        ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
        40 CFR Part 52
        [EPA-R06-OAR-2018-0177; FRL-9994-25-Region 6]
        Air Plan Approval; New Mexico; City of Albuquerque-Bernalillo County; New Source Review (NSR) Preconstruction Permitting Program

          AGENCY:
          Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

          ACTION:
          Proposed rule.

          SUMMARY:
          Pursuant to the Federal Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve revisions to the applicable New Source Review (NSR) State Implementation Plan (SIP) for the City of Albuquerque-Bernalillo County. The EPA is proposing to approve a newly adopted Minor New Source Review (MNSR) permitting regulation to waive permitting requirements for certain sources, and to create new procedures for authorizing construction and modification of certain sources in a related amendment to another regulation.

          DATES:
          Written comments must be received on or before July 5, 2019.

          ADDRESSES:

          Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R06-OAR-2018-0177, at https://www.regulations.gov or via email to barrett.richard@epa.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or removed from Regulations.gov. The EPA may publish any comment received to its public docket. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written comment. The written comment is considered the official comment and should include discussion of all points you wish to make. The EPA will generally not consider comments or comment contents located outside of the primary submission (i.e., on the web, cloud, or other file sharing system). For additional submission methods, please contact Rick Barrett, (214) 665-7227, barrett.richard@epa.gov. For the full EPA public comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia submissions, and general guidance on making effective comments, please visit http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.

            Docket: The index to the docket for this action is available electronically at www.regulations.gov and in hard copy at the EPA Region 6 Office, 1201 Elm Street, Dallas, Texas. While all documents in the docket are listed in the index, some information may be publicly available only at the hard copy location (e.g., copyrighted material), and some may not be publicly available at either location (e.g., CBI).

          FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

          Rick Barrett, EPA Region 6 Office, Air Permits Section, 1201 Elm Street, Dallas, TX 75202, (214) 665-7227, barrett.richard@epa.gov. To inspect the hard copy materials, please schedule an appointment with Rick Barrett or Mr. Bill Deese at 214-665-7253.

        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
        Throughout this document wherever “we,” “us,” or “our” is used, we mean the EPA.
        I. Background
        The Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act) at section 110(a)(2)(C) requires states to develop and submit to the EPA for approval into the SIP, preconstruction review and permitting programs applicable to certain new and modified stationary sources of air pollutants for attainment/unclassifiable and nonattainment areas that cover both major and minor new sources and modifications, collectively referred to as the NSR SIP. The CAA NSR SIP program is composed of three separate programs: Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD), Nonattainment New Source Review (NNSR), and Minor New Source Review (MNSR). The Minor NSR SIP program addresses construction or modification activities that do not emit, or have the potential to emit, beyond certain major source/major modification thresholds and thus do not qualify as “major” and applies regardless of the designation of the area in which a source is located. The EPA regulations governing the criteria that states must satisfy for EPA approval of the NSR programs as part of the SIP are contained in 40 CFR 51.160-51.166. Minor NSR regulations are contained at 40 CFR 51.160-51.164.
        The SIP submittal under review in this action includes the addition of a newly adopted regulation, 20.11.39 (Part 39) of the New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC), along with a related amendment to regulation 20.11.41 (Part 41) of the NMAC. These revisions incorporate regulations to waive permit requirements for certain gasoline dispensing facilities (GDF), and emergency stationary reciprocating internal combustion engines (ES-RICE); and to create new procedures for authorizing construction and modification of the eligible sources.
        II. What did City of Albuquerque-Bernalillo County submit?
        On January 18, 2018, the governor of New Mexico submitted revisions to the City of Albuquerque-Bernalillo County (the “County”) Minor NSR SIP to EPA. This proposed SIP revision would apply exclusively to the City of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County.
        III. EPA's Evaluation
        The current County SIP includes the most recent EPA approved Part 41 provisions (See 82 FR 29421, June 29, 2017), which form the current basis of the County's Minor NSR SIP program implemented by the City of Albuquerque Environmental Health Department (the “Department”). The following sections of this proposed action analyze the proposed addition of a newly adopted regulation, PERMIT WAIVERS AND AIR QUALITY NOTIFICATIONS FOR CERTAIN SOURCE CATEGORIES, Part 39 of the NMAC, along with a related amendment to the CONSTRUCTION PERMITS regulation, Part 41 of the NMAC, in order to determine whether the submitted revisions under the Governor of New Mexico's letter meet the requirements of the CAA and the EPA's regulations, policy, and guidance for NSR permitting. In newly adopted Part 39, sections 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 16, 18, 19, and 20, are non-substantive, containing provisions related to fees, statutory authority, effective date, and other elements that govern the newly established Part,1
           and thus will not be analyzed in the details below. Table 7 below lists the revisions which are being proposed for approval in this proposed rulemaking.

            1 These sections can be reviewed in the County's submittal which is included in the docket for this proposed rulemaking. See also Attachment A, New Part 39 (pp. 1-8), and Amended Part 41 (pp. 2-3), for new and comparison wording in the County's submittal.

        A. What are the requirements for the EPA's evaluation of a preconstruction permitting program SIP submittal?
        In addition to the preconstruction permitting program requirements of section 110(a)(2), our evaluation must ensure that the submittal complies with section 110(l) of the CAA before it can be approved into the SIP. Section 110(l) states that the EPA shall not approve a revision of the SIP if it would interfere with any applicable requirement concerning attainment of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), reasonable further progress, or any other applicable requirement of the Act. Thus, under CAA section 110(l), the proposed MNSR SIP revision must not interfere with attainment, reasonable further progress, or any other applicable requirement of the Act.
        B. Summary of Albuquerque/Bernalillo County's SIP Revisions Submittal
        The January 18, 2018, SIP submittal meets the completeness criteria established in 40 CFR part 51, appendix V. In addition to the completeness review, the revisions contained in the SIP submittal were evaluated against the applicable requirements contained in the Act and 40 CFR part 51.
        Part 39, section 2, Scope, governs the applicability of the exemption from Minor NSR permitting and limits the exemption to two types of stationary source categories: Emergency stationary reciprocating internal combustion engines (ES-RICE), and gasoline dispensing facilities (GDF). Section 2 also includes exclusions from Part 39 for certain sources. Part 39 does not apply to: Stationary sources within Bernalillo County that are located on Indian lands; stationary sources that, in the aggregate, constitute a major source under the applicable provisions of NMAC which are located on one or more contiguous or adjacent properties, and which are under common control of the same person; any non-emergency stationary RICE engines; sources which contain emission units other than ES-RICE and GDF, and that require a construction permit; sources that are part of a Title V permit; or sources located at a single family private residence.

