32 CFR Part 516 — Litigation

PART 516—LITIGATION Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552; 10 U.S.C. 218, 1037, 1089, 1552, 1553, 2036; 18 U.S.C. 219, 3401; 28 U.S.C. 50, 513, 515, 543; 31 U.S.C. 3729 and 41 U.S.C. 51; 42 U.S.C. 290, 2651; 43 U.S.C. 666 Source: 59 FR 38236, July 27, 1994, unless otherwise noted. Subpart A—General § 516.1 Purpose. (a) This part prescribes policies and procedures for the following: (1) Defensive and affirmative litigation in Federal and state civilian courts where the Army or DOD has an interest in the matter. (2) Proceedings before Federal or state administrative bodies, such as utility rate commissions. (3) Release of official information and testimony by DA personnel with regard to litigation. (4) Remedies for procurement fraud and corruption. (5) Environmental civil litigation and administrative proceedings. (6) Proceedings before the Office of Special Counsel. (b) This regulation does not apply to DA or DOD proceedings such as courts-martial or administrative boards. § 516.2 References. Applicable publications and forms are listed in appendix A to this part. § 516.3 Explanation of abbreviations and terms. (a) The Glossary contains explanations of abbreviations and terms. (b) The masculine sex has been used throughout this regulation for simplicity and consistency. Any reference to the masculine sex is intended to include women. [59 FR 38236, July 27, 1994, as amended at 90 FR 38399, Aug. 8, 2025] § 516.4 Responsibilities. (a) United States Department of Justice (DOJ). (b) The Judge Advocate General (TJAG). (c) Assistant Judge Advocate General For Civil Law and Litigation (AJAG-CL). (d) Chief, Litigation Division. (1) Supervising litigation in which the Army has an interest. (2) Acting for TJAG and Secretary of the Army on litigation issues, including the authority to settle or compromise cases, subject to the supervision of TJAG and AJAG-CL. (3) Delegating cases if appropriate. (4) Serving as primary contact with DOJ on litigation. (5) Accepting service of process for DA and for the Secretary of the Army in his official capacity. See 32 CFR § 257.5). (e) Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys (SAUSAs) and DOJ Special Attorneys. (1) Felony and misdemeanor prosecutions in Federal court. (2) SAUSAs for civil litigation. (3) Special Attorneys assigned to DOJ. (f) Attorneys at Army activities or commands. (g) Commander, U.S. Army Claims Service (USARCS). (h) Chief, Contract Law Division, OTJAG. (i) Legal Representatives of the Chief of Engineers. (j) Chief Trial Attorney, Contract Appeals Division, USALSA. (k) Chief, Regulatory Law Office, USALSA. (l) Chief, Intellectual Property Law Division, USALSA. (m) Chief, Labor and Employment Law Office, OTJAG. (n) Chief, Procurement Fraud Division, USALSA. (o) Chief, Environmental Law Division, USALSA. (p) Chief, Criminal Law Division, OTJAG. [59 FR 38236, July 27, 1994; 59 FR 45974, Sept. 6, 1994] § 516.5 Restriction on contact with DOJ. (a) General rule. (b) Exceptions. [59 FR 38236, July 27, 1994; 59 FR 45974, Sept. 6, 1994] § 516.6 Appearance as counsel. (a) General. (1) The appearance is authorized by this regulation. (2) The individual is a party to the proceeding. (3) The appearance is authorized under an expanded legal assistance program (See AR 27-3). (4) The individual is a judge advocate assigned or detailed by TJAG to DOJ to represent the United States in civil or criminal cases, for example, a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, or an attorney assigned to Litigation Division. (b) Procedure. § 516.7 Mailing addresses. Mailing addresses for organizations referenced in this regulation are in appendix B to this part. Subpart B—Service of Process § 516.8 General. (a) Defined. (b) Policy. (c) Procedures. § 516.9 Service of criminal process within the United States. (a) Surrender of personnel. (b) Requests for witnesses or evidence in criminal proceedings. [59 FR 38236, July 27, 1994; 59 FR 45975, Sept. 6, 1994] § 516.10 Service of civil process within the United States. (a) Policy. (b) Request for witnesses or evidence in civil proceedings. (c) Process of Federal courts. (d) Process of state courts. (2) On Federal property where the right to serve process is reserved by or granted to the state, in areas of concurrent jurisdiction, or where the United States has only a proprietary interest, Army officials asked to facilitate service of process will initially proceed as provided in the preceding subparagraph. If the individual declines to accept service, the requesting party will be allowed to serve the process in accordance with applicable state law, subject to reasonable restrictions imposed by the commander. (e) Process of foreign courts. (f) Seizure of personal property. [59 FR 38236, July 27, 1994; 59 FR 45975, Sept. 6, 1994] § 516.11 Service of criminal process outside the United States. Army Regulation 630-10 and international treaties, such as status of forces agreements, govern the service of criminal process of foreign courts and the surrender of soldiers to foreign civilian law enforcement officials. § 516.12 Service of civil process outside the United States. (a) Process of foreign courts. (b) Process of Federal courts. (c) Process of state courts. (d) Suits against the United States. § 516.13 Assistance in serving process overseas. (a) Europe. (b) Korea. (c) Panama, Central and South America. § 516.14 Service of process on DA or Secretary of Army. The Chief, Litigation Division, shall accept service of process for Department of the Army or for the Secretary of the Army in his official capacity. Subpart C—Reporting Legal Proceedings to HQDA § 516.15 General. (a) Legal proceedings requiring reporting. (1) Suits for damages, injunctive relief, or other action filed against the government or against DA personnel in their official capacity. (2) Suits alleging individual liability arising from performance of official duties by DA personnel. (3) Actions affecting DA operations or activities or which might require official action by DA personnel. (4) Actions arising out of DA contracts, subcontracts, or purchase orders wherein the government might be required to reimburse a contractor for litigation expenses. (5) Bankruptcy proceedings in which the United States or its instrumentalities may have an interest, including bankruptcies involving government contractors. (b) Command and agency responsibility. (c) Reports to HQDA. (1) Actual or potential litigation (or administrative infringement claims) involving patents, copyrights, or trademarks will be made to Intellectual Property Law Division. (2) Reports of pending or prospective litigation involving taxation will be made to Contract Law Division. (3) Communications, transportation, and utility services reports will be made to Regulatory Law Office. (4) Reports involving environmental and natural resource litigation and administrative proceedings will be made to Environmental Law Division. (5) Potential civil recovery reports in cases of procurement fraud and corruption will be made to Procurement Fraud Division. (6) Reports involving the felony prosecution program and magistrate court prosecutions will be made to Criminal Law Division, OTJAG. (7) Cases before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals and the General Services Board of Contract Appeals will be made to Contract Appeals Division. (d) Classified information. (e) Other reporting requirements. (f) Reports control exemption. § 516.16 Individual and supervisory procedures upon commencement of legal proceedings. (a) Individual procedures. (b) Supervisory procedures. § 516.17 SJA or legal adviser procedures. (a) Immediate notice to HQDA. (1) Title or style of the proceeding. (2) Full names and addresses of the parties. (3) Tribunal in which the action is filed, date filed, docket number, when and on whom service of process was made, and date by which pleading or response is required. (4) Nature of the action, amount claimed or relief sought. (5) Reasons for immediate action. (b) Transmission of process, pleadings, and related papers. (c) Notice to U.S. Attorney. § 516.18 Litigation alleging individual liability. See subpart D for procedures to follow when DA personnel, as a result of performance of official duties, are either sued in their individual capacities or face criminal charges. § 516.19 Injunctive relief. (a) General. (b) Notification to HQDA and U.S. Attorney. (c) Actions by SJA or legal adviser. (1) Plaintiff's likelihood of success on the merits. (2) Whether plaintiff will be irreparably harmed if injunctive relief is not granted. (3) Harm to defendant and other parties if injunctive relief is granted. (4) The public interest. § 516.20 Habeas Corpus. (a) General. (b) Notification to Litigation Division and U.S. Attorney. (c) Procedures in habeas corpus. (d) Writs or orders issued by state courts. (e) Foreign court orders. § 516.21 Litigation against government contractors. (a) General. (b) Actions by SJA or legal adviser. (c) Actions by Litigation Division. (d) Private Counsel. (e) Settlement. § 516.22 Miscellaneous reporting requirements. SJAs or legal advisers will comply with the directives cited below concerning actual or prospective litigation involving the following types of cases: (a) Taxation. (2) Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) activities. (AR 60-20). (3) Purchase or sale of alcoholic beverages. (AR 215-2). (4) Nonappropriated fund and related activities. (AR 215-1). (b) Tort and contract claims, insurance and litigation involving nonappropriated fund activities. (c) Annexation of Army lands. (d) Communications, transportation, and utility services administrative proceedings. (1) The names and addresses of any parties intervening and the substance of their positions. (2) Names of government users affected by any change. (3) Copy of any proposed rates, rules, or regulations. (4) A recommendation whether the Army should intervene in the action or proceeding. If intervention is recommended, provide a memorandum to support the recommendation. (e) Legal proceedings overseas. (f) Maritime claims. (g) Army and Air Force Exchange Service litigation. (h) Bankruptcy. § 516.23 Litigation reports. The SJA or legal adviser will prepare a litigation report when directed by HQDA. The report will contain the following sections: Statement of Facts; Setoff or Counterclaim; Responses to Pleadings; Memorandum of Law; Witness List; and, Exhibits. (a) Statement of Facts. (b) Setoff or Counterclaim. (c) Responses to Pleadings. (d) Memorandum of Law. (e) Potential witness information. (f) Exhibits. (2) Copies of relevant reports of claims officers, investigating officers, boards or similar data should be attached, although such reports will not obviate the requirement for preparation of a complete litigation report. (3) Prepare an index of tabs and exhibits. (4) Where a relevant document has been released pursuant to a FOIA request, provide a copy of the response, or otherwise identify the requestor and the records released. (g) Distribution and number of copies. § 516.24 Preservation of evidence. Because documents needed for litigation or administrative proceedings are subject to routine destruction, the SJA or legal adviser will ensure that all relevant documents are preserved. § 516.25 DA Form 4. (a) General. (b) Preparation at the installation level. (c) Actions at HQDA. § 516.26 Unsworn declarations under penalty of perjury. (a) General. (b) When executed within the United States. I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. (28 U.S.C. 1746). Executed on (Date) (Signature) (c) When executed outside the United States. I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the foregoing is true and correct. (28 U.S.C. 1746). Executed on (Date) (Signature) Subpart D—Individual Liability § 516.27 Scope. This subpart guidance when DA personnel, as a result of the performance of their official duties, are either sued in their personal capacity, or are charged in a criminal proceeding. Examples of civil actions alleging individual liability include the following: a medical malpractice lawsuit against health care providers; suits resulting from motor vehicle accidents; constitutional torts; or, common law torts such as assault, libel, or intentional infliction of emotional distress. Likewise, state or Federal criminal charges can arise from the performance of official duties, including environmental crimes or motor vehicle accidents. § 516.28 Policy. (a) General. (b) DOJ policy on representation. § 516.29 Federal statutes and regulations. (a) Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). (b) Federal Employees Liability Reform and Tort Compensation Act of l988 (FELRTCA or the Westfall Act, Pub. L. No. 100-694, 102 Stat. 4563 (1988) (codified at and amending 28 U.S.C. 2671, 2674, 2679). Westfall Erwin, (c) 10 U.S.C. 1089 (Defense of certain suits arising out of medical malpractice). (d) 28 CFR 50.15 (Representation of Federal officials and employees by Department of Justice attorneys [. . .] in civil, criminal, and congressional proceedings in which Federal employees are sued, subpoenaed, or charged in their individual capacities). (e) 28 CFR 50.16 (Representation of Federal employees by private counsel at Federal expense). § 516.30 Procedures for obtaining certification and DOJ representation. (a) SJA or legal adviser procedures. (1) Immediately notify Litigation Division and the appropriate U.S. Attorney and FAX or express deliver copies of process and pleadings to each office. Where time for response is limited, request that the U.S. Attorney either petition the court for an extension of time, or provide temporary counsel and representation pending formal approval. (2) Investigate whether the employee was acting within the scope of his office or employment. Obtain, if possible, statements from the defendant, supervisors, and witnesses. (3) Advise the individual defendant of the rights and conditions set out in 28 CFR 50.15, which include the following: (i) His right to request representation by a DOJ attorney and, in appropriate cases, certification that he was acting within the scope of employment. (See 28 U.S.C. 2679; 28 CFR 50.15). (ii) The right to request private counsel at government expense, subject to the availability of funds. (See 28 CFR 50.16). (iii) That the United States is not obligated to pay or indemnify defendant for any judgment rendered against him in his individual capacity. (4) If the defendant desires certification or DOJ representation, have him sign a request. (See figure D-1, appendix G, of this part). Obtain a signed scope of employment statement from the defendant's supervisor. (Figure D-2, appendix G, of this part). (5) Prepare a report with, at a minimum, the following information: facts surrounding the incident for which defendant is being sued and those relating to scope of employment; the SJA's or legal adviser's conclusions concerning scope of employment; and, a recommendation whether certification by the Attorney General or representation by a DOJ attorney should be granted. (6) In cases involving National Guard personnel, address also the following: whether defendant was acting in a state (Title 32 U.S.C.) or Federal (Title 10 U.S.C.) capacity during relevant periods (include orders); if defendant was acting under state authority, is it nevertheless in the interest of the United States to represent the individual; any impact on policies or practices of DA, the National Guard Bureau, or DOD; whether the relief requested can be granted only by a Federal officer or agency; and, whether Federal law or regulation required actions by state officials. (7) Send the report, request for representation, and scope of employment statements to Chief, Litigation Division. (b) Chief, Litigation Division, procedures. § 516.31 Private counsel at government expense. (a) General. (b) Individual request procedures. (c) Supervisory and legal adviser procedures. (d) Chief, Litigation Division, procedures. (e) Special actions in foreign countries. § 516.32 Requests for indemnification. (a) Policy. (b) Individual request procedures. (c) Supervisory and SJA procedures. (d) Chief, Litigation Division, procedures. Subpart E—Legal Proceedings Initiated by the United States Medical Care and Property Claims § 516.33 General. (a) Authorities. (2) Federal Claims Collection Act (31 U.S.C. 3711). The act provides for the collection of claims for money or property arising from the activities of Federal agencies. (3) Third-party Collection Program (10 U.S.C. 1095). The statute provides for collection of reasonable costs of health-care services, provided in facilities of the uniformed services to covered beneficiaries, from private insurers or third-party payers. In accordance with DOD Instruction 6010.15, “Third Party Collection (TPC) Program,” 7 March 1991, the authority to settle or waive a DOD claim under the act is delegated to TJAG or to his designee. (4) Executive