Notice2023-27536
Notice of Request for Information on the Computers for Veterans and Students Act of 2022
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
December 15, 2023
Issuing agencies
General Services Administration
Abstract
GSA is responsible for implementing the Computers for Veterans and Students Act of 2022 (COVS Act), which aims to close the digital divide and provide access to surplus computers and technology equipment to eligible recipients. GSA is seeking information from nonprofit computer refurbishers and other nongovernmental entities to better understand the industry as GSA develops regulations to implement the COVS Act.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 240 (Friday, December 15, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 240 (Friday, December 15, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 86899-86901]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-27536]
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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
[Notice-MA-2023-11; Docket No. 2023-0002; Sequence No. 44]
Notice of Request for Information on the Computers for Veterans
and Students Act of 2022
AGENCY: Office of Government-wide Policy (OGP), General Services
Administration (GSA).
ACTION: Notice; request for information (RFI).
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SUMMARY: GSA is responsible for implementing the Computers for Veterans
and Students Act of 2022 (COVS Act), which aims to close the digital
divide and provide access to surplus computers and technology equipment
to eligible recipients. GSA is seeking information from nonprofit
computer refurbishers and other nongovernmental entities to better
understand the industry as GSA develops regulations to implement the
COVS Act.
DATES: Interested parties should submit written comments to the address
shown below on or before February 13, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Comments to the RFI must be provided in writing. Interested
parties are to submit their written comments electronically to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Submit comments via the Federal eRulemaking portal
by searching for ``RFI Computers for Veterans and Students Act of
2022''.
[[Page 86900]]
Select the link ``Comment Now'' that corresponds with the RFI and
follow the instructions provided on the screen. Please include your
name, company name (if any), and ``RFI Computers for Veterans and
Students Act of 2022'' on your attached document. If your comment
cannot be submitted using <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, call or email
the points of contact in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of
this document for alternate instructions.
You are not required to answer all of the questions in the RFI, but
the more information we receive, the better GSA will understand the
nonprofit computer refurbisher industry.
Comments received generally will be posted without change to
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, including any personal and/or business
confidential information provided. To confirm receipt of your
comment(s), please check <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> approximately two-
to-three days after submission to verify posting.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. William Garrett, Director,
Personal Property Policy Division, Office of Government-wide Policy,
Office of Asset and Transportation Management (MA), at 202-368-8163 or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1c6c796e6f73727d706c6e736c796e68656c7370757f655c7b6f7d327b736a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="93e3f6e1e0fcfdf2ffe3e1fce3f6e1e7eae3fcfffaf0ead3f4e0f2bdf4fce5">[email protected]</span></a> for clarification of content. For
information pertaining to status or publication schedules, contact the
Regulatory Secretariat Division at 202-501-4755 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1c5b4f5d4e797b4f797f5c7b6f7d327b736a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e0a7b3a1b28587b38583a0879381ce878f96">[email protected]</span></a>.
Please cite RFI Computers for Veterans and Students Act of 2022.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
GSA oversees the disposal of federal excess and surplus personal
property. Under the COVS Act (codified at 40 U.S.C. 549a), GSA is
required, as appropriate, to transfer full title of eligible surplus
computers and technology equipment to nonprofit computer refurbishers.
Nonprofit computer refurbishers are responsible for the repair,
distribution, and subsequent transfer of the equipment to eligible
recipients. The term ``eligible recipient'' means an educational
institution, individual with a disability, low-income individual,
student, senior in need, or veteran that is residing or based in the
United States. If the equipment cannot be repaired or reused, nonprofit
computer refurbishers must use recyclers to the maximum extent
practicable. Nonprofit computer refurbishers must also offer training
programs to eligible recipients on the use of the repaired computers
and technology equipment, and report required information to GSA.
Purpose
The purpose of this RFI is to gather information from nonprofit
computer refurbishers and other nongovernmental entities to better
understand the industry's experience in and ability to (1) refurbish
computers and technology equipment; (2) recycle computers and
technology equipment if the property can't be repaired or reused; (3)
distribute property to eligible recipients; (4) provide training
programs; and (5) report data to GSA as required. GSA is also
requesting information from nongovernmental entities that may be able
to facilitate the identification and participation of nonprofit
computer refurbishers.
This information will help GSA evaluate the eligibility and
suitability of nonprofit computer refurbishers for participating in the
COVS Act program and receiving surplus computers and technology
equipment from Federal agencies. This information will also help GSA
identify nongovernmental entities for potential partnerships and to
develop a framework for the COVS Act program and implementing
regulations.
GSA is providing the following information to help the industry
understand the amount of personal property reported to GSA as excess
under Federal Supply Group (FSG) 70 with a condition code of
repairable. It's important to note that the amount of property
available for transfer under the COVS Act will be less than the amount
of property reported to GSA as excess since the COVS Act authorizes the
transfer of surplus computer or technology equipment. Excess personal
property is available for transfer to other Federal agencies and may be
utilized at the excess level before it could be declared surplus,
thereby it would not be available for transfer as surplus property
under the COVS Act. Additionally, the amount of reported property
varies each fiscal year and numbers decreased due to the impact of
COVID-19.
Definitions
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Federal Supply Group (FSG)........ 2-digit numeric code representing a
group of Federal Supply Classes.
Condition Code.................... The current condition or usability
of the property (new/unused;
usable; repairable; salvage; or
scrap).
Fiscal Year....................... Begins on October 1 of each year and
ends on September 30 of the
following year.
