        DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
        48 CFR Parts 816, 828 and 852
        RIN 2900-AP82
        Revise and Streamline VA Acquisition Regulation To Adhere to Federal Acquisition Regulation Principles (VAAR Case 2014-V002—Parts 816, 828)

          AGENCY:
          Department of Veterans Affairs.

          ACTION:
          Proposed rule.

          SUMMARY:
          The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is proposing to amend and update its VA Acquisition Regulation (VAAR). Under this initiative, all parts of the regulation are being reviewed in phased increments to revise or remove any policy that has been superseded by changes in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), to remove any procedural guidance that is internal to the VA, and to incorporate any new regulations or policies.
          Acquisition regulations become outdated over time and require updating to incorporate additional policies, solicitation provisions, or contract clauses that implement and supplement the FAR to satisfy VA mission needs, and to incorporate changes in dollar and approval thresholds, definitions, and VA position titles and offices. This Proposed Rule will correct inconsistencies, remove redundant and duplicate material already covered by the FAR, delete outdated material or information, and appropriately renumber VAAR text, clauses and provisions where required to comport with FAR format, numbering and arrangement.
          This Proposed Rule will streamline the VAAR to implement and supplement the FAR only when required, and remove internal agency guidance as noted above in keeping with the FAR principles concerning agency acquisition regulations.

          DATES:
          Comments must be received on or before May 12, 2017 to be considered in the formulation of the final rule.

          ADDRESSES:
          Written comments may be submitted through www.Regulations.gov; by mail or hand-delivery to Director, Regulation Policy and Management (00REG), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or by fax to (202) 273-9026. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to “RIN 2900-AP82—Revise and Streamline VA Acquisition Regulation to Adhere to Federal Acquisition Regulation Principles (VAAR Case 2014-V002—parts 816, 828).” Copies of comments received will be available for public inspection in the Office of Regulation Policy and Management, Room 1068, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (except holidays). Please call (202) 461-4902 for an appointment. This is not a toll-free number. In addition, during the comment period, comments may be viewed online through the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov.

          FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
          Mr. Ricky Clark, Senior Procurement Analyst, Procurement Policy and Warrant Management Services, 003A2A, 425 I Street NW., Washington, DC 20001, (202) 632-5276. This is not a toll-free telephone number.

        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

        Background
        This action is being taken under the authority of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act which provides the authority for an agency head to authorize the issuance of agency acquisition regulations that implement or supplement the FAR. This authority ensures that Government procurements are handled fairly and consistently, that the Government receives overall best value, and that the Government and contractors both operate under a known set of rules.
        The Proposed Rule updates the VAAR to current FAR titles, requirements, and definitions; it updates VA titles and offices; it corrects inconsistencies, removes redundancies and duplicate material already covered by the FAR; it deletes outdated material or information and appropriately renumbers VAAR text, clauses, and provisions where required to comport with FAR format, numbering and arrangement. All amendments, revisions, and removals have been peer reviewed and concurred with by an Integrated Product Team of agency stakeholders.
        The VAAR uses the regulatory structure and arrangement of the FAR and headings and subject areas are broken up consistent with the FAR content. The VAAR is divided into subchapters, parts (each of which covers a separate aspect of acquisition), subparts, sections, and subsections.
        The Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act provides the authority for the Federal Acquisition Regulation and for the issuance of agency acquisition regulations consistent with the FAR.
        When Federal agencies acquire supplies and services using appropriated funds, the purchase is governed by the FAR, set forth at Title 48 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), chapter 1, parts 1 through 53, and the agency regulations that implement and supplement the FAR. The VAAR is set forth at Title 48 CFR, chapter 8, parts 801 to 873. These authorities are designed to ensure that Government procurements are handled fairly and consistently, that the Government receives overall best value, and that the Government and contractors both operate under a known set of rules.
        VA is proposing to revise the VAAR to add new policy or regulatory requirements and to remove any guidance that is applicable only to VA's internal operating processes or procedures. Codified acquisition regulations may be amended and revised only through formal rulemaking under the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act. This proposed rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities as they are defined in the Regulatory Flexibility Act. This proposed rule will generally be small business neutral. VA has examined the economic, interagency, budgetary, legal, and policy implications of this regulatory action, and it has been determined this rule is not a significant regulatory action.
        Discussion and Analysis
        VA proposes to make the following changes to the VAAR in this phase of its revision and streamlining initiative. For procedural guidance cited below that is proposed to be deleted from the VAAR, each section cited for removal is being considered for inclusion in VA's internal agency operating procedures in accordance with FAR 1.301(a)(2). Similarly, delegations of authorities that are removed from the VAAR will be included in the VA Acquisition Manual (VAAM) as internal agency guidance.
        VAAR Part 816—Types of Contracts
        In subpart 816.1, Selecting Contract Types, we propose to delete 816.102, Policies, since it contains procedural guidance and a delegation of authority that is internal to VA and will be in the VA Acquisition Manual (VAAM).
        We propose to add a new subpart: 816.2, Fixed-Price Contracts. This subpart 816.2 includes one subsection, 816.203-4, Contract clauses, which prescribes the various Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) clauses.
        In subpart 816.5, Indefinite-Delivery Contracts, we propose to delete 816.504, Indefinite-quantity contracts, due to the issuance of a Class Deviation from VAAR 816.504, which prohibited the use of estimated quantity clauses.
        In subpart 816.5, Infinite-Delivery Contracts, we propose to amend section 816.505, Ordering, to include the title and office of the Task and Delivery Order Ombudsman.
        We propose to add a new subpart 816.7, Agreements, that includes one section, 816.770, Consignment agreements, which defines and describes the consignment agreement acquisition method used for satisfying the need for immediate and on-going requirements.
        We propose to delete subpart 816.70, Unauthorized Agreements, since the only section included, 816.7001, Letters of availability, covers a procurement method that is no longer in use in VA.
        VAAR Part 828—Bonds and Insurance
        In subpart 828.1, Bonds and Other Financial Protections, we propose to delete section 814.101, Bid guarantees, and subsection 828.101-2, Solicitation provision or contract clause, because the FAR guidance is sufficient in this area. We also propose to delete subsection 828.101-70, Safekeeping and return of bid guarantee, because the information included is considered to be procedural guidance and it will be moved to the VAAM.
        In section 828.106, Administration, we propose to delete subsection 828.106-6, Furnishing information, since it includes an internal delegation of authority.
        In section 828.106, Administration, we propose to amend subsection 828.106-70, Bond premium adjustment, to clarify the clause prescription.”
        In subpart 828.2, Sureties and Other Security for Bonds, we propose to delete the entire subpart since it contains only internal procedural guidance and it will be moved to the VAAM.
        In subpart 828.3, Insurance, we propose to amend section 828.306, Insurance under fixed-price contracts, to clarify the clause prescription.
        In subpart 828.71, Indemnification of Contractors, Medical Research or Development Contracts, we propose to delete section 828.7101, Approval for indemnification, as it contains only internal procedural information.

        In subpart 828.71, Indemnification of Contractors for Medical Research or Development Contracts, we propose to revise the numbering from 828.71 to 828.70 to conform to the FAR drafting guide. Accordingly, under this subpart, we propose to revise the numbering for section 828.7100, Scope of part, to 828.7000; to change the numbering for section 828.7102, Extent of indemnification, to 828.7001; and to revise the numbering of section 828.7103, Financial protection, to 828.7002.
        In the proposed subpart 828.70, Indemnification of Contractors for Medical Research or Development Contracts, we propose to add a new subsection, 828.7003, Indemnification clause, which prescribes the use of clause 852.228-73, Indemnification of Contractor—Hazardous Research Projects, when certain conditions apply.
        VAAR Part 852—Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses
        In subpart 852.2, we propose to remove clause 852.216-70, Estimated Quantities, as it includes language that codifies contracting practices that are not recommended as they increase the risk level for VA procurements. In this subpart we propose to add clause 852.216-71, Economic price adjustment of contract price(s) based on a price index.
        We propose to add the following clauses which are based on VA-specific clauses that were previously uncodified: 852.216-72, Proportional economic price adjustment of contract price(s) based on a price index;” clause 852.216-73, Economic price adjustment—state nursing home care for veterans (ALT #1); add clause 852.216-74, Economic price adjustment—Medicaid labor rates (ALT #2), and clause 852.216-75, Economic price adjustment clause—fuel surcharge.
        In subpart 252.2, we propose to amend 852.228-71, Indemnification and insurance, to correct minor typographical and grammatical errors. We propose to add clause 852.228-73, Indemnification of contractor-hazardous research projects, which requires contractors to have appropriate insurance coverage when performing work of a hazardous nature which protects the Government's interest.
        Effect of Rulemaking
        Title 48, Federal Acquisition Regulations System, Chapter 8, Department of Veterans Affairs, of the Code of Federal Regulations, as revised by this proposed rulemaking, represents VA's implementation of its legal authority and publication of the Department of Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) for the cited applicable parts. Other than future amendments to this rule or governing statutes for the cited applicable parts, or as otherwise authorized by approved deviations or waivers in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 1.4, Deviations from the FAR, and as implemented by VAAR subpart 801.4, Deviations from the FAR or VAAR, no contrary guidance or procedures are authorized. All existing or subsequent VA guidance must be read to conform with the rulemaking if possible or, if not possible, such guidance is superseded by this rulemaking as pertains to the cited applicable VAAR parts.
        Executive Orders 12866 and 13563
        Executive Orders (E.O.) 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess all costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). E.O. 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility. E.O. 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review defines “significant regulatory action” to mean any regulatory action that is likely to result in a rule that may: “(1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or communities; (2) Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by another agency; (3) Materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients thereof; or (4) Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles set forth in this Executive order.”
        VA has examined the economic, interagency, budgetary, legal, and policy implications of this regulatory action, and it has been determined this rule is not a significant regulatory action under E.O. 12866.

