FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, INC. (FPI) FPI now publishes for comment an interim procedure to become effective immediately, which establishes a process for obtaining, on an expedited basis, private sector input on proposals to produce a new product or to significantly expand production of an existing product. This process will be followed in time-sensitive special situations, as determined by the Board of Directors, and was designed to be consistent with 18 U.S.C. 4124 (b) (4). Federal Prison Industries Expedited Public Involvement Procedures. 1. In order to accommodate special circumstances, FPI may request the Board of Directors to permit the establishment of modified time periods to FPI's Public Involvement Procedures for seeking and evaluating comments on proposals to produce a new product or significantly to expand production of an existing product. 2. Special circumstances include, but are not limited to: (1) production opportunities that appear unable to wait until the expiration of the routine time periods; and (2) prison conditions, that in the opinion of the Director of the Bureau of Prisons, require action as soon as possible to relieve idleness among inmates. At a minimum, the expedited procedure will involve: contacting known trade associations and interested parties to obtain their input; development of a proposed study that analyzes the impact on the private sector resulting from FPI's proposed production initiative; announcement of the availability of the study in the COMMERCE BUSINESS DAILY and solicitation of the views of the private sector; notification of the Board of Directors of the views of FPI regarding the comments; final decision by the Board of Directors with opportunity for oral comment. 4. Reasonable time periods may be established in connection with each proposal, so long as at least 45 days are allowed for public comment following announcement of the proposal and availability of the study, and materials are provided to the Board of Directors at least 10 days before it convenes to make a final decision. FPI now invites comment on this interim process. The period of comment extends through March 25. All comments should be provided to: Ira Kirschbaum, General Counsel, Federal Prison Industries, 320 First Street, NW, Washington, DC 20534.

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0370 19960222\SP-0005.MSC)