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.11 The prohibition against counterfeiting and forging transportation requests (18 U.S.C. 508). Falsely making, altering or forging, in whole or in part, any form of transportation request is prohibited.

.12 The prohibitions against:

a. Embezzlement of Government money or property (18 U.S.C. 641). No employee may convert any Government money or Government property to his own use or the use of another person.

b. Failure to account for public money (18 U.S.C. 643). Any employee, who, having received public money which he is not authorized to retain, fails to render his accounts for same as provided by law, is guilty of embezzlement.

c. Embezzlement of the money or property of another person in the possession of the employee by reason of his employment (18 U.S.C. 654). An employee is prohibited from embezzling or wrongfully converting for his own use the money or property of another which comes under his control as the result of his employment.

.13 The prohibition against unauthorized removal or use of documents relating to claims from or by the Government (18 U.S.C. 285). No employee, without authority, may remove from the place where it was kept by authority of the United States any document, record, file, or paper intended to be used to procure the payment of money from or by the United States or the allowance or payment of any claim against the United States, regardless of whether the document or paper has already been used or the claim has already been allowed or paid; and no employee may use or attempt to use any such document, record, file, or paper to procure the payment of any money from or by the United States or the allowance or payment of any claim against the United States.

.14 The prohibition against proscribed political activities, including the following, among others:

a. Using official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or influencing the result of an election, except as authorized by law (5 U.S.C. 7324);

b. Taking an active part in political management or in political campaigns, except as authorized by law (5 U.S.C. 7324);

c. Offering or promising to pay anything of value in consideration of the use of, or promise to use, any influence to procure any appointive office or place under the United States for any person (18 U.S.C. 210);

d. Soliciting or receiving, either as a political contribution or for personal emolument,

anything of value in consideration of a promise of support or use of influence in obtaining for any person any appointive office or place under the United States (18 U.S.C. 211);

e. Using official authority to interfere with a Federal election (18 U.S.C. 595);

f. Promising any employment compensation, or other benefit made possible by Act of Congress in consideration of political activity or support (18 U.S.C. 600);

g. Action by a Federal officer or employee to solicit or receive, or to be in any manner concerned with soliciting or receiving, any contribution for any political purpose whatever from any other Federal officer or employee or from any person receiving compensation for services from money derived from the Treasury of the United States (18 U.S.C. 602);

h. Soliciting or receiving (by any person) anything of value for any political purpose whatever on any Government premises (18 U.S.C. 603);

i. Soliciting or receiving contributions for political purposes from anyone on Federal relief or work relief (18 U.S.C. 604);

j. Payment of a contribution for political purposes by any Federal officer or employee to another Federal officer or employee (18 U.S.C. 607); and

k. Payment of a political contribution in excess of statutory limitations and purchase of goods, commodities, advertising, or articles the proceeds of which inure to the benefit of certain political candidates or organizations (18 U.S.C. 608).

.15 The prohibition against an employee acting as the agent of a foreign principal registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (18 U.S.C. 219).

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(2) Attorneys other than attorneys engaged in patent examining or trademark examining operations.

(3) Heads of divisions or comparable organization units, GS-15 or above.

(4) Heads of field offices or installations, GS-15 or above.

(5) Employees in positions involving assigned duties and responsibilities which require the incumbent to make fact-finding determinations or to exercise judgment in recommending a decision or an action in regard to:

a. Evaluation, appraisal, or selection of contractors or sub-contractors, prospective contractors or prospective subcontractors,

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proposals of such contractors or subcontractors, the activities performed by such contractors or subcontractors, or determination of the extent of compliance of such contractors or subcontractors with contract provisions.

b. Negotiation, modification, or approval of contracts or subcontracts.

c. Evaluation, appraisal, or selection of prospective project sites, or locations of work or activities, including real property proposed for acquisition by purchase or otherwise.

d. Inspection and quality assurance of material, products, or components for acceptability.

e. Review or approval for access permits. f. Technical planning or design which involves the preparation of specifications or technical requirements.

g. Negotiation of agreements for cooperation or implementing arrangements with foreign countries, international organizations, or non-Federal enterprises.

h. Analysis, evaluation, or review of license applications.

i. Analysis, evaluation, or review of licensees' compliance with Department of Commerce regulations and requirements.

j. Utilization or disposal of excess or surplus property.

k. Procurement of materials, services, supplies, or equipment.

1. Authorization or monitoring of grants or subsidies to educational institutions or other non-Federal enterprises.

m. Audit of financial transactions. n. Promulgation of safety standards, procedures, and hazards evaluation systems.

o. Other activities where the decision or action has a substantial economic impact on the interests of a non-Federal enterprise.