Order No. 12778, (56 FR 55195; 3 CFR, 1991 Comp. p. 359), Civil Justice Reform. This order establishes several requirements on Federal agencies involved in litigation or contemplating filing an action on behalf of the United States. (5) AR 27-20, Claims. Chapter l4 (Affirmative Claims) contains comprehensive guidance for Recovery Judge Advocates (RJAs) in the administrative determination, assertion, collection, settlement, and waiver of claims in favor of the U.S. for property damage and for medical care claims. (b) Duties and procedures. (c) Assertion of claims on behalf of the United States by private attorneys. (d) Statute of limitations. (e) Reporting of recoveries. § 516.34 Referral of medical care and property claims for litigation. (a) Criteria for referral. (1) The claim exceeds $5,000; (2) It involves collection from the injured party or his attorney; (3) The claim raises an important question of policy; or, (4) There is potential for a significant precedent. (b) Alternative methods. (c) Closing files. § 516.35 Preparation of claims for litigation. (a) General. (1) A litigation report (See § 516.23 of this part) that demonstrates a factual basis for the claim and a theory of recovery under applicable state law. (See Fed. R. Civ. P. 11) (2) Copies of all medical records and bills reflecting the reasonable value of the medical care furnished to the injured party, including DA Form 2631-R (Medical Care-Third Party Liability Notification), and DA Form 3154 (MSA Invoice and Receipt). These documents should be authenticated as necessary on a DA Form 4. (3) Copies of all documents necessary to establish the value of lost or damaged property. (b) Transmittal letter. Assertion of Other Claims § 516.36 Referral to Litigation Division. (a) General. (b) Government contractors. § 516.37 Proceedings to repossess government real property or quarters or to collect delinquent rent. (a) General. (b) Procedures. Subpart F—Environmental Litigation § 516.38 Scope. This subpart contains guidance, policies, and procedures applicable to all environmental and natural resources civil litigation and administrative proceedings involving missions and functions of DA, its major and subordinate commands, all installations presently or previously managed by DA, and all other sites or issues in which DA has a substantial interest. In this chapter, “litigation” includes civil administrative proceedings. § 516.39 Duties and procedures. (a) Water rights. (b) Navigable waters. et seq. (c) Waters of the United States. (d) Enforcement. (e) Environmental response Except as provided in (a)(2) of this section. (2) The Chief Counsel, COE, will conduct direct liaison with DOJ and represent DA in all civil litigation seeking declaratory or injunctive relief or involving claims of Army liability for the costs of response at civil works facilities, at former defense sites or at other sites where the Army is a potentially responsible party due to the response actions of the COE or its contractors. (f) Fish and wildlife, and plants. (g) Toxic torts. (2) Litigation Division will conduct liaison with DOJ and represent DA in civil litigation involving claims of tort liability for singular and discrete incidents of exposure to environmental contamination emanating from any Federal facility owned or controlled by DA. (3) The Chief Counsel, COE, will conduct direct liaison with DOJ and will represent DA in civil litigation involving claims of tort liability for exposure to environmental contamination (including singular and discrete incidents) emanating from any civil works activities under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Army. (4) The Chief Counsel, COE, and Chief, Environmental Law Division, will confer and jointly determine which office will conduct direct liaison with DOJ and represent DA in civil litigation involving all other claims of toxic tort liability. Subpart G—Release of Information and Appearance of Witnesses Scope § 516.40 General. (a) Introduction. (b) Definitions. § 516.41 Policy. (a) General Rule. (b) Exception. (c) Referral to deciding official. (d) Requesters' responsibilities. (e) Litigation in which the United States has an interest. (f) Motions to stay or quash subpoenas. (1) Furnish the court or tribunal a copy of this regulation (32 CFR part 516, subpart G) and applicable case law (See United States ex. rel. Touhy v. Ragen, 340 U.S. 462 (1951)); (2) Inform the court or tribunal that the requesting individual has not complied with this Chapter, as set out in 32 CFR 97 & 516, or that the subpoena or order is being reviewed; (3) Seek to stay the subpoena or order pending the requestor's compliance with this chapter or final determination by Litigation Division; and, (4) If the court or other tribunal declines to quash or stay the subpoena or order, inform Litigation Division immediately so a decision can be made whether to challenge the subpoena or order. If Litigation Division decides not to challenge the subpoena or order, the affected personnel will comply with the subpoena or order. If Litigation Division decides to challenge the subpoena or order, it will direct the affected personnel to respectfully decline to comply with the subpoena or order. (See United States ex. rel. Touhy v. Ragen, 340 U.S. 462 (1951)). (g) Classified or sensitive information. (h) Requests for Inspector General records or testimony. § 516.42 Reference to HQDA. (a) General. (1) Those involving a case assigned to another branch of Litigation Division will be submitted to that branch (appendix B to this part). (2) Those involving affirmative litigation (for example, medical care recovery or Army property damage or loss cases) under subpart E will be submitted to Tort Branch. (3) Those involving patents, copyrights, privately developed technical information, or trademarks will be submitted to Intellectual Property Law Division. (4) Those involving taxation will be submitted to Contract Law Division. (5) Those involving communication, transportation, or utility service proceedings will be submitted to the Regulatory Law Office. (6) Those involving environmental matters will be submitted to the Environmental Law Division. (7) Those involving contract appeals cases before the ASBCA will be submitted to the Contract Appeals Division. (8) Those involving procurement fraud, including Qui Tam cases, will be submitted to the Procurement Fraud Division. (b) Information to be submitted. (1) Parties (named or prospective) to the proceeding, their attorneys, and case number, where appropriate. (2) Party making the request (if a subpoena, indicate moving party) and his attorney. (3) Name of tribunal in which the proceeding is pending. (4) Nature of the proceeding. (5) Date of receipt of request or date and place of service of subpoena. (6) Name, grade, position, and organization of person receiving request or served with subpoena. (7) Date, time, and place designated in request or subpoena for production of information or appearance of witness. (8) Nature of information sought or document requested, and place where document is maintained. (9) A copy of each document requested. Contact the appropriate office at HQDA if this would be burdensome and unnecessary to a decision whether to release, redact, or withhold a particular document. (10) Name of requested witness, expected testimony, requested appearance time and date, and whether witness is reasonably available. (11) Analysis of the problem with recommendations. Release of Records in Connection With Litigation § 516.43 Release of Army and other agency records. (a) Preservation of originals. (b) Authentication of copies. (1) Records maintained in U.S. Army Engineer Districts and Divisions will be forwarded to HQDA(CECC-K), WASH DC 20314-1000. (2) All other records will be forwarded to the appropriate office at HQDA (See § 516.42). (c) Fees and charges. (d) Release of records of other agencies. § 516.44 Determination of release authorization. (a) Policy. (b) Releasability factors. (1) Has the requester complied with DA policy governing the release of official documents in § 516.41(d) of this part. (2) Is the request unduly burdensome or otherwise inappropriate under the applicable court rules? (3) Is the disclosure appropriate under the rules of procedure governing the matter in which the request arose? (4) Would the disclosure violate a statute, executive order, regulation, or directive? (5) Is the disclosure appropriate under the relevant substantive law concerning privilege? (6) Would the disclosure reveal information properly classified pursuant to the DOD Information Security Program under AR 380-5, unclassified technical data withheld from public release pursuant to 32 CFR § 250, or other matters exempt from unrestricted disclosure? (7) Would disclosure interfere with ongoing enforcement proceedings, compromise constitutional rights, reveal the identity of an intelligence source or confidential informant, disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or financial information, or, otherwise be inappropriate under the circumstances? (8) Would the disclosure violate any person's expectation of confidentiality or privacy? § 516.45 Records determined to be releasable. If the deciding official, after considering the factors set forth in § 536.44, determines that all or part of requested official records are releasable, copies of the records should be furnished to the requester. § 516.46 Records determined not to be releasable. (a) General. (b) Information protected by the Privacy Act. (2) Unclassified records otherwise privileged from release under 5 U.S.C. 552a may be released to the court under either of the following conditions: (i) The subpoena is accompanied by an order signed by a judge or magistrate, or such order is separately served, that orders the person to whom the records pertain to release the specific records, or that orders copies of the records be delivered to the clerk of court, and indicates that the court has determined the materiality of the records and the nonavailability of a claim of privilege. (ii) The clerk of the court is empowered by local statute or practice to receive the records under seal subject to request that they be withheld from the parties until the court determines whether the records are material to the issues and until any question of privilege is resolved. (iii) Subpoenas for alcohol abuse or drug abuse treatment records must be processed under 42 U.S.C. 290dd-3 and 290ee-3, and Public Health Service regulations published at 42 CFR 2.1-2.67. (iv) Upon request, SJAs and legal advisers may furnish to the attorney for the injured party or the tortfeasor's attorney or insurance company a copy of the narrative summary of medical care that relates to a claim under subpart E of this part. If additional medical records are requested, only those that directly pertain to the pending action will be furnished. If furnishing copies of medical records would prejudice the cause of action, the matter will be reported to Litigation Division. (c) Referral to Litigation Division. (1) Litigation Division may respond to subpoenas or orders for records privileged from release by informing the local U.S. Attorney about the subpoena and requesting that office file a motion to quash the subpoena or a motion for a protective order. The records privileged from release should be retained by the custodian pending the court's ruling upon the government's motion. (2) When a motion to quash or for a protective order is not filed, or the motion is unsuccessful, and the appropriate DA official has determined that no further efforts will be made to protect the records, copies of the records (authenticated if necessary) will be submitted to the court (or to the clerk of court) in response to the subpoena or order. (d) Classified and privileged materials. DA Personnel as Witnesses in Private Litigation § 516.47 Response to subpoenas, orders, or requests for witnesses. (a) Policy. (1) The testimony involves official information. (See appendix F—Glossary to this part). (2) The witness is to testify as an expert. (3) The absence of the witness from duty will seriously interfere with the accomplishment of a military mission. (b) Former DA personnel. (c) Present DA personnel. (d) Discretion to testify. § 516.48 Official information. (a) In instances involving § 516.47(a)(1), the matter will be referred to the SJA or legal adviser serving the organization of the individual whose testimony is requested, or to HQDA pursuant to § 516.47(a). The deciding official will determine whether to release the information sought under the principles established in § 516.44. If funding by the United States is requested, see § 516.55(d). (b) If the deciding official determines that the information may be released, the individual will be permitted to be interviewed, deposed, or to appear as a witness in court provided such interview or appearance is consistent with the requirements of §§ 516.49 and 516.50. (See, for example, figure G-2, appendix G, to this part). A JA or DA civilian attorney should be present during any interview or testimony to act as legal representative of the Army. If a question seeks information not previously authorized for release, the legal representative will advise the witness not to answer. If necessary to avoid release of the information, the legal representative will advise the witness to terminate the interview or deposition, or in the case of testimony in court, advise the judge that DOD directives and Army regulations preclude the witness from answering without HQDA approval. Every effort should be made, however, to substitute releasable information and to continue the interview or testimony. § 516.49 Expert witnesses. (a) General rule. (b) Exception to the general prohibition. (c) Exception for AMEDD personnel. (1) The litigation involves patients they have treated, investigations they have made, laboratory tests they have conducted, or other actions taken in the regular course of their duties. (2) They limit their testimony to factual matters such as the following: their observations of the patient or other operative facts; the treatment prescribed or corrective action taken; course of recovery or steps required for repair of damage suffered; and, contemplated future treatment. (3) Their testimony may not extend to expert or opinion testimony, to hypothetical questions, or to a prognosis. (d) Court-ordered expert or opinion testimony. United States ex. rel. Touhy Ragen, (e) Expert witness fees. § 516.50 Interference with mission. If the absence of a witness from duty will seriously interfere with the accomplishment of a military mission, the SJA or legal adviser will advise the requesting party and attempt to make alternative arrangements. If these efforts fail, the SJA or legal adviser will refer the matter to Litigation Division. Litigation in Which the United States Has an Interest § 516.51 Response to subpoenas, orders, or requests for witnesses. (a) Referral to a deciding official. (b) Reassignment of witnesses. § 516.52 Expert witnesses. Requests for present or former DA personnel as expert or opinion witnesses from DOJ or other attorneys representing the United States will be referred to Litigation Division unless the request involves a matter that has been delegated by Litigation Division to an SJA or legal adviser. In no event, may present or former DA personnel furnish expert or opinion testimony in a case in which the United States has an interest for a party whose interests are adverse to the interests of the United States. § 516.53 News media and other inquiries. News media inquiries regarding litigation or potential litigation will be referred to the appropriate public affairs office. DA personnel will not comment on any matter presently or potentially in litigation without proper clearance. Local public affairs officers will refer press inquiries to HQDA (SAPA), WASH DC 20310-1500, with appropriate recommendations for review and approval by the Office of the Chief of Public Affairs. All releases of information regarding actual or potential litigation will be coordinated with Litigation Division prior to release. Status, Travel, and Expenses of Witnesses § 516.54 Witnesses for the United States. (a) Status of witness. (b) Travel arrangements. (c) Travel and per diem expenses. (1) Where local travel is performed at the request of a U.S. Attorney and the testimony does not involve information acquired in the performance of duties, transportation arrangements and any per diem expenses are the responsibility of the U.S. Attorney. (2) An attorney asserting the government's medical care or property claim may be required to advance local travel expense money to the witness requested and to include these in recoverable costs where the government's claim is not large enough to justify expenditures of government travel funds. (3) Other local travel and per diem expense for cases involving Army activities