        VA's impact analysis can be found as a supporting document at http://www.regulations.gov, usually within 48 hours after the rulemaking document is published. Additionally, a copy of the rulemaking and its impact analysis are available on VA's Web site at http://www.va.gov/orpm by following the link for VA Regulations Published from FY 2004 Through Fiscal Year to Date.
        Paperwork Reduction Act
        Although this action contains provisions constituting collections of information at 48 CFR 828.306 and 852.228-71, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3521), no new or proposed revised collections of information are associated with this proposed rule. The information collection requirements for §§ 48 CFR 828.306 and 852.228-71 are currently approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and have been assigned OMB control number 2900-0590.
        Regulatory Flexibility Act
        This proposed rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities as they are defined in the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601-612. This proposed rule will generally be small business neutral. The overall impact of the proposed rule will be of benefit to small businesses owned by Veterans or service-disabled Veterans as the VAAR is being updated to remove extraneous procedural information that applies only to VA's internal operating procedures. VA estimates no cost impact to individual business resulting from these rule updates. On this basis, the adoption of this proposed rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities as they are defined in the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601-612. Therefore, under 5 U.S.C. 605(b), this proposed rule is exempt from the initial and final regulatory flexibility analysis requirements of sections 603 and 604.
        Unfunded Mandates
        The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 requires, at 2 U.S.C. 1532, that agencies prepare an assessment of anticipated costs and benefits before issuing any rule that may result in the expenditure by State, local, and tribal Governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more (adjusted annually for inflation) in any one year. This proposed rule will have no such effect on State, local, and tribal Governments or on the private sector.

          List of Subjects
          38 CFR Part 816
          Government procurement.
          38 CFR Part 828
          Government procurement, Insurance, Surety bonds.
          38 CFR Part 852
          Government procurement. Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

        Signing Authority

        The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or designee, approved this document and authorized the undersigned to sign and submit the document to the Office of the Federal Register for publication electronically as an official document of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Gina S. Farrisee, Deputy Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs, approved this document on January 12, 2017, for publication.

          Janet Coleman,
          Chief, Office of Regulation Policy & Management, Office of the Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs.

        For the reasons set out in the preamble, VA proposes to amend 48 CFR, chapter 8, parts 816, 828, and 852 as follows:

          PART 816—TYPES OF CONTRACTS

        1. The authority citation for part 816 continues to read as follows:

          Authority:
          40 U.S.C. 121(c) and 48 CFR 1.301-1.304.

          Subpart 816.1 [Removed and Reserved]

        2. Subpart 816.1 is removed and reserved.
        3. Subpart 816.2 is added to read as follows:

          Subpart 816.2—Fixed-Price Contracts

            816.203
             Fixed-price contracts with economic price adjustment.

            816.203-4
             Contract clauses.
            (e) The contracting officer shall, when contracting by negotiation, use the following clauses.
            (1) The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 852.216-71, Economic Price Adjustment of Contract Price(s) based on a Price Index, in solicitations and firm-fixed-price contracts, subject to FAR 16.203-4(d)(1) and when changes to a price index will be used to calculate corresponding changes to the total contract price or unit prices of the contract.
            (i) Exceptions:
            (A) Do not use this clause when changes to the price index will apply to only a component part of the contract price.
            (B) Do not publish or include the footnotes in the solicitation, they are only included herein to provide guidance to contracting officers.
            (2) The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 852.216-72, Proportional Economic Price Adjustment of Contract Price(s) based on a Price Index, in solicitations and firm-fixed-price contracts, and subject to FAR 16.203-4(d)(1) when changes to an industry price index shall be used to calculate changes to only a portion of the contract price or the unit prices of the contract.
            (i) Exceptions:

            (A) The clause should not be used when a change in the index price will be applied directly and totally to the contract price or the unit prices, i.e., when the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is used to calculate changes and a 5% increase in the CPI would result in a 5% increase in the total contract price of the unit prices.
            (B) Do not publish or include the footnotes in the solicitation, as they are only provided herein for the guidance to the contracting officer.
            (3) The contracting officer shall Insert the clause at 852.216-73, Economic Price Adjustment—State Nursing Home Care for Veterans (ALT #1) in solicitations and firm-fixed-price contracts subject to FAR 16.203-4(d)(1) and the following circumstance: When changes to the Medicaid rate as authorized by the State Medicaid Agency (SMA) shall be used to calculate corresponding changes in the total contract price or the per diem prices of the agreement.
            (4) The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 852.216-74, Economic Price Adjustment—Medicaid Labor Rates (ALT #2) in solicitations and firm fixed price contracts when the conditions specified in FAR 16.203-4(c)(1) exist. The clause is modifiable by increasing the 10-percent maximum limit on aggregate increases specified in subparagraph (c)(4), upon the approval by the Head of the Contracting Activity (HCA) or designee.
            (5) The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 852.216-75, Economic Price Adjustment—Fuel Surcharge, in solicitations and firm fixed price contracts when contracting by negotiation is subject to changes in the cost of fuel increases. The clause is subject to the conditions at FAR 16.203-4(d)(1).
            (f) The contracting officer shall follow procedures as prescribed in FAR 16.203-4(c) and 38 CFR 51.41(b)(1)(c) for EPA fixed price contracts based on Medicaid rates. These procedures shall be used when contracting by negotiation between the VA and the State Veteran Home for both making payments under contracts or under a VA provider agreement for nursing home care for veterans.

          Subpart 816.5—Indefinite-Delivery Contracts

          Subpart 816.504 [Removed]

        4. Subpart 816.504 is removed.
        5. Section 803.505 is revised to read as follows:

          816.505
           Ordering.
          (b)(8) Task-order and delivery-order ombudsman. The task-order contract and delivery-order ombudsman for VA is the Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary (ADAS) for Procurement Policy, Systems and Oversight. The VA Ombudsman shall review and resolve complaints from contractors concerning all task and delivery order actions. If any corrective action is needed after reviewing complaints from contractors, the VA Ombudsman shall provide a written determination of such action to the contracting officer. Contracting officers shall be notified of any complaints submitted to the VA Ombudsman.

        6. Subpart 816.7 is added to read as follows:

          Subpart 816.7—Agreements

            816.770
            Consignment agreements.
            A consignment agreement is not a contract. It is defined as a delivery method for a specified period of time in which the contractor provides an item/s for Government use and the contractor receives reimbursement only if and when the item is used by the Government. Consignment agreements are allowable and shall be considered in those instances when the requirement for an item will be immediate and on-going and when it is impossible to predetermine the type or model of a particular item until the need is established, and it is determined to be in the best interest of the VA.

          Subpart 816.70 [Removed and Reserved]

        7. Subpart 816.70 is removed and reserved.

          PART 828—BONDS AND INSURANCE

        8. The authority citation for part 828 continues to read as follows:

          Authority:
           38 U.S.C. 501, 8127, 8128 and 8151-8153; 40 U.S.C. 121(c); and 48 CFR 1.301-1.304.

          828.101
           [Removed]

        9. Section 828.101 is removed.

          828.101-2
          [Removed]

        10. Section 828.101-2 is removed.

          828.101-70
           [Removed]

        11. Section 828.101-70 is removed.

          828.106-6
          [Removed]

        12. Section 828.106-6 is removed.

          828.106-70
           [Amended]

        13. Section 828.106-70 is revised to read as follows:

          828.106-70
           Bond premium adjustment.

          The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 852.228-70, Bond Premium Adjustment, in solicitations and contracts when performance and payment bonds, or payment protection is required.

          828.2
           [Removed]

        14. Subpart 828.2 is removed.

          Subpart 828.3—Insurance

            828.306
            [Amended]

        15. Section 816.306 is amended by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:

          828.306
           Insurance under fixed-price contracts.
          (a) The contracting officer shall insert the provision at 852.228-71, Indemnification and insurance, in solicitations when utilizing term contracts, or contracts of a continuing nature, for ambulance, automobile and aircraft service.

          Subpart 828.71 [Redesignated and Amended]

        16. Subpart 828.71 is redesignated as subpart 828.70 and the subpart heading of newly redesignated subpart 828.70 is revised to read as follows:

          Subpart 828.70—Indemnification of Contractors, for Medical Research or Development Contracts

            828.7100
             [Redesignated and Amended]

        17. Section 828.7100 is redesignated as section 828.7000 and revised to read as follows:

          828.7000
           Scope of subpart.
          (a) As used in this subpart, the term “contractor” includes subcontractors of any tier under a contract containing an indemnification provision under 38 U.S.C. 7317.
          (b) This subpart sets forth the policies and procedures concerning indemnification of contractors performing contracts involving medical research or research and development that involve risks of an unusually hazardous nature, as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7317.
          (c) The authority to indemnify the contractor under this subpart does not create any rights to third parties that do not exist by law.

