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USDA/RUS RIN: 0572-AC29 Publication ID: Fall 2016 
Title: Telecommunications Equipment Contract, RUS Form 395 
Abstract:

In order to facilitate the programmatic interest of the Rural Electrification Act that loans made or guaranteed by the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) are adequately secured, RUS has established certain standardized forms for materials and equipment and the construction of electric and telecommunications systems. The use of standard forms, construction contracts, and procurement procedures helps to ensure that appropriate standards and specifications are maintained by the borrower, protects the Agency's loan security so it is not adversely affected, and ensures that the loan and loan guarantee funds are used effectively and for the intended purpose. RUS may, from time to time, promulgate new contract forms or revise or eliminate existing contract forms. In so doing, RUS is required by 7 CFR 1755.29, to publish a notice of rulemaking in the Federal Register announcing, as appropriate, a revision in, or a proposal to amend 1755.30(c) , list of telecommunications standard contract forms. The new RUS Form 395, will reflect present business and RUS practices, as well as changes in technology, services and equipment. Specifically, the purpose of this undertaking is to improve the customer service provided by RUS’s rural telecommunications and broadband borrowers. Changes in competition, legislation, technologies, and regulation have resulted in changes to business practices in the communications industry. In response to these changes RUS has undertaken a comprehensive review of its Telecommunications and Broadband Programs’ contracts and contracting procedures. The intent is to streamline the contractual process for RUS borrowers and expedite the process of approving equipment procurement during RUS funded construction projects.

 
Agency: Department of Agriculture(USDA)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Completed Actions 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 7 CFR 1753    7 CFR 1755   
Legal Authority: 5 U.S.C. 501    7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  02/12/2014  79 FR 8327   
NPRM Comment Period End  04/14/2014 
Notice  10/01/2015  80 FR 59080   
Notice Comment Period End  11/30/2015 
Final Rule  10/18/2016  81 FR 71579   
Final Rule Effective  10/18/2016 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Michele L. Brooks
Director, Regulations Management Team, RD Innovation Center
Department of Agriculture
Rural Utilities Service
Room 5159 South Building, STOP 1522, 1400 Independence Avenue SW,
Washington, DC 20250
Phone:202 690-1078
Email: michele.brooks@wdc.usda.gov