The Federal Acquisition Regulation councils have issued an interim rule limiting Federal Prison Industries’ procurement preference, as required by Congress.

The rule, effective March 26, requires contracting officers to conduct market research before buying an FPI product or service to determine if it is the best value “in terms of price, quality, and time of delivery.”

In the 2004 Consolidated Appropriations Act, Congress ended FPI’s mandatory source status and said agencies may buy from the prison labor corporation only if it offers the best value.

The interim rule is FR Doc 04-6800 in the March 26 Federal Register. Comments are due by May 25.

GSA’s Federal Technology Service is conducting market research on whether to establish a governmentwide acquisition contract for IT firms owned by service-disabled veterans.

In a Federal Register notice, the contracting officer, Matt Verhulst, said about 45 companies responded to his request for expressions of interest. He said he will survey federal agencies to gauge the demand for a GWAC.

Congress approved a set-aside program for service-disabled veterans last year, responding to the small number of contracts going to those firms.

The U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has organized a Federal Sector Procurement Council to promote the interests of member companies in the federal market.

Council Co-Chair John Gonzalez said members have begun meeting with the offices of small and disadvantaged business utilization in the 10 largest agencies. He said the group is seeking the OSDBUs advice as it develops recommendations on how agencies can increase their level of contracting with Hispanic businesses.

Gonzalez presented the council’s plan at the Chamber’s legislative meeting in Washington March 25. He said the council will report on its progress at the annual convention in Austin, TX, in September.

San Diego businessman James G. Blair has been elected chairman of SBA’s Advisory Committee on Veterans Business Affairs. The committee provides an independent source of advice and policy recommendations to agency, Congress and the president.