Prevailing Rate Systems; Change of Lead Agency Responsibility for the Miami, Florida, Appropriated Fund Wage Area

SUMMARY: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing an interim

regulation to transfer lead agency responsibility for the Miami,

Florida, appropriated fund Federal Wage System (FWS) wage area from the

Department of Defense (DOD) to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

The FWS employment at Homestead Air Force Base (AFB), the current host

installation for the Miami wage area, has declined since Hurricane

Andrew in 1992 and is expected to decline further. The VA Medical

center is now the largest single employer of FWS employees in the wage

area, has the resources to carry out local wage surveys in the area,

and is willing to assume responsibility as lead agency.

DATES: This interim rule becomes effective on June 14, 1994. Comments

must be received by July 14, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Send or deliver comments to Donald J. Winstead, Acting

Assistant Director for Compensation Policy, Personnel Systems and

Oversight Group, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, room 6H31, 1900 E

Street NW., Washington, DC 20415.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Angela Graham Humes, (202) 606-2848.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DOD is the lead agency for the Miami,

Florida, appropriated fund FWS wage area, and Homestead AFB is the host

activity for the local FWS wage survey. FWS employment at Homestead AFB

has declined since the destruction caused by Hurricane Andrew in 1992

and is expected to decline further. The next largest DOD activity is

located in Key West, Florida, and is not a practical alternative to

function as a host activity. DOD has requested that VA assume lead

agency responsibility. The VA Medical Center is now the largest single

employer of FWS employees in the appropriated fund wage area and is

willing to assume responsibility as lead agency. Both DOD and VA

request that the transfer of lead agency responsibility for the Miami

appropriated fund wage area become effective as soon as possible. Pre-

survey activities for the next full-scale wage survey, scheduled for

January 1995, begin in mid-1994. The Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory

Committee has reviewed and concurred with this proposed change.

Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B), I find that good cause exists

for waiving the general notice of proposed rulemaking. Also, pursuant

to section 553(d)(3) of title 5, United States Code, I find that good

cause exists for making this rule effective in less than 30 days. The

notice is being waived and the regulation is being made effective in

less than 30 days because pre-survey preparations for the January 1995

wage survey must begin shortly.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

I certify that these regulations will not have a significant

economic impact on a substantial number of small entities because they

will affect only Federal agencies and employees.

List of Subjects in 5 CFR Part 532

Administrative practice and procedure, Freedom of information,

Government employees, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Wages.

U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

Lorraine A. Green,

Deputy Director.

Accordingly, OPM is amending 5 CFR part 532 as follows:

PART 532--PREVAILING RATE SYSTEMS

1. The authority citation for part 532 continues to read as

follows:

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5343, 5346; Sec. 532.707 also issued under 5

U.S.C. 552.

Appendix A to Subpart B [Amended]

2. Appendix A to subpart B is amended for Miami, Florida, by

removing the lead agency listing ``DOD'' and adding in its place

``VA''.

[FR Doc. 94-14274 Filed 6-13-94; 8:45 am]

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