or claims are proper expenses of the command issuing the orders. (4) Litigation Division will furnish travel expense and per diem funds for other than local travel and will receive reimbursement from DOJ or other government agencies as appropriate. § 516.55 Witnesses for a State or private litigant. (a) Status of witness. (b) Travel arrangements. (c) Travel expenses. (d) Funding by the United States. § 516.56 Witnesses before foreign tribunals. (a) Referral to the SJA. (1) Whether a consideration listed in § 516.47(a)(1) through (a)(3) applies. (2) Whether the information requested is releasable under the principles established in § 516.43 through § 516.46. (3) Whether the approval of the American Embassy should be obtained because the person is attached to the Embassy staff or a question of diplomatic immunity may be involved. (b) United States has an interest in the litigation. (c) United States has no interest in the litigation. (d) Witnesses located outside the requester's country. Subpart H—Remedies in Procurement Fraud and Corruption § 516.57 Purpose. This subpart delineates the policies, procedures, and responsibilities for reporting and resolving allegations of procurement fraud or irregularities (PFI) within DA. It implements DOD Directive 7050.5. (See appendix D to this part.) § 516.58 Policies. (a) Procurement fraud and irregularities will be promptly and thoroughly addressed whenever encountered. Reports will be initiated in a timely manner and will be supplemented as appropriate. (b) Investigations will be monitored to see that interim corrective action is taken and that final action is taken as expeditiously as possible. (c) This regulation establishes the Procurement Fraud Division (PFD), U.S. Army Legal Services Agency, as the single centralized organization within the Army to coordinate and monitor criminal, civil, contractual, and administrative remedies in significant cases of fraud or corruption relating to Army procurement. (d) The key elements of the Army's procurement fraud program follow: centralized policy making and program direction; fraud remedies coordination; decentralized responsibility for operational matters, such as reporting and remedial action; continuous case monitorship by PFD from the initial report until final disposition; and, command-wide fraud awareness training. (e) Remedies for PFI will be pursued in a timely manner and properly coordinated with other agencies. Every effort will be made to support criminal investigation and prosecution of fraudulent activity. (f) A specific remedies plan will be formulated for each significant case of fraud or corruption involving procurement. (g) Coordination on the status and disposition of cases will be maintained between PFD, OTJAG, PFI Coordinators at MACOMs, and Procurement Fraud Advisers at subordinate commands. Coordination of procurement and personnel actions will be accomplished with investigative agencies as required by those agencies. (h) Training which relates to fraud and corruption in the procurement process is a significant element of this program. § 516.59 Duties and procedures. (a) TJAG has overall responsibility for the coordination of remedies in procurement fraud and corruption within the Army. This responsibility has been delegated to PFD. Functions of PFD will include the following: (1) Serving as the single centralized organization in the Army to monitor the status of, and ensure the coordination of, criminal, civil, contractual, and administrative remedies for each significant case of fraud or corruption. (2) Receiving reports of procurement fraud and corruption from any source including, but not limited to the following: DOD criminal investigative organizations; audit agencies; contracting officers; inspectors general of the executive branch; correspondence from the public; and, commanders. This provision does not repeal any other reporting requirement but establishes PFD as a recipient of PFI information at the earliest possible time. (3) Establishing a monitoring system within OTJAG for all cases of fraud and corruption that relate to Army procurement. (4) Discussing regularly with the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (USACIDC) or the assigned DOD criminal investigative organization the current status of significant fraud or corruption cases and their coordination with prosecutive authorities. (5) Ensuring that all criminal, civil, contractual, and administrative remedies are considered in each significant fraud or corruption case and that timely and applicable remedies are undertaken by commanders, contracting officers, and suspension and debarment authorities. For example, consideration of suspension or debarment of a contractor or individual should normally be initiated within 30 days of indictment or conviction. (6) Coordinating, as appropriate, with other DOD components affected by a significant fraud or corruption case being monitored by the Army. (7) Developing, with the responsible DOD investigative organization, Procurement Fraud Coordinators and Advisers, and other involved agencies, a specific comprehensive remedies plan for each significant fraud or corruption case. (8) Coordinating remedies with DOJ. (9) In significant fraud or corruption cases, identifying and documenting any known adverse impact on a DOD mission, and including the information in any remedies plan. (10) Providing the appropriate DOD criminal investigative organization with information concerning final remedies as a result of an investigation by that organization. (11) Receiving notifications from criminal investigative agencies concerning substituted, defective, and counterfeit hardware in which a serious hazard to health, safety or operational readiness is indicated; ensuring that appropriate safety, procurement and program officials are informed in accordance with enclosure 3 of DOD Directive 7050.5. PFD will specifically ensure that contract reviews (DD 350 reports) and adverse impact statements (See § 516.64(c)(2) are prepared, and that such information is used to determine if further inquiry is warranted to prevent reoccurrence and to detect other possible fraud. Impact statements will not be released to prosecutive agencies until reviewed by PFD. When appropriate, PFD will coordinate with other DOD agencies to establish a lead agency for victim impact statements in multi-DOD agency cases. (b) The Commanding General, USACIDC, will take the following actions: (1) Notify PFD of any investigations involving fraud or corruption related to procurement activities. (2) Notify other DOD component criminal investigative organizations when investigations involving fraud or corruption affect that component. This includes evidence of fraud by a contractor, subcontractor, or employee of either, on current or past contracts with, or affecting, that component. (3) Notify the Defense Investigative Service of any investigations that develop evidence which affects DOD cleared industrial facilities or personnel. (4) Determine the effect on any ongoing investigations or prosecutions of any criminal, civil, contractual, or administrative actions being considered by a centralized organization and advise of any adverse impact. (5) Promptly provide commanders, contracting officers, Procurement Fraud Advisers, and suspension and debarment authorities, when needed to allow consideration of applicable remedies, any court records, documents, or other evidence of fraud or corruption from ongoing or completed criminal investigations. In cases of indictment or conviction of a contractor or individual, the information will be provided in time for initiation, if appropriate, of suspension or debarment action within 30 days of the indictment or conviction. (6) Provide prosecutive authorities and centralized organizations with timely information on the adverse impact on a DOD mission of fraud or corruption that relates to DOD procurement activities. This information will be obtained from individuals such as the head of the contracting agency, appropriate commanders, and staff agencies. Some examples of adverse impact on a DOD mission are endangerment of personnel or property, monetary loss, compromise of the procurement process, or reduction or loss of mission readiness. (7) Discuss regularly with Procurement Fraud Advisers the status of significant investigations of fraud or corruption and their coordination with prosecutive authorities and provide documents and reports resulting from the investigations. (c) Commanders of service schools conducting procurement or procurement-related training (such as The Judge Advocate General's School, the U.S. Military Police School, and the U.S. Army Logistics Management Center) will ensure the following: (1) All procurement and procurement-related training includes a period of instruction on fraud and corruption in the procurement process. The length of the period of instruction will be appropriate to the duration and nature of the training. (2) Training materials are developed to support that training. (3) Training materials developed will be sent to MACOM PFI Coordinators. (d) MACOM commanders and heads of contracting activities will ensure the following: (1) Substantial indications of fraud or corruption relating to Army contracts or Army administered contracts are reported promptly to the supporting USACIDC element and the Procurement Fraud Division. (2) Information provided includes reports by contracting officers under DFARS 209.406-3. § 516.60 Procurement fraud and irregularities programs at MACOMs. (a) Command counsel and SJAs at MACOMs will develop a program and appoint an attorney as PFI Coordinator for their command. Chief counsel and SJAs at commands with procurement advisory responsibility will appoint an attorney as a Procurement Fraud Adviser (PFA) to manage the PFI program at their installations as well. (b) Provision may be made for activities not having sufficient attorney assets to obtain assistance from nearby installations that have a PFA. (c) Reports and recommendations will be transmitted through command channels to the PFI coordinator for the affected MACOM. (d) Command counsel, chief counsel, and SJAs will exercise supervisory authority to ensure effective operation of the fraud program and coordination of remedies within their organizations. (e) The MACOM PFI Coordinator will have overall responsibility for the design and implementation of the MACOM's procurement fraud program. (f) PFAs and PFI Coordinators will coordinate with the appropriate local CID or Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) activity to assure the prompt notification and coordination of all Procurement Fraud cases. § 516.61 Reporting requirements. (a) Typical fraud indicators during the procurement cycle are listed in figure D-1, appendix G, to this part. The mere presence of one or more of these indicators does not, by itself, require reporting under paragraph b of this section. Reports should be submitted if there is a reasonable suspicion of procurement fraud or irregularity or the procuring agency refers the matter for investigation. (b) “Procurement Flash Reports” will be transmitted by FAX directly to PFD whenever a PFI Coordinator or PFA receives notice of a PFI involving the Army. To facilitate filing, a separate sheet should be used for each case reported. These reports will provide a succinct summary of the following available information: (1) Name and address of contractor. (2) Known subsidiaries of parent firms. (3) Contracts involved in potential fraud. (4) Nature of potential fraud. (5) Summary of pertinent facts. (6) Possible damages. (7) Investigative agencies involved. (8) Local PFAs (name and phone numbers). Any of the above categories that cannot be completed will be annotated as “unknown at present.” (c) When a report is required by DFARS or is requested by PFD, the provisions of DFARS 209.406-3 (48 CFR 209.406-3) will be followed. That paragraph provides the basic content and format for PFI reports. (d) All personnel will cooperate to ensure that investigations and prosecutions of procurement fraud are completed in a timely and thorough manner. Requests for assistance from federal prosecutors should be processed through the local PFA whenever possible. Requests for federal investigators will be processed through the supporting USACIDC and the PFA will be notified. When the conduct of criminal investigations and prosecutions conflict with the progress of procurements, reasonable deference will be given to criminal investigators and prosecutors whenever possible. Any serious conflict that cannot be resolved at a local level will be immediately reported to the PFI Coordinator or PFD for action. (e) PFI Coordinators and PFAs may request access to information obtained during criminal investigations that is not protected by Fed. R. Crim. P. 6(e) and use this information to assist them in taking appropriate administrative, contractual, and civil remedies. Requests for this information should be made directly to the appropriate federal investigative agency. The investigative organization may withhold requested information if release would compromise an investigation. Difficulties in obtaining information which cannot be resolved locally will be referred to PFD for appropriate action. (f) USACIDC will notify, in writing, local PFAs as well as PFD within 30 days, of initiation of a significant investigation of fraud or corruption related to Army procurement activities. Such notification will include the following: (1) Case title. (2) USACIDC Report of Investigation number. (3) Responsible investigative agency or agencies. (4) Office of primary responsibility. (5) Date opened. (6) Summary of facts. (7) Suspected offense. (g) The transmission of the information in f above may be delayed if the Commanding General, USACIDC, or the head of another DOD criminal investigation organization determines the transmission would compromise the success of any case or its prosecution. The prosecutive authorities dealing with the case will be consulted, when appropriate, in making such determinations. (h) USACIDC will obtain the following information at the earliest possible point in an investigation of fraud or corruption that relates to DOD procurement activities, whenever possible without reliance on grand jury subpoenas: (1) The individuals suspected to be responsible. (2) The suspected firm's organizational structure. (3) The firm's financial and contract history. (4) The firm's organizational documents and records. (5) Statements of witnesses. (6) Monetary loss to the government. (7) Other relevant information. This information will be provided to PFD or other cognizant DOD centralized organization. (i) PFD will provide written notification to the Defense Investigative Service of all suspension or debarment actions taken by the Army. § 516.62 PFD and HQ USACIDC coordination. PFD and HQ USACIDC will coordinate as follows: (a) Discuss the status of significant procurement fraud or corruption investigations being conducted by USACIDC and possible remedies. These discussions should take place on a regular basis. (b) Discuss the coordination of possible criminal, civil, contractual, or administrative remedies with prosecutive authorities. (c) PFD will maintain liaison with other DOD centralized organizations and will coordinate remedies with those centralized organizations affected by a significant investigation of fraud or corruption that relates to DOD procurement activities. (d) Ascertain the effect on any ongoing investigation of the initiation of civil, contractual, or administrative remedies as follows: (1) PFD will maintain liaison with USACIDC and other DOD criminal investigative organizations in order to determine the advisability of initiating any civil, contractual, or administrative actions. (2) USACIDC will advise PFD of any adverse effect on an investigation or prosecution by the initiation of civil, contractual, or administrative actions. § 516.63 Coordination with DOJ. (a) PFD will establish and maintain liaison with DOJ and the Defense Procurement Fraud Unit on significant fraud and corruption cases to accomplish the following: (1) Monitor criminal prosecutions. (2) Initiate litigation for civil recovery. (3) Coordinate administrative or contractual actions while criminal or civil proceedings are pending. (4) Coordinate settlement agreements or proposed settlements of criminal, civil, and administrative actions. (5) Respond to DOJ requests for information and assistance. (b) In cases where there is an ongoing criminal investigation, coordination with DOJ by any member of the Army normally will be accomplished by or through USACIDC or the cognizant DOD criminal investigative organization, or with the investigative organization's advance knowledge. This does not apply to the routine exchange of information between government attorneys in the course of civil litigation or the routine referral of cases to DOJ for