Line Item......................... A single line entry, on a reporting
form or transfer order, for items
of property of the same type having
the same description, condition
code, and unit cost.
Quantity.......................... The number of units of issue of
available property.
Unit of Issue..................... The way the property quantity is
normally measured, sold, or counted
in an inventory (e.g., each, lot,
box).
Original Acquisition Cost (OAC)... The price an agency originally paid
for an item when they acquired it
(not the fair market value).
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Reported Excess Personal Property:FSG 70 & Condition Code Repairable
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Fiscal year Line items Quantity OAC
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19............................................................ 36,875 146,038 $219,972,562.45
20............................................................ 23,384 87,190 115,469,580.08
21............................................................ 20,339 60,824 121,137,177.77
22............................................................ 19,906 55,555 118,602,707.33
23 (10/1/22-6/30/23).......................................... 11,095 34,372 58,470,951.90
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Total..................................................... 111,599 383,979 633,652,979.53
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This RFI is for general fact-gathering purposes. Interested parties
will not be reimbursed for any costs related to providing information
in response to this RFI. The Government does not intend to award a
contract on the basis of this RFI.
[[Page 86901]]
Requested Information From Industry
To help GSA assess the ability of nonprofit computer refurbishers
or other industry partners to participate in the COVS Act program,
please answer the following questions:
General
<bullet> If you are a nonprofit computer refurbisher, what is the
name, mission, vision, location, and history of your nonprofit
organization? How long have you been operating as a nonprofit computer
refurbisher or industry partner?
<bullet> What are your sources of funding and support? How do you
ensure financial sustainability and accountability?
<bullet> How many staff members and volunteers do you have? What
are their roles and qualifications? How do you recruit, train, and
retain them?
Refurbishing
<bullet> How many computers and technology equipment do you
refurbish per year? What are the types, models, brands, and
specifications of the equipment you refurbish? What are the standards
and procedures you follow for refurbishing?
<bullet> When do you consider computer or technology equipment
obsolete or unrepairable? Is there any type of surplus computer or
technology equipment that you will not accept? For example, computers
without hard drives or equipment over a certain age.
<bullet> Do you provide data sanitization services? Do you follow
the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST Special
Publication 800-88, Rev. 1) guidelines? Do you provide evidence/reports
that sanitization was completed?
Recycling
<bullet> If computer or technology equipment cannot be repaired or
reused, what do you do with the property? Are you a certified
electronics recycler? If so, under which standard? If not, do you
partner with certified electronics recyclers?
<bullet> How many computers and technology equipment do you recycle
per year? What are the types, models, brands, and specifications of the
equipment you recycle? What are the standards and procedures you follow
for recycling?
Distribution
<bullet> What process would you use to identify recipients eligible
to receive surplus computer or technology equipment in accordance with
40 U.S.C. 549a? How would you verify eligibility to prevent ineligible
persons from obtaining equipment? How would you determine who receives
the equipment to ensure fair and equitable distribution?
<bullet> Would recipients be required to pay for the equipment? How
would you determine the price or fee in compliance with 40 U.S.C.
549a(b)(3)(B)?
<bullet> Is your organization able to segregate equipment received
under the COVS Act from other sources to ensure this equipment is only
provided to eligible recipients?
<bullet> Federal agencies are generally unable to pay for shipping
and transportation to refurbishers. Would you cover shipping costs?
Would you be able to pick up computers and equipment from agency
locations?
<bullet> How would you distribute refurbished computers and
technology equipment to recipients? What would be your distribution
network and criteria? How would you ensure quality control and customer
service?
<bullet> How long (in days) would it take to refurbish computers
(from the date the equipment is received) and provide them to eligible
recipients?
Training
<bullet> Do you offer training programs on the use of the repaired
computers and technology equipment? Is this training provided at no
cost, or for a fee? If there is a charge for the classes, how is this
fee determined?
<bullet> Please describe the training programs, platforms (e.g., in
person, virtual) and the target audiences.
Reporting
<bullet> Nonprofit computer refurbishers receiving surplus computer
or technology equipment under the COVS Act are required to report
information to GSA on a recurring basis. This includes information
about the distribution of the equipment and which eligible recipients
received the equipment. Would you be able to provide the required
recipient data and reports to GSA? How soon could you provide reports
about who received the equipment (taking into account the time to
repair and transfer them)? Do you foresee any challenges in providing
this data to GSA?
Partnerships
<bullet> Do you have any experience working with Federal agencies
or receiving surplus computers and technology equipment from them? If
so, please provide examples.
<bullet> How do you envision nongovernmental entities partnering
with GSA? Do you anticipate any challenges with GSA establishing
partnerships with nongovernmental entities to facilitate the
identification and participation of nonprofit computer refurbishers?
<bullet> Are you aware of any nonprofit computer refurbisher
groups, alliances, or associations? If yes, please list them. Are there
other types of groups we need to be aware of in the industry?
<bullet> Are you a member of a nonprofit computer refurbisher
group, alliance, or association? If yes, which one? What are the
eligibility and certification requirements to join? Are you required to
pay any fees to participate? Why did you decide to join one or choose
one particular group, alliance, or association over another?
<bullet> If you're not part of a group, alliance, or association,
is there a reason you have not joined or are you opposed to joining
one?
Other
<bullet> Please provide any additional comments or challenges you
anticipate related to participating in the COVS Act program.
Krystal J. Brumfield,
Associate Administrator, Office of Government-wide Policy, U.S. General
Services Administration.
[FR Doc. 2023-27536 Filed 12-14-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-14-P
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