        Section 7 of the SIP submittal provides definitions for the terms used throughout 20.11.39 NMAC. The submitted revisions provide new definitions for several new terms. The definitions in 20.11.1 NMAC apply unless there is a conflict between definitions, in which case the definition in 20.11.39 NMAC shall govern. Definitions provided in the applicable federal standards referenced in Part 39 shall apply to source categories subject to those federal standards which are incorporated by reference into board regulations.
        Section 12 of the SIP submittal contains the provisions for Part 39 sources to qualify for a waiver from construction permit requirements pursuant to 20.11.41. Owners and operators of Part 39 sources shall apply for an Air Quality Notification (AQN) rather than a construction permit when submitting an application to the department. If an owner or operator of a source establishes that it is a Part 39 source and demonstrates that the owner or operator will comply with all applicable regulations set out in Section 13 of this Part, the department shall waive compliance from further source registration or construction permitting requirements pursuant to 20.11.40 NMAC or 20.11.41 NMAC. This Part shall not waive any permit requirements for sources which are not ES-RICE or GDF. Except as noted below in 20.11.39.15, no public notice is required if the department waives further permitting requirements for a Part 39 source. No department hearing shall be held for a Part 39 source. The issuance of an AQN by the department is not a permitting action and is not subject to petition to the Albuquerque-Bernalillo County air quality control board. The new AQN will assist in ensuring that these sources are not engaging in acts that will result in an exceedance of one of the NAAQS, in clarifying when each annual emission inventory is to be submitted, and that notification must be provided to the Department.
        Section 13 of the SIP submittal contains the requirements for the two source categories to which Part 39 applies. General requirements include that sources comply with any federal regulations which are incorporated by reference into board regulations and which apply to that source category; that no owner or operator of a source in a source category to which this part applies shall construct or operate a Part 39 source without having first applied to the department for and received an AQN; that the owner or operator of each Part 39 source shall submit an annual emissions report to the department by March 15 of each year. Note that for their annual emission report, GDF granted an AQN shall submit a report of their annual gasoline throughput for the previous January through December, and ES-RICE granted an AQN shall submit a report of their annual operating hours for the previous January through December. The emission report must include a signed certification, and nothing in Part 39 relieves any owner or operator of any source from the responsibility to comply with any applicable requirement in local, state, or federal law. No Part 39 source shall emit any regulated air pollutant in quantities which would constitute a major source.
        Section 13 also outlines specific requirements for each category. For ES-RICE not subject to the federal emissions standards listed below, they shall comply with all applicable board and federal regulations identified in the AQN. ES-RICE subject to 40 CFR part 60 subpart IIII, Standards of Performance for Stationary Compression Ignition Internal Combustion Engines, 40 CFR part 60 subpart JJJJ, Standards of Performance for Stationary Spark Ignition Internal Combustion Engines, and 40 CFR part 63 subpart ZZZZ, National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Stationary Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines, shall comply with all applicable requirements in those federal regulations, as amended, and all applicable board regulations identified in the AQN. GDF sources subject to 40 CFR part 63 subpart CCCCCC, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Gasoline Dispensing Facilities shall comply with all applicable requirements in 40 CFR part 63 subpart CCCCCC, as amended, and all applicable board regulations identified in the AQN.
        Section 14 of the SIP submittal contains the requirement that each owner or operator of a Part 39 source apply for an AQN with the department in compliance with the requirements of this section. A person applying to the department for an AQN shall submit a completed application provided by the department, and the department shall reject any incomplete application for an AQN. Certain information is required for the department to determine that an application for an AQN is complete. This information includes: The name, street address and post office address of the owner and any operators of the source or responsible entity; sufficient attachments, including calculations, computations and all other analyses used by the applicant to provide information to describe the potential emission rate and nature of all regulated air contaminants that the source may emit and control measures used to comply with all applicable federal standards. Information required specifically for GDF includes: The anticipated annual gasoline throughput; the total number of refueling positions; for each refueling position, identify whether it dispenses gasoline only, diesel only, both, or is for heavy duty truck diesel refueling. Information specifically for ES-RICE includes: A statement that the engine will only be used for emergency purposes, other than as allowed by applicable regulations.
        The Department also requires the following information from sources eligible for the Minor NSR permitting exemption: Any other relevant information that the department may reasonably require; the signature of the applicant, with the date it was signed, certifying that the information represented in the application and attachments, if any, is true, accurate and complete and that the owner and all operators will comply with all applicable requirements in board regulations for that source category; payment for the appropriate application fee required; and that the department shall not require any Part 39 source to submit air dispersion modeling with its AQN application.
        Section 15 of the SIP submittal outlines the procedures for review of an AQN application by the department. Within 45 days after the department has received a complete application for an AQN as required, the department shall issue or deny the AQN. If the AQN is issued, the department shall send a copy of the AQN to the applicant by electronic mail, or such other means as may be necessary. If the AQN is denied, the department shall send a notice of denial to the applicant by electronic mail, or such other means as may be necessary; if the department determines that the application for the AQN is incomplete, that Part 39 does not authorize the source to receive an AQN, or that some other action is necessary, up to and including denial of an AQN, the department shall inform the applicant by electronic mail, or such other means as may be necessary; and, on the first business day of each month, the department shall publish on its website a list of all AQNs issued within the previous month, including the name and location of each AQN issued. The department shall publish a current list of all active AQNs on its website quarterly. The department website shall prominently display information enabling members of the public to contact the department regarding any AQN issued.

