[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 155 (Wednesday, August 12, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43239-43240]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-21442]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
48 CFR Part 31
[FAR Case 97-040]
RIN 9000-AH98
Federal Acquisition Regulation; Business Class Airfare
AGENCIES: Department of Defense (DOD), General Services Administration
(GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense
Acquisition Regulations Council are proposing to amend the Federal
Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to revise the ``travel costs'' cost
principle to allow, in certain conditions, business class airfare costs
for flights lasting more than 14 hours. This regulatory action was not
subject to Office of Management and Budget review under Executive Order
12866, dated September 30, 1993. This is not a major rule under 5
U.S.C. 804.
DATES: Comments should be submitted on or before October 13, 1998 to be
considered in the formulation of a final rule.
ADDRESSES: Interested parties should submit written comments to:
General Services Administration, FAR Secretariat (MVR), 1800 F Street,
NW, Room 4035, Washington, DC 20405.
E-mail comments submitted over Internet should be addressed to:
[email protected].
Please cite FAR case 97-040 in all correspondence related to this
case.
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. Linda Nelson, Procurement Analyst, at (202) 501-
1900. Please cite FAR case 97-040.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Background
The proposed rule revises paragraph (d) of FAR 31.205-46, travel
costs, to allow, under certain conditions, contractor costs for
business class airfare on flights lasting more than 14 hours. This FAR
revision will make business class airfare requirements for contractor
personnel consistent with business class airfare requirements in the
Joint Travel Regulations and the Federal Travel Regulation for
Government personnel.
B. Regulatory Flexibility Act
This proposed rule is not expected 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., because most
contracts awarded to small entities use simplified acquisition
procedures or are awarded on a competitive, fixed-price basis, and do
not require applications of the cost principle contained in this rule.
An Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis has, therefore, not been
performed. Comments from small entities concerning the affected FAR
subpart will be considered in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610 of the Act.
Such comments must be submitted separately and should cite 5 U.S.C.
601, et seq. (FAR case 97-040), in correspondence.
C. Paperwork Reduction Act
The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the proposed
changes to the FAR do not impose recordkeeping 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.
List of Subjects in 48 CFR Part 31
Government procurement.
Dated: August 5, 1998.
Edward C. Loeb,
Director, Federal Acquisition Policy Division.
Therefore, it is proposed that 48 CFR Part 31 be amended as set
forth below:
PART 31--CONTRACT COST PRINCIPLES AND PROCEDURES
1. The authority citation for 48 CFR Part 31 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 40 U.S.C. 486(c); 10 U.S.C. chapter 137; and 42
U.S.C. 2473(c).
2. Section 31.205-46 is amended by revising paragraph (d) to read
as follows:
31.205-46 Travel costs.
* * * * *
(d)(1) Airfare costs in excess of the lowest customary standard,
coach, or equivalent airfare offered during normal business hours are
unallowable, except as permitted in paragraph (d)(2) of this section or
when it is documented and justified that such standard, coach, or
equivalent accommodations--
[[Page 43240]]
(i) Excessively prolong travel;
(ii) Require circuitous routing;
(iii) Require travel during unreasonable hours;
(iv) Result in increased costs that would offset transportation
savings;
(v) Are not reasonably adequate for the physical or medical needs
of the traveler;
(vi) Are not reasonably available to meet mission requirements; or
(vii) Are on a foreign carrier that lacks adequate sanitation or
health standards.
(2) Business class airfare costs are allowable when all of the
following apply and are documented:
(i) Either the origin or destination point is outside the
continental United States.
(ii) Scheduled flight time (including stopovers) is in excess of 14
hours.
(iii) The traveler does not receive a rest stop en route or a rest
period upon arrival at the destination point.
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[FR Doc. 98-21442 Filed 8-11-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-EP-P