(a) Prior to obtaining HCA approval, an agency should seek legal review to determine whether it has appropriate legal authority for advertising. The HCA exercising the authority delegated by 2905.502 must do so in accordance with the procedures set forth in FAR 5.503 and those in this section.

(b) Requests for procurement of advertising must be accompanied by written authority to advertise or publish which sets forth justification and includes the names of newspapers or journals concerned, frequency and dates of proposed advertisements, estimated cost, and other pertinent information.

(a) Department of Labor acquisitions must comply with the Department of Labor Manual Series (DLMS) 2, Chap ter 830 (available by mail from the Director, Division of Acquisition Management Services, 200 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20210-0001), or electronically from http://www.dol.gov oasam/programs/boc/prb.htm. Any proposed noncompetitive acquisition in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold must be fully justified and, if required by the DLMS, submitted to the DOL Procurement Review Board and approved by the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Manage

Subpart 2907.1-Acquisition Plans

2907.105 Contents of written acquisition plans.

The Department of Labor has implemented its acquisition planning system in compliance with FAR 7.1 and internal procedures provided in DLMS 2 section 834. The annual forecast is available for review from: http:// www.apps.dol.gov/contract_grant/

index.htm.

2907.107 Additional requirements for acquisitions involving bundling.

The FAR requirements for justification, review, and approval of bundling of contract requirements also apply to an order from a Federal Supply Schedule contract, Governmentwide acquisition contracts, or other indefinite-delivery contracts if the requirements consolidated under the order meet the definition of "bundling" at FAR 2.101.

Subpart 2907.3-Contractor Versus

Government Performance

2907.300 Availability of inventory.

The Department of Labor's FAIR Act inventory of commercial activities performed by federal employees and inherently governmental functions may be accessed on the Internet at: www.dol.gov under "Doing Business with DOL".

PART 2908-REQUIRED SOURCES OF SUPPLIES AND SERVICES

AUTHORITY: 5 U.S.C. 301; 40 U.S.C. 486(c).

Subpart 2908.4-Federal Supply Schedules

2908.404 Using schedules.

Small business considerations, procedures regarding both prime and subcontracting, and clearances specified in DOLAR 2919 apply to GSA Federal Supply Schedule Orders above the simplified acquisition threshold. Procedures to be followed may be modified by the Office of Small Business Program as appropriate in order to comply with GSA Federal Supply Schedule procedures (e.g., first tier contracts

Before awarding a contract, the contracting officer must make a written determination of the otherwise successful bidder's/offeror's responsibility in accordance with FAR 9.105. In addition to past performance information, the contracting officer must insure that the proposed contractor, and any subcontractor representing more than $25,000 in goods or services, does not appear in the "List of Parties Excluded. from Federal Procurement” (available on the Internet at www.epls.gov). In addition, contracting officers should base their determination of contractor responsibility on a review of the company's "Summary or Financial Report" from Dun & Bradstreet (available

Subpart 2909.4—Debarment,
Suspension, and Ineligibility

2909.402 Policy.

(a) This subpart prescribes DOL policies and procedures governing the debarment and suspension of contractors, the listing of debarred and suspended contractors, contractors declared ineligible (see FAR 9.403) and distribution of the list. This subpart does not apply to Department of Labor debarments or suspensions issued for Davis-Bacon Act and Davis-Bacon Related Act violations, Service Contract Act violations, Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity violations, or violations under other statutes administered by the Department of Labor.

(b) Contracting activity officials shall have the following responsibilities. (1) Heads of contracting activity (HCA) shall:

(i) Provide an effective system to ensure that contracting staffs consult the "List of Parties Excluded from Federal Procurement and Nonprocurement Programs" at http://epls.arnet.gov/ before soliciting offers, awarding or extending contracts, consenting to subcontract.

or

(ii) Consider debarment or suspension of a contractor when cause, as defined under FAR 9.406-2 for debarment and FAR 9.407-2 for suspension, is shown. Contracting officers should consult with their appropriate legal counsel before making a decision to initiate debarment or suspension proceedings. If a determination is made that available facts do not justify beginning debarment or suspension proceedings, the file should be documented accordingly. This determination is subject to reconsideration if warranted by new information.

(iii) When the decision is made to initiate debarment and/or suspension of a contractor, the Senior Procurement Executive must prepare a notice in accordance with FAR 9.406-3(c) or FAR 9.407-3(c). The draft notice, along with the administrative file containing all relevant facts and analysis, must be forwarded to the Senior Procurement Executive, as the debarring and sus

the activity's legal counsel.

(2) The Senior Procurement Executive shall:

(i) Review the notice and administrative file for sufficiency and provide for review by other DOL officials as considered appropriate;

(ii) In accordance with FAR 9.406-3(c) or FAR 9.407-3(c), if it is determined that action is warranted, give the contractor prompt notice of the proposed debarment or suspension;

(iii) Direct additional fact-finding as necessary when material facts are in dispute;

(iv) Notify the contractor and any affiliates involved of the final decision to debar or suspend, including a decision not to debar or suspend, in accordance with FAR 9.406-3(c) and FAR 9.407-3(c);

(v) Be responsible for accomplishing the actions required in FAR 9.404(c) within five working days after debarring or suspending a contractor or modifying or rescinding such an action;

(vi) Maintain Department-wide records of debarred or suspended contractors in accordance with FAR 9.404.

2909.405 Effect of listing.

(a) Contractors debarred, suspended, or proposed for debarment are excluded from receiving contracts, and agencies must not solicit offers from, award contracts to, or consent to subcontract with these organizations, unless the HCA determines in writing that there is a compelling reason for such action and the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management approves such determinations.

