PART 417—NONPROCUREMENT DEBARMENT AND SUSPENSION Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 7 U.S.C. 2209j; Sec. 2455, Pub. L. 103-355, 108 Stat. 3327 (31 U.S.C. 6101 note); Pub. L. 101-576, 104 Stat. 2838; E.O. 12549 (51 FR 6370, 3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189); E.O. 12689 (54 FR 34131, 3 CFR, 1989 Comp., p. 235); 2 CFR part 180; 7 CFR 2.28. Source: 89 FR 68326, Aug. 26, 2024, unless otherwise noted. § 417.10 What does this part do? This part adopts the OMB guidance in subparts A through I of 2 CFR part 180, as supplemented by this part, as the USDA policies and procedures for nonprocurement debarment and suspension. It thereby gives regulatory effect for the USDA to the OMB guidance, as supplemented by this part. For any section of OMB guidance in subparts A through I of 2 CFR part 180 that has no corresponding section in this part, USDA policies and procedures are those in the OMB guidance. This part satisfies the requirements in section 3 of Executive Order 12549, “Debarment and Suspension” (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189), Executive Order 12689, “Debarment and Suspension” (3 CFR, 1989 Comp., p. 235) and 31 U.S.C. 6101 note (Section 2455, Pub. L. 103-355, 108 Stat. 3327). § 417.20 Does this part apply to me? Through this part, pertinent portions of the OMB guidance in subparts A through I of 2 CFR part 180 (see table at 2 CFR 180.100(b)) apply to you if you are a: (a) Participant or principal in a “covered transaction” (see subpart B of 2 CFR part 180 and the definition of “nonprocurement transaction” at 2 CFR 180.970, as supplemented by §§ 417.215 and 417.220); (b) Respondent in a USDA debarment and suspension action; (c) USDA debarment or suspension official; or (d) USDA grants officer, agreements officer, or other official authorized to enter into any type of nonprocurement transaction that is a covered transaction. § 417.30 What policies and procedures must I follow? The USDA policies and procedures that you must follow are the policies and procedures specified in this regulation and each applicable section of the OMB guidance in subparts A through I of 2 CFR part 180, as that section is supplemented by the section in this part with the same section number. The contracts that are covered transactions, for example, are specified by 2 CFR 180.220 as supplemented by § 417.220. For any section of OMB guidance in subparts A through I of 2 CFR part 180 that has no corresponding section in this part, USDA policies and procedures are those in the OMB guidance. Subpart A—General § 417.137 Who in the USDA may grant an exception to let an excluded person participate in a covered transaction? Within the USDA, a debarring official may grant an exception to let an excluded person participate in a covered transaction as provided under 2 CFR 180.135. Subpart B—Covered Transactions § 417.210 Which nonprocurement transactions are covered transactions? All nonprocurement transactions, as defined in 2 CFR 180.970, are covered transactions unless listed in § 417.215. § 417.215 Which nonprocurement transactions, in addition to those listed in 2 CFR 180.215, are not covered transactions? (a) Transactions not covered. (1) An entitlement or mandatory award required by a statute, including a lower tier entitlement or mandatory award that is required by a statute. (2) The export or substitution of Federal timber governed by the Forest Resources Conservation and Shortage Relief Act of 1990, 16 U.S.C. 620 et seq. (3) The receipt of licenses, permits, certificates, and indemnification under regulatory programs conducted in the interest of public health and safety, and animal and plant health and safety. (4) The receipt of official grading and inspection services, animal damage control services, public health and safety inspection services, and animal and plant health and safety inspection services. (5) If the person is a State or local government, the provision of official grading and inspection services, animal damage control services, animal and plant health and safety inspection services. (6) The receipt of licenses, permits, or certificates under regulatory programs conducted in the interest of ensuring fair trade practices. (7) Permits, licenses, exchanges and other acquisitions of real property, rights of way, and easements under natural resource management programs. (8) Any transaction to be implemented outside the United States that is below the primary tier covered transaction in a USDA foreign assistance program. (9) Any transaction to be implemented outside the United States that is below the primary tier covered transaction in a USDA export credit guarantee program or direct credit program. (b) Limited requirement to check SAM.gov. SAM.gov SAM.gov (c) Exception. § 417.220 Are any procurement contracts included as covered transactions? In addition to the procurement contracts listed in 2 CFR 180.220, the following procurement contracts are covered transactions: (a) Specifically, a contract for goods or services is a covered transaction if any of the following applies: (1) The contract is awarded by a participant in a nonprocurement transaction covered