        Section 17 of the SIP submittal outlines the compliance and enforcement provisions of Part 39. It states that owners or operators of Part 39 sources within Albuquerque-Bernalillo County shall comply with the requirements in Part 39, whether set forth in their AQN or not. These provisions include that: Inaccurate or incomplete information in an application is a violation of Part 39; any knowing and willful false statement in an AQN application is a violation of Part 39; an ES-RICE which has been issued an AQN shall be operated for emergency use only or as necessary for exercising or maintenance of the engine; the director may issue a compliance order requiring compliance and assessing a civil penalty not to exceed $15,000.00 per day of noncompliance for any violation of any applicable board regulations by a Part 39 source, and the director may also commence a civil action in district court for appropriate relief, including a temporary and permanent injunction. Regarding inspections, the department may conduct scheduled and unscheduled inspections to ensure compliance with any applicable board regulations. Also, that upon presentation of credentials, the department: Shall have a right of entry to, upon, or through any premises on which a Part 39 source is located or on which any records required to be maintained by any applicable board regulations; may at any reasonable time have access to and copy any records required to be established and maintained by any applicable board regulations; may inspect any monitoring equipment and method required by any applicable board regulations; and may sample any emissions that are required to be sampled pursuant to any applicable board regulations. Regarding credible evidence, any credible evidence may be used to establish whether an owner or operator of a Part 39 source has violated any applicable board regulations. Credible evidence and testing shall include but is not limited to: Compliance methods specified in any applicable board regulations; or other testing, monitoring or information-gathering methods that produce information comparable to that produced by any CFR method and approved by the department and EPA. Lastly, an owner or operator of a Part 39 source who violates an applicable board regulation may be subject to enforcement action.
        Title 20.11.41. CONSTRUCTION PERMITS, section 2, of the current SIP governs the scope of the Minor NSR program. The County's current SIP requires stationary sources with emissions in excess of the limits listed in this section to obtain a construction permit, unless the source or activity qualifies for an exemption. In this submittal, the County revised Part 41, section 2, subsection E(2), to include references to new regulation Part 39. Although more than one air quality regulation adopted by the board may apply to a stationary source, including 20.11.39, 20.11.40, 20.11.60, 20.11.61, 20.11.63, and 20.11.64 NMAC, nothing in 20.11.41 NMAC shall be construed to require more than one permit application for each unit proposed for construction or modification. Definitions and provisions included in specific federal program regulations shall apply to permit review of any regulated air contaminant and source regulated by the federal NSPS, NESHAP, prevention of significant deterioration, visibility or nonattainment requirements.
        The County also revised section 2 of Part 41 by adding subsection G, which allows sources in the two exemption eligible source categories to apply for an air quality notification (AQN), which waives certain applicability requirements in Part 41. The provision states that an owner or operator of an emergency stationary reciprocating internal combustion engine or gasoline dispensing facility, as defined in Part 39, may apply for an air quality notification pursuant to that Part. If the department grants an air quality notification, then the source will not be required to apply for and obtain a construction permit.
        C. CAA 110(l) Analysis
        Each revision to an implementation plan submitted by a state under the Clean Air Act shall be adopted by such state after reasonable notice and public hearing. The County adopted the proposed revisions after reasonable notice and public hearing. CAA section 110(l) also states that the Administrator shall not approve a revision of a plan if the revision would interfere with any applicable requirement concerning attainment and reasonable further progress (as defined in CAA section 171), or any other applicable requirement of the Act. For purposes of the analysis under CAA section 110(l), we have taken into account the overall effect of the revisions included in this action. The County's proposed revisions will change the administrative procedure by which certain GDF and ES-RICE obtain authorization for construction and modification. The County's revisions would basically accomplish a procedural change and will cause no change in emission levels or controls and will not impact emissions or ambient concentration of any compounds. These revisions primarily incorporate regulations to waive permit requirements for certain gasoline dispensing facilities (GDF) and emergency stationary reciprocating internal combustion engines (ES-RICE), and to create new procedures for authorizing construction and modification of the eligible sources.
        As required by section 110(l) of the CAA, we analyzed the addition of these proposed MNSR SIP revisions to ensure that they do not interfere with any applicable requirement for attainment of the NAAQS, reasonable further progress (RFP), or any other CAA requirement. Albuquerque and Bernalillo County are in attainment for all National Ambient Air Quality Standards and have been continuously since 1996. The Department has been carrying out the Minor NSR program, as revised, since January 1, 2014. Since then, there has been no indication that these sources have interfered with attainment, RFP, or any other requirement of the Act. Bernalillo County is designated attainment for all NAAQS pollutants, and the air quality trends provided in the monitoring tables below support that the air quality is improving in the County. Note that additional air quality data is included in the submittal.
        The EPA took into consideration the following air quality trends when making the decision to propose that the revisions be approved into the SIP:
        • Compliance with the 8-hour ozone standard which has improved county-wide with ozone pollutant concentrations trending downward since the late 1980's. The 8-Hour ozone standard trends are listed in Table 1:

          Table 1—Ozone Data
          [Ozone Design Values (8-hour standard, primary and secondary)]

            Maximum permissible concentration under 2015 NAAQS: 0.070 parts per million
            Year
            Design value (ppm)

            2006
            * 0.073

            2007
            * 0.073

            2008
            0.070

            2009
            0.070

            2010
            0.068

            2011
            0.070

            2012
            * 0.074

            2013
            * 0.072

            2014
            0.068

            2015
            0.066

            2016
            0.065

          * Data complied with the NAAQS in effect at that time.

        • Compliance with the 1-Year NO2 and 1-hour NO2 standards has improved county-wide with NO2 pollutant concentrations trending downward since the late 1990's. The 1-Year NO2 trends are listed in Table 2:

          Table 2—NO2 Data
          [Nitrogen dioxide design values (1-year standard, primary and secondary)]

            Maximum permissible concentration under 1971 NAAQS: 53 parts per billion (ppb)
            Year
            Design value (ppb)

            2006
            15.4

            2007
            14.9

            2008
            13.2

            2009
            12.4

            2010
            12.0

            2011
            13.3

            2012
            13.8

            2013
            11.8

            2014
            11.7

            2015
            11.0

            2016
            10.4

        • Compliance with the 24-hour PM10 standard has improved county-wide with PM10 pollutant concentrations trending downward since the late 1980's. The 24-Hour PM10 trends are listed in Table 3:

          Table 3—PM10 Data
          [PM10 second highest 24-hour average *]

            Maximum permissible concentration under 1987 NAAQS: 150 micrograms percubic meter, no more than three
              exceedances annually

            Year
            2nd highest 24-hour average (mg/m3)

            2006
            148

            2007
            130

            2008
            131

            2009
            113

            2010
            102

            2011
            153

            2012
            145

            2013
            120

            2014
            152

            2015
            106

            2016
            133

          * Data excludes values flagged for exceptional events.

