[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 7, Volume 15, Parts 2000 to end]
[Revised as of January 1, 2001]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR3017.115]

[Page 139-140]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
                         CHAPTER XXX--OFFICE OF
                      THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER,
                        DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 
PART 3017--GOVERNMENTWIDE DEBARMENT AND SUSPENSION (NONPROCUREMENT) AND GOVERNMENTWIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE (GRANTS)--Table of Contents
 
                           Subpart A--General
 
Sec. 3017.115  Policy.

    (a) In order to protect the public interest, it is the policy of the 
Federal Government to conduct business only with responsible persons. 
Debarment and suspension are discretionary actions that, taken in 
accordance with Executive Order 12549 and these regulations, are 
appropriate means to implement this policy.

[[Page 140]]

    (b) Debarment and suspension are serious actions which shall be used 
only in the public interest and for the Federal Government's protection 
and not for purposes of punishment. Agencies may impose debarment or 
suspension for the causes and in accordance with the procedures set 
forth in these regulations.
    (c) When more than one agency has an interest in the proposed 
debarment or suspension of a person, consideration shall be given to 
designating one agency as the lead agency for making the decision. 
Agencies are encouraged to establish methods and procedures for 
coordinating their debarment or suspension actions.
    (d) In any case in which an administrative exclusion is considered 
under an authority other than this part, USDA will initiate, where 
appropriate, a debarment or suspension action under this part for the 
protection of the entire Federal Government.

[54 FR 4731, Jan. 30, 1989, as amended at 61 FR 251, Jan. 4, 1996]