I. Background

DoD published an interim rule in the Federal Register at 76 FR 32843 on June 6, 2011, to implement section 821 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011. Section 821 prohibits specification of the use of fire-resistant rayon fiber in solicitations issued before January 1, 2015.

Ten respondents submitted public comments in response to the interim rule. Nine of the respondents (manufacturers, suppliers, or distributors of fire-resistant fibers, yarns, fabrics, or military uniforms) submitted comments that were essentially the same.