        As shown by Table 3, PM10 levels in the City/County area (as measured by the second highest 24-hour average per year) have fluctuated between 102 and 153 micrograms per cubic meter over the last decade. However, the overall trend over the last decade is relatively stable, below the standard of 150 micrograms per cubic meter generally. Albuquerque and Bernalillo County have remained in attainment for the PM10 standard during the entire period.
        Table 4 shows PM2.5 compliance with the 24-hour standard. Additional data in the submittal show PM2.5 compliance with the  annual standard. As shown in Table 4, PM2.5 levels have remained well below the 24-hour standard.

          Table 4—PM2.5 Data
          [PM2.5 design values (24-hour standard, primary and  secondary)]

            Maximum permissible concentration under 2012 NAAQS: 35 micrograms per cubic meter
            Year
            Design value (mg/m3)

            2006
            19

            2007
            18

            2008
            17

            2009
            16

            2010
            15

            2011
            23

            2012
            26

            2013
            27

            2014
            20

            2015
            18

            2016
            19

        The next table shows carbon monoxide (CO) monitoring results and how they compare to the NAAQS. Table 5 shows CO compliance with the 8-hour CO standard. As shown by Table 5, CO levels have remained well below the 8-hour and 1-hour standards.

          Table 5—CO Data
          [Table of CO design values (8-hour standard. primary)]

            Maximum permissible concentration under 1971 NAAQS: 9 parts per million
            Year
            Design value(ppm)

            2006
            3.0

            2007
            3.4

            2008
            3.4

            2009
            2.6

            2010
            2.6

            2011
            2.6

            2012
            2.2

            2013
            2. 2

            2014
            1.2

            2015
            1.4

            2016
            1 .9

        Below, Table 6 shows sulfur dioxide (SO2) monitoring results and how they compare to the 1-hour NAAQS. As shown by Table 6, SO2 levels have remained well below the NAAQS threshold. Because EPA promulgated the standard in 2010 and the design value period is three years, the first design value data were not available until 2013.

          Table 6—SO2 Data
          [SO2 design values (1-hour standard primary, 3-hour standard secondary)]

            Maximum permissible concentration under2010 NAAQS: Primary standard: 75 parts
              per billion, secondary standard: 0.5
              parts per million

            Year
            Design value(mg/m3)

            2013
            5

            2014
            5

            2015
            5

            2016
            6

        Following discussions with Region 6, the Department conducted additional research to supplement the submittal. This research included: The number of the GDFs in the county which have the potential to emit VOC in the ranges of 0-25 tons per year, 25-50 tons per year and 50-100 tons per year; and the methodology utilized to calculate VOC emissions from these GDF. The Department's historical approach for calculating potential VOC emissions utilized the AP-42 Table 5.2-7 emissions rate factors (June 2008). As part of the EPA Tribal Minor New Source Review (NSR) final rule (July 2011), EPA developed new guidance for calculating VOC emissions from GDF entitled “Potential to Emit Calculator for Gasoline Dispensing Facilities” (Final March 23, 2015). The Department recently utilized this guidance to recalculate potential VOC emissions from their GDF. The results show that all GDF within its jurisdiction fall below the current EPA SIP approved minor NSR threshold of 25 tons per year or more of any single regulated air contaminant.

        Prior to the revision, any source that was subject to New Source Performance Standards for Stationary Sources (NSPS) or National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) regulations, regardless of its potential to emit, was automatically required to obtain a permit. This subjected all GDF, regardless of their potential to emit, to NSR permitting. As stated in response to a comment received during the County's public comment period, “the revision does not remove any existing air quality control requirement or increase air pollution. EHD proposes to change the process by which certain sources are regulated, not end any regulation of those sources. The result, as we have tried to make clear, will be to change one feature of public participation in air quality, not end that participation altogether.” 2
           Further, the Department has found that its universe of GDF contribute only approximately 0.28% of the VOC in the ambient air in the County using the EPA guidance of March 23, 2015. As such, their impact on the ozone NAAQS is very minimal.

            2 See Attachment C, 2. Public Comment, of the County's January 18, 2018 submittal.

        Regarding ES-RICE, the pollutants which are relevant to NAAQS attainment are ozone, NOX, PM, CO and SO2. As exhibited in the tables above, Albuquerque and Bernalillo County have maintained attainment for the NAAQS for ozone, NOX, PM, CO and SO2 for the entire time during which federal emission controls for ES-RICE have been in effect. The Department's proposal will not change those controls, it will not impact emissions from these sources, and will not interfere with attainment of any NAAQS. Emissions from ES-RICE will not interfere with NAAQS attainment because they are very low and because they contribute so little to the total amount of emissions of concern which are relevant for NAAQS compliance, particularly when examined in context with the total emissions throughout the County. The applicable regulations only permit ES-RICE to operate during emergencies, other than the few hours which are necessary to maintain the engines. In the Department's experience reviewing emission inventory reports for these sources, it estimates that the average hours of operation of each ES-RICE in Albuquerque-Bernalillo County is 24 hours per year. Comparing the annual hours of use of emergency engines (average 24 hours) versus regular engines which may operate year-round (8,760 hours), ES-RICE engines in Albuquerque-Bernalillo County would only produce about 0.3% of the impact that the same engine would produce if it were used continuously. When using an assumed maximum of 500 hours operation per year for each ES-RICE, EPA has previously concluded that a 500 hours per year limit would result in emissions of 5.5 tons per year or less from each ES-RICE. See 78 FR 15296 (March 11, 2013). Comparing this 500 hour per year limit to the Department's actual estimates of 24 hours per year, each ES-RICE will only emit about 0.26 tons per year. We also note that these engines are also subject to 40 CFR part 60 subpart IIII, Standards of Performance for Stationary Compression Ignition Internal Combustion Engines, 40 CFR part 60, subpart JJJJ, Standards of Performance for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Stationary Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines; and 40 CFR part 63 subpart ZZZZ, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Stationary Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines.
        Since Albuquerque and Bernalillo County have been in attainment for all the NAAQS for pollutants emitted by ES-RICEs during the entire period that federal and local emission controls for ES-RICE have been in effect, and those controls will remain in place, this proposal will not interfere with contained attainment of the NAAQS.
        Based on these historical trends and supporting air quality monitoring data documenting air quality improvements throughout the State, we believe the proposed Minor NSR SIP revision meets the requirements of CAA section 110(l) and is consistent with the provisions of 40 CFR 51.160(e) which provide state agencies the latitude to define the types and sizes of facilities, buildings, structures, or installations subject to review. We believe the implementation of these rules will not interfere with any applicable requirement concerning attainment, reasonable further progress, maintaining PSD increment, or any other applicable requirement of the CAA.
        Accordingly, the EPA is proposing approval of these revisions under section 110 of the Act. The SIP submittal is available in the docket and from the EPA Region 6 office.
        IV. Proposed Action
        We are proposing to approve the revisions to the City of Albuquerque—Bernalillo County Minor NSR program dated January 18, 2018. EPA is proposing to approve newly adopted MNSR permitting regulations which waive permitting requirements for eligible GDF and ES-RICE, and create new procedures for authorizing construction and modification of these eligible sources. The EPA has made the preliminary determination that the revisions are approvable because the submitted rules are adopted and submitted in accordance with the CAA and the EPA regulations at 40 CFR 51.160-51.164, and are consistent with the laws and regulations for Minor NSR permitting. 40 CFR 51.160(e) allows state and local agencies to identify the types and sizes of facilities, buildings, structures, or installations which will be subject to Minor NSR review provided that the submitted plan discusses a basis for determining which facilities will be subject to review. In addition, the plan must not contain any provisions which would violate section 110(l) of the CAA. The County stated in its submittal that requiring each exemption eligible GDF and ES-RICE to undergo the Minor NSR public notice and participation process had become an administrative burden. A large percentage of the County's time spent on permitting actions was spent on GDFs and ES-RICEs which are responsible for emitting minimal amounts of regulated pollutants when compared to the County's entire permitting universe. As explained in the 110(l) section of this proposed rule, these sources emit less than 1% of the total regulated air pollutant emissions within the County. As such, the County is seeking to streamline the process for these sources, so that it can spend more time on sources that emit regulated pollutants in greater, more consequential amounts. EPA finds that the County has provided a reasonable basis for determining that these facilities should not be subject to review. Further, as explained above, this revision will not result in a violation of CAA section 110(l). Therefore, under section 110 of the Act, and for the reasons presented above, the EPA proposes approval of the revisions to the County Minor NSR SIP identified in Table 7 below.
        Table 7 summarizes the changes made to the County's SIP that are contained in the SIP revisions dated January 18, 2018. A summary of the EPA's evaluation of each substantive section and the basis for this action is discussed in Section III of this preamble.