APPENDIX

C-POSITION CATEGORIES BELOW GS-13 REQUIRING STATEMENTS OF EMPLOYMENT AND FINANCIAL INTERESTS BY INCUMBENTS

(1) Employees in the National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, who are in the following categories of positions:

(a) Special Agents (Fish and Wildlife), Series GS-1812, grades 5 through 12.

(b) Fishery Products Inspectors, Series GS-1863, grades 5 through 12.

(5 CFR 735.104, 735.403)

[50 FR 2276, Jan. 16, 1985]

Sec.

PART 1-THE SEAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

1.1 Purpose.

1.2 Description and design. 1.3 Delegation of authority.

AUTHORITY: Sec. 1, 32 Stat. 825, as amended, 15 U.S.C. 1501.

SOURCE: 33 FR 9337, June 26, 1968, unless otherwise noted.

§ 1.1 Purpose.

The purpose of this part is to describe the seal of the Department of Commerce and to delegate authority to affix the seal to certifications and documents of the Department.

§ 1.2 Description and design.

(a) The Act of February 14, 1903 (32 Stat. 825, as amended) (15 U.S.C. 1501), which established the Department of Commerce, provided that "The said Secretary shall cause a seal of office to be made for the said department of such device as the President shall approve, and judicial notice shall be taken of the said seal." On April 4, 1913, the President approved and declared to be the seal of the Department of Commerce the device which he described as follows:

Arms: Per fesse azure and or, a ship in full sail on waves of the sea, in chief proper; and in base a lighthouse illumined proper.

Crest: The American Eagle displayed. Around the Arms, between two concentric circles, are the words:

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

(b) The design of the approved seal is as shown below. Where necessitated by requirements of legibility, immediate comprehension, or clean reproduction, the concentric circles may be eliminated from the seal on publications and exhibits, and in slides, motion pictures, and television. In more formal uses of the seal, such as on letterheads, the full, proper rendition of the seal shall be used.

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(c) The official symbolism of the seal shall be the following: The ship is a symbol of commerce; the blue denotes uprightness and constancy; the lighthouse is a well-known symbol representing guidance from the darkness which is translated to commercial enlightenment; and the gold denotes purity. The crest is the American bald eagle denoting the national scope of the Department's activities. (The above is a modification of the original symbolism issued with the President's approval of the seal, made necessary by changes in the functions of the Department.)

§ 1.3 Delegation of authority.

(a) Pursuant to authority vested in the Secretary of Commerce by law, (1) the Chief Administrative Officer of each operating unit, and (2) the Director, Office of Administrative Services in the Office of the Secretary, are hereby authorized to sign as Certifying Officers certifications as to the official nature of copies of correspondence and records from the files, publications and other documents of the Department and to affix the seal of the Department of Commerce to such certifications or documents for all purposes, including the purpose authorized by 28 U.S.C. 1733(b).

(b) Delegations of authority to persons other than those named in paragraph (a) of this section may be made by the Assistant Secretary for Administration.

2.5 Adjudication and settlement of claims. 2.6 Payment of claims.

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§ 2.2 Provisions of law and regulations thereunder.

(a) Section 2672 of Title 28, U.S. Code, as above amended, provides that:

The head of each Federal agency or his designee, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Attorney General, may consider, ascertain, adjust, determine, compromise, and settle any claim for money damages against the United States for injury or loss of property or personal injury or death caused by the negligent or wrongful act or omission of any employee of the agency while acting within the scope of his office or employment, under circumstances where the United States, if a private person, would be liable to the claimant in accordance with the law of the place where the act or omission occurred: Provided, that any award, compromise, or settlement in excess of $25,000 shall be effected only with the prior written approval of the Attorney General or his designee.

Subject to the provisions of this title relating to civil actions on tort claims against the United States, any such award, compromise, settlement, or determination shall be final and conclusive on all officers of the Government, except when procured by

means of fraud.

Any award, compromise, or settlement in an amount of $2,500 or less made pursuant to this section shall be paid by the head of the Federal agency concerned out of appropriations available to that agency. Payment of any award, compromise, or settlement in an amount in excess of $2,500 made pursuant to this section or made by the Attorney General in any amount pursuant to section 2677 of this title shall be paid in a manner similar to judgments and compromises in like causes and appropriations or funds available for the payment of such judgments and compromises are hereby made available for the payment of awards, compromises, or settlements under this chapter.

The acceptance by the claimant of any such award, compromise, or settlement shall be final and conclusive on the claimant, and shall constitute a complete release of any claim against the United States and against the employee of the Government whose act or omission gave rise to the claim, by reason of the same subject matter.

(b) Subsection (a) section 2675 of said Title 28 provides that:

An action shall not be instituted upon a claim against the United States for money damages for injury or loss of property or personal injury or death caused by the negligent or wrongful act or omission of any employee of the Government while acting within the scope of his office or employment, unless the claimant shall have first presented the claim to the appropriate Federal agency and his claim shall have been finally denied by the agency in writing and sent by certified or registered mail. The failure of an agency to make final disposition of a claim within 6 months after it is filed shall, at the option of the claimant any time thereafter, be deemed a final denial of the claim for purposes of this section. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to such claims as may be asserted under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure by third party complaint, crossclaim, or counterclaim.

