Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR): Empowerment contracting; withdrawn,

[Federal Register: July 26, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 142)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 40493-40494]

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

[DOCID:fr26jy99-29]

[[Page 40493]]

Part VI

Department of Defense

General Services Administration

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

48 CFR Parts 12, 14 et al.

Federal Acquisition Regulation; Empowerment Contracting; Proposed Rule

[[Page 40494]]

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

48 CFR Part 12, 14, 15, 26, 36, and 52

[FAR Case 97-603]

RIN 9000-AH58

Federal Acquisition Regulation; Empowerment Contracting

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

ACTION: Withdrawal of proposed rule.

SUMMARY: The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council have decided to withdraw FAR case 97- 603, Empowerment Contracting, published in the Federal Register at 62 FR 19200, April 18, 1997. The rule proposed to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to establish phase one of an Empowerment Contracting Program that provided procurement incentives to both large and small businesses to encourage their activity in areas of general and severe economic distress. That action was taken to implement Executive Order 13005 of May 21, 1996, Empowerment Contracting.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The FAR Secretariat, Room 4035, GS Building, Washington, DC 20405, (202) 501-4755, for information pertaining to status or publication schedules. For clarification of content, contact Ms. Victoria Moss, Procurement Analyst, at (202) 501- 4764. Please cite FAR case 97-603, Empowerment Contracting; Withdrawal.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Background

Executive Order 13005 established the Empowerment Contracting Program to encourage business activity in areas of general economic distress by providing procurement incentives to qualified businesses. This initiative has been effectively superseded by the HUBZone Act of 1997, enacted on December 2, 1997, and the subsequent implementation of Sections 601-607 of the Act in the Federal Acquisition Regulation under FAR case 97-307, HUBZone Program. An interim rule was published in the Federal Register on December 12, 1998 (63 FR 70265). Therefore, the proposed rule for FAR case 97-603 is withdrawn.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 12, 14, 15, 26, 36, and 52

Government procurement.

Dated: July 20, 1999. Edward C. Loeb, Director, Federal Acquisition Policy Division.

[FR Doc. 99-19011Filed7-23-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6820-EP-P