(k) If the Department head decides that extraordinary circumstances

excuse the defendant's failure to file a timely answer, the Department head remands the case to the ALJ with instructions to grant the defendant an opportunity to answer.

(1) If the Department head decides that the defendant's failure to file a timely answer is not excused, the Department head reinstates the initial decision of the ALJ, which becomes final and binding upon the parties 30 days after the Department head issues that decision.

(Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3809)

§ 33.11 Referral of complaint and answer to the ALJ.

Upon receipt of an answer, the reviewing official shall file the complaint and answer with the ALJ.

(Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3803(d)(2); 3809)

§ 33.12 Notice of hearing.

(a) When the ALJ receives the complaint and answer, the ALJ shall promptly serve a notice of hearing upon the defendant in the manner prescribed by § 33.8. At the same time, the ALJ shall send a copy of the notice to the representative for the Government.

(b) The notice must include:

(1) The tentative time and place, and the nature of the hearing;

(2) The legal authority and jurisdiction under which the hearing is to be held;

(3) The matters of fact and law to be asserted;

(4) A description of the procedures for the conduct of the hearing;

(5) The name, address, and telephone number of the representative of the Government and of the defendant, if any; and

(6) Such other matters as the ALJ deems appropriate.

(Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3803(g)(2)(A))

§ 33.13 Parties to the hearing.

(a) The parties to the hearing are the defendant and the Department.

(b) Pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3730(c)(5), a private plaintiff under the False Claims Act may participate in these

proceedings to the extent authorized by the provisions of that Act.

(Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3803(g)(2))

§ 33.14 Separation of functions.

(a) The investigating official, the reviewing official, and any employee or agent of the Department who takes part in investigating, preparing, or presenting a particular case may not, in that case or a factually related case: (1) Participate in the hearing as the ALJ;

(2) Participate or advise in the initial decision or the review of the initial decision by the Department head, except as a witness or a representative in public proceedings; or

(3) Make the collection of penalties and assessments under 31 U.S.C. 3806.

(b) The ALJ may not be responsible to, or subject to the supervision or direction of, the investigating official or the reviewing official.

(c) Except as provided in paragraph (a) of this section, the representative for the Government may be employed anywhere in the Department, including in the offices of either the investigating official or the reviewing official.

(Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3809(1)(2))

§ 33.15 Ex parte contacts.

No party or person (except employees of the ALJ's office) may communicate in any way with the ALJ on any matter at issue in a case, unless on notice and opportunity for all parties to participate. This provision does not prohibit a person or party from inquiring about the status of a case or asking routine questions concerning administrative functions or procedures.

(Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3803(g)(1)(A))

§ 33.16 Disqualification of reviewing official or ALJ.

(a) A reviewing official or ALJ in a particular case may disqualify himself or herself at any time.

(b) A party may file with the ALJ a motion for disqualification of a reviewing official or an ALJ. That motion must be accompanied by an affidavit alleging personal bias or other reason for disqualification.

(c) The motion and affidavit must be filed promptly upon the party's discovery of reasons requiring disqualification, or the objections are deemed waived.

(d) The affidavit must state specific facts that support the party's belief that personal bias or other reason for disqualification exists and the time and circumstances of the party's discovery of those facts. It must be accompanied by a certificate of the representative of record that it is made in good faith.

(e) Upon the filing of the motion and affidavit, the ALJ shall not proceed further in the case until he or she resolves the matter of disqualification in accordance with paragraph (f) of this section.

(f)(1) If the ALJ determines that a reviewing official is disqualified, the ALJ shall dismiss the complaint without prejudice.

(2) If the ALJ disqualifies himself or herself, the case must be reassigned promptly to another ALJ.

(3) If the ALJ denies a motion to disqualify, the Department head may determine the matter only as part of his or her review of the initial decision upon appeal, if any.

(Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3803(g)(2)(G))

§ 33.17 Rights of parties.

Except as otherwise limited by this part, all parties may:

(a) Be accompanied, represented, and advised by a representative (as defined in § 33.2);

(b) Participate in any conference held by the ALJ:

(c) Conduct discovery under § 33.21; (d) Agree to stipulations of fact or law, which must be made part of the record;

(e) Present evidence relevant to the issues at the hearing;

(f) Present and cross-examine witnesses;

(g) Present oral arguments at the hearing as permitted by the ALJ; and

(h) Submit written briefs and proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law after the hearing.

(Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3803(g) (2) (E), (F), (3)(B)(ii))

§ 33.18 Authority of the ALJ.

(a) The ALJ shall conduct a fair and impartial hearing, avoid delay, maintain order, and assure that a record of the proceeding is made.