(b) Bids received from any listed contractor in response to an invitation for bids must be entered on the abstract of bids, and rejected unless the HCA determines in writing that there is a compelling reason to consider the bid and the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management approves such action.

(c) Proposals, quotations, or offers received from any listed contractor shall not be evaluated for award or included in the competitive range, nor shall discussions be conducted with a listed offeror during a period of ineligibility, unless the HCA determines in writing that there is a compelling reason to do so and the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management approves such action.

2909.405-1 Continuation of current contracts.

(a) At the time an option is being exercised, contracting officers must review the List of Parties Excluded from Federal Procurement and Nonprocurement Programs. If a contractor or significant subcontractor is identified in the listing, the contracting officer must make a written determination either to proceed or to terminate the contract, and must explain the rationale for the decision. In accordance with FAR 9.405-1, contracting officers may continue contracts or subcontracts in existence at the time a contractor is suspended or debarred, unless it is determined that termination of the contract is in the best interest of the Government. The contracting officer must make such determination in writing, after consulting with the contracting officer's technical representative and legal counsel. The determination must be approved by the HСА.

(b) Contracting activities must not renew or otherwise extend the duration of current contracts, or consent to subcontracts, with contractors debarred, suspended, or proposed for debarment, unless the HCA states, in writing, the compelling reasons for renewal or extension and the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management approves such action.

2909.406 Debarment.

appropriate HCA affected must be notified. The contracting officer must consult with the Office of the Solicitor and the Office of the Inspector General, as appropriate, and submit a formal recommendation documenting the cause for debarment to the Senior Procurement Executive.

(b) Notice of proposal to debar. Based upon review of the recommendation to debar and consultation with the Office of the Solicitor and Office of the Inspector General, as appropriate, the Senior Procurement Executive must initiate proposed debarment by taking the actions listed in FAR 9.406-3(c) and advising the contractor of DOL's rules under 2909.4.

(c) Fact-finding proceedings. For actions listed under FAR 9.406–3(b)(2), the Senior Procurement Executive must afford the contractor the opportunity to appear at an informal fact-finding proceeding as required by FAR 9.4063(b)(2)(i). The proceeding must be conducted by the Office of Administrative Law Judges and must be held at a date and location reasonably convenient to the parties concerned. Subject to the provisions of 29 CFR part 18, entitled "Rules Of Practice And Procedure For Administrative Hearings Before The Office Of Administrative Law Judges", the contractor and any specifically named affiliates, may be represented by counsel or any duly authorized representative. Either party may call witnesses. The proceedings must be conducted expeditiously and in such a manner that each party will have a full opportunity to present all information considered pertinent to the proposed debarment. A transcript of the proceedings must be made available to the contractor under the conditions in FAR 9.406–3(b)(2)(ii).

(d) Decision and notice. The Senior Procurement Executive shall make a decision on imposing debarment in accordance with the procedures in FAR 9.406-3(d), findings of fact of the Administrative Law Judge, and the conditions in FAR 9.406-4 and 9.406-5. Notice of the decision must be provided to the contractor and any affiliates involved in accordance with the procedures in FAR 9.406-3(e).

(b) Notice of suspension. Based upon review of the recommendation to suspend and consultation with the Office of the Solicitor and the Office of the Inspector General, as required, the Senior Procurement Executive will initiate suspension by taking the actions listed in FAR 9.407-3(c) and advising the contractor of DOL's rules under this subpart.

(c) Fact-finding proceedings. For actions listed under FAR 9.407–3(b)(2), the Senior Procurement Executive must afford the contractor the opportunity to appear at informal proceedings, as required by FAR 9.407–3(b)(2)(i). Either party may call witnesses. The proceedings must be conducted expeditiously and in such a manner that each party will have a full opportunity to present all information considered pertinent to the proposed suspension.

(d) Suspension decisions. The Senior Procurement Executive must make a final decision on suspension as prescribed in FAR 9.407-3(d). Notice of the decision must be provided to the contractor and any affiliates involved, in accordance with the provisions in FAR 9.407-3(d)(4).

Subpart 2909.5-Organizational and Consultant Conflicts of Interest

2909.503 Waiver.

(a) The Senior Procurement Executive is delegated authority by the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management to waive any general rule or procedure in FAR 9.5 when its application in a particular situation would not be in the Government's best interest.

(b) Requests for waivers must be made by the HCA to the PE. Each request must include:

(1) An analysis of the facts involving the potential or actual conflict including benefits and detriments to the Government and prospective contractors;

(2) A discussion of the factors which preclude avoiding, neutralizing, mitigating the conflict; and

or

(3) Identification of the provision(s) in FAR 9.5 to be waived.

(c) In making determinations under this subpart the Senior Procurement Executive must request the opinion of the Office of the Solicitor, Division of Legislation and Legal Counsel.

2909.506 Procedures.

(a) If a prospective contractor disagrees with the decision of a contracting officer regarding an organizational conflict of interest and requests higher level review as referred to in FAR 9.506, the matter must be referred to the Office of the Solicitor, Associate Solicitor for Legislation and Legal Counsel, and the Director, Division of Acquisition Management Services.

(b) Referrals must be made by the HCA concerned and include the contracting officer's decision and the position of the prospective contractor.

PART 2910-MARKET RESEARCH

AUTHORITY: 5 U.S.C. 301; 40 U.S.C. 486(c). 2910.002 Procedures.

(a) In accordance with FAR 6.302–1(c), purchase descriptions must not specify a product, or specific feature of a product, peculiar to a manufacturer unless they are justified to the contracting officer in writing by the office initiating