civil recovery. (c) Initial contact by any attorney associated with the U.S. Army with a U.S. Attorney's office or DOJ, whether initiated by the Army attorney or not, will be reported to PFD. Activity after the initial contact will only be reported to PFD when the Army attorney feels there has been a significant event in the case. If the Army attorney is not a PFI Coordinator or a PFA, the matter should be referred to one of these two attorneys as soon as possible. Routine exchanges between Army attorneys and U.S. Attorney's offices or DOJ do not need to be brought to the attention of PFD. § 516.64 Comprehensive remedies plan. (a) A specific, comprehensive remedies plan will be developed in each significant investigation involving fraud or corruption that relates to Army procurement activities. When possible, these plans should be forwarded with the DFARS 209.406-3 reports. In no case, however, should the report be delayed an appreciable time pending completion of the plan. The format for a remedies plan is at figure H-2, appendix G, to this part. (b) The plan will be developed initially by the PFA with the participation of the appropriate criminal investigators and other relevant personnel such as the contracting officer. In significant cases the PFA should also coordinate a remedies plan early with PFD. Defective product/product substitution remedies plans must comply with the requirements of appendix D to this part. (c) A comprehensive remedies plan will include at a minimum the following information and considerations: (1) Summary of allegations and investigative results. (2) Statement of any adverse impact on a DOD mission. DOD investigative organizations, commanders, or procurement officials will also provide this information to prosecutive authorities to enhance prosecution of offenses or to prepare a victim impact statement pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 32(c)(2). (3) The impact upon combat readiness and safety. (4) Consideration of each criminal, civil, contractual, and administrative remedy available, and documentation of those remedies, either planned, in progress, or completed. (5) Restrictions on the pursuit of any remedies such as grand jury information or possible compromise of the investigation. (d) When remedies plans are received by PFD they will be coordinated with the headquarters of the appropriate DOD criminal investigative organization involved. (e) Testing necessary to support the investigation and remedies plan should comply with figure H-3, appendix G, to this part. § 516.65 Litigation reports in civil recovery cases. (a) All substantiated PFI cases will be evaluated by PFAs to determine whether it is appropriate to recommend civil recovery proceedings. (b) Recovery should be considered under both statutory and common law theories, including but not limited to the following: (1) False Claims Act, 31 USC 3729. (2) Anti-Kickback Act, 41 USC 51. (3) Sherman Act, 15 USC 1-7. (4) Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, 18 USC 1961-1968. (5) Common law fraud. (6) Unjust enrichment. (7) Constructive trust. (8) Cases where contracts have been procured in violation of the conflict of interest statute, 18 USC 218. See K&R Engineering Co. United States, (c) When civil recovery appears possible, PFD should be consulted to determine if a litigation report is necessary. If requested by PFD, the report should summarize the available evidence and applicable theories of recovery and be prepared under § 516.23 of this part. To avoid unnecessary duplication of effort, recovery reports may include and make liberal references to other reports previously prepared on a given case such as the DFARS 209.406-3 (48 CFR 209.406-3) report. (d) The MACOM PFI coordinator and PFA will monitor all civil fraud recovery efforts throughout the command and will provide training and technical assistance as required. Status reports of all civil fraud recovery efforts will be provided through channels as required by PFD. § 516.66 Administrative and contractual actions. (a) The following remedial options should be considered in response to confirmed fraudulent activity: (1) Contractual. (i) Termination of contract for default. (ii) Nonaward of contract based upon a finding of contractor nonresponsibility. (If this appears to be a valid option, a DFARS 209.406-3 (48 CFR 209.406-3) report must be prepared where contractor nonresponsibility is based on lack of integrity). (iii) Rescission of contract. (iv) Revocation of acceptance. (v) Use of contract warranties. (vi) Withholding of payments to contractor. In the case of withholding pursuant to DFARS 2032.173, the Chief, PFD, is the Army Remedy Coordinating Official. (vii) Offset of payments due to contractor from other contracts. (viii) Revocation of facility security clearances. (ix) Increased level of quality assurance. (x) Refusal to accept nonconforming goods. (xi) Denial of claims submitted by contractors. (xii) Removal of contract from automated solicitation or payment system. (2) Administrative. (i) Change in contracting forms and procedures. (ii) Removal or reassignment of government personnel. (iii) Review of contract administration and payment controls. (iv) Revocation of warrant of contracting officer. (v) Suspension of contractor. (vi) Debarment of contractor. (b) In cases which are pending review or action by DOJ, PFAs should coordinate with the DOJ attorney handling the case prior to initiating any contractual or administrative remedy. In the case of ongoing criminal investigations, this coordination will be accomplished through the appropriate DOD criminal investigation organization. § 516.67 Overseas cases of fraud or corruption. (a) Commanders of overseas major commands will establish procedures, similar to this regulation and consistent with the DFARS, and regulations and directives of their respective unified commands, for reporting and coordination of available remedies in overseas procurement fraud and corruption cases involving foreign firms and individuals. Overseas major commands will also maintain liaison with PFD and provide periodic reports of remedies coordination results. (b) Overseas suspension and debarment actions are governed by DFARS 209.403 (48 CFR 209.403). The names of all firms and individuals suspended or debarred will be expeditiously forwarded to PFD for inclusion on the List of Parties Excluded From Federal Procurement or NonProcurement Programs. (c) Overseas cases of fraud or corruption related to the procurement process that involve U.S. firms or U.S. citizens may be referred to PFD for coordination of remedies under this regulation. § 516.68 Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act (PFCRA). (a) PFCRA was enacted on 21 October 1986 (Public Law 99-509) and implemented by DOD on 30 August 1988 (DOD Directive 5505.5). (See appendix E to this part.) (b) PFCRA expands the capability of the government to deter and recover losses from false, fictitious or fraudulent claims and statements. It is also applicable to program fraud and provides an administrative remedy in addition to those otherwise available to the Army in procurement fraud or pay and entitlements fraud cases. (c) As part of the Army implementation, the Secretary of the Army's duties and responsibilities under PFCRA as Authority Head are delegated to the Army General Counsel. The Chief, Intellectual Property Law Division, is the Army's Reviewing Official within the meaning of PFCRA. Army implementation also requires DA to follow the policies and procedures prescribed in enclosure 2 of DOD Directive 5505.5. (See appendix E to this part.) (d) The DOD Inspector General (IG) is the Investigating Official within DOD. The duties of this position will be performed by the Assistant IG For Investigations. This individual is vested with the authority to investigate all allegations of liability under PFCRA. That authority includes the power to task subordinate investigative agencies to review and report on allegations that are subject to PFCRA. If the Investigative Official concludes that an action under PFCRA is warranted in an Army case, the official will submit a report containing the findings and conclusions of such investigation through PFD to the Army Reviewing Official. (e) Pursuant to DOD IG guidance, USACIDC will forward appropriate cases that appear to qualify for resolution under PFCRA to the Investigating Official in a timely manner. Additionally, USACIDC will forward current information regarding the status of remedies pending or concluded. USACIDC may obtain remedies information by coordinating with PFD and the cognizant command. (f) In pay and entitlement or transportation operation fraud cases, USACIDC will coordinate with the Office of the Secretary of the Army, Financial Management, Review and Oversight Directorate (SAFM-RO), to determine the status of any pending or proposed action under the Debt Collection Act. This information, in addition to information obtained under § 517.68(e), will be forwarded with appropriate cases to the Investigating Official. (g) In those cases where the Investigating Official has submitted a report to the Army Reviewing Official for action under PFCRA, PFD will, at the direction of the Reviewing Official, prepare all legal memoranda as necessary to transmit the Reviewing Official's intention to issue a complaint. As part of this responsibility PFD will do the following: coordinate with the affected command or agency to ensure that all appropriate remedies have been considered; evaluate the overall potential benefits to the Army; and, ensure that action under PFCRA is not duplicative of other remedies already taken. In order to fully supplement the Reviewing Official's file, PFD may request a litigation report. (h) PFD will coordinate all cases involving transportation operations emanating from Military Traffic Management Command (MTMC) activity, under the military transportation exception to the FAR, and all cases involving pay and entitlements fraud with SAFM-RO, for comments and recommendations. These matters will be forwarded with the case file to the Reviewing Official. (i) If the Attorney General approves the issuance of a complaint, PFD, at the direction of the Army Reviewing Official, shall prepare the complaint and all necessary memoranda as required. PFD shall also designate attorneys to represent the Authority in hearings under PFCRA. Subpart I—Cooperation With the Office of Special Counsel § 516.69 Introduction. This subpart prescribes procedures for cooperation with the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) when OSC is investigating alleged prohibited personnel practices or other allegations of improper or illegal conduct within DA activities. § 516.70 Policy. (a) DA policy follows: (1) Civilian personnel actions taken by management officials, civilian and military, will conform to laws and regulations implementing established merit system principles and will be free of any prohibited personnel practices. (2) Management officials will take vigorous corrective action when prohibited personnel practices occur. Disciplinary measures under AR 690-700, Chapter 751, may be initiated after consultation and coordination with appropriate civilian personnel office and labor counselor. (b) DA activities will cooperate with OSC in the following ways: (1) Promoting merit system principles in civilian employment programs within DA. (2) Investigating and reporting allegations of improper or illegal conduct forwarded to the activity by HQDA. (3) Facilitating orderly investigations by the OSC of alleged prohibited personnel practices and other matters assigned for investigation to the OSC, such as violations of the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989, the Freedom of Information Act, or the Hatch Act. § 516.71 Duties. (a) DA General Counsel. (1) Provide overall guidance on all issues concerning cooperation with OSC, including the investigation of alleged prohibited personnel practices and allegations of improper or illegal conduct. (2) Review for adequacy and legal sufficiency each OSC report of investigation that must be personally reviewed by the Secretary of the Army. (3) Ensure compliance with the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 by obtaining a suitable investigation of allegations of improper or illegal conduct received from OSC. This includes compliance with time limits for reporting results of the investigation and personal review of the report by the Secretary of the Army when required. (4) Forward to the DOD Inspector General (DODIG) copies of each allegation of improper or illegal conduct referred to DA by OSC. (5) Delegate to The Judge Advocate General the authority to act on behalf of the DA General Counsel in all OSC investigations of prohibited personnel practices. (6) Act upon requests for counsel from “accused” or “suspected” employees. (b) Chief, Labor and Employment Law Office. (1) Act for TJAG as the Senior Management Official in cooperating with OSC. As Senior Management Official, the Chief, DAJA-LE, through TJAG, will be responsible to the DA General Counsel for administration of the policies and procedures contained in this chapter. (2) Promptly inform the DA General Counsel of any OSC investigation and consult with the DA General Counsel on any legal or policy issue arising from an OSC investigation. (3) Serve as the HQDA point of contact in providing assistance to OSC. (4) Act as DA attorney-of-record in administrative matters initiated by OSC before the MSPB which arise from an OSC investigation. As DA attorney-of-record, the Chief, DAJA-LE, will file necessary pleadings and make necessary appearances before the MSPB to represent DA interests. (5) Monitor ongoing OSC investigations within DA. (6) Ensure that appropriate DA personnel are fully apprised of their rights, duties and the nature and basis for an OSC investigation. (7) Review and prepare recommendations to the General Counsel concerning any OSC recommended corrective action referred to DA. Such review and recommendations will address whether disciplinary action should be taken against DA civilian employees or military members, and whether the information warrants referral to appropriate authorities for corrective and disciplinary action. (8) Seek OSC approval of DA proposed disciplinary action against an employee for an alleged prohibited personnel practice or other misconduct which is the subject of or related to any OSC investigation. (9) Review and prepare recommendations for DA General Counsel concerning requests for counsel, to include identifying available DA attorneys to act as individual representatives. Upon approval of DA General Counsel, appoint DA civilian and military attorneys, to include attorneys from the U.S. Army Materiel Command and the Corps of Engineers, to represent individual military members or employees. (10) Determine, to the extent practicable, whether an investigation is being or has been conducted which duplicates, in whole or in part, a proposed or incomplete OSC investigation, and convey that information to the OSC whenever it might avoid redundant investigative efforts. (11) Provide guidance and assistance to activity Labor Counselors in fulfilling their duties as Liaison Officers. (c) Activity Labor Counselor. (1) Act as Liaison Officer for OSC investigations arising within the command, activity or installation serviced by the Labor Counselor's client Employment Office. (2) Promptly inform the MACOM labor counselor and the Chief, DAJA-LE, of any OSC inquiry or investigation. (3) Act as the legal representative of the command, activity, or installation. (4) Assist the OSC investigator with administrative matters related to the investigation, such as requests for witnesses and documents. (5) Process all OSC requests for documents. (6) Make appropriate arrangements for OSC requests to interview civilian employees and military members. (7) Ensure that personnel involved are advised of the nature and basis for an OSC investigation, the authority of the OSC, and their rights and duties. (8) Consult with the Chief, DAJA-LE, on policy and legal issues arising from the OSC investigation. (9) Keep the Chief, DAJA-LE, informed of the status of the OSC investigation. (l0) Act as agency representative before the MSPB in actions initiated by employees (individual right of action appeals). § 516.72 Procedures. (a) Witnesses and counsel for consultation. (2) The Labor Counselor will ensure that witnesses are aware of their obligation to answer OSC questions, their potential to be considered “suspects” in OSC investigations, and their right to the assistance of counsel during interviews with OSC representatives. If the requested witness is not an “accused” or “suspected” individual and the witness asks for assistance of counsel, a DA attorney will be made available for the limited purpose of consultation regarding the witness' rights and obligations. An attorney-client relationship