(b) The ALJ has the authority to: (1) Set and change the date, time, and place of the hearing upon reasonable notice to the parties;

(2) Disqualify a non-attorney representative (designated as described in the 33.2 definitions of "representative") if the ALJ determines that the representative is incapable of rendering reasonably effective assistance;

(3) Continue or recess the hearing in whole or in part for a reasonable period of time;

(4) Hold conferences to identify or simplify the issues, or to consider other matters that may aid in the expeditious disposition of the proceeding;

(5) Administer oaths and affirmations;

(6) Issue subpoenas requiring the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents at depositions or at hearings;

(7) Rule on motions and other procedural matters;

(8) Regulate the scope and timing of discovery;

(9) Regulate the course of the hearing and the conduct of representatives and parties;

(10) Examine witnesses;

(11) Receive, rule on, exclude, or limit evidence;

(12) Upon motion of a party, take official notice of facts;

(13) Upon motion of a party, decide cases, in whole or in part, by summary judgment if there is no disputed issue of material fact;

(14) Conduct any conference, argument, or hearing on motions in person or by telephone; and

(15) Exercise such other authority as is necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the ALJ under this part.

(c) The ALJ does not have the authority to find Federal statutes or regulations invalid.

(Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3803(g))

§ 33.19 Prehearing conferences.

(a) The ALJ may schedule perhearing conferences as appropriate.

(b) Upon the motion of any party, the ALJ shall schedule at least one perhearing conference at a reasonable time in advance of the hearing.

(c) The ALJ may use prehearing conferences to discuss the following: (1) Simplification of the issues.

(2) The necessity or desirability of amendments to the pleadings, including the need for a more definite statement.

(3) Stipulations, admissions of fact or as to the contents and authenticity of documents.

(4) Whether the parties can agree to submission of the case on a stipulated record.

(5) Whether a party chooses to waive appearance at an oral hearing and to submit only documentary evidence (subject to the objection of other parties) and written argument.

(6) Limitation of the number of wit

nesses.

(7) Scheduling dates for the exchange of witness lists and of proposed exhibits.

(8) Discovery.

(9) The time and place for the hearing.

(10) Such other matters as may tend to expedite the fair and just disposition of the proceedings.

(d) The ALJ may issue an order containing all matters agreed upon by the parties or ordered by the ALJ at a prehearing conference.

(Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3803(g))

§ 33.20 Disclosure of documents.

(a) Upon written request to the reviewing official, the defendant may review any relevant and material documents, transcripts, records, and other materials that relate to the allegations set out in the complaint and upon which the findings and conclusions of the investigating official under § 33.4(b) are based, unless those documents are subject to a privilege under Federal law. Upon payment of fees for duplication, the defendant may obtain copies of the documents.

(b) Upon written request to the reviewing official, the defendant also

may obtain a copy of all exculpatory information in the possession of the reviewing official or investigating official relating to the allegations in the complaint, even if it is contained in a document that would otherwise be privileged. If the document would otherwise be privileged, only that portion containing exculpatory information must be disclosed.

(c) The notice sent to the Attorney General from the reviewing official as described in § 33.5 is not discoverable under any circumstances.

(d) The defendant may file a motion to compel disclosure of the documents subject to the provisions of this section. Such a motion may only be filed with the ALJ following the filing of an answer pursuant to § 33.9. (Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3803(e))

3803(g)(3)(B)(ii),

(a) The following types of discovery are authorized:

(1) Requests for production of documents for inspection and copying.

(2) Requests for admissions of the authenticity of any relevant document or of the truth of any relevant fact. (3) Written interrogatories.

(4) Depositions.

(b) For the purpose of this section and §§ 33.22 and 33.23, the term "documents" includes information, documents, reports, answers, records, accounts, papers, and other data and documentary evidence. Nothing contained in this part may be interpreted to require the creation of a document.

(c) Unless mutually agreed to by the parties, discovery is available only as ordered by the ALJ. The ALJ shall regulate the timing of discovery.

(d) Motions for discovery. (1) A party seeking discovery may file a motion with the ALJ. Such a motion shall be accompanied by a copy of the requested discovery, or in the case of depositions, a summary of the scope of the proposed deposition.

(2) Within ten days of service, a party may file an opposition to the motion or a motion for protective order, or both, as provided in § 33.24.

(3) The ALJ may grant a motion for discovery only if he finds that the discovery sought:

(i) Is necessary for the expeditious, fair, and reasonable determination of the issues;

(ii) Is not unduly costly or burdensome;

(iii) Will not unduly delay the proceeding; and

(iv) Does not seek privileged information.

(4) The burden of showing that discovery should be allowed is on the party seeking discovery.

(5) The ALJ may grant discovery subject to a protective order under § 33.24.

(Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3803(a)(3)(B)(ii))

(e) Depositions. (1) If a motion for deposition is granted, the ALJ shall issue a subpoena for the deponent, which may require the deponent to produce documents. The subpoena must specify the time and place at which the deposition will be held.

(2) The party seeking to depose shall serve the subpoena in the manner prescribed in § 33.8.

(3) The deponent may file with the ALJ a motion to quash the subpoena or a motion for a protective order within ten days of service.

(4) The party seeking to depose shall provide for the taking a verbatim transcript of the deposition, which the party shall make available to all other parties for inspection and copying.

