§1264.137, consideration of the appeal shall be stayed automatically pending resolution of the motion for reconsideration.

(2) If a motion for reconsideration is timely filed, a notice of appeal must be filed within 30 days after the presiding officer denies the motion or issues a revised initial decision, whichever applies.

(3) If no motion for reconsideration is timely filed, a notice of appeal must be filed within 30 days after the presiding officer issues the initial decision.

(4) The authority head may extend the initial 30-day period for an additional 30 days if the defendant files with the authority head a request for an extension within the initial 30-day period and shows good cause.

(c) If the defendant files a timely notice of appeal with the authority head and the time for filing motions for reconsideration under § 1264.137 has expired, the presiding officer shall forward the record of the proceeding to the authority head.

(d) A notice of appeal shall be accompanied by a written brief specifying exceptions to the initial decision and reasons supporting the exceptions.

(e) The representative for the Government may file a brief in opposition to exceptions within 30 days of receiving the notice of appeal and accompanying brief.

(f) There is no right to appear personally before the authority head.

(g) There is no right to appeal any interlocutory ruling by the presiding officer.

(h) In reviewing the initial decision, the authority head shall not consider any objection that was not raised before the presiding officer unless a demonstration is made of extraordinary circumstances causing the failure to raise the objection.

(i) If any party demonstrates to the satisfaction of the authority head that additional evidence not presented at such hearing is material and that there were reasonable grounds for the failure to present such evidence at such hearing, the authority head shall remand the matter to the presiding of

ficer for consideration of such additional evidence.

(j) The authority head may affirm, reduce, reverse, compromise, remand, or settle any penalty or assessment, determined by the presiding officer in any initial decision.

(k) The authority head shall promptly serve each party to the appeal with a copy of the decision of the authority head. At the same time the authority head shall serve the defendant with a statement describing the defendant's right to seek judicial review.

(1) Unless a petition for review is filed as provided in 31 U.S.C. 3805, after a defendant has exhausted all administrative remedies under this part and within 60 days after the date on which the authority head serves the defendant with a copy of the authority head's decision, a determination that a defendant is liable under § 1264.102 is final and is not subject to judicial review.

[52 FR 39498, Oct. 22, 1987, as amended at 54 FR 600, Jan. 9, 1989]

§ 1264.139 Stays ordered by the Department of Justice.

If at any time the Attorney General or an Assistant Attorney General designated by the Attorney General transmits to the authority head a written finding that continuation of the administrative process described in this part with respect to a claim or statement may adversely affect any pending or potential criminal or civil action related to such claim or statement, the authority head shall stay the process immediately. If the process is before the presiding officer, the authority head shall promptly transmit the finding to the presiding officer, who, in turn, must stay the proceeding and give notice to all parties and their representatives. The authority head may order the process resumed only upon receipt of the written authorization of the Attorney General.

§ 1264.140 Stay pending appeal.

(a) An initial decision is stayed automatically pending disposition of a

motion for reconsideration or of an appeal to the authority head.

(b) No administrative stay is available following a final decision of the authority head.

§ 1264.141 Judicial review.

Section 3805 of Title 31, United States Code, authorizes judicial review by an appropriate United States District Court of a final decision of the authority head imposing penalties or assessments under this part and specifies the procedures for such review.

§ 1264.142 Collection of civil penalties and

assessments.

Sections 3806 and 3808(b) of Title 31, United States Code, authorize actions for collection of civil penalties and assessments imposed under this part and specify the procedures for such actions.

§ 1264.143 Right to administrative offset.

The amount of any penalty or assessment which has become final, or for which a judgment has been entered under § 1264.141 or § 1264.142, or any amount agreed upon in a compromise or settlement under § 1264.145, may be collected by administrative offset under 31 U.S.C. 3716, except that an administrative offset may not be made under this subsection against a refund of an overpayment of Federal taxes, then or later owing by the United States to the defendant.

§ 1264.144 Deposit in Treasury of United States.

All amounts collected pursuant to this part shall be deposited as miscellaneous receipts in the Treasury of the United States, except as provided in 31 U.S.C. 3806(g).

§ 1264.145 Compromise or settlement.

(a) Parties may make offers of compromise or settlement at any time, including proposals for alternative dispute resolution.

(b) The reviewing official has the exclusive authority to compromise or settle a case under this part at any time after the date on which the reviewing official is permitted to refer allegations of liability to a presiding officer and before the date on which

the presiding officer issues an initial decision.