will not be established. (See appendix F to this part). (3) The Labor Counselor will arrange for individual counsel for consultation from local assets. If local assets are not sufficient, assistance may be requested from other DOD activities in the area or from HQDA, DAJA-LE. DA attorneys tasked to consult with one or more witnesses individually will not be tasked to represent the DA activity concerned. (4) The Labor Counselor, as the legal representative of the activity, is precluded from assisting or representing individual witnesses during OSC interviews. (b) “Accused” or “suspected” DA personnel and counsel for representation. (2) If the “suspected” individual desires legal representation by DA, the individual must request counsel by submitting a written request through DAJA-LE to DA General Counsel. (See figure I-1, appendix G, to this part). (3) During the investigation but prior to DA General Counsel approval of the request for counsel, an “accused” or “suspected” individual will be provided the assistance of counsel for consultation in the same manner as any other OSC requested witness. “Accused” or “suspected” individuals who do not request counsel for representation will be provided counsel for consultation in the same manner as any other OSC requested witness. (4) If the DA General Counsel approves the request for counsel, the Chief, DAJA-LE, will appoint a DA attorney to represent the individual. This appointment may be made telephonically but will be confirmed in writing. The Chief, DAJA-LE, will make appropriate coordination with MACOM SJAs and command counsel to confirm availability of the attorney. (5) An attorney appointed by DA may represent a civilian employee in any proceeding initiated by OSC before the MSPB. However, counsel provided by DA may not represent the employee in any proceeding initiated by DA, in any appeal from a final decision by the MSPB, or in any collateral proceeding before any forum other than the MSPB. (6) OSC may not bring a disciplinary action before the MSPB against a military member. Accordingly, DA counsel will not be required to represent the military member in any MSPB disciplinary proceeding. However, counsel may represent the member during the OSC investigation with the understanding that the evidence obtained by OSC may be referred to the member's command for possible disciplinary action under the UCMJ or appropriate regulations. If DA initiates action against the military member for misconduct disclosed in the OSC investigation, the member will obtain counsel as provided under the UCMJ or relevant regulations. (c) Records. (2) Generally, requested records should be furnished to OSC representatives if such records would be released under AR 25-55 or AR 340-21 to other government agencies in the normal course of official business. Records constituting attorney work product should not be released without approval of the Chief, DAJA-LE. IG records will not be released without the approval of the Inspector General. (AR 20-1). The Labor Counselor should seek guidance from the Chief, DAJA-LE, if there is any doubt concerning the release of records. (3) If, after completion of the OSC investigation, the OSC files a complaint against DA or a DA employee, release of records and other information will be accomplished pursuant to MSPB rules of discovery (5 CFR part 1201, subpart B). (d) Funding. § 516.73 Assistance from HQDA. Labor Counselors may seek guidance on questions arising from implementation of this chapter by calling the Chief, DAJA-LE, DSN 225-9476/9481 or Commercial (703) 695-9476/9481. Subpart J—Soldiers Summoned To Serve on State and Local Juries § 516.74 General. (a) This subpart implements 10 U.S.C. § 982 and DOD Directive 5525.8. It establishes Army policy concerning soldiers on active duty who are summoned to serve on state and local juries. (b) This subpart does not apply to Army National Guard soldiers in an annual training or full-time AGR (Active Guard Reserve) status under Title 32, U.S. Code. Soldiers in a Title 32 status must refer to their respective state law for relief from state or local jury duty. § 516.75 Policy. (a) Active duty soldiers should fulfill their civic responsibility by serving on state and local juries, so long as it does not interfere with military duties. (b) The following active duty soldiers are exempt from complying with summons to serve on state and local juries: (1) General officers. (2) Commanders. (3) Active duty soldiers stationed outside the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands. (4) Active duty soldiers in a training status. (5) Active duty soldiers assigned to forces engaged in operations. (c) Other active duty soldiers may be exempted from serving on local juries if compliance with such summons would have either of the following effects: (1) It would unreasonably interfere with performance of the soldier's military duties; or, (2) It would adversely affect the readiness of a summoned soldier's unit, command, or activity. § 516.76 Exemption determination authority. (a) The commander exercising special court-martial convening authority (SPCMCA) over a unit has the authority to determine whether a soldier of that unit, who has been served with a summons, is exempt from serving on a state or local jury unless that authority has been limited or withheld in accordance with paragraph (b) or (c) of this section. This authority may not be delegated to a subordinate commander who does not exercise SPCMCA. (b) A commander superior to the SPCMCA, who also exercises SPCMCA or general court-martial convening authority (GCMCA) over a unit, may limit or withhold the exemption determination authority of subordinate commanders. (c) A GCMCA, who orders a unit or soldier assigned to one command to be attached or detailed to another command for disciplinary purposes (for example, “for administration” or “for administration of military justice”), may reserve exemption determination authority to the commander exercising SPCMCA in the chain of command to which the unit or soldier is assigned rather than the chain of command to which the unit or soldier is attached or detailed. § 516.77 Procedures for exemption. (a) Active duty soldiers served with a summons to serve on a state or local jury will promptly advise their commander and provide copies of pertinent documents. (b) Unit commanders will evaluate the summons considering both the individual soldier's duties and the unit mission. Coordination with the servicing judge advocate or legal adviser and with the appropriate state or local official may be necessary to determine any impact on the soldier's duties or on unit readiness. (1) If the soldier is not exempt under § 516.75 (b) or (c), the commander will process the soldier for permissive TDY in accordance with AR 630-5, Leaves and Passes. (2) If the soldier is exempt under § 516.75 (b) or (c), the commander will forward the summons and any related documentation, with recommendations, through the chain of command to the commander with exemption determination authority over the soldier concerned. (c) The commander with exemption determination authority over the soldier concerned will determine whether the soldier is exempt. His determination is final. (d) The exemption determination authority will notify responsible state or local officials whenever a soldier summoned for jury duty is exempt. The notification will cite 10 U.S.C. 982 as authority. § 516.78 Status, fees, and expenses. (a) Soldiers who are required to comply with summons to serve on state or local juries will be placed on permissive TDY under the provisions of AR 630-5. (b) Jury fees accruing to soldiers for complying with the summons to serve on state and local juries must be turned over to the appropriate finance office for deposit into the U.S. Treasury. Commands will establish procedures with local authorities and their servicing finance and accounting activity to ensure that such jury fees are so deposited. Soldiers, however, may keep any reimbursement from state or local authority for expenses incurred in the performance of jury duty, including transportation, meals, and parking. Appendix A to Part 516—References Publications referenced in this part can be obtained at the National Technical Information Services, U.S. Department of Commerce, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161. Required Publications AR 25-55, The Department of the Army Freedom of Information Act Program. (Cited in §§ 516.40, 516.72) AR 27-10, Military Justice. (Cited in § 516.4) AR 27-20, Claims. (Cited in §§ 516.4, 516.33, 516.22) AR 27-60, Patents, Inventions, and Copyrights. AR 37-60, Pricing for Material and Services. (Cited in § 516.43.) AR 37-103, Finance and Accounting for Installations: Disbursing Operations. (Cited in § 516.22.) AR 60-20, Operating Policies. (Cited in § 516.22.) AR 190-9, Absentee Deserter Apprehension Program and Surrender of Military Personnel to Civilian Law Enforcement Agencies. (Cited in § 516.9) AR 210-47, State and Local Taxation of Lessee's Interest in Wherry Act Housing (Title VIII of the National Housing Act). AR 215-1, Administration of Army Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Activities and Nonappropriated Fund Instrumentalities. (Cited in § 516.22.) AR 215-2, The Management and Operation of Army Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Activities and Nonappropriated Fund Instrumentalities. (Cited in § 516.22.) AR 310-1, Publications, Blank Forms, and Printing Management. AR 340-21, The Army Privacy Program. (Cited in §§ 516.40, 516.72.) AR 380-5, Department of the Army Information Security Program. AR 405-25, Annexation. (Cited in § 516.22.) AR 630-5, Leaves and Passes. (Cited in §§ 516.55, 516.77, 516.78.) AR 630-10, Absence Without Leave, Desertion, and Administration of Personnel Involved in Civilian Court Proceedings. (Cited in § 516.9) Related Publications A related publication is merely a source of additional information. The user does not have to read it to understand the regulation. AR 20-1, Inspector General Activities and Procedures. (Cited in §§ 516.41, 516.72.) AR 27-1, Judge Advocate Legal Service. AR 27-3, Legal Assistance. (Cited in § 516.6.) AR 27-10, Military Justice. (Cited in §§ 516.4, 516.5, 516.15.) AR 27-50, Status of Forces Policies, Procedures, and Information. (Cited in § 516.15.) AR 37-104-3, Military Pay and Allowances Procedures. AR 37-105, Finance and Accounting for Installations: Civilian Pay Procedures. AR 55-19, Marine Casualties. (Cited in § 516.22.) AR 190-29, Misdemeanors and Uniform Violation Notices Referred to U.S. Magistrates or District Courts. AR 190-40, Serious Incident Report. (Cited in § 516.15.) AR 210-50, Family Housing Management. (Cited in § 516.37.) AR 335-15, Management Information Control System. (Cited in § 516.15.) AR 600-40, Apprehension, Restraint, and Release to Civil Authorities. AR 600-50, Standards of Conduct for Department of the Army Personnel. AR 690-700, Personnel Relations and Services. (Cited in § 516.70.) Prescribed Form DA Form 4, Department of the Army Certification for Authentication of Records. (Prescribed in § 516.25, 516.35.) Referenced Forms DA Form 2631-R, Medical Care-Third Party Liability Notification. DA Form 3154, MSA Invoice and Receipt. Appendix B to Part 516—Mailing Addresses The following is a list of frequently referred to Department of the Army Services/Divisions/Offices and their mailing addresses: COMMANDER (JACS-Z), U.S. ARMY CLAIMS SERVICE, OTJAG, BUILDING 4411, ROOM 206, LLEWELLYN AVENUE, FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, MD 20755-5360 (1) PERSONNEL CLAIMS AND RECOVERY DIVISION (JACS-PC), U.S. ARMY CLAIMS SERVICE, OTJAG, BUILDING 4411, ROOM 206, LLEWELLYN AVENUE, FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, MD 20755-5360 (2) TORT CLAIMS DIVISION (JACS-TC), U.S. ARMY CLAIMS SERVICE, OTJAG, BUILDING 4411, ROOM 206, LLEWELLYN AVENUE, FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, MD 20755-5360 CONTRACT APPEALS DIVISION, HQDA(DAJA-CA), 901 NORTH STUART STREET, ARLINGTON, VA 22203-1837 CONTRACT LAW DIVISION, THE JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL, 2200 ARMY PENTAGON, WASHINGTON, DC 20310-2200 CRIMINAL LAW DIVISION, THE JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL, 2200 ARMY PENTAGON, WASHINGTON, DC 20310-2200 ENVIRONMENTAL LAW DIVISION, HQDA(DAJA-EL), 901 NORTH STUART STREET, ARLINGTON, VA 22203-1837 LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW DIVISION, THE JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL, 2200 ARMY PENTAGON, WASHINGTON, DC 20310-2200, LITIGATION DIVISION, HQDA(DAJA-LT), 901 NORTH STUART STREET, ARLINGTON, VA 22203-1837 (1) CIVILIAN PERSONNEL BRANCH, HQDA(DAJA-LTC), 901 NORTH STUART STREET, ARLINGTON, VA 22203-1837 (2) GENERAL LITIGATION BRANCH, HQDA(DAJA-LTG), 901 NORTH STUART STREET, ARLINGTON, VA 22203-1837 (3) MILITARY PERSONNEL BRANCH, HQDA(DAJA-LTM), 901 NORTH STUART STREET, ARLINGTON, VA 22203-1837 (4) TORT BRANCH, HQDA(DAJA-LTT), 901 NORTH STUART STREET, ARLINGTON, VA 22203-1837 PERSONNEL, PLANS, AND TRAINING OFFICE, THE JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL, 2200 ARMY PENTAGON, WASHINGTON, DC 20310-2200 PROCUREMENT FRAUD DIVISION, HQDA(DAJA-PF), 901 NORTH STUART STREET, ARLINGTON, VA 22203-1837 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DIVISION, HQDA(JALS-IP), 901 NORTH STUART STREET, ARLINGTON, VA 22203-1837 REGULATORY LAW OFFICE, HQDA(JALS-RL), 901 NORTH STUART STREET, ARLINGTON, VA 22203-1837 THE JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL, 2200 ARMY PENTAGON, WASHINGTON, DC 20310-2200 THE AJAG FOR CIVIL LAW & LITIGATION, THE JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL, 2200 ARMY PENTAGON, WASHINGTON, DC 20310-2200 U.S. ARMY TRIAL DEFENSE SERVICE, HQDA(JALS-TD), NASSIF BUILDING, FALLS CHURCH, VA 22041-5013 Appendix C to Part 516—Department of Defense Directive 5405.2, Release of Official Information in Litigation and Testimony by DoD Personnel as Witnesses Department of Defense Directive July 23, 1985, Number 5405.2, GC, DOD Subject: Release of Official Information in Litigation and Testimony by DoD Personnel as Witnesses References: (a) Title 5, United States Code, Sections 301, 552, and 552a (b) Title 10, United States Code, Section 133 (c) DoD Directive 5220.6, “Industrial Personnel Security Clearance Program,” December 20, 1976 (d) DoD Directive 5200.1-R, “Information Security Program Regulation,” August 1982, authorized by DoD Directive 5200.1, June 7, 1982 (e) DoD Directive 5230.25, “Withholding of Unclassified Technical Data from Public Disclosure,” November 6, 1984 (f) DoD Instruction 7230.7, “User Charges,” January 29, 1985 (g) DoD Directive 5400.7-R, “DoD Freedom of Information Act Program,” December 1980, authorized by DoD Directive 5400.7, March 24, 1980 A. Purpose Under Section 301 reference (a) and reference (b), this Directive establishes policy, assigns responsibilities, and prescribes procedures for the release of official DoD information in litigation and for testimony by DoD personnel as witnesses during litigation. B. Applicability and Scope 1. This Directive applies to the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), the Military Departments, the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (OJCS), the Unified and Specified Commands, and the Defense Agencies (hereafter referred to as “DoD Components”), and to all personnel of such DoD Components. 2. This Directive does not apply to the release of official information or testimony by DoD personnel in the following situations: a. Before courts-martial convened by the authority of the Military Departments or in administrative proceedings conducted by or on behalf of a DoD Component; b. Pursuant to administrative proceedings conducted by or on behalf of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), or pursuant to a negotiated grievance procedure under a collective bargaining agreement to which the Government is a party; c. In response to requests by Federal Government counsel in litigation conducted on behalf of the United States; d. As part of the assistance required in accordance with the Defense Industrial Personnel Security Clearance Program under DoD Directive 5220.6 (reference (c)); or e. Pursuant to disclosure of information to Federal, State, and local prosecuting and law enforcement authorities, in conjunction with an investigation conducted by a DoD criminal investigative organization. 3. This Directive does not supersede or modify existing laws or DoD programs governing the testimony of DoD personnel or the release of official DoD information during grand jury proceedings, the release of official information not involved in litigation, or the release of official information pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. Section 552 (reference (a)) or the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. Section 552a (reference (a)), nor does this Directive preclude treating any written request for agency records that is not in the nature of legal process as a request under the Freedom of Information or Privacy Acts. 4. This Directive is not intended to infringe upon or displace the responsibilities committed to the Department of Justice in conducting litigation on behalf of the United States in appropriate cases. 