          Table 7—Summary of the SIP Submittal in This Action

            Section
            Title
            Submittaldates

            Proposedaction

              20.11.39 NMAC—PERMIT WAIVERS AND AIR QUALITY NOTIFICATIONS FOR CERTAIN SOURCE CATEGORIES

            20.11.39.1 NMAC
            Issuing Agency
            01/18/2018
            Approval.

            20.11.39.2 NMAC
            Scope
            01/18/2018
            Approval.

            20.11.39.3 NMAC
            Statutory Authority
            01/18/2018
            Approval.

            20.11.39.4 NMAC
            Duration
            01/18/2018
            Approval.

            20.11.39.5 NMAC
            Effective Date
            01/18/2018
            Approval.

            20.11.39.6 NMAC
            Objective
            01/18/2018
            Approval.

            20.11.39.7 NMAC
            Definitions
            01/18/2018
            Approval.

            20.11.39.8 NMAC
            Variances
            01/18/2018
            Approval.

            20.11.39.9 NMAC
            Savings Clause
            01/18/2018
            Approval.

            20.11.39.10 NMAC
            Severability
            01/18/2018
            Approval.

            20.11.39.11 NMAC
            Documents
            01/18/2018
            Approval.

            20.11.39.12 NMAC
            Permit Waivers
            01/18/2018
            Approval.

            20.11.39.13 NMAC
            Requirements for Source Categories to Which Part 39 Applies
            01/18/2018
            Approval.

            20.11.39.14 NMAC
            Air Quality Notification Application
            01/18/2018
            Approval.

            20.11.39.15 NMAC
            AQN Application Review
            01/18/2018
            Approval.

            20.11.39.16 NMAC
            Transfer of Prior Authorizations to AQNs
            01/18/2018
            Approval.

            20.11.39.17 NMAC
            Compliance and Enforcement
            01/18/2018
            Approval.

            20.11.39.18 NMAC
            Amending and Air Quality Notification
            01/18/2018
            Approval.

            20.11.39.19 NMAC
            Fees
            01/18/2018
            Approval.

            20.11.39.20 NMAC
            AQN Cancellation
            01/18/2018
            Approval.

              20.11.41 NMAC—CONSTRUCTION PERMITS

            20.11.41.2(E)(2) NMAC
            Additional Permit Requirements
            01/18/2018
            Approval.

            20.11.41.2(G) NMAC
            Permissive Waiver
            01/18/2018
            Approval.

        V. Incorporation by Reference

        In this action, we are proposing to include in a final rule regulatory text that includes incorporation by reference. In accordance with the requirements of 1 CFR 51.5, we are proposing to incorporate by reference revisions to the Albuquerque/Bernalillo County, New Mexico regulations, as described in the Proposed Action section above. We have made, and will continue to make, these documents generally available electronically through www.regulations.gov and in hard copy at the EPA Region 6 office (please contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this preamble for more information).
        VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
        Under the CAA, the Administrator is required to approve a SIP submission that complies with the provisions of the Act and applicable Federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a). Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions, the EPA's role is to approve state choices, provided that they meet the criteria of the CAA. Accordingly, this action merely proposes to approve state law as meeting Federal requirements and does not impose additional requirements beyond those imposed by state law. For that reason, this action:
        • Is not a “significant regulatory action” subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Orders 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821, January 21, 2011);
        • Is not an Executive Order 13771 (82 FR 9339, February 2, 2017) regulatory action because SIP approvals are exempted under Executive Order 12866;

        • Does not impose an information collection burden under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);

        • Is certified as not having a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
        • Does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4);
        • Does not have Federalism implications as specified in Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
        • Is not an economically significant regulatory action based on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997);
        • Is not a significant regulatory action subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001);
        • Is not subject to requirements of section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent with the CAA; and
        • Does not provide EPA with the discretionary authority to address, as appropriate, disproportionate human health or environmental effects, using practicable and legally permissible methods, under Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
        In addition, the SIP is not approved to apply on any Indian reservation land or in any other area where EPA or an Indian tribe has demonstrated that a tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of Indian country, the proposed rule does not have tribal implications and will not impose substantial direct costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000).

          List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
          Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by reference, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate matter, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile organic compounds.

          Authority:
          42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.