(c) The authority head has exclusive authority to compromise or settle a case under this part at any time after the date on which the presiding officer issues an initial decision, except during the pendency of any judicial review under § 1264.141 or during the pendency of any civil action to collect penalties and assessments under § 1264.142.

(d) The Attorney General has exclusive authority to compromise or settle a case under this part during the pendency of any judicial review under 31 U.S.C. 3805 or of any civil action to recover penalties and assessments under 31 U.S.C. 3806.

(e) The investigating official may recommend settlement terms to the reviewing official, the authority head, or the Attorney General, as appropriate. The reviewing official may recommend settlement terms to the authority head, or the Attorney General, as appropriate.

(f) Any compromise or settlement must be in writing.

implements the Program Fraud Civil Penalties Act of 1986.

You should be aware that your decision to consent, or not to consent, to the referral of this case to the NASA/BCA must be entirely voluntary. Only if you and the authority head consent to this reference will either the Chairperson or the designee to whom the case may be assigned be informed of your decision.

An appeal from a decision by the presiding officer under this consent procedure may be taken in the same manner as an appeal from a decision by any other presiding officer, as provided in 14 1264.136(d), 1264.141.

1264.137, 1264.138,

CFR and

1265.413 Suspending official's decision. 1265.415 Period of suspension. 1265.420 Scope of suspension.

Subpart E-Responsibilities of GSA, Agency and Participants

1265.500 GSA responsibilities.

1265.505 NASA responsibilities.

1265.510 Participants' responsibilities.

Subpart F-Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (Grants)

1265.600 Purpose. 1265.605 Definitions. 1265.610 Coverage.

1265.615 Grounds for suspension of payments, suspension or termination of grants, or suspension or debarment. 1265.620 Effect of violation.

1265.625 Exception provision.

1265.630 Certification requirements and

procedures.

1265.635 Reporting of and employee sanctions for convictions of criminal drug offenses.

APPENDIX A TO PART 1265-CERTIFICATION REGARDING DEBARMENT, SUSPENSION, AND OTHER RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS-PRIMARY COVERED TRANSACTIONS

APPENDIX B TO PART 1265-CERTIFICATION REGARDING DEBARMENT, SUSPENSION, INELIGIBILITY AND VOLUNTARY EXCLUSIONLOWER TIER COVERED TRANSACTIONS APPENDIX C TO PART 1265-CERTIFICATION REGARDING DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE REQUIREMENTS

AUTHORITY: E.O. 12549; Secs. 5151-5160 of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 (Pub. L. 100-690, Title V, Subtitle D; 41 U.S.C. 701 et seq.); National Aeronautics and Space Act, Pub. L. 85-568, July 29, 1958, as amended, sec. 203(c)(1).

SOURCE: 53 FR 19177, 19204, May 26, 1988, unless otherwise noted.

CROSS REFERENCE: See also Office of Management and Budget notice published at 55 FR 21679, May 25, 1990.

EDITORIAL NOTE: For additional information, see related documents published at 52 FR 20360, May 29, 1987, 53 FR 19160, May 26, 1988, and 53 FR 34474 September 6, 1988.

Subpart A-General

§ 1265.100 Purpose.

(a) Executive Order 12549 provides that, to the extent permitted by law, Executive departments and agencies shall participate in a governmentwide system for nonprocurement debarment and suspension. A person who is debarred or suspended shall be excluded from Federal financial and nonfinancial assistance and benefits under Federal programs and activities. Debarment or suspension of a participant in a program by one agency shall have governmentwide effect.

(b) These regulations implement section 3 of Executive Order 12549 and the guidelines promulgated by the Office of Management and Budget under section 6 of the Executive order by:

(1) Prescribing the programs and activities that are covered by the governmentwide system;

(2) Prescribing the governmentwide criteria and governmentwide minimum due process procedures that each agency shall use;

(3) Providing for the listing of debarred and suspended participants, participants declared ineligible (see definition of ineligible in § 1265.105(i)), and participants who have voluntarily excluded themselves from participation in covered transactions

(4) Setting forth the consequences of a debarment, suspension, determination of ineligibility, or voluntary exclusion; and

(5) Offering such other guidance as necessary for the effective implementation and administration of the governmentwide system.

(c) Although these regulations cover the listing of ineligible participants and the effect of such listing, they do not prescribe policies and procedures governing declarations of ineligibility.

