(a) At any time prior to the receipt of evidence or, at the
discretion of the Administrative Law Judge, prior to the issuance of the
decision of the Administrative Law Judge, the parties may enter into
consent findings and an order disposing of the proceeding in whole or in
part.
(b) Any agreement containing consent findings and an order disposing
of a proceeding in whole or in part shall also provide:
(1) That the order shall have the same force and effect as an order
made after full hearing;
(2) That the entire record on which any order may be based shall
consist solely of the complaint and the agreement;
(3) That any order concerning debarment under the Davis-Bacon Act
(but not under any of the other statutes listed in Sec. 5.1 of part 5 of
this title) shall constitute a recommendation to the Comptroller
General;
(4) A waiver of any further procedural steps before the
Administrative Law Judge and the Administrative Review Board regarding
those matters which are the subject of the agreement; and
(5) A waiver of any right to challenge or contest the validity of
the findings and order entered into in accordance with the agreement.
(c) Within 30 days after receipt of an agreement containing consent
findings and an order disposing of the disputed
matter in whole, the Administrative Law Judge shall, if satisfied with
its form and substance, accept such agreement by issuing a decision
based upon the agreed findings and order. If such agreement disposes of
only a part of the disputed matter, a hearing shall be conducted on the
matters remaining in dispute.