(a) Suspension shall be for a temporary period pending the
completion of an investigation or ensuing legal, debarment, or Program
Fraud Civil Remedies Act proceedings, unless terminated sooner by the
suspending official or as provided in paragraph (b) of this section.
(b) If legal or administrative proceedings are not initiated within
12 months after the date of the suspension notice, the suspension shall
be terminated unless an Assistant Attorney General or United States
Attorney requests its extension in writing, in which case it may be
extended for an additional six months. In no event may a suspension
extend beyond 18 months, unless such proceedings have been initiated
within that period.
(c) The suspending official shall notify the Department of Justice
of an impending termination of a suspension, at least 30 days before the
12-month period expires, to give that Department an opportunity to
request an extension.
