EDGAR Part 85 Subpart H (Debarment)
Subpart H_Debarment
Sec. 85.800 What are the causes for debarment?
We may debar a person for--
(a) Conviction of or civil judgment for--
(1) Commission of fraud or a criminal offense in connection with
obtaining, attempting to obtain, or performing a public or private
agreement or transaction;
(2) Violation of Federal or State antitrust statutes, including
those proscribing price fixing between competitors, allocation of
customers between competitors, and bid rigging;
(3) Commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery,
falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, tax
evasion, receiving stolen property, making false claims, or obstruction
of justice; or
(4) Commission of any other offense indicating a lack of business
integrity or business honesty that seriously and directly affects your
present responsibility;
(b) Violation of the terms of a public agreement or transaction so
serious as to affect the integrity of an agency program, such as--
(1) A willful failure to perform in accordance with the terms of one
or more public agreements or transactions;
(2) A history of failure to perform or of unsatisfactory performance
of one or more public agreements or transactions; or
(3) A willful violation of a statutory or regulatory provision or
requirement applicable to a public agreement or transaction;
(c) Any of the following causes:
(1) A nonprocurement debarment by any Federal agency taken before
October 1, 1988, or a procurement debarment by any Federal agency taken
pursuant to 48 CFR part 9, subpart 9.4, before August 25, 1995;
(2) Knowingly doing business with an ineligible person, except as
permitted under Sec. 85.120;
(3) Failure to pay a single substantial debt, or a number of
outstanding debts (including disallowed costs and overpayments, but not
including sums owed the Federal Government under the Internal Revenue
Code) owed to any Federal agency or instrumentality, provided the debt
is uncontested by the debtor or, if contested, provided that the
debtor's legal and administrative remedies have been exhausted;
(4) Violation of a material provision of a voluntary exclusion
agreement entered into under Sec. 85.640 or of any settlement of a
debarment or suspension action; or
(5) Violation of the provisions of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of
1988 (41 U.S.C. 701); or
(d) Any other cause of so serious or compelling a nature that it
affects your present responsibility.
Authority: E.O. 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189); E.O 12689 (3 CFR,
1989 Comp., p. 235); 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1094, 1221e-3 and 3474; and Sec.
2455, Pub. L. 103-355, 108 Stat. 3243 at 3327.
Sec. 85.805 What notice does the debarring official give me if I am
proposed for debarment?
After consideration of the causes in Sec. 85.800 of this subpart,
if the debarring official proposes to debar you, the official sends you
a Notice of Proposed Debarment, pursuant to Sec. 85.615, advising you--
(a) That the debarring official is considering debarring you;
(b) Of the reasons for proposing to debar you in terms sufficient to
put you on notice of the conduct or transactions upon which the proposed
debarment is based;
(c) Of the cause(s) under Sec. 85.800 upon which the debarring
official relied for proposing your debarment;
(d) Of the applicable provisions of this subpart, Subpart F of this
part, and any other ED procedures governing debarment; and
(e) Of the governmentwide effect of a debarment from procurement and
nonprocurement programs and activities.
Authority: E.O. 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189); E.O 12689 (3 CFR,
1989 Comp., p. 235); 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1094, 1221e-3 and 3474; and Sec.
2455, Pub. L. 103-355, 108 Stat. 3243 at 3327.
Sec. 85.810 When does a debarment take effect?
A debarment is not effective until the debarring official issues a
decision. The debarring official does not issue a decision until the
respondent has had an opportunity to contest the proposed debarment.
Authority: E.O. 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189); E.O 12689 (3 CFR,
1989 Comp., p. 235); 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1094, 1221e-3 and 3474; and Sec.
2455, Pub. L. 103-355, 108 Stat. 3243 at 3327.
Sec. 85.811 When does a debarment affect title IV, HEA transactions?
(a) A debarment under Sec. 85.611(b) takes effect 30 days after
those procedures are complete.
(b) If the respondent appeals the debarment to the Secretary before
the expiration of the 30 days under paragraph (a) of this section, the
debarment takes effect when the respondent receives the Secretary's
decision.
Authority: E.O. 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189) E.O. 12689 ( 3 CFR,
Comp., p. 235); 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1094, 1221e-3 and 3474; and Sec. 2455 of
Pub. L. 103-355, 108 Stat. 3243 at 3327.
[68 FR 66613, Nov. 26, 2003]
Sec. 85.815 How may I contest a proposed debarment?