          828.7101
           [Removed]

        18. Section 828.7101 is removed.

          828.7102
          [Redesignated and amended]

        19. Section 828.7102 is redesignated as section 828.7001 and paragraph (a)(3) is revised to read as follows:

          828.7001
           Extent of indemnification.

          (a) * * *
          (3) The losses or liability are not covered by the financial protection required under 828.7002.

          828.7103
          [Redesignated]

        20. Section 828.7103 is redesignated as section 828.7002.
        21. Section 828.7003 is added to read as follows:

          828.7003
           Indemnification Clause.
          The contracting officer shall include the clause, 852.228-73, Indemnification of contractor—Hazardous Research Projects, in contracts and solicitations that indemnify a contractor for liability (including reasonable expenses of litigation or settlement) to third person for death, bodily injury, or loss of or damage to property from a risk that the contract defines in the performance work statement, the statement of work, or the statement of objectives as unusually hazardous.

          PART 852—SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

        22. The authority citation for 48 CFR part 852 continues to read as follows:

          Authority:
           38 U.S.C. 501, 8127, 8128, and 8151-8153; 40 U.S.C. 121(c); and 48 CFR 1.301-1.304.

          Subpart 852.2—Text of Provisions and Clauses

            852.216-70
             [Removed and reserved]

        23. Section 852.216-70 is removed and reserved.
        24. Section 852.216-71 is added to read as follows:

          852.216-71
           Economic price adjustment of contract price(s) based on a price index.
          As prescribed in 816.203-4(e)(1), insert the following clause:

            Economic Price Adjustment of Contract Price(s) Based on a Price Index (Date)
            (a) To the extent that contract cost increases are provided for by this economic price adjustment clause, the contractor warrants that the prices in this contract for the base period and any option periods do not include any amount to protect against such contingent cost increases.
            (b) The Base and Adjusting Indexes, for the purpose of price adjustment under this clause, shall be___,1
               as contained in___,2
               as published by ___.3
               All adjustments authorized under this clause shall be made by using the Base Index and Adjusting Indexes, which are published___.4

                1 The contracting officer shall conduct market research to determine a suitable Consumer Price Index or other independent broad-based index to use for the solicitation. For example, for medical services, an appropriate index may be the Consumer Price Index that tracks medical services.

                2 Specify where the Index can be found, such as in a solicitation for laboratory services, the contracting officer might enter “Table 1, CPI-U: U.S. City Average, by expenditure category and commodity and service group, found at http://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.t01.htm”.

                3 Provide the information on who publishes the applicable Index used e.g., in the example for laboratory services, “the U.S. Department of Labor”.

                4 State how often the Index is published, such as “monthly, around the middle of the month”. Note that some Consumer Price Indexes are not published monthly. Ensure that the correct information is provided for the specific Index used.

            (1) The Base Index, for the purposes of price adjustment under this clause, shall be the most recent Index published prior to the date for receipt of offers, or the due date for receipt of best and final offers if discussions were held whichever is later. The Base Index shall remain constant for the entire term of the contract, including all option periods.
            (2) The Adjusting Index shall be the most recent Index published prior to the date of contract adjustment, as specified in paragraph (d) of this clause.

            (c) The percentage difference between the Base Index and the Adjusting Index, rounded to the nearest .01 percent (e.g., 4.57%), will be used in calculating all adjustments to the following line items:___5

               The prices for these line items will be multiplied by the percentage increase or decrease and the resulting amount will be added to or deducted from the original line item price for that contract period (e.g., Base Year) to arrive at the new contract price for those line items from the effective date of the adjustment to the beginning of the next contract adjustment period, rounded to the same number of decimal points as the prices originally bid. Calculations for option year contract terms will be based on the prices in the schedule for those option years.

                5 Enter the line items that will be subject to adjustment or revise this paragraph to otherwise state what prices are subject to adjustment under this clause.

            (d) The dates of contract adjustment shall be___ 6

               and the starting dates of each option year, if not already included in these dates. The contracting officer shall retain a copy of the Base Index in the contract file and, on each date of adjustment specified in this paragraph (d), shall obtain a copy of the Adjusting Index. The contracting officer shall calculate the adjustment due and shall, within 5 business days, issue a modification to the contract adjusting the unit or contract prices, as specified in paragraph (c). The adjusted unit or contract prices shall be effective for all orders placed or services provided after the date of contract adjustment as specified in this paragraph (d) until the beginning of the next contract adjustment period. If the contracting officer fails to act, the contractor shall request in writing a contract adjustment and any subsequent adjustment shall be retroactive to the applicable date of contract adjustment specified in this paragraph (d). The contractor's entitlement to price increases for a prior contract period (base year or option year) is waived unless the contractor's written request for an adjustment under this clause is received by the contracting officer no later than 30 days following the end of the base year for changes applicable to the base year, or 30 days following the end of each option year for changes applicable to that option year. The Government's right to contract decreases for prior contract periods (base year or option year) is waived unless the contracting officer processes a contract modification no later than 30 days following the end of the base year for changes applicable to the base year, or 30 days following the end of each option year for changes applicable to that option year.

                6 Establish time periods for when the contracting officer will process adjustments. This could be “the first day of every quarter, January, April, July, and October” or “Annually on October 1st. or some other similar time periods. Since the contracting officer is responsible for initiating the change, the contracting officer must establish a reminder mechanism to ensure that the adjustments are accomplished within the time period specified.

            (e) An example of an adjustment calculation is provided herein for informational purposes only.

            (1) The original contract price or line item prices for that contract term (e.g., base year) shall be used for all calculations during that particular contract term and new calculations shall be made for each and every contract adjustment period specified in paragraph (d) during that contract term.
            (2) For purposes of this example, the contract prices for the line items as specified in paragraph (c) will be adjusted by the percentage calculated as follows:

                Adjusting Index for the current period
                196.6

                Minus the Base Index
                −188.0

                Equals the Index Point Change
                8.6

                Index Point Change Divided by the Base Index
                8.6/188.0 = .0457 *

                Result Multiplied by 100 Equals the Percentage Change (The Index Point Change Percentage)
                4.57%

            *This figure shall be rounded to the fourth decimal place. When the fifth decimal is 1 to 4, the figure shall be rounded down, 5 to 9, rounded up.
            (3) For a line item with an original bid price of $25.00 and a 4.57 percent Index Point Change increase as of the first contract adjustment period, as shown above, the calculations for a new contract price for the first contract adjustment period would be as follows: $25.00 × .0457 = $1.14, $25 + $1.14 = $26.14 **. The new contract price for this line item from the beginning of that first contract adjustment period until the start of the next contract adjustment period would be $26.14 and the contracting officer would issue a contract modification reflecting this price change.
            ** The unit price adjustment shall be rounded up or down, as in paragraph (e)(1) above, to match the number of decimal places in the original bid.
            (4) If the Adjusting Index went down for the second adjustment period, reflecting only a 3 percent Index Point Change increase over the Base Index, the new price for this sample line item would be reduced for the second contract adjustment period from $26.14 to $25.75 as follows: $25 × .03 = $0.75, $25 + $0.75 = $25.75. Note that the calculations for the second contract adjustment period are based on the original contract price for that contract term of $25.00. The contract price for this line item is modified to reflect this new price for the second contract adjustment period.
            (5) At the start of the first option year and each subsequent option year period (as well as for each contract adjustment period specified in paragraph (d) during that option year, if different), the contracting officer shall recalculate the contract or unit prices for that first option year based on any changes between the Adjusting Index and the Base Index, from the original contract award date to the start of the first option period, and based on the contractor's new option year prices. Assume the contractor's bid price for the first option year for the above sample line item was $25.50 and the calculations shown in paragraph (e)(1) above at the start of the first option period reflected a 6 percent Index Point Change. The new contract price for this sample line item at the start of the first option period would be calculated as follows: $25.50 × .06 = $1.53, $25.50 + $1.53 = $27.03. The contracting officer would process a contract modification reflecting a revised contract price of $27.03 for the first contract adjustment period in the first option year.
            (f) Price adjustments pursuant to this clause, shall be documented by a contract modification issued by the contracting officer, show the Base Index (see paragraph (b)(1)), the Adjusting Index, the adjusted contract prices (see paragraph (c)), the mathematical calculations used to arrive at the adjusted contract prices, and the effective date of the adjustment (see paragraph (d)).
            (g) At the start of each option year, the contracting officer shall, within 5 days of the start of the option year period, process a contract modification adjusting the option year prices by the then current Index Point Change percentage, if any, reflecting the new adjusted prices for that first contract adjustment period in that option year.
            (h) In the event that ___ 7
               discontinues, or alters substantially, its method of calculating the Index cited herein, the parties shall mutually agree upon an appropriate substitute for determining the price adjustment described herein. If the contracting officer determines that the Index consistently and substantially fails to reflect market conditions, the contracting officer may modify the contract to specify the use of an appropriate substitute index, effective on the date the Index specified herein begins to consistently and substantially fail to reflect market conditions.

                7 Enter in the name of the entity whose index is used in the clause. In most cases when using this clause format, the index used would be a CPI-U Index and the contracting officer would enter “the U.S. Department of Labor”.

            (i) Any dispute arising under this clause shall be resolved subject to the “Disputes” clause of the contract.

