[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 14, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13063-13065]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-3578]
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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
41 CFR Part 102-118
[FMR Case 2005-102-5]
RIN: 3090-AI14
Federal Management Regulation; Transportation Payment and Audit--
Use of SF 1113, Public Voucher for Transportation Charges
AGENCY: Office of Governmentwide Policy, General Services
Administration (GSA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: The General Services Administration proposes to amend the
Federal Management Regulation (FMR) to discontinue use of the hard
copy, paper construction of Standard Form (SF) 1113, Public Voucher for
Transportation Charges, and its memorandum copy, SF 1113-A. Agencies
are required to use electronic commerce for receiving bills and paying
for transportation and transportation services. By using electronic
commerce, the SF 1113 is not needed and is not essential for the
transportation service provider to get paid. The FMR and any
corresponding documents may be accessed at GSA's website at http://www.gsa.gov/fmr.
DATES: Comment Date: Comments must be received by May 15, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments identified by FMR case 2005-102-5 by any of
the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
[[Page 13064]]
Agency Web Site: http://www.gsa.gov/fmr. Click on FMR
Proposed Rules, and the FMR case number to submit comments.
E-mail: [email protected]. Include FMR case 2005-
102-5 in the subject line of the message.
Fax: 202-501-4067.
Mail: General Services Administration, Regulatory
Secretariat (VIR), 1800 F Street, NW., Room 4035, ATTN: Laurieann
Duarte, Washington, DC 20405.
Instructions: Please submit comments only and cite FMR case 2005-
102-5 in all correspondence related to this case. All comments received
will be posted without change to http://www.gsa.gov/fmr, including any
personal information provided. Click on FMR Public Comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Regulatory Secretariat, Room 4035,
GS Building, Washington, DC 20405, at (202) 208-7312 for information
pertaining to status or publication schedules. For clarification of
content, contact Ted J. Bembenek, Jr., Office of Governmentwide Policy
(MT), at (202) 208-7629. Please cite FMR case 2005-102-5.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Background
As the Government continues to make systematic management
improvements across its business lines, use of electronic commerce has
become a significant link and critical tool in accomplishing this task.
In its role as a Governmentwide policymaker, GSA will use every
feasible opportunity to incorporate and promote electronic commerce to
the fullest extent of its authority, particularly in relation to the
procurement, billing, and payment of transportation services.
In part 102-118 of the Federal Management Regulation (FMR), (41 CFR
part 102-118, Transportation Payment and Audit), GSA prescribes
Standard Form (SF) 1113 for use by transportation service providers to
bill transportation charges to the Government. GSA believes greater
efficiencies can be gained for the Government and transportation
service providers alike by requiring use of electronic commerce in all
areas of transportation. This includes the use of electronic systems
for ordering, receiving bills and paying for transportation and
transportation services. This requirement will bring the Government
closer to achieving a paperless environment and parity with the best
business practices used in the private sector. Comments received from
an exploratory notice published in the Federal Register at 69 FR 36088,
June 28, 2004, generally favored the electronic billing of
transportation charges.
B. Substantive Changes
This proposed rule discontinues the requirement for use of the
paper construction of Standard Form (SF) 1113, Public Voucher for
Transportation Charges, and its memorandum copy, SF 1113-A. Agencies
are required to use electronic commerce for receiving bills and paying
for transportation and transportation services. By using electronic
commerce, the SF 1113 is not needed and is not essential for the
transportation service provider to get paid. Paper invoices will no
longer be received.
C. Executive Order 12866
GSA has determined that this proposed rule is not a significant
rule for the purposes of Executive Order 12866 of September 30, 1993.
D. 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. A regulatory
flexibility analysis has therefore not been prepared.
E. Paperwork Reduction Act
The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the proposed
rule does not impose recordkeeping or information collection
requirements, or the collection of information from offerors,
contractors, or members of the public which require the approval of the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.
F. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act
This proposed rule is exempt from Congressional review prescribed
under 5 U.S.C. 801 since it relates solely to agency management and
personnel.
List of Subjects in 41 CFR Part 102-118
Accounting, Claims, Government property management, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Surplus Government property,
Transportation.
Dated: February 16, 2006.
John G. Sindelar,
Acting Associate Administrator, Office of Governmentwide Policy.
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, GSA proposes to amend 41
CFR part 102-118 as set forth below:
PART 102-118--TRANSPORTATION PAYMENT AND AUDIT
1. The authority citation for 41 CFR part 102-118 continues to read
as follows:
Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3726; and 40 U.S.C. 121(c), and 49 U.S.C.
10721, 13712, and 15504.
2. Revise Sec. 102-118.65 to read as follows:
Sec. 102-118.65 Is my agency required to use electronic billing for
payment and billing of transportation services?
Yes, your agency must use electronic billing for the procurement
and billing of transportation services.
Sec. 102-118.100 [Removed and Reserved]
3. Remove and reserve Sec. 102-118.100.
4. Revise Sec. 102-118.130 to read as follows:
Sec. 102-118.130 Must my agency use a GBL for express, courier, or
small package shipments?
No. However, in using commercial forms, all shipments must be
subject to the terms and conditions set forth for the use of a bill of
lading for the Government. Any other non-conflicting applicable
contracts or agreements between the transportation service provider
(TSP) and an agency involving buying transportation services for
Government traffic remain binding. When you use GSA's schedule for
small package express delivery, the terms and conditions of that
contract are binding.
5. Revise Sec. 102-118.195 to read as follows:
Sec. 102-118.195 What documents must a transportation service
provider (TSP) send to receive payment for a transportation billing?
For shipments bought on a transportation document, the
transportation service provider (TSP) must submit an original properly
certified International Government bill of lading (GBL) or bill of
lading. The TSP must submit this package and all supporting documents
to the agency paying office.
6. Revise Sec. 102-118.560 to read as follows:
Sec. 102-118.560 What is the required format that a transportation
service provider (TSP) must use to file an administrative claim?
A transportation service provider (TSP) must bill for charges, when
deemed necessary by your agency, in the manner prescribed in the ``U.S.
Government Freight Transportation Handbook'' or the ``U.S. Government
Passenger Transportation Handbook''. To get a copy of these
publications, you
[[Page 13065]]
may write to: General Services Administration, Federal Supply Service
Audit Division (FBA), 1800 F Street, NW., Washington, DC 20405,
www.gsa.gov/transaudits.
[FR Doc. E6-3578 Filed 3-13-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-14-S