[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 49 (Thursday, March 13, 1997)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 11770] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-6348] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- PANAMA CANAL COMMISSION 48 CFR Part 3509 RIN 3207-AA30 Panama Canal Commission Acquisition Regulation; Debarment, Suspension and Ineligibility AGENCY: Panama Canal Commission. ACTION: Final rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Panama Canal Commission (Commission) is making final its interim regulations in Subpart 3509.4 of Title 48, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), concerning the debarment, suspension and ineligibility of contractors or potential contractors to conform with changes in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and to improve the agency's notice and administrative procedures pertaining to debarment, suspension or ineligibility. DATES: Effective beginning March 13, 1997. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Theodore G. Lucas, Deputy General Counsel, Office of General Counsel, Panama Canal Commission, or Ruth Huff, Assistant to the Secretary for Commission Affairs, Office of the Secretary, Panama Canal Commission, 1825 I Street NW., Suite 1050, Washington, DC 20006-5402 (Telephone: (202) 634-6441; Facsimile: (202) 634-6439). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 2, 1996, the Commission issued interim regulations in the Federal Register (61 FR 3846), to amend 48 CFR subpart 3509.4 to conform with changes in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and to improve the agency's notice and administrative procedures pertaining to debarment, suspension or ineligibility. No comments regarding the interim rules have been received. Regulatory Flexibility Act In accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act, I certify the Commission has been exempted from Executive Order 12866 and, accordingly, the provisions of that directive do not apply to this rule. Even if the Order were applicable, this rule would not have significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act. Only a very small percentage of contractors or prospective contractors doing business with the Commission are debarred or suspended. The agency has additionally determined the Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because these changes to the PAR do not impose record keeping or information collection requirements or collections of information from offerors, contractors or members of the public which require the approval of the Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq. Further, the agency has determined implementation of the rule will have no adverse effect on competition, employment, investment, productivity or innovation or on the ability of United States-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises in domestic or export markets. Finally, the Administrator of the Panama Canal Commission certifies these regulatory changes meet the applicable standards provided in sections 2(a) and 2(b)(2) of Executive Order No. 12778. List of Subjects in 48 CFR Part 3509 Government procurement. Accordingly, under the authority of 40 U.S.C. 486(c), the Commission is adopting its interim regulations under 48 CFR subpart 3509.4 as published on February 2, 1996 (61 FR 3846), as a final rule without change. Dated: March 10, 1997. John A. Mills, Secretary, Panama Canal Commission. [FR Doc. 97-6348 Filed 3-12-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3640-04-P