If you as a respondent wish to contest a proposed debarment, you or
your representative must provide the debarring official with information
in opposition to the proposed debarment. You may do this orally or in
writing, but any information provided orally that you consider important
must also be submitted in writing for the official record.
Authority: E.O. 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189); E.O 12689 (3 CFR,
1989 Comp., p. 235); 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1094, 1221e-3 and 3474; and Sec.
2455, Pub. L. 103-355, 108 Stat. 3243 at 3327.
Sec. 85.820 How much time do I have to contest a proposed debarment?
(a) As a respondent you or your representative must either send, or
make arrangements to appear and present, the information and argument to
the debarring official within 30 days after you receive the Notice of
Proposed Debarment.
(b) We consider the Notice of Proposed Debarment to be received by
you--
(1) When delivered, if we mail the notice to the last known street
address, or five days after we send it if the letter is undeliverable;
(2) When sent, if we send the notice by facsimile or five days after
we send it if the facsimile is undeliverable; or
(3) When delivered, if we send the notice by e-mail or five days
after we send it if the e-mail is undeliverable.
Authority: E.O. 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189); E.O 12689 (3 CFR,
1989 Comp., p. 235); 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1094, 1221e-3 and 3474; and Sec.
2455, Pub. L. 103-355, 108 Stat. 3243 at 3327.
Sec. 85.825 What information must I provide to the debarring official
if I contest a proposed debarment?
(a) In addition to any information and argument in opposition, as a
respondent your submission to the debarring official must identify--
(1) Specific facts that contradict the statements contained in the
Notice of Proposed Debarment. Include any information about any of the
factors listed in Sec. 85.860. A general denial is insufficient to
raise a genuine dispute over facts material to the debarment;
(2) All existing, proposed, or prior exclusions under regulations
implementing E.O. 12549 and all similar actions taken by Federal, State,
or local agencies, including administrative agreements that affect only
those agencies;
(3) All criminal and civil proceedings not included in the Notice of
Proposed Debarment that grew out of facts relevant to the cause(s)
stated in the notice; and
(4) All of your affiliates.
(b) If you fail to disclose this information, or provide false
information, the Department of Education may seek further criminal,
civil or administrative action against you, as appropriate.
Authority: E.O. 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189); E.O 12689 (3 CFR,
1989 Comp., p. 235); 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1094, 1221e-3 and 3474; and Sec.
2455, Pub. L. 103-355, 108 Stat. 3243 at 3327.
Sec. 85.830 Under what conditions do I get an additional opportunity
to challenge the facts on which a proposed debarment is based?
(a) You as a respondent will not have an additional opportunity to
challenge the facts if the debarring official determines that--
(1) Your debarment is based upon a conviction or civil judgment;
(2) Your presentation in opposition contains only general denials to
information contained in the Notice of Proposed Debarment; or
(3) The issues raised in your presentation in opposition to the
proposed debarment are not factual in nature, or are not material to the
debarring official's decision whether to debar.
(b) You will have an additional opportunity to challenge the facts
if the debarring official determines that--
(1) The conditions in paragraph (a) of this section do not exist;
and
(2) Your presentation in opposition raises a genuine dispute over
facts material to the proposed debarment.
(c) If you have an opportunity to challenge disputed material facts
under this section, the debarring official or designee must conduct
additional proceedings to resolve those facts.
Authority: E.O. 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189); E.O 12689 (3 CFR,
1989 Comp., p. 235); 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1094, 1221e-3 and 3474; and Sec.
2455, Pub. L. 103-355, 108 Stat. 3243 at 3327.
Sec. 85.835 Are debarment proceedings formal?
(a) Debarment proceedings are conducted in a fair and informal
manner. The debarring official may use flexible procedures to allow you
as a respondent to present matters in opposition. In so doing, the
debarring official is not required to follow formal rules of evidence or
procedure in creating an official record upon which the official will
base the decision whether to debar.
(b) You or your representative must submit any documentary evidence
you want the debarring official to consider.
Authority: E.O. 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189); E.O 12689 (3 CFR,
1989 Comp., p. 235); 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1094, 1221e-3 and 3474; and Sec.
2455, Pub. L. 103-355, 108 Stat. 3243 at 3327.
Sec. 85.840 How is fact-finding conducted?
(a) If fact-finding is conducted--
(1) You may present witnesses and other evidence, and confront any
witness presented; and
(2) The fact-finder must prepare written findings of fact for the
record.
(b) A transcribed record of fact-finding proceedings must be made,
unless you as a respondent and the Department of Education agree to
waive it in advance. If you want a copy of the transcribed record, you
may purchase it.
