Construction Program Guide
Suspension/Debarment
A suspension or debarment is a discretionary action taken by the Government to protect Federal procurement and programs from unethical contractors or contractors that have an unsatisfactory business records. The suspension/debarment process is meant to be a separate process from the civil or criminal justice system which has the objective of punishing the guilty parties.
Authority/Legal Basis
Laws
- 23 U.S.C. 315 Rules, regulations, and recommendations (2012) provides very broad authority for the Secretary of Transportation to prescribe regulations to carry out the Federal-aid highway program. However, there are no specific statutes for suspension/debarment.
Regulations
- 2 CFR 180 OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (non-procurement) (11/15/2006) as adopted and supplemented by the Department of Transportation at 2 C.F.R. Part 1200 (.pdf), effective June 2, 2008. (Replaces 49 C.F.R. Part 29 )
Policy
- FHWA Suspension and Debarment Process (Order 2000.2B) (11/07/2014)
- US DOT Order 4200.5E Suspension and Debarment Procedures and Ineligibility (03/15/2010)
- Executive Order 12549 Debarment and Suspension (02/18/1986)
Guidance
- The FHWA Contract Administration Core Curriculum Manual summarizes the FHWA's policies and provides general guidance on suspension and debarment.
General Information
- Relocation and Amendment of Nonprocurement Suspension/Debarment Regulations (06/12/2008) (Archived)
- General Services Administration System for Award Management provides a complete, current list of all individuals and firms who are excluded or disqualified from covered transactions by the Federal Government.
- U.S. Government Interagency Suspension and Debarment Committee (ISDC)
- Sample Guidance Developed by the USDOT/ AGC / ARTBA / AASHTO Suspension & Debarment Work Group
- The Latest Developments in False Claims Acts, a presentation prepared by Mr. Jim Thiel, Counsel, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, March 2009