Acquisition regulations: Security-guard functions,

[Federal Register: September 6, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 172)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 51192-51193]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr06se07-16]

[[Page 51192]]

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Defense Acquisition Regulations System

48 CFR Part 237

RIN 0750-AF64

Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Security-Guard Functions (DFARS Case 2006-D050)

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

ACTION: Interim rule with request for comments.

SUMMARY: DoD has issued an interim rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement Section 333 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007. Section 333 extends, through September 30, 2009, the period during which contractor performance of security-guard functions at military installations or facilities is authorized to fulfill additional requirements resulting from the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001.

DATES: Effective date: September 6, 2007.

Comment date: Comments on the interim rule should be submitted to the address shown below on or before November 5, 2007, to be considered in the formation of the final rule.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by DFARS Case 2006-D050, using any of the following methods:

Federal eRulemaking Portal:http://www.regulations.gov.

Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

E-mail: dfars@osd.mil. Include DFARS Case 2006-D050 in the subject line of the message.

Fax: (703) 602-7887.

Mail: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Attn: Mr. Michael Benavides, OUSD (AT&L) DPAP (DARS), IMD 3D139, 3062 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3062.

Hand Delivery/Courier: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Crystal Square 4, Suite 200A, 241 18th Street, Arlington, VA 22202-3402.

Comments received generally will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov , including any personal information provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Michael Benavides, (703) 602-1302.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Background

   10 U.S.C. 2465 prohibits DoD from entering into contracts for the performance of firefighting or security-guard functions at military installations or facilities, unless an exception applies. Section 332 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 (Pub. L. 107-314), Section 324 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 (Pub. L. 108-175), and Section 344 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (Pub. L. 109-163) have provided authority for DoD to waive the prohibition at 10 U.S.C. 2465, to fulfill additional requirements for security-guard functions at military installations or facilities resulting from the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001.

   Section 333 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (Pub. L. 109-364) extends this authority through September 30, 2009, provided the total number of personnel employed to perform such functions does not exceed specified limits. This interim rule amends DFARS 237.102-70 to reflect the provisions of Section 333 of Public Law 109-364.

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

2. 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. Although the rule may provide opportunities for small business concerns to receive contracts for the performance of security-guard functions at military installations or facilities, the economic impact is not expected to be substantial. 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 subpart in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610. Such comments should be submitted separately and should cite DFARS Case 2006-D050.

3. 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.

4. 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 an interim rule prior to affording the public an opportunity to comment. This interim rule implements Section 333 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (Pub. L. 109-364). Section 333 extends, through September 30, 2009, the period during which contractor performance of security-guard functions at military installations or facilities is authorized to fulfill additional requirements resulting from the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. Section 333 also places limitations on the total number of personnel that may be employed under this authority during fiscal years 2007 through 2009. Comments received in response to this interim rule will be considered in the formation of the final rule.

   List of Subjects in 48 CFR Part 237

   Government procurement.

   Michele P. Peterson, Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations System.

   0 Therefore, 48 CFR part 237 is amended as follows:

   PART 237--SERVICE CONTRACTING

   0 1. The authority citation for 48 CFR part 237 continues to read as follows:

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

   0 2. Section 237.102-70 is amended by revising paragraph (d) to read as follows:

   237.102-70 Prohibition on contracting for firefighting or security- guard functions.

   * * * * *

   (d)(1) Under Section 332 of Public Law 107-314, as amended by Section 333 of Public Law 109-364, this prohibition does not apply to any contract that is entered into for any increased performance of security-guard functions at a military installation or facility undertaken in response to the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, if--

   (i) Without the contract, members of the Armed Forces are or would be used to perform the increased security-guard functions;

   (ii) The agency has determined that--

   (A) Recruiting and training standards for the personnel who are to perform the security-guard functions are comparable to the recruiting and training standards for DoD personnel who perform the same security- guard functions;

   [[Page 51193]]

   (B) Contractor personnel performing such functions will be effectively supervised, reviewed, and evaluated; and

   (C) Performance of such functions will not result in a reduction in the security of the installation or facility;

   (iii) Contract performance will not extend beyond September 30, 2009; and

   (iv) The total number of personnel employed to perform security- guard functions under all contracts entered into pursuant to this authority does not exceed--

   (A) For fiscal year 2007, the total number of such personnel employed under such contracts on October 1, 2006;

   (B) For fiscal year 2008, the number equal to 90 percent of the total number of such personnel employed under such contracts on October 1, 2006; and

   (C) For fiscal year 2009, the number equal to 80 percent of the total number of such personnel employed under such contracts on October 1, 2006.

   (2) Follow the procedures at PGI 237.102-70(d) to ensure that the personnel limitations specified in paragraph (d)(1)(iv) of this subsection are not exceeded.

   [FR Doc. E7-17436 Filed 9-5-07; 8:45 am]

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