          (End of clause)

        25. Section 852.216-72 is added to read as follows:

          852.216-72
           Proportional Economic Price Adjustment of Contract Price(s) Based on a Price Index.
          As prescribed in 816.203-4(e)(2), insert the following clause:

            Proportional Economic Price Adjustment of Contract Price(s) Based on a Price Index (Date)
            (a) To the extent that contract cost increases are provided for by this economic price adjustment clause, the contractor warrants that the prices in this contract for any option periods do not include any amount to protect against such contingent cost increases.
            (b) The cost index, for the purpose of price adjustment under this clause, shall be___ 1
               as contained in___ 2
               as published by___ 3
              All adjustments authorized under this clause shall be made by using the Base Index and Adjusting Indexes, which are published.4

                1 The contracting officer shall conduct market research to determine a suitable cost index for use in the solicitation. The index used is directly related to the type of commodity or service most likely to impact the contractor and must approximately track the economic changes affecting the contractor's costs. Selection of the wrong index may result in a claim and reformation of the contract. For transportation services, an appropriate index might be one that tracks the price of gasoline or diesel fuel. For example, in a solicitation for ambulance services, the contracting officer might enter into this block “the “Weekly U.S. Retail Gasoline Prices, Regular Grade” Index for New England” (or California or whichever index is the most appropriate).

                2 Specify where the index can be found, such as in an example for gasoline, “the Energy Information Administration Web site (see VAAM M816.203-70).

                3 Provide the information on who publishes the index, such as, in an example for gasoline, “the U.S. Department of Energy”.

                4 State how often the index used is published, such as, in an example for an index for gasoline, “weekly each Monday at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern time), or Tuesday if Monday is a holiday”.

            (1) The Base Index, for the purposes of price adjustment under this clause, shall be the most recent Index published prior to the closing date for receipt of offers, or the due date for receipt of best and final offers if discussions are held. This Base Index shall remain constant throughout the life of the contract, including all options.
            (2) The Adjusting Index shall be the most recent Index published prior to the date of contract adjustment, as specified in paragraph (f).

            (c) For purposes of this clause, it will be conclusively presumed that___percent (%) 5
               of the price of___ 6
               represents the Base Cost of ___ 7
               and the resulting Base Cost will be the basis upon which adjustment will be made under this clause. This Base Cost will be used in calculating all adjustments to the following line items:___ 8
               A new Base Cost will be calculated for each option year period based on the new option year prices.

                5 Prior to issuing the solicitation, the contracting officer must conduct market research to determine an appropriate percentage to include in this paragraph. The percentage should reflect that portion of the unit price for the services or supplies being acquired that is applicable to the indexed commodity. For instance, in the case of an ambulance contract, research might indicate that, at the time the solicitation is being drafted and based on prior per-mile bid prices, the cost of gasoline accounts for 10% of the per mile cost of operating an ambulance. For example, if the prior bid price had been $1.60 per mile, ambulances average 10 miles per gallon, and the cost of gasoline had been $1.559 per gallon, 1 mile's worth of gasoline ($.16) would be approximately ten (10) percent of the prior per mile bid price of $1.60 per mile. This percent must be stated in the solicitation so that the same figure applies to all bidders. This figure remains constant throughout the life of the contract.

                6 Enter in this block the portion of the contract that will be subject to price adjustment, e.g., “each one-way mile of ambulance services,” or the line items that will be subject to price adjustment.

                7 Enter in this block the commodity applicable to the index being used, as in an example for an ambulance contract, “regular grade gasoline”.

                8 Enter the line items that will be subject to adjustment, as in an example for an ambulance contract, the line items that reflect the one-way cost per mile for ambulance services for the base year and for each option year.

            (d) The percentage of the price of the indexed commodity (see paragraph (c)) remains fixed throughout the life of the contract and is not subject to modification under this clause. Any pricing actions pursuant to the “Changes” clause or other clause or provision of the contract, except for this clause, will be priced as though there were no provisions for economic price adjustment.
            (e) All price adjustments shall be applicable only to the specific contract adjustment period to which the calculations are made. For every contract adjustment period, new calculations shall be made and new prices determined. Every adjustment during the Base Year shall be based on the original contract prices for that contract year and every adjustment during an option year shall be based on the original contract prices for that option year. The contracting officer must make new calculations for each and every contract adjustment period specified in paragraph (f) and at the beginning of each new option year, if different.
            (f) The dates of contract adjustment shall be___ 9
               and the starting dates of each option year, if not already included in these dates. The contracting officer shall retain a copy of the Base Index in the contract file and, on each date of adjustment specified herein, obtain a copy of the Adjusting Index. The contracting officer shall calculate the adjustment due and shall, within 5 business days, issue a modification to the contract adjusting the contract or unit price(s). The adjusted contract or unit price(s) shall be effective for all orders placed or services provided after the date of contract adjustment, as specified in this paragraph (f), until the date of the next contract adjustment. If the contracting officer fails to act, the contractor shall request a contract adjustment in writing and any subsequent adjustment shall be retroactive to the applicable date of contract adjustment. The contractor's entitlement to price increases for a prior contract period (base year or option year) shall be waived unless the contractor's written request for an adjustment under this clause is received by the contracting officer no later than 30 days following the end of the base year for changes applicable to the base year, or 30 days following the end of each option year for changes applicable to that option year. The Government's right to contract decreases for prior contract periods (base year or option year) shall be waived unless the contracting officer processes a contract modification no later than 30 days following the end of the base year for changes applicable to the base year, or 30 days following the end of each option year for changes applicable to that option year.

                9 Establish time periods for when the contracting officer will process adjustments. This could be “the first day of each month” or “the first day of every quarter, January, April, July, and October” or “annually on October 1st” or some other similar time periods. Since the contracting officer is responsible for initiating  the change, the contracting officer must establish a reminder mechanism to ensure that the adjustments are accomplished on time.

            (g) An example of an adjustment calculation is provided herein for informational purposes only.
            (1) For purposes of this example, assume that a contract is for ambulance services, that the contract price is $2.10 per mile one way, that price adjustments will be made on the basis of the cost of gasoline, that the cost of gasoline represents 10% of the total cost per mile (the Base Cost is 10% of $2.10 (the per mile one way price in Line Item X), or $0.21), and that contract adjustments will be made quarterly. If the Base Index (the price of gasoline the week prior to receipt of bids) is $1.559 per gallon and the price of gasoline at the first date of contract adjustment is $2.129 per gallon, the calculations for contract price adjustment would be as follows:

                Adjusting Index (most recent Index cost of gasoline as of the date of the first adjustment period)
                $2.129 per gallon

                Minus the Base Index (Index cost of gasoline as of the date of receipt of offers)
                −$1.559 per gallon

                Equals increase (or decrease) to the Base Index
                $0.570

                Divide increase (or decrease) to the Base Index by the Base Index
                $0.570 + $1.559 = .3656 * (36.56% increase)

            Base Cost of $0.21 (10% of $2.10) multiplied by .3656 = $0.0768 unit price increase.
            New Unit price following the adjustment is $2.10 plus $0.0768 = $2.1768 per mile (rounded to $2.18).**
            * This figure shall be rounded to the fourth decimal place. When the fifth decimal is 1 to 4, the figure shall be rounded down, 5 to 9, rounded up.
            ** The unit price adjustment shall be rounded up or down, as above, to match the number of decimal places in the original bid.
            (2) For the second contract adjustment period, all calculations would be based on the original contract bid price for that contract year, $2.10 per mile in this example. If the price of gasoline goes down during the second adjustment period to the original Base Index price of $1.559 per gallon, the adjusted contract price for that second period would return to $2.10 per mile (there would be a zero percent increase or decrease to the Base Cost and thus no change to the original bid price for that contract adjustment period). The contracting officer would then issue a contract modification returning the contract price from $2.18 to $2.10 per mile for that contract adjustment period. If, on the other hand, the price of gasoline actually went below the Base Index price, say to $1.449 per gallon, the calculations for the second economic price adjustment period would be as follows:

                Adjusting Index (most recent Index cost of gasoline as of the date of the second adjustment period)
                $1.449 per gallon

                Minus the Base Index (Index cost of gasoline as of the date of receipt of offers)
                −$1.559 per gallon

                Equals increase (or decrease) to Base Index
                ($0.110) (a negative $.11)

                Divide increase (or decrease) to the Base Index by the Base Index
                ($0.11) + $1.559 = (.0706)(7.06% decrease)

            Base Cost of $0.21 (10% of $2.10) multiplied by (.0706) = ($0.0148) unit price decrease.
            New Unit price following the second economic price adjustment is $2.10 minus $0.0148 = $2.0852 per mile (rounded to $2.09).
            (3) At the start of the first option year, the contracting officer shall recalculate the price per mile based on any changes in the price of gasoline from the original contract award date and based on the contractor's new first option year price per mile. Assuming the contractor's bid price per mile for the first option year was $2.25 per mile, the new Base Cost for gasoline would be 10% of $2.25, or $0.225 (note that the original percent figure from paragraph (c) (10% in this sample) stays constant throughout the life of the contract), but the Base Cost would change if the option year contract price changes. If the Adjusting Index for gasoline at the start of the first option year was now up to $1.899 per gallon, the new first option year price for the first contract adjustment period would be calculated as follows:

