[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 5, Volume 2] [Revised as of January 1, 2003] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 5CFR731.303] [Page 27-28] TITLE 5--ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL CHAPTER I--OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED) PART 731--SUITABILITY--Table of Contents Subpart C--OPM Suitability Action Procedures Sec. 731.303 Answer. (a) Respondent's answer. A respondent may answer the charges in writing and furnish documentation and/or affidavits in support of the response. A respondent who is an employee may also answer orally. The respondent may be represented by a representative of the [[Page 28]] respondent's choice, and such representative shall be designated in writing. To be timely, a written answer shall be made no more than 30 days after the date of the notice of proposed action. In the event an employee requests to make an oral answer, the request must be made within this 30 day time frame, and OPM shall determine the time and place thereof, and shall consider any answer the respondent makes in reaching a decision. (b) Agency's answer. An employing agency may also answer the notice of proposed action. The time limit for filing an answer is 30 days from the date of the notice. OPM shall consider any answer the agency makes in reaching a decision.