Office of Personnel Management

On February 21, 2013, the Office of Personnel Management ("OPM") issued a notice in the Federal Register of its intent to adopt the policies and procedures set forth in the Federal Acquisition Regulation ("FAR") at Subpart 9.4 concerning debarment, suspension, and ineligibility of government contractors. Because OPM’s procurement rules are not contained in the Code of Federal Regulations, OPM proposes a new internal policy, to be titled "Contracting Policy 9.4: OPM Suspension and Debarment Program."  OPM states that it has long-maintained procedures consistent with FAR Subpart 9.4, but it is adopting this proposed policy to make clear that FAR Subpart 9.4 applies to its contracting decisions. 

Consistent with FAR Subpart 9.4, the proposed policy will provide as follows: 

  • OPM will not solicit offers from, award contracts to, or consent to subcontracts with contractors who are listed on the Excluded Parties List Systems on the System for Award Management ("SAM/EPLS"), except as otherwise provided for in FAR Subpart 9.4. 
  • If OPM debars, proposed for debarment, or suspends a contractor, OPM will list that contractor in the SAM/EPLS.  Such action will have government-wide reciprocity.
  • OPM may continue an existing contract with a contractor despite the fact that the contractor has subsequently been debarred, proposed for debarment, or suspended if it is determined in the best interest of the Government to do so.

Continue Reading OPM Issues Notice of Written Suspension and Debarment Policy