Goto Section: 54.520 | 54.522 | Table of Contents
FCC 54.521
Revised as of October 1, 2008
Goto Year:2007 |
2009
Sec. 54.521 Prohibition on participation: suspension and debarment.
Link to an amendment published at 72 FR 54218 , Sept. 24, 2007.
(a) Definitions —(1) Activities associated with or related to the schools
and libraries support mechanism. Such matters include the receipt of funds
or discounted services through the schools and libraries support mechanism,
or consulting with, assisting, or advising applicants or service providers
regarding the schools and libraries support mechanism described in this
section ( Sec. 54.500 et seq. ).
(2) Civil liability. The disposition of a civil action by any court of
competent jurisdiction, whether entered by verdict, decision, settlement
with admission of liability, stipulation, or otherwise creating a civil
liability for the wrongful acts complained of, or a final determination of
liability under the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act of 1988 (31 U.S.C.
3801–12).
(3) Consultant. A person that for consideration advises or consults a person
regarding the schools and libraries support mechanism, but who is not
employed by the person receiving the advice or consultation.
(4) Conviction. A judgment or conviction of a criminal offense by any court
of competent jurisdiction, whether entered by verdict or a plea, including a
plea of nolo contendere.
(5) Debarment. Any action taken by the Commission in accordance with these
regulations to exclude a person from activities associated with or relating
to the schools and libraries support mechanism. A person so excluded is
“debarred.”
(6) Person. Any individual, group of individuals, corporation, partnership,
association, unit of government or legal entity, however organized.
(7) Suspension. An action taken by the Commission in accordance with these
regulations that immediately excludes a person from activities associated
with or relating to the schools and libraries support mechanism for a
temporary period, pending completion of the debarment proceedings. A person
so excluded is “suspended.”
(b) Suspension and debarment in general. The Commission shall suspend and
debar a person for any of the causes in paragraph (c) of this section using
procedures established in this section, absent extraordinary circumstances.
(c) Causes for suspension and debarment. Causes for suspension and debarment
are conviction of or civil judgment for attempt or commission of criminal
fraud, theft, embezzlement, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction
of records, making false statements, receiving stolen property, making false
claims, obstruction of justice and other fraud or criminal offense arising
out of activities associated with or related to the schools and libraries
support mechanism.
(d) Effect of suspension and debarment. Unless otherwise ordered, any
persons suspended or debarred shall be excluded from activities associated
with or related to the schools and libraries support mechanism. Suspension
and debarment of a person other than an individual constitutes suspension
and debarment of all divisions and/or other organizational elements from
participation in the program for the suspension and debarment period, unless
the notice of suspension and proposed debarment is limited by its terms to
one or more specifically identified individuals, divisions, or other
organizational elements or to specific types of transactions.
(e) Procedures for suspension and debarment. The suspension and debarment
process shall proceed as follows:
(1) Upon evidence that there exists cause for suspension and debarment, the
Commission shall provide prompt notice of suspension and proposed debarment
to the person. Suspension shall be effective upon the earlier of receipt of
notification or publication in theFederal Register.
(2) The notice shall:
(i) Give the reasons for the proposed debarment in terms sufficient to put
the person on notice of the conduct or transaction(s) upon which it is based
and the cause relied upon, namely, the entry of a criminal conviction or
civil judgment arising out of activities associated with or related to the
schools and libraries support mechanism;
(ii) Explain the applicable debarment procedures;
(iii) Describe the effect of debarment.
(3) A person subject to proposed debarment, or who has an existing contract
with the person subject to proposed debarment or intends to contract with
such a person to provide or receive services in matters arising out of
activities associated with or related to the schools and libraries support
mechanism, may contest debarment or the scope of the proposed debarment. A
person contesting debarment or the scope of proposed debarment must file
arguments and any relevant documentation within thirty (30) calendar days of
receipt of notice or publication in theFederal Register, whichever is
earlier.
(4) A person subject to proposed debarment, or who has an existing contract
with the person subject to proposed debarment or intends to contract with
such a person to provide or receive services in matters arising out of
activities associated with or related to the schools and libraries support
mechanism, may also contest suspension or the scope of suspension, but such
action will not ordinarily be granted. A person contesting suspension or the
scope of suspension must file arguments and any relevant documentation
within thirty (30) calendar days of receipt of notice or publication in
theFederal Register, whichever is earlier.
(5) Within ninety (90) days of receipt of any information submitted by the
respondent, the Commission, in the absence of extraordinary circumstances,
shall provide the respondent prompt notice of the decision to debar.
Debarment shall be effective upon the earlier of receipt of notice or
publication in theFederal Register.
(f) Reversal or limitation of suspension or debarment. The Commission may
reverse a suspension or debarment, or limit the scope or period of
suspension or debarment, upon a finding of extraordinary circumstances,
after due consideration following the filing of a petition by an interested
party or upon motion by the Commission. Reversal of the conviction or civil
judgment upon which the suspension and debarment was based is an example of
extraordinary circumstances.
(g) Time period for debarment. A debarred person shall be prohibited from
involvement with the schools and libraries support mechanism for three (3)
years from the date of debarment. The Commission may, if necessary to
protect the public interest, set a longer period of debarment or extend the
existing period of debarment. If multiple convictions or judgments have been
rendered, the Commission shall determine based on the facts before it
whether debarments shall run concurrently or consecutively.
[ 68 FR 36943 , June 20, 2003]
Goto Section: 54.520 | 54.522
Goto Year: 2007 |
2009
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