                Adjusting Index (most recent Index cost of gasoline as of the first day of the first option period)
                $1.899 per gallon

                Minus the Base Index (Index cost of gasoline as of the date of receipt of offers)
                −$1.559 per gallon

                Equals increase (or decrease) to the Base Index
                $0.340

                Divide the increase (or decrease) to the Base Index by the Base Index
                $0.34 + $1.559 = .2181(21.81% increase)

            Base Cost of $0.225 (10% * of $2.25) multiplied by .2181 = $0.0491 unit price increase.
            New Unit price for the first contract adjustment period in the first option year is $2.25 plus $0.0491 = $2.2991 per mile (rounded to $2.30 per mile).
            * Note that the percentage remains constant (10%) but that the Base Cost has been increased for the first contract adjustment period in the first option year, since the Base Cost is a percentage of the first option year unit cost per mile (in this sample), and the unit cost per mile has increased in this sample for the first option year from $2.10 to $2.25.
            Although the new unit price for the first contract adjustment period of the first option year following application of the economic price adjustment in this sample would be $2.30 per mile, all economic price adjustment calculations made during that first option year would be based on the original first option year bid price ($2.25 in this sample). If in the second contract adjustment period of the first option year, the calculations resulted in a unit price increase for gasoline of $0.0332, the adjusted price for that period would be $2.25 + $0.0332 = $2.2832, rounded to $2.28 per mile.
            (h) Price adjustments pursuant to this clause, which shall be made by contract modification issued by the contracting officer, shall show the Base Index (see paragraph (b)(1)), the Adjusting Index, the Base Cost (see paragraph (c)), the mathematical calculations used to arrive at the adjusted contract unit price, and the effective date of the adjustment.
            (i) In the event that___ 10
               discontinues, or alters substantially, its method of calculating the Index cited herein, the parties shall mutually agree upon an appropriate substitute for determining the price adjustment described herein. If the contracting officer determines that the Index consistently and substantially fails to reflect market conditions, the contracting officer may modify the contract to specify use of an appropriate substitute index, effective on the date the Index specified herein begins to consistently and substantially fail to reflect market conditions.

                10 Enter in the name of the entity whose index is used in the clause. In the example for ambulance services using the “Weekly U.S. Retail Gasoline Prices, Regular Grade” index; the contracting officer would enter the “Energy Information Administration, Department of Energy”.

            (j) Any dispute arising under this clause shall subject to the “Disputes” clause of the contract.

          (End of clause)

        26. Section 852.216-73 is added to read as follows:

          852.216-73
           Economic Price Adjustment—State Nursing Home Care for Veterans (Alt #1).
          As prescribed in 816.203-4(e)(3), insert the following clause:

            Economic Price Adjustment—State Nursing Home Care For Veterans (Alt #1)  (Date)
            This clause does not apply to rates for non-Medicaid nursing homes.
            (a) Rate Determination. The per diem rate is established by the current Medicaid rate for Medicaid approved nursing home care plus a fair market amount (percentage) to cover the costs of supplies, services, and equipment above that provided under Medicaid established by the local State Medicaid Agency (SMA). Rates established after the effective date of this contract will constitute a modification to the contract.
            (1) The Medicaid rate covers room, board, and routine nursing care services.
            (2) For all levels of nursing care a percentage is added for routine ancillary services/supplies, such as drugs, nursing supplies, oxygen (occasional use), x-ray, laboratory, physician visits, and rental equipment.
            (3) Special equipment, e.g. Clinitron bed, is not considered routine ancillary services. (and may not be provided by the VA).
            (4) Drug costs which comprise more than eight and one-half percent (8.5%) of the per diem rate are generally not considered routine ancillary supplies (and may not be provided by the VA).

            (5) Rehabilitation therapies will be provided as distinct levels of care, i.e., skilled, intermediate, and custodial care. Hospice Care and Dialysis are not included in the rate. Payment for Hospices and Dialysis services is provided by the VA or other payers as determined by the veteran with the VA's Approval.
            (b) Economic Price Adjustment. This clause does not apply to ancillary services that may be added or deleted from the agreement.
            (1) The per diem rate(s) will apply throughout the term of this contract, including extension period(s). The rate(s) may be adjusted only to reflect a change in a Medicaid rate as authorized by the SMA. Normally, this will be on an annual basis. The negotiated percentage above the Medicaid rate, to cover the all-inclusive nature of the contract, will not be renegotiated; but will be applied and added to the new Medicaid rate for the adjusted per diem rate for each level of care item. In this regard, new rates will be negotiated requiring a modification to the contact. Each per diem price adjustment under this clause is subject to the following limitations:
            (2) Any adjustment shall be limited to the effect of increases or decreases in the approved SMA's patient care components within the affected Medicaid groups.
            (3) Adjustments will occur no more frequently than those issued by the SMA.
            (4) No adjustments are made until the contracting officer receives from the SMA an authenticated copy of the new rates signed and dated at the top right of the document by the authorized nursing home official. Within ten days after this occurs, the contracting officers will execute an approval signature and date at the approximate locations of the nursing home official's signature, the action of which will serve as the effective date of the adjusted rate. A copy of the fully executed document will be sent to the nursing home official for record keeping purposes.

          (End of clause)

        27. Section 852.216-74 is added to read as follows:

          852.216-74
          Economic Price Adjustment—Medicaid Labor Rates (Date) (Alt #2)
          As prescribed in 816.203-4(e)(4), insert the following clause:

            Economic Price Adjustment—State Nursing Home Care for Veterans (Alt #1)  (Date)
            This clause does not apply to rates for non-Medicaid nursing homes.
            (a) The contractor shall notify the contracting officer if, at any time during contract performance, the Medicaid rate set by the State Medical Agency (SMA) for contract line item increases or decreases in the Schedule. The contractor shall furnish this notice within 60 days after the increase or decrease, or within any additional period that the contracting officer may approve in writing, but not later than the date of final payment under this contract. The notice shall include the contractor's proposal for an adjustment in the contract unit prices to be negotiated under paragraph (b) of this clause, and shall include, in the form required by the contracting officer, supporting data explaining the cause, effective date, and the amount of the increase or decrease and the amount of the contractor's adjustment proposal.
            (b) The contracting officer and the contractor shall negotiate a price adjustment to the contract's unit prices and its effective date upon receipt of the notice and data under paragraph (a) of this clause. However, the contracting officer may postpone the negotiations until an accumulation of increases and decreases of the Medicaid labor rates (including fringe benefits) shown in the Schedule results in an adjustment allowable under paragraph (c)(3) of this clause. The contracting officer shall modify this contract as follows:
            (1) Include the price adjustment and its effective date;
            (2) Revise the Medicaid labor rates (including fringe benefits) as shown in the Schedule to reflect the increases or decreases resulting from the SMA adjustment. The contractor shall continue performance pending agreement on, or determination of, any adjustment and its effective date.
            (c) Any price adjustment under this clause is subject to the following limitations:
            (1) Adjustment shall be limited to the effect on unit prices of the increases or decreases of the Medicaid rates of pay for labor (including fringe benefits) shown in the Schedule. There shall be no adjustment for changes in rates or unit prices other than those shown in the Schedule.

            (2) No upward adjustment shall apply to supplies or services that are required to be delivered or performed before the effective date of the adjustment, unless the contractor's failure to deliver or perform according to the delivery schedule results from causes beyond the contractor's control and without its fault or negligence, within the meaning of the Default clause.

            (3) There shall be no adjustment for any change in rates of pay for labor (including fringe benefits) or unit prices for material which would not result in a net change of at least three percent of the then-current total contract price. This limitation shall not apply, however, if, after final delivery of all contract line items, either party requests an adjustment under paragraph (b) of this clause.
            (4) The aggregate of the increases in any contract unit price made under this clause shall not exceed 10 percent of the original unit price. There is no percentage limitation on the amount of decreases made under this clause.
            (d) The contracting officer, precluding certified cost and pricing data may examine the contractor's books, records, and other supporting data relevant to the cost of labor (including fringe benefits) and material during all reasonable times until the end of 3 years after the date of final payment under this contract or the time periods specified in Subpart 4.7 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), whichever is earlier.

          (End of clause)

        28. Section 852.216-75 is added to read as follows:

          852.216-75
           Economic Price Adjustment Clause—Fuel Surcharge.
          As prescribed in 816.203-4(e)(5), insert the following clause:

            Economic Price Adjustment Clause—Fuel Surcharge (Date)
            (a) To the extent that contract fuel cost increases are provided for by this economic price adjustment clause, the contractor warrants that the prices in this contract for any option periods do not include any amount to protect against such contingent fuel cost increases.
            (b) The fuel cost index, for the purpose of price adjustment under this clause, shall be the “Weekly Retail On-Highway Diesel Prices Index.”
            The Base Fuel Cost, for the purpose of price adjustments under this clause, shall be the most recent Index Weekly Average Diesel Fuel Price per gallon published prior to the closing date for receipt of offers, or the due date for receipt of final proposal revisions if discussions are held.
            (c) For purposes of this clause, it will be conclusively presumed that x% increase or decrease of the Base Fuel Cost represents a reasonable fluctuation of diesel fuel prices. The Base Fuel Cost (+/−) x% price range will be determined for the base contract year and will remain constant throughout the life of the contract, including option years. Base Fuel Cost price range is documented at time of contract award.
            (d) Increases (or decreases) in the diesel fuel costs (Base Fuel Cost x%) as listed on the Index two weeks prior to the end of each calendar quarter can trigger a request from the contractor to the Government (or from the Government to the contractor) for cost adjustments. Notice must be in writing to the Subsistence Prime Vendor (SPV) contracting officer (or contracting officer's representative) no less than ten days prior to the beginning of the next quarter.
            (e) Since fuel cost is only a part of the SPV Contracted distribution cost, the adjustment will be made as a penny per delivered case for every ten cent fuel price per gallon increase or decrease to the Base Fuel Cost x%. The difference is rounded down to the nearest whole cent and will be added to last line of each invoice noted as “Fuel Adjustment”.