(f) Each party shall bear its own costs of discovery.

(Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3803(g)(3)(B)(ii))

§ 33.22 Exchange of witness lists, statements and exhibits.

(a) At least 15 days before the hearing or at such other time as may be ordered by the ALJ, the parties shall exchange witness lists, copies of prior statements of proposed witnesses, and copies of proposed hearing exhibits, including copies of any written statements that the party intends to offer in lieu of live testimony in accordance with § 33.33(b). At the time these documents are exchanged, any party that is permitted by the ALJ to rely on the transcript of deposition testimony in lieu of live testimony at the hearing,

shall provide each other party with a copy of the specific pages of the transcript it intends to introduce.

(b) If a party objects, the ALJ shall not admit into evidence the testimony of any witness whose name does not appear on the witness list or any exhibit not provided to the opposing party as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section unless the ALJ finds good cause for the failure or that there is no prejudice to the objecting party.

(c) Unless another party objects within the time set by the ALJ, documents exchanged in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section are deemed to be authentic for the purpose of admissibility at the hearing. (Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3803(g)(2))

§ 33.23 Subpoenas for attendance at hear. ing.

(a) A party wishing to procure the appearance and testimony of any individual at the hearing may request that the ALJ issue a subpoena.

(b) A subpoena requiring the attendance and testimony of an individual may also require the individual to produce documents at the hearing.

(c) A party seeking a subpoena shall file a written request therefor not less than 15 days before the date fixed for the hearing unless otherwise allowed by the ALJ for good cause shown. The request must specify any documents to be produced and must designate the witnesses and describe their address and location with sufficient particularity to permit the witnesses to be found.

(d) The subpoena must specify the time and place at which a witness is to appear and any documents the witness is to produce.

(e) The party seeking the subpoena shall serve it in the manner prescribed in § 33.8. A subpoena on a party or upon an individual under the control of a party may be served by first class mail.

(f) A party or the individual to whom the subpoena is directed may file with the ALJ a motion to quash the subpoena within ten days after service or on or before the time specified in the subpoena for compliance if is is less then ten days after service.

(Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3804(b))

§ 33.24 Protective order.

(a) A party or a prospective witness or deponent may file a motion for a protective order with respect to discovery sought by an opposing party or with respect to the hearing, seeking to limit the availability or disclosure of evidence.

(b) In issuing a protective order, the ALJ may take any order which justice requires to protect a party or person from annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, or undue burden or expense, including one or more of the following:

(1) That the discovery not be had.

(2) That the discovery may be had only on specified terms and conditions, including a designation of the time or place.

(3) That the discovery may be had only through a method of discovery other than that requested.

(4) That certain matters not be inquired into, or that the scope of discovery be limited to certain matters.

(5) That the discovery be conducted with no one present except persons designated by the ALJ.

(6) That the contents of discovery or evidence be sealed.

(7) That a deposition after being sealed be opened only by order of the ALJ.

(8) That a trade secret or other confidential research, development, commercial information, or facts pertaining to any criminal investigation, proceeding, or other administrative investigation not be disclosed or be disclosed only in a designated way.

(9) That the parties simultaneously file specified documents or information enclosed in sealed envelopes to be opened as directed by the ALJ.

(Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3803(g)(3)(B)(ii)) § 33.25 Fees.

The party requesting a subpoena shall pay the cost of the fees and mileage of any witness subpoenaed in the amounts that would be payable to a witness in a proceeding in United States District Court. A check for witness fees and mileage must accompany the subpoena when served, except that if a subpoena is issued on behalf of the

authority, a check for witness fees and mileage need not accompany the subpoena.

(Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3804(b))

§ 33.26 Form, filing and service of papers. (a) Form. (1) Documents filed with the ALJ must include an original and two copies.

(2) Every pleading and paper filed in the proceeding must contain a caption setting for the title of the action, the case number assigned by the ALJ, and a designation of the paper (e.g., motion to quash subpoena).

(3) Every pleading and paper must be signed by, and must contain the address and telephone number of the party or the person on whose behalf the paper was filed, or his or her representative.

(4) Papers are considered filed when they are mailed. Date of mailing may be established by a certificate from the party or its representative or by proof that the document was sent by certified or registered mail.

(b) Service. A party filing a document with the ALJ shall, at the time of filing, serve a copy of the document on every other party. Service upon any party of any document other than those required to be served as prescribed in § 33.8 shall be made by delivering a copy, or by placing a copy of the document in the United States mail, postage prepaid and addressed, to the party's last known address. If a party is represented by a representative, service must be made upon the representative in lieu of the actual party.

(c) Proof of service. A certificate of the individual serving the document by personal delivery or by mail, setting forth the manner of service, is proof of service.

(Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3803(b)(3)(A))

§ 33.27 Computation of time.

(a) In computing any period of time under this part or in an order issued under this part, the time begins with the day following the act, event, or default, and includes the last day of the period, unless it is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday observed by the Fed