5. This Directive does not preclude official comment on matters in litigation in appropriate cases. 6. This Directive is intended only to provide guidance for the internal operation of the Department of Defense and is not intended to, does not, and may not be relied upon to create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law against the United States or the Department of Defense. C. Definitions 1. Demand. Subpoena, order, or other demand of a court of competent jurisdiction, or other specific authority for the production, disclosure, or release of official DoD information or for the appearance and testimony of DoD personnel as witnesses. 2. DoD Personnel. Present and former U.S. military personnel; Service Academy cadets and midshipmen; and present and former civilian employees of any Component of the Department of Defense, including nonappropriated fund activity employees; non-U.S. nationals who perform services overseas, under the provisions of status of forces agreements, for the United States Armed Forces; and other specific individuals hired through contractual agreements by or on behalf of the Department of Defense. 3. Litigation. All pretrial, trial, and post-trial stages of all existing or reasonably anticipated judicial or administrative actions, hearings, investigations, or similar proceedings before civilian courts, commissions, boards (including the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals), or other tribunals, foreign and domestic. This term includes responses to discovery requests, depositions, and other pretrial proceedings, as well as responses to formal or informal requests by attorneys or others in situations involving litigation. 4. Official Information. All information of any kind, however stored, that is in the custody and control of the Department of Defense, relates to information in the custody and control of the Department, or was acquired by DoD personnel as part of their official duties or because of their official status within the Department while such personnel were employed by or on behalf of the Department or on active duty with the United States Armed Forces. D. Policy It is DoD policy that official information should generally be made reasonably available for use in Federal and state courts and by other governmental bodies unless the information is classified, privileged, or otherwise protected from public disclosure. E. Responsibilities 1. The General Counsel, Department of Defense (GC, DoD), shall provide general policy and procedural guidance by the issuance of supplemental instructions or specific orders concerning the release of official DoD information in litigation and the testimony of DoD personnel as witnesses during litigation. 2. The Heads of DoD Components shall issue appropriate regulations to implement this Directive and to identify official information that is involved in litigation. F. Procedures 1. Authority To Act a. In response to a litigation request or demand for official DoD information or the testimony of DoD personnel as witnesses, the General Counsels of DoD, Navy, and the Defense Agencies; the Judge Advocates General of the Military Departments; and the Chief Legal Advisors to the JCS and the Unified and Specified Commands, with regard to their respective Components, are authorized—after consulting and coordinating with the appropriate Department of Justice litigation attorneys, as required—to determine whether official information originated by the Component may be released in litigation; whether DoD personnel assigned to or affiliated with the Component may be interviewed, contacted, or used as witnesses concerning official DoD information or as expert witnesses; and what, if any, conditions will be imposed upon such release, interview, contact, or testimony. Delegation of this authority, to include the authority to invoke appropriate claims of privilege before any tribunal, is permitted. b. In the event that a DoD Component receives a litigation request or demand for official information originated by another Component, the receiving Component shall forward the appropriate portions of the request or demand to the originating Component for action in accordance with this Directive. The receiving Component shall also notify the requestor, court, or other authority of its transfer of the request or demand. c. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs F.1.a. and b., the GC, DoD, in litigation involving terrorism, espionage, nuclear weapons, intelligence means or sources, or otherwise as deemed necessary, may notify Components that GC, DoD, will assume primary responsibility for coordinating all litigation requests and demands for official DoD information or the testimony of DoD personnel, or both; consulting with the Department of Justice, as required; and taking final action on such requests and demands. 2. Factors To Consider In deciding whether to authorize the release of official DoD information or the testimony of DoD personnel concerning official information (hereinafter referred to as “the disclosure”) pursuant to paragraph F.1., DoD officials should consider the following types of factors: a. Whether the request or demand is unduly burdensome or otherwise inappropriate under the applicable court rules; b. Whether the disclosure, including release in camera, is appropriate under the rules of procedure governing the case or matter in which the request or demand arose; c. Whether the disclosure would violate a statute, executive order, regulation, or directive; d. Whether the disclosure, including release in camera, is appropriate or necessary under the relevant substantive law concerning privilege; e. Whether the disclosure, except when in camera and necessary to assert a claim of privilege, would reveal information properly classified pursuant to the DoD Information Security Program under DoD 5200.1-R (reference (d)), unclassified technical data withheld from public release pursuant to DoD Directive 5230.25 (reference (e)), or other matters exempt from unrestricted disclosure; and f. Whether disclosure would interfere with ongoing enforcement proceedings, compromise constitutional rights, reveal the identity of an intelligence source or confidential informant, disclose trade secrets or similarly confidential commercial or financial information, or otherwise be inappropriate under the circumstances. 3. Decisions on Litigation Requests and Demands a. Subject to paragraph F.3.e., DoD personnel shall not, in response to a litigation request or demand, produce, disclose, release, comment upon, or testify concerning any official DoD information without the prior written approval of the appropriate DoD official designated in paragraph F.1. Oral approval may be granted, but a record of such approval shall be made and retained in accordance with the applicable implementing regulations. b. If official DoD information is sought, through testimony or otherwise, by a litigation request or demand, the individual seeking such release or testimony must set forth, in writing and with as much specificity as possible, the nature and relevance of the official information sought. Subject to paragraph F.3.e., DoD personnel may only produce, disclose, release, comment upon, or testify concerning those matters that were specified in writing and properly approved by the appropriate DoD official designated in paragraph F.1. See United States ex rel. Touhy v. Ragen, 340 U.S. 462 (1951). c. Whenever a litigation request or demand is made upon DoD personnel for official DoD information or for testimony concerning such information, the personnel upon whom the request or demand was made shall immediately notify the DoD official designated in paragraph F.1. for the Component to which the individual contacted is or, for former personnel, was last assigned. In appropriate cases, the responsible DoD official shall thereupon notify the Department of Justice of the request or demands. After due consultation and coordination with the Department of Justice, as required, the DoD official shall determine whether the individual is required to comply with the request or demand and shall notify the requestor or the court or other authority of the determination reached. d. If, after DoD personnel have received a litigation request or demand and have in turn notified the appropriate DoD official in accordance with paragraph F.3.c., a response to the request or demand is required before instructions from the responsible official are received, the responsible official designated in paragraph F.1. shall furnish the requestor or the court or other authority with a copy of this Directive and applicable implementing regulations, inform the requestor or the court or other authority that the request or demand is being reviewed, and seek a stay of the request or demand pending a final determination by the Component concerned. e. If a court of competent jurisdiction or other appropriate authority declines to stay the effect of the request or demand in response to action taken pursuant to paragraph F.3.d., or if such court or other authority orders that the request or demand must be complied with notwithstanding the final decision of the appropriate DoD official, the DoD personnel upon whom the request or demand was made shall notify the responsible DoD official of such ruling or order. If the DoD official determines that no further legal review of or challenge to the court's ruling or order will be sought, the affected DoD personnel shall comply with the request, demand, or order. If directed by the appropriate DoD official, however, the affected DoD personnel shall respectfully decline to comply with the demand. See United States ex rel. Touhy Ragen, 4. Fees Consistent with the guidelines in DoD Instruction 7230.7 (reference (f)), the appropriate officials designated in paragraph F.1. are authorized to charge reasonable fees, as established by regulation and to the extent not prohibited by law, to parties seeking, by request or demand, official DoD information not otherwise available under the DoD Freedom of Information Act Program (reference (g)). Such fees, in amounts calculated to reimburse the Government for the expense of providing such information, may include the costs of time expended by DoD employees to process and respond to the request or demand; attorney time for reviewing the request or demand and any information located in response thereto and for related legal work in connection with the request or demand; and expenses generated by materials and equipment used to search for, produce, and copy the responsive information. See Oppenheimer Fund, Inc. v. Sanders, 437 U.S. 340 (1978). 5. Expert or Opinion Testimony DoD personnel shall not provide, with or without compensation, opinion or expert testimony concerning official DoD information, subjects, or activities, except on behalf of the United States or a party represented by the Department of Justice. Upon a showing by the requestor of exceptional need or unique circumstances and that the anticipated testimony will not be adverse to the interests of the Department of Defense or the United States, the appropriate DoD official designated in paragraph F.1. may, in writing, grant special authorization for DoD personnel to appear and testify at no expense to the United States. If, despite the final determination of the responsible DoD official, a court of competent jurisdiction, or other appropriate authority, orders the appearance and expert or opinion testimony of DoD personnel, the personnel shall notify the responsible DoD official of such order. If the DoD official determines that no further legal review of or challenge to the court's order will be sought, the affected DoD personnel shall comply with the order. If directed by the appropriate DoD official, however, the affected DoD personnel shall respectfully decline to comply with the demand. See United States ex rel. Touhy v. Ragen, 340 U.S. 462 (1951). G. Effective Date and Implementation This Directive is effective immediately. Forward two copies of implementing documents to the General Counsel, DoD, within 120 days. Signed by William H. Taft, IV Deputy Secretary of Defense. Appendix D to Part 516—Department of Defense Directive 7050.5, Coordination of Remedies for Fraud and Corruption Related to Procurement Activities Department of Defense Directive June 7, 1989, Number 7050.5, IG, DOD Subject: Coordination of Remedies for Fraud and Corruption Related to Procurement Activities References: (a) DoD Directive 7050.5, subject as above, June 28, 1985 (hereby canceled) (b) Public Law 97-291, “The Victim and Witness Protection Act of 1982,” October 12, 1982 (c) Defense FAR Supplement (DFARS), Subpart 4.6, “Contract Reporting” (d) DoD Instruction 4105.61, “DoD Procurement Coding Manual,” May 4, 1973 (e) DoD 4105.61-M, “Procurement Coding Manual” (Volume I), October 1988, authorized by DoD Instruction 4105.61 May 4, 1973 A. Reissuance and Purpose This Directive reissues reference (a) to update policies, procedures, and responsibilities for the coordination of criminal, civil, administrative, and contractual remedies stemming from investigation of fraud or corruption related to procurement activities. More effective and timely communication of information developed during such investigations will enable the Department of Defense to take the most appropriate of the available measures. B. Applicability This Directive applies to the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD); the Inspector General, Department of Defense (IG, DoD); the Military Departments; the Defense Agencies; and the DoD Field Activities (hereafter referred to collectively as “DoD Components”). C. Definitions 1. DoD Criminal Investigative Organizations. 2. Significant. D. Policy It is DoD policy that: 1. Each of the DoD Components shall monitor, from its inception, all significant investigations of fraud or corruption related to procurement activities affecting its organizations, for the purpose of ensuring that all possible criminal, civil, administrative, and contractual remedies in such cases are identified to cognizant procurement and command officials and that appropriate remedies are pursued expeditiously. This process shall include appropriate coordination with all other affected DoD Components. 2. All investigations of fraud or corruption related to procurement activities shall be reviewed to determine and implement the appropriate contractual and administrative actions that are necessary to recover funds lost through fraud or corruption and to ensure the integrity of DoD programs and operations. 