                Example calculation of fuel price change:
                Price $2.50 Base (+ or −) 15% Average National Diesel Fuel $2.88−$2.13.

                3rd QTR (3rd week June) first year
                $3.05−2.88 = $ .17 (rounded down to 10 cents) Add one cent per delivered.

                Fuel Price $3.05 Calculation:
                Case to each invoice, starting first Monday of July.

                3rd QTR Diesel Fuel Price decrease
                $2.13−1.80 = $ .33 (rounded down to $.30 cents) Credit each. invoice

                $1.80 Calculation:
                $.03 cents per delivered case.

            (f) Once approved, the date for contract fuel price adjustment will be the first Monday of the first month of each quarter unless otherwise designated at time of contract award.
            (g) The contracting officer shall retain a copy of the Base Fuel Index establishing the Base Fuel Cost and the calculation of the price range incorporating the (+/−) x% adjustment in the contract file. All subsequent changes will be documented within the contract file and communicated to the contractor and VA SPV customers via email one week prior to the fuel price adjustment implementation.
            (h) Any adjustments for fuel price changes will only be implemented if requested in writing, reviewed by both parties, and provided within the designated time frames. No retroactive cost adjustments will be made. A contract modification will be issued at inception of first increase or decrease detailing Base Fuel Cost, price range, and calculation of first fuel adjustment charge. Adjustment will remain in effect with quarterly calculation changes as needed until price falls within Base Fuel Cost price range. A contract modification will be issued to terminate the adjustment when price returns to Base Fuel Cost (+/−) x% price range.
            (i) In the event that “the Energy Information Administration, Department of Energy” discontinues, or substantially alters its method of calculating the national average diesel fuel prices cited herein, the parties shall mutually agree upon an appropriate substitute for determining the price adjustment described herein. If the contracting officer determines the Index consistently and substantially fails to reflect market conditions, the contracting officer may modify the contract to specify use of an appropriate substitute Index, effective on the date the Index specified herein begins to consistently and substantially fail to reflect market conditions.
            (j) Any dispute arising under this clause shall be determined in accordance with and subject to the “Disputes” clause of the contract.

          (End of clause)

        29. Section 852.228-71 is revised to read as follows:

          852.228-71
           Indemnification and Insurance.
          As prescribed in 828.306, insert the following clause:

            Indemnification and Insurance (Date)
            (a) Indemnification. The contractor expressly agrees to indemnify and save the Government, its officers, agents, servants, and employees harmless from and against any and all claims, loss, damage, injury, and liability, however caused, resulting from, arising out of, or in any way connected with the performance of work under this contract. Further, it is agreed that any negligence or alleged negligence of the Government, its officers, agents, servants, and employees, shall not be a bar to a claim for indemnification unless the act or omission of the Government, its officers, agents, servants, and employees is the sole, competent, and producing cause of such claims, loss, damage, injury, and liability. At the option of the contractor, and subject to the approval by the contracting officer, insurance coverage may be employed as guaranty of indemnification.
            (b) Insurance. Satisfactory insurance coverage is a condition precedent to award of this contract. In general, a successful bidder must present satisfactory evidence of full compliance with State and local requirements, or those below stipulated, whichever are the greater. More specifically, workers' compensation and employer's liability coverage will conform to applicable State law requirements for the service defined, whereas general liability and automobile liability of comprehensive type shall, in the absence of higher statutory minimums, be required in the amounts per vehicle used of not less than $200,000 per person and $500,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and $20,000 per occurrence for property damage. State-approved sources of insurance coverage ordinarily will be deemed acceptable to the Department of Veterans Affairs, subject to timely certifications by such sources of the types and limits of the coverages afforded by the sources to the bidder. [Contracting Officer's Note: In those instances where airplane service is to be used, substitute the word “aircraft” for “automobile” and “vehicle” and modify coverage to require aircraft public and passenger liability insurance of at least $200,000 per passenger and $500,000 per occurrence for bodily injury, other than passenger liability, and $200,000 per occurrence for property damage. Coverage for passenger liability bodily injury shall be at least $200,000 multiplied by the number of seats or passengers, whichever is greater.]

          (End of clause)

        30. Section 852.228-73 is added to read as follows:

          852.228-73
          Indemnification of Contractor—Hazardous Research Projects.
          As prescribed in 828.7003, insert the following clause:

            Indemnification of Contractor—Hazardous Research Projects (Date)
            (a) This contract involves work with a risk of an unusually hazardous nature as specifically defined in the contract. The government shall indemnify the contractor, including subcontractors of any tier, against losses or liability specified in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this clause if:
            (1) The losses or liability arise out of or results from a risk defined in this contract as unusually hazardous, and
            (2) The losses or liability are not covered by the financial protection required by paragraph (c).
            (b) The Government shall indemnify a contractor for:
            (1) Liability (including reasonable expenses of litigation or settlement) to third persons for death, bodily injury, or loss of or damage to property from a risk that the contract defines as unusually hazardous. This indemnification shall not cover liability under State or Federal worker's injury compensation laws to employees of the contractor who are both:
            (i) Employed at the site of the contract work; and
            (ii) Working on the contract for which indemnification is granted.
            (2) The Government shall also indemnify the contractor for loss of or damage to property of the contractor from a risk that the contract defines as unusually hazardous.
            (c) A contractor shall have and maintain an amount of financial protection to cover liability to third persons and loss of or damage to the contractor's property. Financial protection may include private insurance, private contractual indemnities, self-insurance, other proof of financial responsibility, or a combination that provides the maximum amount required. The financial protection provided must meet one of the following:
            (1) The maximum amount of insurance available from private sources, or
            (2) A lesser amount that the Secretary establishes after taking into consideration the cost and terms of private insurance.
            (d) Actions in event of a claim:
            (1) The contractor shall notify the contracting officer of any claim or suit against the contractor for death, bodily injury, or loss of or damage to property; and
            (2) The Government may elect to control or assist in the defense of any suit or claim for which indemnification is provided in the contract.

      [FR Doc. 2017-04877 Filed 3-10-17; 8:45 am]
       BILLING CODE 8320-01-P


        DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
        50 CFR Part 648
        RIN 0648-AT67
        [Docket No.061109296-6296-01; I.D. 110606A]
        Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Bluefish Fisheries; 2007 Atlantic Bluefish Specifications; 2007 Research Set-Aside Project

          AGENCY:
           National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

          ACTION:
           Proposed rule; request for comments.

          SUMMARY:
           NMFS proposes 2007 specifications for the Atlantic bluefish fishery, including state-by-state commercial quotas, a recreational harvest limit, and recreational possession limits for Atlantic bluefish off the east coast of the United States. The intent of these specifications is to establish the allowable 2007 harvest levels and possession limits to attain the target fishing mortality rate (F), consistent with the stock rebuilding program in Amendment 1 to the Atlantic Bluefish Fishery Management Plan (FMP).

          DATES:
           Written comments must be received no later than 5 p.m. eastern standard time, on December 27, 2006.

          ADDRESSES:
           You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
          • E-mail: Bluespecs2007@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line the following identifier: “Comments on 2007 Bluefish Specifications.”
          • Federal e-Rulemaking portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
          • Mail: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, NMFS, Northeast Regional Office, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope: “Comments on 2007 Bluefish Specifications.”
          • Fax: (978) 281-9135.

          Copies of the specifications document, including the Environmental Assessment and Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (EA/IRFA) and other supporting documents for the specifications are available from Daniel Furlong, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, Room 2115, Federal Building, 300 South Street, Dover, DE 19901-6790. The specifications document is also accessible via the Internet at http://www.nero.noaa.gov.

          The Northeast Fisheries Science Center (Center) 41st Stock Assessment Review Committee (SARC) Bluefish Assessment Report (updated for 2006) is available at: http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/nefsc/publications/crd/crd0514/.

          FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
           Allison Ferreira, Fishery Policy Analyst, (978) 281-9103, or Michael Pentony, Senior Fishery Policy Analyst, (978) 281-9283.

        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
        Background

        The regulations implementing the Atlantic Bluefish Fishery Management Plan (FMP) are prepared by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) and appear at 50 CFR part 648, subparts A and J. Regulations requiring annual specifications are found at § 648.160. The management unit for bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) is U.S. waters of the western Atlantic Ocean.