under § 417.210, and the contract amount is expected to equal or exceed $25,000. (2) [Reserved] (b) Any procurement contract to be implemented outside the United States that is below the primary tier covered transaction in a USDA foreign assistance program is not a covered transaction, notwithstanding the provisions in 2 CFR 180.220(a) and 2 CFR 180.220(b) and paragraph (a) of this section. (c) Any procurement contract to be implemented outside the United States that is below the primary tier covered transaction in a USDA export credit guarantee program or direct credit program is not a covered transaction, notwithstanding the provisions in 2 CFR 180.220(a) and 2 CFR 180.220(b) and paragraph (a) of this section. (d) Notwithstanding the fact that procurement contracts to be implemented outside the United States that are below the primary tier covered transaction in a USDA foreign assistance program, export credit guarantee program or direct credit program are not covered transactions, pursuant to paragraph (b) and (c) of this section, primary tier participants under these programs must check SAM.gov SAM.gov § 417.221 How would the exclusions from coverage for the USDA's foreign assistance programs apply? The primary tier covered transaction would be the food aid grant agreement entered into between USDA and a program participant, such as a U.S. private voluntary organization. USDA would have to check SAM.gov SAM.gov § 417.222 How would the exclusions from coverage for the USDA's export credit guarantee and direct credit programs apply? (a) Export credit guarantee program. SAM.gov i.e., SAM.gov (b) Direct credit program. SAM.gov SAM.gov Subpart C—Responsibilities of Participants Regarding Transactions § 417.332 What methods must I use to pass down requirements to participants in lower-tier covered transactions with whom I intend to do business? You as a participant must include a term or condition in lower tier covered transactions requiring lower tier participants to comply with subpart C of the OMB guidance in 2 CFR part 180, as supplemented by subpart C of this part. Subpart D—Responsibilities of Department of Agriculture Officials Regarding Transactions § 417.437 What method do I use to communicate to a participant the requirements described in the OMB guidance at 2 CFR 180.435? To communicate to a participant the requirements described in 2 CFR 180.435, you must include a term or condition in the transaction that requires the participant's compliance with subpart C of 2 CFR part 180, as supplemented by subpart C of this part, and requires the participant to include a similar term or condition in lower tier covered transactions. Subpart E—[Reserved] Subpart F—[Reserved] Subpart G—Suspension § 417.755 When will I know whether the USDA suspension is continued or terminated? The record will remain open for the full 30 days, as called for in 2 CFR 180.725, even when you make a submission before the 30 days expire. Subpart H—Debarment § 417.865 How long may my debarment last? The Secretary must permanently debar from participation in USDA programs any individual, organization, corporation, or other entity convicted of a felony for knowingly defrauding the United States in connection with any program administered by USDA. (a) Reduction. (b) Exemption. (1) Special Nutrition Assistance Program, 7 U.S.C. 2011, et seq.; (2) Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, 7 U.S.C. 2013(b); (3) National School Lunch Program, 42 U.S.C. 1751, et seq.; (4) Summer Food Service Program for Children, 42 U.S.C. 1761; Child and Adult Care Food Program, 42 U.S.C. 1766; (5) Special Milk Program for Children, 42 U.S.C. 1772; School Breakfast Program, 42 U.S.C. 1773; (6) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, 42 U.S.C. 1786; (7) Commodity Supplemental Food Program, 42 U.S.C. 612c note; (8) WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program, 42 U.S.C. 1786; (9) Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, 7 U.S.C. 3007; and (10) Emergency Food Assistance Program, 7 U.S.C. 7501, et seq. § 417.870 When do I know if the USDA debarring official debars me? The record will remain open for the full 30 days, as called for in 2 CFR 180.820, even when you make a submission before the 30 days expire. Subpart I—Definitions § 417.930 Debarring official (USDA supplement to government-wide definition at 2 CFR 180.930). The head of an organizational unit within USDA ( e.g., § 417.935 Disqualified (USDA supplement to government-wide definition at 2 CFR 180.935). Disqualified (a) The Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. 3142); (b) The equal employment opportunity acts and Executive orders; or (c) The Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7606), Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1368), and E.O. 11738 (38 FR 25161, 3 CFR, 1973 Comp., p. 799); (d) 515(h) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1515(h)); (e) Section 12 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2021). § 417.1010 Suspending official (USDA supplement to government-wide definition at 2 CFR 180.1010). The head of an organizational unit within USDA ( e.g., Subpart J—[Reserved]