           Dated: May 28, 2019.
          David Gray,
          Acting Regional Administrator, Region 6.

      [FR Doc. 2019-11662 Filed 6-4-19; 8:45 am]
       BILLING CODE 6560-50-P


        ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
        40 CFR Part 300
        [EPA-HQ-SFUND-1983-0002; FRL-9213-9]
        National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan; National Priorities List: Partial Deletion of the Denver Radium Superfund Site

          AGENCY:
          Environmental Protection Agency.

          ACTION:
          Proposed rule, extension of public comment period.

          SUMMARY:
          The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 8 issued a Notice of Intent to Delete portions of the Denver Radium Superfund Site from the National Priorities List (NPL) on September 9, 2010 (75 FR 54779). The portions proposed for deletion are each of the 11 operable units at the Denver Radium Site, located in the City and County of Denver, Colorado. Groundwater contamination associated with Operable Unit 8 will remain on the NPL. To ensure that everyone has an opportunity to comment, EPA is extending the public comment period through November 1, 2010.
          The NPL, promulgated pursuant to section 105 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, as amended, is an appendix of the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). The EPA and the State of Colorado, through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), have determined that all appropriate response actions under CERCLA, other than operation, maintenance and five-year reviews have been completed.

          This rationale for deleting the 11 operable units of the Denver Radium Superfund Site has not changed. The Federal Register notice for the proposed deletion (75 FR 54779) discusses this rationale in detail.

          DATES:
          Comments concerning the proposed partial deletion may be submitted to EPA on or before November 5, 2010.

          ADDRESSES:
          Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-SFUND-1983-0002, by one of the following methods:
          • http://www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
          • E-mail: dalton.john@epa.gov.

          • Fax: 303-312-7110.
          • Mail: Mr. John Dalton, Community Involvement Coordinator (8OC), U.S. EPA, Region 8, 1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver, Colorado 80202-1129.
          • Hand Delivery: 1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver, Colorado 80202-1129. Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket's normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information.

            Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the http://www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in hard copy. Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically in http://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at:

          —EPA's Region 8 Superfund Records Center, 1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver, Colorado 80202-2466. Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. by appointment (call 303-312-6473), Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays; and the
          —Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246 Hours: M-F, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

          FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

          Mr. John Dalton, Community Involvement Coordinator (8OC), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 8, 1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver, Colorado 80202-1129; telephone number: 1-800-227-8917 or 303-312-6633; fax number: 303-312-7110; e-mail address: dalton.john.@epa.gov.

            Dated: October 7, 2010.
            James B. Martin,
            Regional Administrator, Region 8.

      [FR Doc. 2010-25902 Filed 10-13-10; 8:45 am]
      BILLING CODE 6560-50-P


        DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
        GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
        NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
        48 CFR Parts 13 and 19
        [FAR Case 2006-034; Docket 2007-0001; Sequence 15]
        RIN 9000-AK92
        Federal Acquisition Regulation: FAR Case 2006-034, Socioeconomic Program Parity

          AGENCIES:
          Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

          ACTION:
          Proposed rule.

          SUMMARY:
          The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to ensure that the FAR reflects the Small Business Administration's (SBA) interpretation of the Small Business Act and SBA regulations with regard to the relationship among various small business programs.

          DATES:

            Comment date: Interested parties should submit written comments to the Regulatory Secretariat at the address shown below on or before May 9, 2008, to be considered in the formation of the final rule.

          ADDRESSES:
          Submit comments, identified by FAR Case 2006-034, by any of the following methods:
          • Regulations.gov: http://www.regulations.gov.

          Submit comments via the Federal eRulemaking portal by inputting “FAR Case 2006-034” under the heading “Comment or Submission”. Select the link “Send a Comment or Submission” that corresponds with FAR Case 2006-034. Follow the instructions provided to complete the “Public Comment and Submission Form”. Please include your name, company name (if any), and “FAR Case 2006-034” on your attached document.
          • Fax: 202-501-4067.
          • Mail: General Services Administration, Regulatory Secretariat (VPR), 1800 F Street, NW., Room 4035, ATTN: Diedra Wingate, Washington, DC 20405.

            Instructions: Please submit comments only and cite FAR case 2006-034 in all correspondence related to this case. All comments received will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal and/or business confidential information provided.

          FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
          Ms. Rhonda Cundiff, Procurement Analyst, at (202) 501-0044 for clarification of content. The FAR Secretariat at (202) 501-4755 for information pertaining to status or publication schedules. Please cite FAR case 2006-034.

        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
        A. Background
        The purpose of this rule is to ensure that the FAR clearly reflects SBA's interpretation of the Small Business Act and SBA's interpretation of its regulations with regard to the order of precedence that applies when deciding whether to satisfy a requirement through an award to a small business, a HUBZone small business concern, a service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) concern or a small business participating in the 8(a) Business Development Program (8(a) Program).
        This FAR rule is intended to make the following clear:
        (1) There is no order of precedence among the 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB Programs. However, if a requirement has been accepted by SBA under the 8(a) Program, it must remain in the 8(a) Program unless SBA agrees to its release in accordance with 13 CFR 124, 125 and 126.
        (2) For acquisitions exceeding $100,000, the contracting officer must consider making award under the 8(a), HUBZone or SDVOSB Programs (either set-aside or sole source) before the contracting officer proceeds with a small business set-aside. See 19.203(b) and 19.502-2(b).
        After having considered making award under the 8(a), HUBZone or SDVOSB Programs, the contracting officer may set aside an acquisition for small business, with one exception. By statute (15 U.S.C. 657a(b)(2)(B)), the contracting officer cannot set the acquisition aside for small business if the criteria for setting it aside for HUBZone small business are met.
        (3) FAR 19.502-2(a) sets forth the requirement to exclusively reserve acquisitions for small business between $3,000 and $100,000 unless the contracting officer determines there is not a reasonable expectation of obtaining offers from two or more small businesses that are competitive in terms of market prices, quality, and delivery. This proposed rule clarifies that these small business set-asides do not preclude award of a contract to a qualified HUBZone small business concern pursuant to the HUBZone Program, an 8(a) Program participant pursuant to the 8(a) Program, or to a SDVOSB concern pursuant to the SDVOSB Program because the SBA's regulations give the contracting officer discretionary authority to use the HUBZone, 8(a), or SDVOSB Programs at these dollar levels. In addition, the rule shows that, unlike procurements that are expected to exceed $100,000, it is not mandatory that the contracting officer set aside an acquisition for HUBZone small business concerns before setting aside the requirement for small businesses.
        (4) SBA believes that progress in fulfilling the various small business goals, as well as other factors such as the results of market research and the acquisition history, should be considered in making a decision as to which program to use for the acquisition.
        This is not a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was not subject to review under Section 6(b) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, dated September 30, 1993. The rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804.
        B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

