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[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 10 (Thursday, January 15, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2417-2418]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-677]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Defense Acquisition Regulations System

48 CFR Parts 225, 236, and 252

RIN 0750-AG16

Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Steel for 
Military Construction Projects (DFARS Case 2008-D038)

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

ACTION: Interim rule with request for comments.

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SUMMARY: DoD has issued an interim rule amending the Defense Federal 
Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement Section 108 of 
the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 
2009. Section 108 requires that American steel producers, fabricators, 
and manufacturers be given the opportunity to compete for contracts and 
subcontracts for the acquisition of steel for use in military 
construction projects or activities.

DATES: Effective date: January 15, 2009.
    Comment date: Comments on the interim rule should be submitted in 
writing to the address shown below on or before March 16, 2009, to be 
considered in the formation of the final rule.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by DFARS Case 2008-D038, 
using any of the following methods:
    [cir] Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    [cir] E-mail: [email protected]. Include DFARS Case 2008-D038 in the 
subject line of the message.
    [cir] Fax: 703-602-7887.
    [cir] Mail: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Attn: Ms. Amy 
Williams, OUSD (AT&L) DPAP (DARS), IMD 3D139, 3062 Defense Pentagon, 
Washington, DC 20301-3062.
    [cir] Hand Delivery/Courier: Defense Acquisition Regulations 
System, Crystal Square 4, Suite 200A, 241 18th Street, Arlington, VA 
22202-3402.
    Comments received generally will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Amy Williams, 703-602-0328.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    Section 108 of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs 
Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 110-329, Division E) prohibits the 
use of funds appropriated in Title I of that Act for the procurement of 
steel for any military construction project or activity for which 
American steel producers, fabricators, or manufacturers have been 
denied the opportunity to compete. This interim rule adds DFARS policy 
and a contract clause to implement the statutory prohibition.
    This rule was not subject to Office of Management and Budget review 
under Executive Order 12866, dated September 30, 1993.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    DoD has prepared an initial regulatory flexibility analysis 
consistent with 5 U.S.C. 603. A copy of the analysis may be obtained 
from the point of contact specified herein. The analysis is summarized 
as follows:
    This interim rule implements Section 108 of the Military 
Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2009. The 
objective of the rule is to ensure that American steel producers, 
fabricators, and manufacturers are given the opportunity to compete for 
contracts and subcontracts for the acquisition of steel for use in 
military construction projects and activities. Existing Buy American 
Act and Balance of Payments Program requirements, implemented in FAR 
Subpart 25.2 and DFARS Subpart 225.75 respectively, already provide for 
DoD acquisition of domestic construction materials, including steel. 
However, this DFARS rule will prohibit use of the exceptions to Buy 
American Act/Balance of Program requirements otherwise permitted by 
FAR/DFARS, with regard to the acquisition of steel, unless American 
steel producers, fabricators, and manufacturers are first provided the 
opportunity to compete. The rule is expected to benefit American steel 
producers, fabricators, and manufacturers by ensuring they are provided 
an opportunity to compete for contracts and subcontracts for the 
acquisition of steel for use in military construction projects and 
activities.
    DoD invites comments from small businesses and other interested 
parties. DoD also will consider comments from small entities concerning 
the affected DFARS subparts in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610. Such 
comments should be submitted separately and should cite DFARS Case 
2008-D038.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply, because the rule does 
not impose any information collection requirements that require the 
approval of the Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3501, 
et seq.

D. Determination To Issue an Interim Rule

    A determination has been made under the authority of the Secretary 
of Defense that urgent and compelling reasons exist to publish an 
interim rule prior to affording the public an opportunity to comment. 
This interim rule implements Section 108 of the Military Construction 
and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 110-329, 
Division E). Section 108 establishes a prohibition on the expenditure 
of funds for the procurement of steel for any military construction 
project or activity, unless American steel producers, fabricators, and 
manufacturers have been provided an opportunity to compete. Comments 
received in response to this interim rule will be considered in the 
formation of the final rule.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 225, 236, and 252

    Government procurement.

Michele P. Peterson,
Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations System.

0
Therefore, 48 CFR parts 225, 236, and 252 are amended as follows:
0
1. The authority citation for 48 CFR parts 225, 236, and 252 continues 
to read as follows:

    Authority: 41 U.S.C. 421 and 48 CFR chapter 1.

PART 225--FOREIGN ACQUISITION

0
2. Section 225.7014 is revised to read as follows:

225.7014  Restrictions on military construction.

    (a) For restriction on award of military construction contracts to 
be performed in the United States outlying areas in the Pacific and on 
Kwajalein Atoll, or in

[[Page 2418]]

countries bordering the Arabian Gulf, see 236.273(a).
    (b) For restriction on acquisition of steel for use in military 
construction projects, see 236.274.

PART 236--CONSTRUCTION AND ARCHITECT-ENGINEER CONTRACTS

0
3. Section 236.274 is added to read as follows:

236.274  Restriction on acquisition of steel for use in military 
construction projects.

    In accordance with section 108 of the Military Construction and 
Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 110-329, Division 
E), do not acquire, or allow a contractor to acquire, steel for any 
construction project or activity for which American steel producers, 
fabricators, or manufacturers have been denied the opportunity to 
compete for such acquisition of steel.

0
4. Section 236.570 is amended as follows:
0
a. By redesignating paragraph (d) as paragraph (e); and
0
b. By adding a new paragraph (d) to read as follows:

236.570  Additional provisions and clauses.

* * * * *
    (d) Use the clause at 252.236-7013, Requirement for Competition 
Opportunity for American Steel Producers, Fabricators, and 
Manufacturers, in solicitations and contracts that--
    (1) Use funds appropriated by Title I of the Military Construction 
and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 110-329, 
Division E); and
    (2) May require the acquisition of steel as a construction 
material.
* * * * *

PART 252--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

0
5. Section 252.236-7013 is added to read as follows:

252.236-7013  Requirement for competition opportunity for american 
steel producers, fabricators, and manufacturers.

    As prescribed in 236.570(d), use the following clause:
REQUIREMENT FOR COMPETITION OPPORTUNITY FOR AMERICAN STEEL PRODUCERS, 
FABRICATORS, AND MANUFACTURERS (JAN 2009)
    (a) Definition. Construction material, as used in this clause, 
means an article, material, or supply brought to the construction 
site by the Contractor or a subcontractor for incorporation into the 
building or work.
    (b) The Contractor shall provide American steel producers, 
fabricators, and manufacturers the opportunity to compete when 
acquiring steel as a construction material (e.g., steel beams, rods, 
cables, plates).
    (c) The Contractor shall insert the substance of this clause, 
including this paragraph (c), in any subcontract that involves the 
acquisition of steel as a construction material.

    (End of clause)

0
6. Section 252.244-7000 is amended as follows:
0
a. By revising the clause date;
0
b. By redesignating paragraphs (b) through (d) as paragraphs (c) 
through (e) respectively; and
0
c. By adding a new paragraph (b) to read as follows:

252.244-7000  Subcontracts for commercial items and commercial 
components (DOD contracts).

* * * * *
SUBCONTRACTS FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS AND COMMERCIAL COMPONENTS (DOD 
CONTRACTS) (JAN 2009)

* * * * *
    (b) 252.236-7013 Requirement for Competition Opportunity for 
American Steel Producers, Fabricators, and Manufacturers (Pub. L. 
110-329, Division E, Section 108).
* * * * *
[FR Doc. E9-677 Filed 1-14-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-08-P
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