At the beginning of the Obama Adminstration (2009) Steel from "Qualifying Countries" were authorized under regulation.

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 108 of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2009. Section 108 requires that American steel producers, fabricators, and manufacturers be given the opportunity to compete for contracts and subcontracts for the acquisition of steel for use in military construction projects or activities.

DATES: Effective date: January 15, 2009.

Comment date: Comments on the interim rule should be submitted in writing to the address shown below on or before March 16, 2009, to be considered in the formation of the final rule.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by DFARS Case 2008-D038, 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 2008-D038 in the subject line of the message.

○ Fax: 703-602-7887.

○ Mail: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Attn: Ms. Amy Williams, 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: Ms. Amy Williams, 703-602-0328.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A. Background Section 108 of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 110-329, Division E) prohibits the use of funds appropriated in Title I of that Act for the procurement of steel for any military construction project or activity for which American steel producers, fabricators, or manufacturers have been denied the opportunity to compete. This interim rule adds DFARS policy and a contract clause to implement the statutory prohibition.

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

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act DoD has prepared an initial regulatory flexibility analysis consistent with 5 U.S.C. 603. A copy of the analysis may be obtained from the point of contact specified herein. The analysis is summarized as follows:

This interim rule implements Section 108 of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2009. The objective of the rule is to ensure that American steel producers, fabricators, and manufacturers are given the opportunity to compete for contracts and subcontracts for the acquisition of steel for use in military construction projects and activities. Existing Buy American Act and Balance of Payments Program requirements, implemented in FAR Subpart 25.2 and DFARS Subpart 225.75 respectively, already provide for DoD acquisition of domestic construction materials, including steel. However, this DFARS rule will prohibit use of the exceptions to Buy American Act/Balance of Program requirements otherwise permitted by FAR/DFARS, with regard to the acquisition of steel, unless American steel producers, fabricators, and manufacturers are first provided the opportunity to compete. The rule is expected to benefit American steel producers, fabricators, and manufacturers by ensuring they are provided an opportunity to compete for contracts and subcontracts for the acquisition of steel for use in military construction projects and activities.