        This change may have a significant economic impact on a significant number of small entities within the meaning of the Regulatory Flexibility Act 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq., because it will clarify the relationship among various small business programs with regard to whether one has priority over another for acquisition purposes. It has been unclear to the acquisition community if there is an order of precedence that applies when deciding whether to satisfy a requirement through an award to small business, HUBZone small business, service disabled veteran-owned small business or a small business participating in the 8(a) Business Development Program. This proposed rule will have both a negative and positive impact on the 8(a) Business Development Program, the HUBZone Program, the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Program and the Small Business Program.

        Viewed as a whole, there is no impact on the small business community, as this rule does not increase or decrease the number of contracts awarded to small businesses. However, there will be a negative impact on contractors with a particular preference who lose a contract set-aside to another socioeconomic category of contractors with a different preference who gain the contract set-aside, who thereby will receive a positive impact. The FAR Secretariat has submitted a copy of the Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration. A copy of the IRFA may be obtained from the Regulatory Secretariat. The Councils will consider comments from small entities concerning the affected FAR parts in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610. Comments must be submitted separately and should cite 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq., FAR Case 2006-034, in correspondence. The analysis is summarized as follows:

          The purpose of this proposed rule is to revise the FAR to ensure that it complies with SBA's interpretation of the Small Business Act and the SBA regulations that implement that Act. The entities that will be affected are small businesses that do business with the Federal Government. Generally, all current and potential Government contractors must register in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) to be eligible for contract award and payment. There are approximately 313,512 small business firms; 13,000 HUBZone firms; 9,947 8(a) firms and 9,614 SDVO SBC currently registered in CCR that may be affected by this proposed rule.
          There are no significant alternatives that would reduce any impact on small businesses. The FAR rule is implementing SBA's interpretation of the Small Business Act and SBA's implementing regulations.

        C. Paperwork Reduction Act

        The Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) does not apply because the proposed rule does not contain information collection requirements that require the approval of the Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.

          List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 13 and 19
          Government procurement.

          Al Matera,
          Director, Office of Acquisition Policy.

        Therefore, DoD, GSA, and NASA propose amending 48 CFR parts 13 and 19 as set forth below:
        1. The authority citation for 48 CFR parts 13 and 19 continue to read as follows:

          Authority:
          40 U.S.C. 121(c); 10 U.S.C. chapter 137; and 42 U.S.C. 2473(c).

          PART 13—SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES
          2. Amend section 13.003 by revising the first sentence in paragraph (b)(2) to read as follows:

            13.003
            Policy.

            (b) * * *
            (2) The contracting officer may make an award under the 8(a) Program (see Subpart 19.8) or set aside for HUBZone small business concerns (see 19.1305) or service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns (see 19.1405) an acquisition of supplies or services that has an anticipated dollar value exceeding the micro-purchase threshold and not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold. * * *

          PART 19—SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAMS
          3. Amend section 19.202 by revising the first sentence to read as follows:

            19.202
            Specific policies.
            In order to further the policy in 19.201(a), contracting officers shall comply with the specific policies listed in this section and shall consider recommendations of the agency Director of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, or the Director's designee, as to whether a particular acquisition should be awarded under Subparts 19.5, 19.8, 19.13, or 19.14. * * *
            4. Amend subpart 19.2 by adding section 19.203 to read as follows:

            19.203
            Relationship among small business programs.
            (a) Acquisitions subject to the small business set-aside at 19.502-2(a).
            The requirement to exclusively reserve acquisitions for small business at 19.502-2(a) does not preclude the contracting officer from awarding a contract under the—
            (1) 8(a) Program (Subpart 19.8);
            (2) HUBZone Program (Subpart 19.13); or
            (3) Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Procurement Program (SDVOSB)(Subpart 19.14).
            (b) Acquisitions subject to the small business set-aside at 19.502-2(b). (1) The contracting officer must consider the 8(a), HUBZone, and SDVOSB programs before using a small business set-aside. There is no order of precedence among the 8(a), HUBZone, and SDVOSB programs. However, if a requirement has been accepted by SBA under the 8(a) Program, it must remain in the 8(a) Program unless SBA agrees to its release in accordance with 13 CFR 124, 125 and 126; and
            (2) The contracting officer must set aside an acquisition for HUBZone small business concerns if the conditions at 19.1305 are met, before considering a small business set-aside.
            5. Amend section 19.501 by—
            a. Removing paragraphs (c) and (d);
            b. Redesignating paragraphs (e), (f), (g), (h), and (i) as (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g), respectively; and
            c. Revising the second sentence of new paragraph (c) to read as follows:

            19.501
            General.

            (c) * * *. The contracting officer shall perform market research and document why a small business set-aside is inappropriate when an acquisition is not set aside for small business, unless an award is anticipated under the 8(a), HUBZone or service-disabled veteran-owned small business programs. * * *

            6. Amend section 19.502-2 by adding a new first sentence and revising the last sentence in paragraph (a) and adding a new first sentence in paragraph (b) to read as follows:

            19.502-2
            Total small business set-asides.
            (a) Before setting aside an acquisition under this paragraph, refer to 19.203(a). * * *. The small business reservation does not preclude the award of a contract as described in 19.203 or 19.1007(c).
            (b) Before setting aside an acquisition under this paragraph, follow 19.203(b). * * *

            7. Amend section 19.800 by revising paragraph (e) to read as follows:

            19.800
            General.

            (e) Before deciding to set aside an acquisition in accordance with Subpart 19.5, the contracting officer must consider offering the acquisition under the 8(a) Program (see 19.203).