        The FMP requires that the Council recommend, on an annual basis, total allowable landings (TAL) for the fishery, consisting of a commercial quota and recreational harvest limit (RHL). A research set aside (RSA) quota is deducted from the bluefish TAL (after any applicable transfer) in an amount proportional to the percentage of the overall TAL as allocated to the commercial and recreational sectors. The annual review process for bluefish requires that the Council's Bluefish Monitoring Committee (Monitoring Committee) review and make recommendations based on the best available data including, but not limited to, commercial and recreational catch/landing statistics, current estimates of fishing mortality, stock abundance, discards for the recreational fishery, and juvenile recruitment. Based on the recommendations of the Monitoring Committee, the Council makes a recommendation to the Northeast Regional Administrator (RA). This FMP is a joint plan with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission); therefore, the Commission meets during the annual specification process to adopt complimentary measures.

        The Council's recommendations must include supporting documentation, concerning the environmental, economic, and social impacts of the recommendations. NMFS is responsible for reviewing these recommendations to assure they achieve the FMP objectives, and may modify them if they do not. NMFS then publishes proposed specifications in the Federal Register. After considering public comment, NMFS will publish final specifications in the Federal Register.
        In July 2006, the Monitoring Committee met to discuss the updated estimates of bluefish stock biomass and project fishery yields for 2007. In August 2006, the Council approved the Monitoring Committee's recommendations and the Commission's Bluefish Board (Board) adopted complementary management measures.
        Proposed Specifications
        Updated Model Estimates

        According to Amendment 1 to the FMP (Amendment 1), overfishing for bluefish occurs when F exceeds the fishing mortality rate that allows maximum sustainable yield (FMSY), or the maximum F threshold to be achieved. The stock is considered overfished if the biomass (B) falls below the minimum biomass threshold, which is defined as 1/2BMSY. The Amendment also established that the long term target F (F0.1) is 90 percent of FMSY, and the long term target B is BMSY. The rebuilding plan established through Amendment 1 stipulates that the target fishing mortality rate (Ftarget) in 2007 be set at F = 0.31, or the status quo fishing mortality rate (Fyear), whichever is less.

        An age-structured assessment program (ASAP) model presented by the bluefish SARC in 2005 estimated annual biomass and F through the 2004 fishing year, as well as associated biological reference points. The original ASAP model output was revised in 2006. The corrected values were made available by the Center in August of 2006 as follows: B2004 = 230 million lb (104,136 mt), which was greater than the minimum biomass threshold, 1/2BMSY = 162 million lb (73,526 mt), and F2004 = 0.15, which was less than the maximum F threshold, FMSY = 0.19. These revisions indicated that the bluefish stock was not overfished and that overfishing was not occurring (see ADDRESSES for link to revised report).

         The ASAP model was updated for the purpose of estimating the current status of the bluefish stock; i.e., 2005 biomass and F estimates were compared to the corrected ASAP model output, in order to enable the Monitoring Committee to recommend 2007 specifications using landing information through the 2005 fishing year. Additionally, a projection of biomass through 2010 was done using Ftarget = F2005 = 0.15. This projection identified a target yield for 2007 and also indicated that biomass is likely to reach the target by the rebuilding deadline; i.e., the year 2010. The Monitoring Committee supported the model updates that derived the following new estimates of biomass and projected fishery yields based on the corrected biological reference points for 2004: (1) An estimated stock biomass for 2005, B2005 = 310 million lb (140,614 mt); and (2) projected yields for 2007 using Ftarget = F2005 = 0.15. Based on the updated biological reference points, and the 2005 estimate of bluefish stock biomass, the bluefish stock is not considered overfished: B2005 = 310 million lb (140,614 mt) is greater than the minimum biomass threshold, 1/2 BMSY = 162 million lb (73,526 mt). Estimates of fishing mortality have declined from 0.41 in 1991 to 0.15 in 2005. The new model results also conclude that the Atlantic stock of bluefish is not experiencing overfishing; i.e., the most recent F (F2005 = 0.15) is less than the maximum F overfishing threshold (FMSY = 0.19).
        2007 TAL

        The FMP specifies that the bluefish stock is to be rebuilt to BMSY over a 9-year period. The FMP requires the Council to recommend, on an annual basis, a level of total allowable catch (TAC) consistent with the rebuilding program in the FMP. An estimate of annual discards is deducted from the TAC to calculate the total allowable landings (TAL) that can be made during the year by the commercial and recreational fishing sectors combined. The TAL is composed of a commercial quota and a RHL. The FMP rebuilding program requires the TAC for any given year to be set based either on the target F resulting from the stock rebuilding schedule specified in the FMP (0.31 for 2007), or the F estimated in the most recent fishing year (F2005 = 0.15), whichever is lower. Therefore, the 2007 recommendation is based on an estimated F of 0.15. An overall TAC of 32.033 million lb (14,530 mt) was recommended as the coast-wide TAC by the Council at its August 2006 meeting to achieve the target fishing mortality rate, (F = 0.15) in 2007, and to ensure that the bluefish stock continues toward the long term biomass target, BMSY = 324 million lb (147,052 mt), consistent with the rebuilding schedule specified in Amendment 1. Based on the 2005 biomass estimate (310 million lb (140,614 mt)) the bluefish stock is well above the minimum biomass threshold (1/2 BMSY = 162 million lb (73,526 mt)), but is still slightly below the long-term biomass target (BMSY = 324 million lb (147,052 mt)).
        The TAL for 2007 is derived by subtracting an estimate of discards of 4.271 million lb (1,937 mt), the average discard level from 2001-2005, from the TAC. After subtracting estimated discards, the 2007 TAL would be approximately 12 percent greater than the 2006 TAL, or 27.762 million lb (12,593 mt). Based strictly on the percentages specified in the FMP (17 percent commercial, 83 percent recreational), the commercial quota for 2007 would be 4.720 million lb (2,141 mt), and the RHL would be 23.043 million lb (10,452 mt) in 2007. In addition, up to 3 percent of the TAL may be allocated as RSA quota. The discussion below describes the recommended allocation of TAL between the commercial and recreational sectors, and its proportional adjustment downward to account for the recommended bluefish RSA quota.
        Proposed Commercial Quota and Recreational Harvest Limit

        The FMP stipulates that in any year in which 17 percent of the TAL is less than 10.500 million lb (4,763 mt), the commercial quota may be increased up to 10.500 million lb (4,763 mt) as long as the recreational fishery is not projected to land more than 83 percent of the TAL in the upcoming fishing year, and the combined projected recreational landings and commercial quota would not exceed the TAL. At the Monitoring Committee meeting, Council staff presented a new mechanism for estimating projected recreational landings (simple linear regression of the recent (2000-2005) temporal trend in recreational landings) for the 2007 fishing year. The rationale provided for why this method was preferred was that the Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistics Survey (MRFSS) sampling coverage in wave 1 increased dramatically in 2005 compared to previous years, and to extrapolate this wave 1 landing level to the upcoming year would result in a higher estimate of projected landings than would likely be achieved. The Monitoring Committee, which met in July 2006, reviewed and recommended using the linear projection approach for projecting 2007 recreational landings. Recreational landings are projected to reach 17.813 million lb (8,080 mt) in 2007. If the maximum commercial quota of 10.500 million lb (4,763 mt) is established within a TAL of 27.762 million lb (12,593 mt) this would leave 17.262 million lb (7,830 mt) for the recreational fishery. This amount is less than the projected 2007 recreational landings (17.813 million lb (7,830 mt)) which when added to the maximum allowable commercial quota of 10.500 million lb (4,763 mt) would exceed the overall TAL. Therefore, because the FMP and regulations governing the bluefish fishery do not allow for this maximum allowable commercial quota, the Monitoring Committee and the Council recommended, and NMFS proposes, to transfer 4.780 million lb (2,168 mt) from the initial recreational allocation of 23.043 million lb (10,452 mt) resulting in a proposed 2007 commercial quota of 9.500 million lb (4,309 mt) and a RHL of 18.262 million lb (8,284 mt). These allocations were also recommended by the Commission to be implemented by the states for fisheries within state waters.
        RSA
        A request for proposals was published to solicit research proposals to utilize RSA in 2006 based on research priorities identified by the Council (December 23, 2005; 70 FR 76253). One research project that would utilize bluefish RSA has been approved by the RA and forwarded to the NOAA Grants Office. Therefore, a 363,677-lb (164,961-kg) RSA quota is proposed. Consistent with the allocation of the bluefish RSA, the proposed commercial quota for 2007 would be reduced to 9.376 million lb (4,253 mt) and the proposed RHL is reduced to 18.023 million lb (8,175 mt).
        Proposed Recreational Possession Limit
        The Council recommends, and NMFS proposes, to maintain the current recreational possession limit of up to 15 fish per person to achieve the RHL.
        Proposed State Commercial Allocations
        The proposed state commercial allocations for the recommended 2007 commercial quota are shown in Table 1 below, based on the percentages specified in the FMP. The table shows the allocations both before and after the deduction made to reflect the proposed RSA allocation.

