II.  Publication of This Final Rule for Public Comment Is Not Required by Statute

"Publication of proposed regulations", 41 U.S.C. 1707, is the statute which applies to the publication of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. Paragraph (a)(1) of the statute requires that a procurement policy, regulation, procedure, or form (including an amendment or modification thereof) must be published for public comment if it relates to the expenditure of appropriated funds, and has either a significant effect beyond the internal operating procedures of the agency issuing the policy, regulation, procedure, or form, or has a significant cost or administrative impact on contractors or offerors.

This final rule is not required to be published for public comment.

Adding the Czech Republic to the list of 21 other countries that have similar reciprocal defense procurement agreements with DoD does not alter the substantive meaning of the basic DoD policy on contracting with qualifying country sources. Accordingly, the change does not constitute a significant DFARS revision within the meaning of FAR 1.501-1, does not have a significant effect beyond the internal operating procedures of DoD, and will not have a significant cost or administrative impact on contractors or offerors.