(a) Adequate evidence. Information sufficient to support the reasonable belief that a particular act or omission has occurred.

(b) Affiliate. Persons are affiliates of each another if, directly or indirectly, either one controls or has the power to control the other, or, a third person controls or has the power to control both. Indicia of control include, but are not limited to: interlocking management or ownership, identity of interests among family members, shared facilities and equipment, common use of employees, or a business entity organized following the suspension or debarment of a person which has the same or similar management, ownership, or principal employees as the suspended, debarred, ineligible, or voluntarily excluded person.

(c) Agency. Any executive department, military department or defense agency or other agency of the executive branch, excluding the independent regulatory agencies.

(d) Civil judgment. The disposition of a civil action by any court of competent jurisdiction, whether entered by verdict, decision, settlement, stipulation, or otherwise creating a civil liability for the wrongful acts complained of; or a final determination of liability under the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act of 1988 (31 U.S.C. 3801-12).

(e) Conviction. A judgment of conviction of a criminal offense by any court of competent jurisdiction, whether entered upon a verdict or a plea, including a plea of nolo contendere.

(f) Debarment. An action taken by a debarring official in accordance with these regulations to exclude a person from participating in covered transactions. A person so excluded is "debarred."

(g) Debarring official. An official authorized to impose debarment. The debarring official is either:

(1) The agency head, or

(2) An official designated by the agency head.

(h) Indictment. Indictment for a criminal offense. An information or other filing by competent authority

charging a criminal offense shall be given the same effect as an indictment.

(i) Ineligible. Excluded from participation in Federal nonprocurement programs pursuant to a determination of ineligibility under statutory, executive order, or regulatory authority, other than Executive Order 12549 and its agency implementing regulations; for exemple, excluded pursuant to the Davis-Bacon Act and its implementing regulations, the equal employment opportunity acts and executive orders, or the environmental protection acts and executive orders. A person is ineligible where the determination of ineligibility affects such person's eligibility to participate in more than one covered transaction.

(j) Legal proceedings. Any criminal proceeding or any civil judicial proceeding to which the Federal Government or a State of local government or quasi-governmental authority is a party. The term includes appeals from such proceedings.

(k) Nonprocurement List. The portion of the List of Parties Excluded from Federal Procurement or Nonprocurement Programs complied, maintained and distributed by the General Services Administration (GSA) containing the names and other information about persons who have been debarred, suspended, or voluntarily excluded under Executive Order 12549 and these regulations, and those who have been determined to be ineligible.

(1) Notice. A written communication served in person or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, or its equivalent, to the last known address of a party, its identified counsel, its agent for service of process, or any partner, officer, director, owner, or joint venturer of the party. Notice, if undeliverable, shall be considered to have been received by the addressee five days after being properly sent to the last address known by the agency.

(m) Participant. Any person who submits a proposal for, enters into, or reasonably may be expected to enter into a covered transaction. This term also includes any person who acts on behalf of or is authorized to commit a participant in a covered transaction as

an agent or representative of another participant.

(n) Person. Any individual, corporation, partnership, association, unit of government or legal entity, however organized, except: foreign governments or foreign governmental entities, public international organizations, foreign government owned (in whole or in part) or controlled entities, and entities consisting wholly or partially of foreign governments or foreign governmental entities.

(0) Preponderance of the evidence. Proof by information that, compared with that opposing it, leads to the conclusion that the fact at issue is more probably true than not.

(p) Principal. Officer, director, owner, partner, key employee, or other person within a participant with primary management or supervisory responsibilities; or a person who has a critical influence on or substantive control over a covered transaction, whether or not employed by the participant. Persons who have a critical influence on or substantive control over a covered transaction are:

(1) Principal investigators.

(q) Proposal. A solicited or unsolicited bid, application, request, invitation to consider or similar communication by or on behalf of a person seeking to participate or to receive a benefit, directly or indirectly, in or under a covered transaction.

(r) Respondent. A person against whom a debarment or suspension action has been initiated.

(s) State. Any of the States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, any territory or possession of the United States, or any agency of a State, exclusive of institutions of higher education, hospitals, and units of local government. A State instrumentality will be considered part of the State government if it has a written determination from a State government that such State considers that instrumentality to be an agency of the State government.

(t) Suspending official. An official authorized to impose suspension. The suspending official is either:

(1) The agency head, or