Authority: E.O. 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189); E.O 12689 (3 CFR,
1989 Comp., p. 235); 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1094, 1221e-3 and 3474; and Sec.
2455, Pub. L. 103-355, 108 Stat. 3243 at 3327.
Sec. 85.845 What does the debarring official consider in deciding
whether to debar me?
(a) The debarring official may debar you for any of the causes in
Sec. 85.800. However, the official need not debar you even if a cause
for debarment exists. The official may consider the seriousness of your
acts or omissions and the mitigating or aggravating factors set forth at
Sec. 85.860.
(b) The debarring official bases the decision on all information
contained in the official record. The record includes--
(1) All information in support of the debarring official's proposed
debarment;
(2) Any further information and argument presented in support of, or
in opposition to, the proposed debarment; and
(3) Any transcribed record of fact-finding proceedings.
(c) The debarring official may refer disputed material facts to
another official for findings of fact. The debarring official may reject
any resultant findings, in whole or in part, only after specifically
determining them to be arbitrary, capricious, or clearly erroneous.
Authority: E.O. 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189); E.O 12689 (3 CFR,
1989 Comp., p. 235); 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1094, 1221e-3 and 3474; and Sec.
2455, Pub. L. 103-355, 108 Stat. 3243 at 3327.
Sec. 85.850 What is the standard of proof in a debarment action?
(a) In any debarment action, we must establish the cause for
debarment by a preponderance of the evidence.
(b) If the proposed debarment is based upon a conviction or civil
judgment, the standard of proof is met.
Authority: E.O. 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189); E.O 12689 (3 CFR,
1989 Comp., p. 235); 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1094, 1221e-3 and 3474; and Sec.
2455, Pub. L. 103-355, 108 Stat. 3243 at 3327.
Sec. 85.855 Who has the burden of proof in a debarment action?
(a) We have the burden to prove that a cause for debarment exists.
(b) Once a cause for debarment is established, you as a respondent
have the burden of demonstrating to the satisfaction of the debarring
official that you are presently responsible and that debarment is not
necessary.
Authority: E.O. 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189); E.O 12689 (3 CFR,
1989 Comp., p. 235); 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1094, 1221e-3 and 3474; and Sec.
2455, Pub. L. 103-355, 108 Stat. 3243 at 3327.
Sec. 85.860 What factors may influence the debarring official's
decision?
This section lists the mitigating and aggravating factors that the
debarring official may consider in determining whether to debar you and
the length of your debarment period. The debarring official may consider
other factors if appropriate in light of the circumstances of a
particular case. The existence or nonexistence of any factor, such as
one of those set forth in this section, is not necessarily determinative
of your present responsibility. In making a debarment decision, the
debarring official may consider the following factors:
(a) The actual or potential harm or impact that results or may
result from the wrongdoing.
(b) The frequency of incidents and/or duration of the wrongdoing.
(c) Whether there is a pattern or prior history of wrongdoing. For
example, if you have been found by another Federal agency or a State
agency to have engaged in wrongdoing similar to that found in the
debarment action, the existence of this fact may be used by the
debarring official in determining that you have a pattern or prior
history of wrongdoing.
(d) Whether you are or have been excluded or disqualified by an
agency of the Federal Government or have not been allowed to participate
in State or local contracts or assistance agreements on a basis of
conduct similar to one or more of the causes for debarment specified in
this part.
(e) Whether you have entered into an administrative agreement with a
Federal agency or a State or local government that is not governmentwide
but is based on conduct similar to one or more of the causes for
debarment specified in this part.
(f) Whether and to what extent you planned, initiated, or carried
out the wrongdoing.
(g) Whether you have accepted responsibility for the wrongdoing and
recognize the seriousness of the misconduct that led to the cause for
debarment.
(h) Whether you have paid or agreed to pay all criminal, civil and
administrative liabilities for the improper activity, including any
investigative or administrative costs incurred by the government, and
have made or agreed to make full restitution.
(i) Whether you have cooperated fully with the government agencies
during the investigation and any court or administrative action. In
determining the extent of cooperation, the debarring official may
consider when the cooperation began and whether you disclosed all
pertinent information known to you.
(j) Whether the wrongdoing was pervasive within your organization.
(k) The kind of positions held by the individuals involved in the
wrongdoing.
(l) Whether your organization took appropriate corrective action or
remedial measures, such as establishing ethics training and implementing
programs to prevent recurrence.
(m) Whether your principals tolerated the offense.
(n) Whether you brought the activity cited as a basis for the
debarment to the attention of the appropriate government agency in a
timely manner.
