[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 5, Volume 2, Parts 700 to 1199]
[Revised as of January 1, 2001]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 5CFR731.403]

[Page 26]
 
                    TITLE 5--ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL
 
          CHAPTER I--OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT (Continued)
 
PART 731--SUITABILITY--Table of Contents
 
                     Subpart D--Suitability Actions
 
Sec. 731.403  Answer.

    (a) Respondent's answer. A respondent may answer the charges in 
writing and furnish affidavits in support of the response. A respondent 
who is an employee may answer orally. The respondent may be represented 
by a representative of the respondent's choice, and such representative 
shall be designated in writing to OPM. To be timely, a written answer 
shall be made to OPM no more than 30 days after the date of the notice 
of proposed action. In the event that an employee requests to make an 
oral answer, OPM shall determine the time and place thereof. OPM shall 
consider any answer that the respondent makes in reaching a decision.
    (b) Agency's answer. In actions proposed by OPM under 5 CFR 5.3, the 
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 that the agency makes in reaching a decision.