Telecommunications standards and specifications: Materials, equipment, and construction— Borrower contractual obligations; standard contract forms requirements,

[Federal Register: February 10, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 27)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 6577]

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

[DOCID:fr10fe99-24]

Proposed Rules Federal Register

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

[[Page 6577]]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

7 CFR Part 1755

Telecommunications Program Standard Contract Forms

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is proposing to amend 7 CFR part 1755 to change the manner in which it publishes the standard forms of contracts that borrowers are required to use when contracting for construction, procurement, engineering services, or architectural services financed through loans made or guaranteed by RUS. The required contract forms are currently published in the text format in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). This proposed rule would eliminate this unnecessary and burdensome publication in the CFR.

In the final rule section of this Federal Register, RUS is publishing this action as a direct final rule without prior proposal because RUS views this as a noncontroversial action and anticipates no adverse comments. If no adverse comments are received in response to the direct final rule, no further action will be taken on this proposed rule, and the action will become effective at the time specified in the direct final rule. If RUS receives adverse comments, a document will be published withdrawing the direct final rule, and all public comments received will be addressed in a subsequent final rule based on this action. Any parties interested in commenting on this action should do so at this time.

DATES: Comments on this proposed action must be received on or before March 12, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Orren E. Cameron, III, Director, Telecommunications Standards Division, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stop 1598, Washington, DC 20250-1598. RUS requires a signed original and three copies of all comments (7 CFR 1700.4). Comments will be available for public inspection during regular business hours (7 CFR 1.27(b)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norberto Esteves, Chairman, Technical Standards Committee A (Telecommunications), Telecommunications Standards Division, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stop 1598, Washington, DC 20250-1598, telephone number 202-720-0699, fax number 202-720-4099, E-mail nesteves@rus.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: See the Supplementary Information provided in the direct final rule located in the final rule section of this Federal Register for the applicable supplementary information on this section.

Dated: January 24, 1999. Jill Long Thompson, Under Secretary, Rural Development.

[FR Doc. 99-3164Filed2-9-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-15-P