          Table 1. Proposed Bluefish Commercial State-by-State Allocations for 2007

            States
            Quota
            Percent Share
            2007 Commercial Quota
            (lb)
            (kg)
            2007 Commercial Quota (lb)
            With Research Set-Aside
            2007 Commercial Quota (kg)
            With Research Set-Aside

            ME
            0.6685
            63,508
            28,807
            62,676
            28,429

            NH
            0.4145
            39,378
            17,862
            38,862
            17,628

            MA
            6.7167
            638,087
            289,434
            629,728
            285,643

            RI
            6.8081
            646,770
            293,373
            638,297
            289,530

            CT
            1.2663
            120,299
            54,567
            118,723
            53,852

            NY
            10.3851
            986,585
            447,512
            973,661
            441,650

            NJ
            14.8162
            1,407,539
            638,456
            1,389,101
            630,092

            DE
            1.8782
            178,429
            80,935
            176,092
            79,875

            MD
            3.0018
            285,171
            129,353
            281,435
            127,658

            VA
            11.8795
            1,128,553
            511,908
            1,113,769
            505,202

            NC
            32.0608
            3,045,776
            1,381,555
            3,005,877
            1,363,457

            SC
            0.0352
            3,344
            1,517
            3,300
            1,497

            GA
            0.0095
            903
            409
            891
            404

            FL
            10.0597
            955,672
            433,490
            943,153
            427,811

              Total

              100.0001

              9,500,000

              4,309,172

              9,375,562

              4,252,727

        Classification
        NMFS has determined that the proposed rule is consistent with the FMP and preliminarily determined that the rule is consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and other applicable laws.
        This action is required by 50 CFR part 648 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

        An initial regulatory flexibility analysis (IRFA) was prepared, as required by section 603 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA). The IRFA describes the economic impact this proposed rule, if adopted, would have on small entities. A copy of the IRFA can be obtained from the Council or NMFS (see ADDRESSES) or via the Internet at http://www.nero.noaa.gov. A summary of the economic analysis follows.

        There were no large entities that participated in this fishery, as defined in section 601 of the RFA. Because there are no large entities participating in this fishery, there are no disproportionate effects on small versus large entities. Information on costs in the fishery are not readily available and vessel profitability cannot be determined directly. Therefore, changes in gross revenues were used as a proxy for profitability. In the absence of quantitative data, qualitative analyses were conducted.
        The participants in the commercial sector were defined using two sets of data. First, the Northeast dealer reports were used to identify any vessel that reported having landed 1 or more pounds of bluefish during calendar year 2005 (the last year for which there is complete data). These dealer reports identify 745 vessels that landed bluefish in states from Maine to North Carolina. However, this database does not provide information about fishery participation in South Carolina, Georgia, or Florida. To identify those commercial bluefish vessels, South Atlantic Trip Ticket reports were used to identify 882 vessels that landed bluefish in North Carolina and 620 vessels that landed bluefish on Florida's east coast. The bluefish landings in South Carolina and Georgia represented less than 1/10 of 1 percent of total landings, a negligible proportion of the total bluefish landings along the Atlantic coast in 2005. In recent years, approximately 2,063 party/charter vessels may have been active and/or caught bluefish.
        The IRFA analyzed three alternatives (including the no action/status quo alternative) for allocating the TAL between the commercial and recreational sectors of the fishery. Consistent with FMP's rebuilding schedule and the status of the resource as assessed by the revised SARC-41 report and the updated model projections, alternatives one and two were based on an overall TAL of 27.762 million lb (12,593 mt) and included an RSA quota of 363,677 lb (164,961 kg). The no action alternative includes an overall TAL of 24.799 million lb (11,249 mt) and an RSA quota of 363,677 lb (164,961 kg). Outside of the difference in the overall TAL specification, the alternatives differed only in the manner in which the TAL was allocated between the commercial and recreational sectors.
        The recommended alternative, before RSA deduction, would allocate 9.500 million lb (4,309 mt) to the commercial sector and 18.262 million lb (8,284 mt) to the recreational sector. Alternative 2, the most restrictive alternative, would have allocated 4.720 million lb (2,141 mt) to the commercial sector and 23.043 million lb (10,452 mt) to the recreational sector, reflecting the percentage allocations specified in the FMP (i.e., the 17-percent commercial/83-percent recreational sector split). Alternative 3 would have allocated 8.082 million lb (3,666 mt) to the commercial sector and 16.718 million lb (7,583 mt) to the recreational sector, reflecting the commercial level that was place in 2006 (i.e., status quo/no action alternative).
        For the commercial sector, the recommended coast-wide quota is approximately 35 percent higher than 2005 commercial landings. Impacts on individual commercial vessels were assessed by conducting a threshold analysis using the dealer reports for the 745 vessels that landed bluefish from Maine through North Carolina. The analysis projected that there would be no revenue change for 638 out of 745 vessels, while 104 vessels could incur slight revenue losses of less than 5 percent. Another three vessels could incur revenue losses of between 5 percent and 39 percent; all these vessels identified home ports in New York. According to a threshold impact analysis that compared 2005 landings from the Northeast dealer reports to the recommended 2007 adjusted commercial quota allocation, New York could experience decreases in landings up to 14 percent, while overall coast wide landings would increase by approximately 33 percent. This is due to the fact that New York's proposed 2007 quota is smaller than actual 2005 landings.
        The impacts of the proposed alternative on commercial vessels in the South Atlantic were assessed using trip ticket data. The analysis concluded that as a consequence of the 2007 recommended allocation compared to 2005 landings, there would be no decreased landings in North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia. On average, the potential increase in landings in North Carolina is expected to be minimal (approximately 7 percent); whereby, no projected revenue losses are expected for vessels that landed in Florida. While the potential percentage increase in bluefish landings from Georgia appears high (136 percent), bluefish landed in Georgia represent a very small proportion of the overall coast wide landings (less than 1/10 of 1 percent), so this would represent a very small increase in absolute terms. The provision that allows commercial quota to be transferred from one state to another may result in transfers of quota to New York and possibly North Carolina, from other states, thus mitigating the potential negative revenue impacts. While not assured, such transfers have been made annually in recent years, including 2004 and 2006.
        The analysis of Alternative 2 concluded that, for the commercial sector, there would be a 33-percent decrease in total potential commercial landings in 2007 compared to 2005 landings. The analysis of impacts on individual commercial vessels projected that there would be no revenue change for 93 of the 745 vessels that landed bluefish in 2005, while 585 vessels could incur slight revenue losses (less than 5 percent). Another 52 vessels could incur revenue losses between 5 percent and 39 percent, while 15 vessels could incur revenue losses of greater than 39 percent. Nearly all of the vessels projected to incur revenue losses of greater than 5 percent had home ports in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or North Carolina. Again, the commercial quota transfer provision could be expected to mitigate some or all of these impacts, although to a lesser extent than in the other alternatives, as all states would have less quota to transfer.
        The impacts of Alternative 2 on commercial vessels in the south Atlantic area were assessed using trip ticket data. The analysis concluded that these impacts would result in revenue reductions associated with allowable landings of approximately 47 percent for vessels that landed in North Carolina. However, on average, reductions in landings would be expected to approximate 6 percent for vessels that land in North Carolina. No projected revenue losses are expected for vessels that land in Florida.
        The analysis of Alternative 3 concluded that, for the commercial sector, there would be a 15-percent increase in total potential commercial landings in 2007 compared to actual landings in 2005. The analysis of impacts on individual commercial vessels projected that there would be no revenue change for 324 of the 745 vessels that landed bluefish in 2005, while 411 could incur slight revenue losses (less than 5 percent). Another 14 vessels could incur revenue losses between 5 percent and 39 percent. The vessels projected to incur revenue losses of greater than 5 percent had home ports in New York, New Jersey, and North Carolina. Similar to the other alternatives, the commercial quota transfer provision could be utilized to mitigate revenue losses, the extent to which would be dependent on a state's willingness and ability to partake in the transfer.

        The impacts of Alternative 3 on commercial vessels in the south Atlantic area were assessed using trip ticket data. The analysis concludes that these impacts would result in revenue reductions associated with allowable landings of approximately 9 percent for 882 vessels identified as landing in North Carolina and no revenue reductions for vessels landing in Florida.
        For the recreational sector of the fishery, there were no negative revenue impacts projected to occur with regard the recommended RHLs because this level would be close to the recreational landings in 2005 (16.162 million lb (7,331 mt)), and above the recreational landings projected for 2007 through the linear projection approach (17.813 million lb (8,080 mt). The recommended RHL is higher than the other two other alternatives, to account for this increase in expected landings. The recreational fishery impacts may be greater under Alternatives 3, compared to the recommended measures under Alternative 1, because the RHL under this alternative is less than the projected landings for 2007. Although there is very little empirical evidence regarding the sensitivity of charter/party anglers to regulation, it is anticipated that the proposed harvest levels will not affect the demand for charter/party boat trips.
        The IRFA also analyzed the impacts on revenues of the proposed RSA amount and found that the social and economic impacts are minimal. Assuming that the full RSA of 363,677

        lb (164,961 kg) is landed and sold to support the proposed research project (a supplemental finfish survey in the Mid-Atlantic) then all of the participants in the fishery would benefit from the anticipated improvements in the data underlying the stock assessments. Because the recommended overall commercial quota is higher than 2005 landings, no overall negative impacts are expected in the commercial sector. Based on recent trends in the recreational fishery, recreational landings will more than likely remain below the recommended harvest level in 2007. A full analysis is available from the Council (see ADDRESSES).

          Authority:
          16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

          Dated: November 20, 2006.
          Samuel D. Rauch III,
          Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service.

      [FR Doc. E6-20005 Filed 11-24-06; 8:45 am]
      BILLING CODE 3510-22-S