The Federal Transit Administration Monday issued streamlined procurement rules for transit agencies, which eliminates unnecessary record keeping and gives agencies increased contracting flexibility. "Our goal is to strengthen the business climate by encouraging common sense approaches to contracting," said FTA Administrator Jennifer L. Dorn. One of the most significant changes is a clear, page-by-page explanation of the most complex contracting requirements. This tool is meant to encourage a common-sense application of the government's regulations. The FTA's procurement circular, titled Third Party Contracting Requirements, provides transit agencies and the business community with a single, consolidated document that incorporates all procurement and contracting guidance issued by the agency over the past seven years. In revising the circular, FTA reached out to representatives from transit properties, suppliers, manufacturers, the legal community and public transportation trade associations. The streamlined contracting guidance is available on the agency's Web site: www.fta.dot.gov