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AGENCY:

Department of Defense (DoD).

ACTION:

Interim rule with request for comments.

SUMMARY:

The Acting Director of Defense Procurement has issued an interim rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement Section 8071 of the Fiscal Year 2000 Defense Appropriations Act. Section 8071 provides that DoD contracts for construction or services performed in a noncontiguous State, that has an unemployment rate in excess or the national average, must include a clause requiring the contractor to employ individuals who are residents of that State and who, in the case of any craft or trade, possess or would be able to acquire promptly the necessary skills.

DATES:

Effective date: March 16, 2000.

Comment date: Comments on the interim rule should be submitted in writing to the address shown on or before May 15, 2000, to be considered in the formation of the final rule.

ADDRESSES:

Interested parties should submit written comments to: Defense Acquisition Regulations Council, Attn: Ms. Amy Williams, PDUSD (AT&L) DP (DAR), IMD 3D139, 3062 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3062. Telefax (703) 602-0350.

E-mail comments submitted via the Internet should be addressed to: dfars@acq.osd.mil

Please cite DFARS Case 99-D308 in all correspondence related to this rule. E-mail comments should cite DFARS Case 99-D308 in the subject line.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ms. Amy Williams, (703) 602-0288.

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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

This interim rule revisions DFARS Subpart 222.70 and the clause at 252.222-7000 to implement Section 8071 of the Fiscal Year 2000 Defense Appropriations Act (Public Law 106-79). Section 8071 provides that DoD contracts for construction or services performed in a State (as defined in 10 U.S.C. 381(d)), that is not contiguous with another State and has an unemployment rate in excess of the national average, must include a clause requiring the contractor to employ, for the purpose of performing that portion of the contract in the noncontiguous State, individuals who are residents of that State and who, in the case of any craft or trade, possess or would be able to acquire promptly the necessary skills.

This rule was not subject to Office of Management and Budget review under Executive Order 12866, dated September 30, 1993.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

DoD does not expect this rule to 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. A similar DFARS requirement already exists for the noncontiguous States of Alaska and Hawaii. DoD knows of no economic impact on small entities that has resulted from the implementation of Start Printed Page 14403this requirement in those States. Therefore, DoD has not performed an initial regulatory flexibility analysis. DoD invites comments from small businesses and other interested parties. DoD also will consider comments from small entities concerning the affected DFARS subparts in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610. Such comments should be submitted separately and should cite DFARS Case 99-D308.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

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

D. Determination To Issue an Interim Rule

A determination has been made under the authority of the Secretary of Defense that urgent and compelling reasons exist to publish this interim rule prior to affording the public an opportunity to comment. This interim rule implements Section 8071 of the Fiscal Year 2000 Defense Appropriations Act (Public Law 106-79). Section 8071 provides that each DoD contract awarded during the current fiscal year, for construction or services performed in a noncontiguous State that has an unemployment rate in excess of the national average, must include a clause requiring the contractor to employee individuals who are residents of that State and who, in the case of any craft or trade, possess or would be able to acquire promptly the necessary skills. Section 8071 became effective on October 25, 1999. DoD will consider comments received in response to this interim rule in the formation of the final rule.

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List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 222 and 252

• Government procurement

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Therefore, 48 CFR Parts 222 and 252 are amended as follows:

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1. The authority citation for 48 CFR Parts 222 and 252 continues to read as follows:

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

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PART 222—APPLICATION OF LABOR LAWS TO GOVERNMENT ACQUISITIONS

2. Subpart 222.70 is revised to read as follows:

Subpart 222.70—Restrictions on the Employment of Personnel for Work on Construction and Service Contracts in Noncontiguous States

222.7000 222.7001 222.7002 222.7003 222.7004 End Part Start Part

PART 252—SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

3. Section 252.222-7000 is revised to read as follows:

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