule under 5 
U.S.C. 804.

DATES: Effective October 21, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The FAR Secretariat, Room 4035, GS 
Building, Washington, DC 20405 (202) 501-4755 for information 
pertaining to status or publication schedules. For clarification of 
content, contact Ms. Victoria Moss, Procurement Analyst, at (202) 501-
4764. Please cite FAC 97-01, FAR case 97-008.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    This final rule amends the definition of ``small disadvantaged 
business concern'' at FAR 19.001 to update the categories of 
individuals considered to be socially and economically

[[Page 44822]]

disadvantaged. In accordance with the Small Business Administration 
regulations at 13 CFR 124.105, the Maldives Islands has been added to 
the category of ``Subcontinent Asian Americans''; and Macao, Hong Kong, 
Fiji, Tonga, Kirabati, Tuvalu, and Nauru have been added to the 
category of ``Asian Pacific Americans.''

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The final rule does not constitute a significant FAR revision 
within the meaning of FAR 1.501 and Public Law 98-577, and publication 
for public comment is not required. However, comments from small 
entities concerning the affected FAR subpart will be considered in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610. Such comments must be submitted 
separately and cite 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq. (FAC 97-01, FAR case 97-008), 
in correspondence.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the changes to 
the FAR do not impose recordkeeping or information collection 
requirements, or collections of information from offerors, contractors, 
or members of the public which require the approval of the Office of 
Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Part 19

    Government procurement.

    Dated: August 7, 1997.
Edward C. Loeb,
Director, Federal Acquisition Policy Division.

    Therefore, 48 CFR Part 19 is amended as set forth below:

PART 19--SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAMS

    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).

    2. Section 19.001 is amended by revising paragraphs (b)(1) and 
(b)(2) under the definition ``Small disadvantaged business concern'' to 
read as follows:


19.001  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Small disadvantaged business concern * * *
    (b) * * * (1) Subcontinent Asian Americans means United States 
citizens whose origins are in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, 
Bhutan, the Maldives Islands, or Nepal.
    (2) Asian Pacific Americans means United States citizens whose 
origins are in Japan, China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Korea, Samoa, 
Guam, the U.S. Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Republic of 
Palau), the Northern Mariana Islands, Laos, Kampuchea (Cambodia), 
Taiwan, Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, 
Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, 
Macao, Hong Kong, Fiji, Tonga, Kiribati, Tuvalu, or Nauru.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 97-21495 Filed 8-21-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-EP-P