[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 126 (Friday, June 28, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33693-33694]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-16583]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
48 CFR Part 1552

[FRL-5525-6]


Acquisition Regulation; Coverage on Information Resources 
Management (IRM)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Environmental Protection Agency 
Acquisition Regulation (EPAAR) coverage on Information Resources 
Management (IRM) by providing electronic access to EPA IRM policies for 
the Agency's contractors. Electronic access is available through the 
Internet or a dial-up modem. Agency contractors will be required to 
review the Internet or access the dial-up modem when receiving a work 
request (i.e. delivery order or work assignment) to ascertain the 
applicable IRM policies. The intended effect of this rule is to ensure 
that contractors perform IRM related work in accordance with current 
EPA policies.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This rule is effective July 15, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edward N. Chambers at (202) 260-6028.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    The required EPA Information Resource Management (IRM) policies are 
currently referenced in a clause contained in all Agency solicitations 
and contracts. While this clause provides for revised and new 
directives through attachments to contracts, because of the rapid 
changes in the IRM field, EPA may still be at risk for requiring 
compliance with outdated directives. By providing the references and 
the full text of all required IRM policies on the Internet, or through 
a dial-up modem, EPA will be able to update this information as changes 
occur to ensure contractor compliance with current IRM policies. This 
effort to provide electronic access is consistent with the Federally 
mandated Government Information Locator Service (GILS), a key 
initiative of the National Performance Review (NPR).
    This regulation was published as a proposed rule in the Federal 
Register on July 11, 1995. No comments were received.
    Minor edits have been made to clarify the nature and protocols of 
the electronic access. While the proposed rule referenced a dial-up 
modem bulletin board service (BBS), EPA has subsequently decided that 
this mode of electronic access does not qualify as a BBS. Therefore, 
the final rule drops the reference to a BBS.

B. Executive Order 12866

    This is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 
12866; therefore, no review is required by the Office of Information 
and Regulatory Affairs.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

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

D. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The rule is not expected to have a significant impact on a 
substantial number of small entities within the meaning of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act, U.S.C. 601 et seq.
    The Internet and dial-up modems are widely available mechanisms to 
access information, used commonly in the conduct of business by both 
small and large entities. Compliance with this requirement will require 
minimal cost or effort for any entity, large or small.

E. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) P.L. 
104-4, establishes requirements for Federal agencies to assess their 
regulatory actions on State, local, and tribal governments and the 
private sector.
    EPA has determined that this rule does not contain a Federal 
mandate that may result in expenditures of $100 million or more for 
State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or the private 
sector in any one year. Private sector costs for this action relate to 
expenditures that are far below the level established for UMRA 
applicability. Thus, the rule is not subject to the requirements of 
section 202 and 205 of the UMRA.

F. Regulated Entities

    EPA contractors are entities potentially regulated by this action.

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                 Category                        Regulated Entities     
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Industry..................................  EPA contractors.            
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    Questions regarding the applicability of this action to a 
particular entity, should be directed to the person listed in the 
preceding FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Part 1552

    Government Procurement, Specifications, Standards, and other 
Purchase Descriptions, Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses.

    For reasons set out in the preamble, Chapter 15 of Title 48 Code of 
Federal Regulations is amended as set forth below:

PART 1552--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for 48 CFR Part 1552 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: Section 205(c), 63 Stat. 390, as amended, 40 U.S.C. 
486(c).
    2. Section 1552.210-79 is amended by revising paragraphs (b), (c), 
and (d); and by removing paragraphs (e) and (f) to read as follows:


1552.210-79  Compliance with EPA Policies for Information Resources 
Management.

* * * * *

[[Page 33694]]

Compliance With EPA Policies for Information Resources Management (June 
1996)

* * * * *
    (b) General. The Contractor shall perform any IRM related work 
under this contract in accordance with the IRM policies, standards 
and procedures set forth in this clause and noted below. Upon 
receipt of a work request (i.e. delivery order or work assignment), 
the Contractor shall check this listing of directives (see paragraph 
(d) for electronic access). The applicable directives for 
performance of the work request are those in effect on the date of 
issuance of the work request.
    (1) IRM Policies, Standards and Procedures. The 2100 Series 
(2100-2199) of the Agency's Directive System contains the majority 
of the Agency's IRM policies, standards and procedures.
    (2) Groundwater Program IRM Requirement. A contractor performing 
any work related to collecting Groundwater data; or developing or 
enhancing data bases containing Groundwater quality data shall 
comply with EPA Order 7500.1A--Minimum Set of Data Elements for 
Groundwater.
    (3) EPA Computing and Telecommunications Services. The 
Enterprise Technology Services Division (ETSD) Operational 
Directives Manual contains procedural information about the 
operation of the Agency's computing and telecommunications services. 
Contractors performing work for the Agency's National Computer 
Center or those who are developing systems which will be operating 
on the Agency's national platforms must comply with procedures 
established in the Manual. (This document is only available through 
electronic access.)
    (c) Printed Documents. Documents listed in (b)(1) and (b)(2) may 
be obtained from: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of 
Administration Facilities Management and Services Division 
Distribution Section Mail Code: 3204 401 M Street, S.W. Washington, 
D.C. 20460 Phone: (202) 260-5797
    (d) Electronic access. (1) Internet. A complete listing, 
including full text, of documents included in the 2100 Series of the 
Agency's Directive System, as well as the two other EPA documents 
noted in this clause, is maintained on the EPA Public Access Server 
on the Internet. Gopher Access: gopher.epa.gov is the address to 
access the EPA Gopher. Select `menu keyword search' from the menu 
and search on the term `IRM Policy'. Look for IRM Policy, Standards 
and Guidance. World Wide Web Access: http://www.epa.gov is the 
address for the EPA's www homepage. From the homepage, search on the 
term `IRM Policy' and look for IRM Policy, Standards and Guidance.
    (2) Dial-Up Modem. All documents, including the listing, are 
available for browsing and electronic download through a dial-up 
modem. Dial (919) 558-0335 for access to the menu that contains the 
listing for EPA policies. Set the communication parameters to 8 data 
bits, no parity, 1 stop bit (8,N,1) Full Duplex, and the emulator to 
VT-100. The information is the same whether accessed through dial-up 
or the Internet. For technical assistance, call 1-800-334-2405.

(End of Clause)

    Dated: June 5, 1996.
Betty L. Bailey,
Director, Office of Acquisition Management.
[FR Doc. 96-16583 Filed 6-27-96; 8:45 am]
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