3. Appropriate civil, contractual, and administrative actions, including those set forth in enclosure 1, shall be taken expeditiously. During an investigation and before prosecution or litigation, and when based in whole or in part on evidence developed during an investigation, such actions shall be taken with the advance knowledge of the responsible DoD criminal investigative organization and, when necessary, the appropriate legal counsel in the Department of Defense and the Department of Justice (DoJ). When appropriate, such actions shall be taken before final resolution of the criminal or civil case. E. Responsibilities 1. The Heads of DoD Components a. Establish a centralized organization (hereafter referred to as “the centralized organization”) to monitor and ensure the coordination of criminal, civil, administrative, and contractual remedies for each significant investigation of fraud or corruption related to procurement activities affecting the DoD Component. b. Establish procedures requiring the centralized organization to discuss regularly with the assigned DoD criminal investigative organization(s) such issues as the current status of significant investigations and their coordination with prosecutive authorities. c. Establish procedures requiring that all coordination involving the DoJ, during the pendency of a criminal investigation, is accomplished by or with the advance knowledge of the appropriate DoD criminal investigative organization(s). d. Establish procedures to ensure appropriate coordination of actions between the centralized organizations of any DoD Components affected by a significant investigation of fraud or corruption related to procurement activities. e. Establish procedures to ensure that all proper and effective civil, administrative, and contractual remedies available to the Department of Defense are, when found applicable and appropriate, considered and undertaken promptly by the necessary DoD officials (e.g., commanders, programs officials, and contracting officers). This includes initiation of any suspension and debarment action within 30 days of an indictment or conviction. The centralized organization shall ensure that all proposed actions are coordinated with appropriate investigative organization. f. Establish procedures to ensure that a specific comprehensive remedies plan is developed for each significant investigation involving fraud or corruption related to procurement activities. These procedures shall include the participation of the appropriate DoD criminal investigative organization in the development of the plan. g. Establish procedures to ensure that in those significant investigations of fraud or corruption related to procurement activities when adverse impact on a DoD mission can be determined, such adverse impact is identified and documented by the centralized organization. This information is to be used by the centralized organization of the DoD Component concerned in development of the remedies plan required in paragraph E.1.f., above, and shall be furnished to prosecutors as stated in paragraph E.2.e., below. The information shall also be used by the centralized organizations in development and preparation of “Victim Impact Statements” for use in sentencing proceedings, as provided for P.L. 97-291 (reference (b)). Some examples of adverse impact on a DoD mission are as follows: (1) Endangerment of personnel or property. (2) Monetary loss. (3) Denigration of program or personnel integrity. (4) Compromise of the procurement process. (5) Reduction or loss of mission readiness. h. Ensure training materials are developed on fraud and corruption in the procurement process, and that all procurement and procurement-related training includes a period of such instruction appropriate to the duration and nature of the training. i. Establish procedures enabling the centralized organization to ensure that safety and readiness issues are examined and appropriately dealt with for all cases in which a notice is required under paragraph E.2.i., below. The minimum procedures to be followed by the centralized organization are in enclosure 3. j. Ensure that appropriate command, procurement, and investigative organizations are provided sufficient information to determine if further inquiry is warranted on their part to prevent reoccurrence and detect other possible fraud within their activity. 2. The Secretaries of the Military Departments Inspector General, Department of Defense (IG, DoD), a. Notify, in writing, the centralized organization for the affected DoD Component of the start of all significant investigations involving fraud or corruption that are related to procurement activities. Initial notification shall include the following elements: (1) Case title. (2) Case control number. (3) Investigative agency and office of primary responsibility. (4) Date opened. (5) Predication. (6) Suspected offense(s). b. Notify expeditiously the Defense Investigative Service (DIS) of any investigations that develop evidence that would impact on DoD-cleared industrial facilities or personnel. c. Discuss regularly with the centralized organization such issues as the current status of significant investigations and their coordination with prosecutive authorities. If the DoD criminal investigative organization has prepared any documents summarizing the current status of the investigation, such documents shall be provided to the centralized organization. Completed reports of significant investigations also should be provided to the centralized organization. d. Provide to the appropriate procurement officials, commanders, and suspension and debarment authorities, when needed to allow consideration of applicable remedies, any court records, documents, or other evidence of fraud or corruption related to procurement activities. Such information shall be provided in a timely manner to enable the suspension and debarment authority to initiate suspension and debarment action within 30 days of an indictment or conviction. e. Provide expeditiously to prosecutive authorities the information regarding any adverse impact on a DoD mission, that is gathered under paragraph E.1.g., above, for the purpose of enhancing the prosecutability of a case. Such information also should be used in preparing a victim impact statement for use in sentencing proceedings as provided for in Public Law 97-291. f. Gather, at the earliest practical point in the investigation, without reliance on grand jury subpoenas whenever possible, relevant information concerning responsible individuals, the organizational structure, finances, and contract history of DoD contractors under investigation for fraud or corruption related to procurement activities, to facilitate the criminal investigation as well as any civil, administrative, or contractual actions or remedies that may be taken. Some available sources of such information are listed in enclosure 2. g. Provide timely notice to other cognizant DoD criminal investigative organizations of evidence of fraud by a contractor, subcontractor, or employees of either, on current or past contracts with, or affecting, other DoD Components. h. Ascertain the impact upon any ongoing investigation or prosecution of civil, contractual, and administrative actions being considered and advise the appropriate centralized organization of any adverse impact. i. Obtain a DD 350 report in every investigation into defective products or product substitution in which a SERIOUS HAZARD to health, safety, or operational readiness is indicated. Timely notification shall be made to the centralized organization of each DoD Component that is identified as having contract actions with the subject of the investigation. j. Obtain a DD 350 report in all significant fraud investigations, as defined in subsection C.2. above, whether or not the case involved defective products or product substitution. Timely notification shall be made to the centralized organization of each DoD Component that is identified as having contract actions with the subject of the investigation. 3. The Inspector General, Department of Defense a. Develop training materials relating to fraud and corruption in procurement related activities which shall be utilized in all procurement related training in conjunction with training materials developed by the DoD Components. (See paragraph E.1.h., above.) b. Establish procedures for providing to the DoD criminal investigative organizations, through the Office of the Assistant Inspector General for Auditing (OAIG-AUD), reports of data contained in the Individual Procurement Action Report (DD Form 350) System. F. Procedures Transmissions of information by DoD criminal investigative organizations required by subsection E.2., above, shall be made as expeditiously as possible, consistent with efforts not to compromise any ongoing criminal investigation. The transmission of the information may be delayed when, in the judgment of the head of the DoD criminal investigative organization, failure to delay would compromise the success of any investigation or prosecution. The prosecutive authorities dealing with the investigation shall be consulted, when appropriate, in making such determinations. G. Effective Date and Implementation This Directive is effective immediately. Forward two copies of implementing documents to the Inspector General, Department of Defense, within 120 days. Donald J. Atwood, Deputy Secretary of Defense. Enclosures—3 1. Civil Contractual and Administrative Actions That Can Be Taken in Response to Evidence of Procurement Fraud 2. Sources of Information Relating to Government Contractors 3. Actions to be Taken in Product Substitution Investigations Civil, Contractual, and Administrative Actions That Can Be Taken in Response to Evidence of Procurement Fraud A. Civil 1. Statutory a. False Claims Act (31 USC 3729 et seq. b. Anti-Kickback Act (41 USC 51 et seq. c. Voiding Contracts (18 USC 218). d. Truth in Negotiations Act (10 USC 2306(f)). e. Fraudulent Claims-Contract Disputes Act (41 USC 604) 2. Nonstatutory a. Breach of contract. b. Breach of warranty. c. Money paid under mistake of fact. d. Unjust enrichment. e. Fraud and/or Deceit. f. Conversion. g. Recision and/or Cancellation. h. Reformation. i. Enforcement of performance bond/guarantee agreement. 3. Contractual a. Termination of contract for default. b. Termination of contract for convenience of Government. c. Termination for default and exemplary damages under the gratuities clause. d. Recision of contract. e. Contract warranties. f. Withholding of payments to contractor. g. Offset of payments due to contractor from other contracts. h. Price reduction. i. Correction of defects (or cost of correction). j. Refusal to accept nonconforming goods. k. Revocation of acceptance. l. Denial of claims submitted by contractors. m. Disallowance of contract costs. n. Removal of the contractor from automated solicitation or payment system. 4. Administrative a. Change in contracting forms and procedures. b. Removal or reassignment of Government personnel. c. Review of contract administration and payment controls. d. Revocation of warrant contracting officer. e. Suspension of contractor and contractor employees. f. Debarment of contractor and contractor employees. g. Revocation of facility security clearances. h. Nonaward of contract based upon a finding of contractor nonresponsibility. i. Voluntary refunds. Sources of Information Relating to Government Contractors Type of information Possible source Location, dollar value, type, and number of current contracts with the Department of Defense a. DD Form 350 Report. 1 2. Financial status of corporation, history of corporation, owners, and officers a. Dunn and Bradstreet Reports. c. Securities and Exchange Commission (public corporations). d. Small Business Administration (SBA) (small businesses). e. General Accounting Office (bid protests, and contractors indebted to the Government). f. Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals (ASBCA) or court litigation. g. List of Contractors Indebted to the United States (maintained, published and distributed by the U.S. Army Finance and Accounting Center, Indianapolis, Indiana 46249). 3. Security clearance background information on facility and officers a. Defense Investigative Service. 4. Performance history of contractor a. Local contracting officers. b. Defense Contract Administration Service preaward surveys. c. SBA Certificate of Competency records. 5. Name, location, offense alleged, and previous investigative efforts involving DLA-awarded or DLA-administered contracts DLA Automated Criminal Case Management System. (Available through field offices of the DLA Counsel's office.) 6. Bid protests, litigation, and bankruptcy involving DLA-awarded or DLA-administered contracts Field offices of the DLA Counsel's office. 1 Actions to be Taken in Product Substitution Investigations A. The centralized organization, in all cases involving allegations of product substitution in which a SERIOUS HAZARD to health, safety, or operational readiness is indicated shall: 1. Review the notice of the case immediately after receiving it from the Defense criminal investigative organization. Review the notice to determine any potential safety or readiness issues indicated by the suspected fraud. 2. Notify all appropriate safety, procurement, and program officials of the existence of the case. 3. Obtain a complete assessment from safety, procurement, and program officials of the adverse impact of the fraud on DoD programs and operations. 4. Ensure that the DoD Component provides the Defense criminal investigative organization with full testing support to completely identify the defective nature of the substituted products. Costs associated with the testing shall be assumed by the appropriate procurement program. 5. Prepare a comprehensive impact statement describing the adverse impact of the fraud on DoD programs for use in any criminal, civil, or contractual action related to the case. B. In all cases involving allegations of product substitution that affect more than one DoD Component, that centralized organizations of the affected DoD Components shall identify a lead Agency. The lead centralized organization shall ensure that information on the fraud is provided to the centralized organization of all other affected DoD Components. The lead centralized organization shall ensure compliance with the requirements of section A., above. The lead centralized organization shall then be responsible for preparing a comprehensive “Victim Impact Statement” as required by paragraph E.1.g. of this Directive. C. In all cases involving allegations of product substitution, the Defense Criminal Investigative Organization shall: 1. Immediately notify the appropriate centralized organization of the beginning of the case. 2. Continue to provide to the centralized organization any information developed during the course of the investigation that indicates substituted products have been, or might be, provided to the Department of Defense. 3. Ensure that any request for testing of substituted products is provided to the centralized organization. Appendix E to Part 516—Department of Defense Directive 5505.5, Implementation of the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act DOD Directive 5505.5 is contained in 32 CFR part 277. Appendix F to Part 516—Glossary Abbreviations AAFES: Army and Air Force Exchange Service AMEDD: Army Medical Department AFARS: Army Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement ASBCA: Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals AUSA: Assistant United States Attorney CFR: Code of Federal Regulations COE: United States Army Corps of Engineers DA: Department of the Army DFARS: Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement DOD: Department of Defense DOJ: Department of Justice. In this regulation, reference to DOJ means either United States Attorneys' Offices or The (main) Department of Justice in Washington, DC DCIS: Defense Criminal Investigative Service e.g.: An abbreviation for exempli gratia, et seq.: et sequentes, FAR: Federal Acquisition Regulation FAX: Facsimile Transmission FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation Fed. R. Civ. P.: Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Fed. R. Crim. P.: Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure FOIA: Freedom of Information Act GAO: General Accounting Office HQDA: Headquarters, Department of the Army i.e. id est, IG: Inspector General JA: Judge Advocate MACOM: Major Command MSPB: Merit Systems Protection Board NAF: Nonappropriated Fund OTJAG: Office of The Judge Advocate General OSC: Office of Special Counsel PFA: Procurement Fraud Advisor PFCRA: Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act PFD: Procurement Fraud Division PFI: Procurement Fraud or Irregularities RJA: Recovery Judge Advocate SAUSA: Special Assistant U.S. Attorney SJA: Staff Judge Advocate TDY: temporary Duty TJAG: The Judge Advocate General UCMJ: Uniform Code of Military Justice USACIDC: U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command USALSA: U.S. Army Legal Services Agency USARCS: U.S. Army Claims Service USATDS: U.S. Army Trial Defense Service USMA: United States Military Academy U.S.C.: United States Code Terms Active Duty Full-time duty in the active military service of the United States. Includes: full-time training duty; annual training duty; active duty for training; attendance, while in the active military service, at a school designated as a Service School by law or by the Secretary of the military department concerned; and, attendance, while in the active military service, at advanced civil schooling and training with industry. It does not include full-time National Guard duty under Title 32, United States Code. Army Activities Activities of or under the control of the Army, one of its instrumentalities, or the Army National Guard, including activities for which the Army has been designated the administrative agency, and those designated activities located in an area in which the Army has been assigned single service claims responsibility by DOD directive. Army Property Real or personal property of the United States or its instrumentalities and, if the United States is responsible therefore, real or personal property of a foreign government which is in the possession or control of the Army, one of its instrumentalities, or the Army National Guard, including property of an activity for which the Army has been designated the administrative agency, and property located in an area in which the Army has been assigned single service claims responsibility. Centralized Organization That organization of a DOD component responsible for coordinating and monitoring of criminal, civil, contractual, and administrative remedies relating to contract fraud. For DOD components other than the Army, the Centralized organizations are as follows: the Office of