            8. Amend section 19.1305 by revising paragraphs (a) through (d) to read as follows:

            19.1305
            HUBZone set-aside procedures.
            (a) The contracting officer—
            (1) May set aside acquisitions exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold for competition restricted to HUBZone small business concerns when the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section can be satisfied (see 19.203);

            (2) Must set-aside acquisitions exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold for HUBZone small business concerns before setting them aside for small business concerns or conducting the acquisition using full and open competition if the conditions in paragraph (b) of this section are met; and
            (3) Must consider HUBZone set-asides before considering HUBZone sole source awards (see 19.1306).
            (b) To set aside an acquisition for competition restricted to HUBZone small business concerns, the contracting officer must have a reasonable expectation that—
            (1) Offers will be received from two or more HUBZone small business concerns; and
            (2) Award will be made at a fair market price.
            (c) A contracting officer may set aside acquisitions exceeding the micro-purchase threshold but not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold for competition restricted to HUBZone small business concerns at the sole discretion of the contracting officer, provided the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section can be satisfied.
            (d) If the contracting officer receives only one acceptable offer from a qualified HUBZone small business concern in response to a set-aside, the contracting officer should make an award to that concern. If the contracting officer receives no acceptable offers from HUBZone small business concerns, the HUBZone set-aside shall be withdrawn.

            9. Amend section 19.1405 by revising paragraph (a) and the second sentence of paragraph (c) to read as follows:

            19.1405
            Service-disabled veteran-owned small business set-aside procedures.
            (a) The contracting officer—
            (1) May set aside acquisitions exceeding the micro-purchase threshold for competition restricted to service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns when the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section can be satisfied (see 19.203); and
            (2) Must consider service-disabled veteran-owned small business set-asides before considering service-disabled veteran-owned small business sole source awards (see 19.1406) or small business set-asides (see 19.5).

            (c) * * *. If the contracting officer receives no acceptable offers from service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns, the service-disabled veteran-owned set-aside shall be withdrawn.

            19.1406
            [Amended]
            10. Amend introductory paragraph (a) by removing “19.501(d)” and adding “19.203” in its place.

      [FR Doc. E8-4561 Filed 3-7-08; 8:45 am]
      BILLING CODE 6820-EP-P


        DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
        Defense Acquisition Regulations System
        48 CFR Parts 227 and 252
        [Docket DARS-2019-0048]
        RIN 0750-AK71
        Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Validation of Proprietary and Technical Data (DFARS Case 2018-D069)

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

          ACTION:
          Announcement of meeting; extension of comment period.

          SUMMARY:
          DoD is hosting a public meeting to obtain views of experts and interested parties in Government and the private sector regarding implementation in the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) of the statutory presumption of development exclusively at private expense for commercial items in the procedures governing the validation of asserted restrictions on technical data as required to implement a section of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019.

          DATES:

            Submission of Comments: The comment period for the proposed rule published on August 31, 2020 (85 FR 53755), is extended. Comments on the proposed rule should be submitted in writing to the address shown in ADDRESSES on or before November 30, 2020 to be considered in formation of the final rule.

            Public Meeting: A virtual public meeting will be held on November 19, 2020, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Eastern time. The public meeting will end at the stated time, or when the discussion ends, whichever comes first.

            Registration: Registration to participate in this meeting must be received no later than close of business on November 12, 2020. Information on how to register for the public meeting may be found in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice.

          ADDRESSES:

            Public Meeting: A virtual public meeting will be held using Microsoft video conferencing software.

            Submission of Comments: Submit comments identified by DFARS Case 2018-D069, using any of the following methods:
          ○ Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Search for “DFARS Case 2018-D069.” Select “Comment Now” and follow the instructions provided to submit a comment. Please include “DFARS Case 2018-D069” on any attached documents.
          ○ Email: osd.dfars@mail.mil. Include DFARS Case 2018-D069 in the subject line of the message.
          ○ Mail: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Attn: Ms. Kimberly Ziegler, OUSD(A&S)DPC/DARS, Room 3B938, 3060 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3060.

          Comments received generally will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. To confirm receipt of your comment(s), please check www.regulations.gov,
            approximately two to three days after submission to verify posting (except allow 30 days for posting of comments submitted by mail).

          FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
          Ms. Kimberly Ziegler, telephone 571-372-6095.

        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
        DoD is interested in continuing a dialogue with experts and interested parties in Government and the private sector regarding amending the DFARS to implement statutory amendments for the acquisition of technical data and computer software, and associated license rights.
        On August 31, 2020, DoD published a proposed rule in the Federal Register at 85 FR 53755 to implement the requirements of section 865 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232), which repeals several years of congressional adjustments to the statutory presumption of development at private expense for commercial items in the validation procedures at paragraph (f) of 10 U.S.C. 2321.

        DoD hosted public meetings to obtain the views of interested parties with notice published in the Federal Register on August 16, 2019, at 84 FR 41953. In addition, DoD published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) on September 13, 2019, at 84 FR 48513, providing draft DFARS revisions and requesting any written public comments by November 12, 2019.

          Registration: Individuals wishing to participate in the virtual meeting must register by November 12, 2020, to facilitate entry to the meeting. Interested parties may register for the meeting by sending the following information via email to osd.dfars@mail.mil and include “Public Meeting, DFARS Case 2018-D069” in the subject line of the message:
        • Full name.
        • Valid email address, which will be used for admittance to the meeting.
        • Valid telephone number, which will serve as a secondary connection method.
        • Company or organization name.
        • Whether the individual desires to make a presentation.
        Pre-registered individuals will receive instructions for connecting using the Microsoft video conferencing software not more than one week before the meeting is scheduled to commence.

          Presentations: Presentations will be limited to 5 minutes per company or organization. This limit may be subject to adjustment, depending on the number of entities requesting to present, in order to ensure adequate time for discussion. If you wish to make a presentation, please submit an electronic copy of your presentation via email to osd.dfars@mail.mil no later than November 12, 2020. Each presentation should be in PowerPoint to facilitate projection during the public meeting and should include the presenter's name, title, organization affiliation, telephone number, and email address on the cover page.

          Correspondence, Comments, and Presentations: Please cite “Public Meeting, DFARS Case 2018-D069” in all correspondence related to the public meeting. There will be no transcription at the meeting. The submitted presentations will be the only record of the public meeting and will be posted to the following website at the conclusion of the public meeting: https://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/dars/technical_data_rights.html.

        The comment period for the proposed rule is extended to November 30, 2020, to provide additional time for interested parties to comment on the proposed DFARS changes.

          List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 227 and 252
          Government procurement.

          Jennifer D. Johnson,
          Regulatory Control Officer, Defense Acquisition Regulations System.

      [FR Doc. 2020-23885 Filed 10-27-20; 8:45 am]
      BILLING CODE 5001-06-P