SMALL BUSINESS COMPETITIVENESS DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM, ANNUAL ADJUSTMENT OF SET-ASIDE POLICY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR The Small Business Competitiveness Demonstration Program (Public Law 100-656, Title VII) requires participating agencies to annually change small business set-aside policies based on the level of small business procurement obligations in four "Designated Industry Groups" (DIG) in the preceding fiscal year. The DIGs are: Construction (except for dredging), refuse systems and related services, architectural and engineering services (including surveying and mapping), and non-nuclear ship repair. Program policy requires that any adjustments to set-aside rules be instituted only at "organizational units" that attained or failed to attain the DIG goal(s). For Interior, "organizational units " are considered to be "bureaus" or "offices." Accordingly, after reviewing the Department's report for FY 1998 (covering the period October 1, 1997 through September 30, 1998), we are announcing the following changes in small business set-aside policy, which are effective on March 1, 1999: CATEGORY/CODE SET-ASIDE ADJUSTMENT Construction SIC Code 1796 The Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) will reinstate the use of full and open competition. A-E Services PSC C111 The National Park Service (NPS) will reinstate full and open competition. A-E Services PSC C121 The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) will continue using set-asides where possible. A-E Services PSC C123 NPS will reinstate full and open competition. A-E Services PSC C129 NPS and Office of Surface Mining Reclamation & Enforcement (OSM) will reinstate full and open competition. A-E Services PSC C211 The Bureau of Land Management will start using and NPS, BOR, and the National Business Center will continue using set-asides. A-E Services PSC C212 OSM and FWS will reinstate full and open competition. A-E Services PSCs C214 BOR will continue using set-asides. A-E Services PSC C216 NPS will reinstate the use of set-asides where possible. A-E Services PSC C219 FWS will start and the U.S. Geological Survey will continue using set-asides where possible; BOR will reinstate the use of full and open competition. Where no action is shown above, bureaus and offices listed will use full and open competition exclusively for DIG procurements estimated to exceed the "Reserve Amounts for Emerging Small Businesses" ($50,000 for A-E Services; $25,000 for the other three groups). Bureaus and Offices other that those listed will use full and open competition exclusively for all DIG procurements estimated to exceed the Reserve Amounts. CONTACT POINT: Frank Gisondi, (202) 208-4907. Posted 03/25/99 (W-SN312804).

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