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Suspension and Debarment

As an executive branch agency, the Department of Commerce has the authority to suspend and debar contractors and grantees. The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and the Nonprocurement Common Rule (NCR) both recommend that agencies implement procedures for coordinating suspension and debarment actions. In 1994 Congress passed the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act of 1994, mandating reciprocity of suspension and debarment determinations between procurement and nonprocurement programs.

To protect the Governments interest, the Department of Commerce shall solicit and award contracts only to responsible sources those who have been determined to be reliable, dependable, and capable of performing highlighted work. Suspension and debarment are contract/grant remedies; as such, the provisions of this directive apply to the processing of all Department of Commerce suspension and debarment actions. The serious nature of suspension and debarment requires that these sanctions by imposed only for the Governments protection and not for the purposes of punishment. Department employees are responsible for the enforcement of this directive. This directive represents a comprehensive debarment and suspension program and applies to both actions involving contracts under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and actions involving grants under the Nonprocurement Common Rule (NCR).

The Government-wide policies concerning suspension and debarment in grants and contracts can be found at:

F.A.R. (Contracts - Subpart 9.4)

NCR (Grants - 2 CFR Part 180)

Department of Commerce Supplemental Guidance to NCR

Specific Department of Commerce Policies Related to Suspension and Debarment:

Department of Commerce Contractor and Recipient Responsibility Program Handbook (aka S&D Handbook)

          Referral for Consideration of Suspending and Debarring Official Form

          Notice to Suspending and Debarring Official Form 

Aggravating and Mitigating Factors

Suspension and Debarment Guidance

Fraud Indicators

Interagency Suspension and Debarment Committee
An overview of the ISDC, and why it was formed, can be found at their official website, located at: https://www.acquisition.gov/isdc-home

Last year's Big A Suspension and Debarment Breakout Session can be found below:

2016 Big A S&D Presentation

2017 Big A S&D Presentation

2018 Big A S&D Presentation

2019 Big A S&D Presentation

2021 Big A S&D Presentation

2022 Big A S&D Presentation

2023 Big A S&D Presentation

Office of Acquisition Management
Office of the Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary for Administration
Office of the Secretary
U.S. Department of Commerce

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This page was updated on October 18, 2023