[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 163 (Friday, August 22, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 44804]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-21486]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

48 CFR Part 1

[FAC 97-01; FAR Case 97-006; Item I]
RIN 9000-AH64


Federal Acquisition Regulation; Business Process Innovation

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 state that contracting 
officers, in their role as members of the Government acquisition team, 
should take the lead in encouraging business process innovations and 
ensuring that business decisions are sound. This regulatory action was 
not subject to Office of Management and Budget review under Executive 
Order 12866, dated September 30, 1993, and 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 Mr. Ralph De Stefano, Procurement Analyst, at (202) 
501-1758. Please cite FAC 97-01, FAR case 97-006.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    This final rule amends FAR 1.102-4(e) by adding a statement that 
contracting officers, in their role as members of the Government 
acquisition team, should take the lead in encouraging business process 
innovations and ensuring that business decisions are sound.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The final rule does not constitute a significant FAR revision 
within the meaning of FAR 1.501 and Pub. L. 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 97-006), 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 1

    Government procurement.

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

    Therefore, 48 CFR Part 1 is amended as set forth below:

PART 1--FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM

    1. The authority citation for 48 CFR Part 1 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 1.102-4 is amended by adding the following sentence at 
the end of paragraph (e):


1.102-4  Role of the acquisition team.

* * * * *
    (e) * * * Contracting officers should take the lead in encouraging 
business process innovations and ensuring that business decisions are 
sound.

[FR Doc. 97-21486 Filed 8-21-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-EP-P