[Federal Register: April 11, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 68)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 18958-18959]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11ap05-25]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

48 CFR Part 39

[FAC 2005-03; FAR Case 2004-020; Item II]
RIN 9000-AK05

 
Federal Acquisition Regulation; Section 508 Micropurchase 
Exemption

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense 
Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) have agreed to convert the 
interim rule published in the Federal Register at 69 FR 59702, October 
5, 2004, to a final rule without change. The final rule amends the 
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to extend the Electronic and 
Information Technology (Section 508) micropurchase exception from 
October 1, 2004 to April 1, 2005.

DATES: Effective Date: April 11, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The FAR Secretariat at (202) 501-4755 
for information pertaining to status or publication schedules. For 
clarification of content, contact Ms. Linda Nelson, Procurement 
Analyst, at (202) 501-1900 or Ms. Angelena Moy, Case Manager, at (703) 
602-1302. Please cite FAC 2005-03, FAR case 2004-020.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    This final rule amends the Federal Acquisition Regulation. DoD, 
GSA, and NASA published an interim rule in the Federal Register at 69 
FR 59702, October 5, 2004. One respondent submitted public comments. 
The comments submitted were deemed outside the scope of the rule. The 
Councils concluded that the interim rule should be converted to a final 
rule without change.
    The extension of the micropurchase exception until April 1, 2005, 
will provide agencies time to update their agency's purchase card 
training modules on the 508 requirements and implement necessary 
training of personnel. Free online training developed by GSA, in 
collaboration with the Section 508 Executive Steering

[[Page 18959]]

Committee, is also available at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://www.section508.gov.

    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. This rule is 
not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, and 
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration certify that this 
final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities within the meaning of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq., because the rule keeps the 
status quo by continuing the micropurchase exemption to Section 508 
until April 1, 2005. The extension of the micropurchase exception will 
not cause a significant impact on the disability community or industry.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the changes to 
the FAR do not impose 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 Part 39

    Government procurement.

    Dated: April 1, 2005.
Rodney P. Lantier,
Director, Contract Policy Division, General Services Administration.

Interim Rule Adopted as Final Without Change

0
Accordingly, the interim rule amending 48 CFR part 39, which was 
published at 69 FR 59702, October 5, 2004, is adopted as a final rule 
without change.
[FR Doc. 05-6866 Filed 4-8-05; 8:45 am]