(o) Whether you have fully investigated the circumstances
surrounding the cause for debarment and, if so, made the result of the
investigation available to the debarring official.
(p) Whether you had effective standards of conduct and internal
control systems in place at the time the questioned conduct occurred.
(q) Whether you have taken appropriate disciplinary action against
the individuals responsible for the activity which constitutes the cause
for debarment.
(r) Whether you have had adequate time to eliminate the
circumstances within your organization that led to the cause for the
debarment.
(s) Other factors that are appropriate to the circumstances of a
particular case.
Authority: E.O. 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189); E.O 12689 (3 CFR,
1989 Comp., p. 235); 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1094, 1221e-3 and 3474; and Sec.
2455, Pub. L. 103-355, 108 Stat. 3243 at 3327.
Sec. 85.865 How long may my debarment last?
(a) If the debarring official decides to debar you, your period of
debarment will be based on the seriousness of the cause(s) upon which
your debarment is based. Generally, debarment should not exceed three
years. However, if circumstances warrant, the debarring official may
impose a longer period of debarment.
(b) In determining the period of debarment, the debarring official
may consider the factors in Sec. 85.860. If a suspension has preceded
your debarment, the debarring official must consider the time you were
suspended.
(c) If the debarment is for a violation of the provisions of the
Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, your period of debarment may not exceed
five years.
Authority: E.O. 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189); E.O 12689 (3 CFR,
1989 Comp., p. 235); 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1094, 1221e-3 and 3474; and Sec.
2455, Pub. L. 103-355, 108 Stat. 3243 at 3327.
Sec. 85.870 When do I know if the debarring official debars me?
(a) The debarring official must make a written decision whether to
debar within 45 days of closing the official record. The official record
closes upon the debarring official's receipt of final submissions,
information and findings of fact, if any. The debarring official may
extend that period for good cause.
(b) The debarring official sends you written notice, pursuant to
Sec. 85.615 that the official decided, either--
(1) Not to debar you; or
(2) To debar you. In this event, the notice:
(i) Refers to the Notice of Proposed Debarment;
(ii) Specifies the reasons for your debarment;
(iii) States the period of your debarment, including the effective
dates; and
(iv) Advises you that your debarment is effective for covered
transactions and contracts that are subject to the Federal Acquisition
Regulation (48 CFR chapter 1), throughout the executive branch of the
Federal Government unless an agency head or an authorized designee
grants an exception.
Authority: E.O. 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189); E.O 12689 (3 CFR,
1989 Comp., p. 235); 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1094, 1221e-3 and 3474; and Sec.
2455, Pub. L. 103-355, 108 Stat. 3243 at 3327.
Sec. 85.875 May I ask the debarring official to reconsider a decision
to debar me?
Yes, as a debarred person you may ask the debarring official to
reconsider the debarment decision or to reduce the time period or scope
of the debarment. However, you must put your request in writing and
support it with documentation.
Authority: E.O. 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189); E.O 12689 (3 CFR,
1989 Comp., p. 235); 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1094, 1221e-3 and 3474; and Sec.
2455, Pub. L. 103-355, 108 Stat. 3243 at 3327.
Sec. 85.880 What factors may influence the debarring official during
reconsideration?
The debarring official may reduce or terminate your debarment based
on--
(a) Newly discovered material evidence;
(b) A reversal of the conviction or civil judgment upon which your
debarment was based;
(c) A bona fide change in ownership or management;
(d) Elimination of other causes for which the debarment was imposed;
or
(e) Other reasons the debarring official finds appropriate.
Authority: E.O. 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189); E.O 12689 (3 CFR,
1989 Comp., p. 235); 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1094, 1221e-3 and 3474; and Sec.
2455, Pub. L. 103-355, 108 Stat. 3243 at 3327.
Sec. 85.885 May the debarring official extend a debarment?
(a) Yes, the debarring official may extend a debarment for an
additional period, if that official determines that an extension is
necessary to protect the public interest.
(b) However, the debarring official may not extend a debarment
solely on the basis of the facts and circumstances upon which the
initial debarment action was based.
(c) If the debarring official decides that a debarment for an
additional period is necessary, the debarring official must follow the
applicable procedures in this subpart, and subpart F of this part, to
extend the debarment.
Authority: E.O. 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189); E.O 12689 (3 CFR,
1989 Comp., p. 235); 20 U.S.C. 1082, 1094, 1221e-3 and 3474; and Sec.
2455, Pub. L. 103-355, 108 Stat. 3243 at 3327.
EDGAR version June 23, 2005