(c) Section 2678 of said Title 28 provides that no attorney shall charge fees in excess of 25 percent of a judgment or settlement after litigation, or over 20 percent of administrative settlements.

(d) Section 2679 of said Title 28 provides that tort remedies against the United States by reason of operation

by any Government employee of a motor vehicle while acting within the scope of his employment shall be exclusive of any other action against the employee.

(e) Section 2401(b) of said Title 28 provides that:

A tort claim against the United States shall be forever barred unless it is presented in writing to the appropriate Federal agency within 2 years after such claim accrues or unless action is begun within 6 months after the date of mailing, by certified or registered mail, of notice of final denial of the claim by the agency to which it was presented.

(f) The Tort Claims Act as amended provides that it shall apply to claims accruing 6 months or more after date of enactment (date of enactment, July 18, 1966).

(g) Pursuant to section 2672 as amended, the Attorney General has issued regulations (herein referred to as "the Regulations"; 28 CFR Part 14) prescribing standards and procedures for settlement of tort claims (31 FR 16616). Persons delegated authority under this part shall follow and be guided by such Regulations (28 CFR Part 14).

[32 FR 3769, Mar. 7, 1967]

§ 2.3 Delegation of authority.

(a) The General Counsel is hereby named as the designee of the Secretary of Commerce with respect to tort claims filed under section 2672 of Title 28, U.S. Code, as described in § 2.2, with authority to act on such claims as provided in said section 2672, including denial thereof.

(b) Authority delegated under this section may, with the approval of the General Counsel, be redelegated to other designees.

(c) Settlement or denial of any claim under this part is final for the Department of Commerce.

[48 FR 31636, July 11, 1983]

§ 2.4 Procedure for filing claims.

(a) The procedure for filing and the contents of claims shall be pursuant to §§ 14.2, 14.3, and 14.4 of the Regulations (28 CFR Part 14).

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(a) Upon receipt of a claim by the Assistant General Counsel for Administration, the time and date of receipt shall be recorded. The Assistant General Counsel may, after recording the claim, transmit it to the Departmental office or primary operating unit involved in the claim and request that an investigation be conducted. The appropriate Departmental office or primary operating unit shall designate an official to conduct the investigation, who shall prepare a file, obtain additional information as necessary, and prepare for the Assistant General Counsel's signature a proposed award or denial of the claim. If the investigation capabilities of the office or unit are insufficient for a proper and complete investigation, the office or unit shall consult with the Departmental Office of Investigations and Security to: (1) Have that Office conduct the investigation or (2) request another Federal agency to conduct the investigation as necessary, pursuant to § 14.8 of the regulations (28 CFR Part 14), all on a reimbursable basis.

(b) If the amount of the proposed award exceeds $25,000 (in which case, approval by the Attorney General is required), or if consultation with the Department of Justice is desired or required pursuant to § 14.6 of the regulations, the Assistant General Counsel for Administration will prepare and compile the material required by the Department of Justice under § 14.7 of the Regulations.

(c) Denial of a claim shall be communicated as provided by § 14.9 of the regulations (28 CFR Part 14).

(d) Designees hereunder are responsible for the control over and expeditious handling of claims, bearing in

mind the applicable statutory time limitations for adjudications of claims.

[32 FR 3769, Mar. 7, 1967, as amended at 48 FR 31636, July 11, 1983]

§ 2.6 Payment of claims.

When an award is made, the file on the case shall be transmitted to the appropriate fiscal office for payment by the Department or for transmittal for payment as prescribed by § 14.10 of the Regulations (28 CFR Part 14). Prior to payment appropriate releases shall be obtained, as provided in said section.

[32 FR 3769, Mar. 7, 1967]

§ 2.7 Annual report.

The Assistant General Counsel for Administration shall compile an annual report covering the preceding fiscal year, describing actions, including denials, taken under this part, name of claimant, amount claimed, amount of any award, and a brief decription of the claim. The report shall be prepared by November 15 of each year.

[48 FR 31636, July 11, 1983]

§ 2.8 Supplementary regulations.

(a) The Assistant General Counsel for Administration may from time to time issue such supplementary regulations or instructions as he deems appropriate to carry out the purpose of this part.

(b) Any designee mentioned in paragraph (a) of § 2.3 may issue regulations or instructions covering his area of responsibility hereunder which are consistent with this part and with those issued under paragraph (a) of this section, such regulations and instructions to be approved by the Assistant General Counsel for Administration.

[32 FR 3769, Mar. 7, 1967, as amended at 48 FR 31636, July 11, 1983]

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