General Counsel, Department of the Air Force; the Office of the Inspector General, Department of the Navy; and the Office of General Counsel, Defense Logistics Agency. Claim The Government's right to recover money or property from any individual, partnership, association, corporation, governmental body, or other legal entity (foreign and domestic) except an instrumentality of the United States. A claim against several joint debtors or tortfeasors arising from a single transaction or incident will be considered one claim. Claims Officer A commissioned officer, warrant officer, or qualified civilian employee designated by the responsible commander and trained or experienced in the conduct of investigations and the processing of claims. Corruption Practices that include, but are not limited to, solicitation, offer, payment, or acceptance of bribes or gratuities; kickbacks; conflicts of interest; or unauthorized disclosure of official information related to procurement matters. Counsel for Consultation An attorney, provided by DA at no expense to the military member or civilian employee, who will provide legal advice to the witness concerning the authority of OSC, the nature of an OSC interview and their individual rights and obligations. The counsel may accompany the witness to the interview and advise the witness during the interview. No attorney-client relationship is established in this procedure. Counsel for Representation An attorney, provided by DA at no expense to the military member or civilian employee, who will act as the individual's lawyer in all contacts with the MSPB and the OSC during the pendancy of the OSC investigation and any subsequent OSC initiated action before the MSPB. An attorney-client relationship will be established between the individual and counsel for representation. DA Personnel DA personnel includes the following: a. Military and civilian personnel of the Active Army and The U.S. Army Reserve. b. Soldiers of the Army National Guard of the United States (Title 10, U.S.C.) and, when specified by statute or where a Federal interest is involved, soldiers in the Army National Guard (Title 32, U.S.C.). It also includes technicians under 32 U.S.C. 709(a)(d). c. USMA cadets. d. Nonappropriated fund employees. e. Foreign nationals who perform services for DA overseas. f. Other individuals hired by or for the Army. Debarment Administrative action taken by a debarring authority to exclude a contractor from Government contracting and Government-approved subcontracting for a specified period. Deciding Official (Chapter 7) SJA, legal adviser, or Litigation Division attorney who makes the final determination concerning release of official information. DOD Criminal Investigation Organizations Refers to the USACIDC; the Naval Investigative Service; the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations; and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Office of the Inspector General, DOD. Fraud Any intentional deception of DOD (including attempts and conspiracies to effect such deception) for the purpose of inducing DOD action or reliance on that deception. Such practices include, but are not limited to, the following: bid-rigging; making or submitting false statements; submission of false claims; use of false weights or measures; submission of false testing certificates; adulterating or substituting materials; or conspiring to use any of these devices. Improper or Illegal Conduct a. A violation of any law, rule, or regulation in connection with Government misconduct; or b. Mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety. Information Exempt From Release To The Public Those categories of information which may be withheld from the public under one or more provisions of law. Judge Advocate An officer so designated (AR 27-1). Legal Adviser A civilian attorney who is the principal legal adviser to the commander or operating head of any Army command or agency. Litigation Legal action or process involving civil proceedings, i.e. Litigation in Which The United States Has an Interest a. A suit in which the United States or one of its agencies or instrumentalities has been, or probably will be, named as a party. b. A suit against DA personnel and arises out of the individual's performance of official duties. c. A suit concerning an Army contract, subcontract, or purchase order under the terms of which the United States may be required to reimburse the contractor for recoveries, fees, or costs of the litigation. d. A suit involving administrative proceedings before Federal, state, municipal, or foreign tribunals or regulatory bodies that may have a financial impact upon the Army. e. A suit affecting Army operations or which might require, limit, or interfere with official action. f. A suit in which the United States has a financial interest in the plaintiff's recovery. g. Foreign litigation in which the United States is bound by treaty or agreement to ensure attendance by military personnel or civilian employees. Medical Care Includes hospitalization, outpatient treatment, dental care, nursing service, drugs, and other adjuncts such as prostheses and medical appliances furnished by or at the expense of the United States. Misdemeanor An offense for which the maximum penalty does not exceed imprisonment for 1 year. Misdemeanors include those offenses categorized as petty offenses (18 USC § 3559). Official Information All information of any kind, however stored, that is in the custody and control of the Department of Defense, relates to information in the custody and control of the Department, or was acquired by DoD personnel as part of their official duties or because of their official status within the Department while such personnel were employed by or on behalf of the Department or on active duty with the United States Armed Forces. Operating Forces Those forces whose primary missions are to participate in combat and the integral supporting elements thereof. Within DA, the operating forces consist of tactical units organized to conform to tables of organization and equipment (TOE). Personnel Action These include— a. Appointment. b. Promotion. c. Adverse action under 5 U.S.C. 7501 et seq. d. Detail, transfer, or reassignment. e. Reinstatement. f. Restoration. g. Reemployment. h. Performance evaluation under 5 U.S.C. 4301 et seq. i. Decision concerning pay, benefits, or awards, or concerning education or training if the education or training may reasonably be expected to lead to an appointment, promotion, performance evaluation, or other personnel action. j. Any other significant change in duties or responsibilities that is inconsistent with the employee's salary or grade level. Private Litigation Litigation other than that in which the United States has an interest. Process The legal document that compels a defendant in an action to appear in court; e.g., in a civil case a summons or subpoena, or in a criminal case, a warrant for arrest, subpoena or summons. Prohibited Personnel Practice Action taken, or the failure to take action, by a person who has authority to take, direct others to take, recommend, or approve any personnel action— a. That discriminates for or against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicapping condition, marital status, or political affiliation, as prohibited by certain specified laws. b. To solicit or consider any recommendation or statement, oral or written, with respect to any individual who requests, or is under consideration for, any personnel action, unless the recommendation or statement is based on the personal knowledge or records of the person furnishing it, and consists of an evaluation of the work performance, ability, aptitude, or general qualifications of the individual, or an evaluation of the character, loyalty, or suitability of such individual. c. To coerce the political activity of any person (including the providing of any political contribution or service), or take any action against any employee or applicant for employment as a reprisal for the refusal of any person to engage in such political activity. d. To deceive or willfully obstruct any person with respect to such person's right to compete for employment. e. To influence any person to withdraw from competition for any position for the purpose of improving or injuring the prospects of any other person for employment. f. To grant any preference or advantage not authorized by law, rule, or regulation to any employee or applicant for employment (including defining the scope or manner of competition or the requirements for any position) for the purpose of improving or injuring the prospects of any particular person for employment. g. To appoint, employ, promote, advance, or advocate for appointment, employment, promotion, or advancement, in or to a civilian position any individual who is a relative (as defined in 5 U.S.C. 3110) of the employee, if the position is in the agency in which the employee is serving as a public official or over which the employee exercises jurisdiction or control as an official. h. To take or fail to take a personnel action with respect to any employee or applicant for employment as a reprisal for being a whistleblower, as defined below. i. To take or fail to take a personnel action against an employee or applicant for employment as a reprisal for the exercise of any appeal right granted by law, rule, or regulation. j. To discriminate for or against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of conduct that does not adversely affect the performance of the employee or applicant or the performance of others. k. To take or fail to take any other personnel action if the taking of, or failure to take, such action violates any law, rule, or regulation implementing, or directly concerning, the merit system principles contained in 5 U.S.C. 2301. Prosecutive Authorities These include— a. A U.S. Attorney; b. A prosecuting attorney of a State or other political subdivision when the U.S. Attorney has declined to exercise jurisdiction over a particular case or class of cases; and c. An SJA of a general court-martial convening authority considering taking action against a person subject to the UCMJ. Recovery JA A JA or legal adviser responsible for assertion and collection of claims in favor of the United States for property claims and medical expenses. Significant Case of Fraud and Corruption A procurement fraud case involving an alleged loss of $100,000 or more; all corruption cases related to procurement that involve bribery, gratuities, or conflicts of interest; any defective products or product substitution in which a serious hazard to health, safety or operational readiness is indicated, regardless of loss value; and, any procurement fraud case that has received or is expected to receive significant media coverage. Staff Judge Advocate An officer so designated (AR 27-1). The SJA of an installation, a command or agency reporting directly to HQDA, or of a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command, and the senior Army JA assigned to a joint or unified command. Subpoena A process to cause a witness to appear and give testimony, e.g., at a trial, hearing, or deposition. Suspension Administrative action taken by a suspending authority to temporarily exclude a contractor from Government contracting and Government-approved subcontracting. Suspension and Debarment Authorities Officials designated in DFARS, section 9.403, as the authorized representative of the Secretary concerned. Tortfeasor A wrongdoer; one who commits a tort. Appendix G to Part 516—Figures This appendix contains figures cited or quoted throughout the text of this part. Figure C-1. Sample Answer to Judicial Complaint, With Attached Certificate of Service In the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas Corpus Christi Division, No. C-90-100 John Doe, Plaintiff v. Togo D. West, Jr., Secretary of the Army, Department of the Army, Defendant. First Affirmative Defense The Complaint is barred by laches. Figure C-3. Sample Answer to Judicial Complaint, with attached Certificate of Service. This is intended to be used as a guide in preparing a draft Answer as part of a Litigation Report. Answer For its answer to the complaint, defendant admits, denies and alleges as follows: 1. Admits. 2. Denies. 3. Denies. 4. The allegations contained in paragraph 4 are conclusions of law to which no response is required; to the extent they may be deemed allegations of fact, they are denied. 5. Denies the allegations contained in the first sentence of paragraph 5; admits the allegations contained in the second sentence of paragraph 5; denies the remainder of the allegations in paragraph 5. 6. Denies the allegations in paragraph 6 for lack of knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to their truth. 7. Denies each allegation in the complaint not specifically admitted or otherwise qualified. Prayer for Relief The remainder of plaintiff's Complaint contains his prayer for relief, to which no answer is required. Insofar as an answer is required, denies that plaintiff is entitled to any relief whatsoever. Defendant respectfully prays that the Court dismiss plaintiff's Complaint and award to defendant costs and such further relief as the Court deems proper. Respectfully submitted, Ronald M. Ford, United States Attorney. Roy A. Andersen, Assistant United States Attorney, 606 N. Carancua, Corpus Christi, Texas 78476, (512) 884-3454. Captain Christopher N. Jones, Department of the Army, Office of the Judge, Advocate General, 901 N. Stuart St., Suite 400, Arlington, Virginia 22203-1837, (703) 696-1666. Certificate of Service I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of Defendant's Answer has been placed in the mail, postage prepaid, this ____ day of __________, 1991, addressed to plaintiff's counsel as follows: Mr. Eugene Henderson, 777 Fourth Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78888. Roy A. Andersen, Assistant United States Attorney. Sample DA Form 4 Figure C-3. Unsworn Declaration Under Penalty of Perjury Executed Within the United States Declaration Under Penalty of Perjury I am Private Paul Jones, currently assigned to Company B, 4th Battalion, 325th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. I have personal knowledge of the following matters. On the evening of 3 June 1970, I was present at the company party at Lake Popolopen when the accident occurred. I saw a bright, full moon that evening. I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. (28 U.S.C. § 1746). Executed on: __________ Paul Jones, Private, U.S. Army. Figure D-1. Format for a Request for a Representation Using an Unsworn Declaration Under Penalty of Perjury Executed Within the United States Request for Representation I request that the Attorney General of the United States, or his agent, designate counsel to defend me in my official and individual capacities in the case of John Doe Private Paul Jones, I understand the following: if my request for representation is approved, I will be represented by a U.S. Department of Justice attorney; that the United States is not required to pay any final adverse money judgment rendered against me personally, although I can request indemnification; that I am entitled to retain private counsel at my own expense; and, that the Army expresses no opinion whether I should or should not retain private counsel. I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. (28 U.S.C. § 1746). Executed on: __________ Paul Jones, Private, U.S. Army. Figure D-2. Format for Scope of Employment Statement Using an Unsworn Declaration Under Penalty of Perjury Executed Outside the United States Declaration I am currently the Commander of HHC, 6th Armored Division, Bad Vilbel, Germany. I have read the allegations concerning Private Paul Jones in the complaint of John Doe Private Paul Jones, At all times relevant to the complaint, I was Private Jones' company commander. His actions relevant to this case were performed within the scope of his official duties as Assistant Charge of Quarters, Company B, 4th Battalion, 325th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the foregoing is true and correct. (28 U.S.C. § 1746). Executed on: __________ John Smith, Captain, Infantry. Figure D-3. Format for Contractor Request for Representantion Request for Representation I am the President of the XYZ Corporation. I request the Attorney General of the United States designate counsel to defend me and my company in Doe XYZ, Inc., I understand that the assumption by the Attorney General of the defense of this case does not alter or increase the obligations of the United States under United States Contract No. WP-70-660415. I further agree that such representation will not be construed as waiver or estoppel to assert any rights which any interested party may have under said contract. Executed on: __________ D.D. Tango, President, XYZ, Inc. Figure G-1. Sample “Touhy” Compliance Letter Department of the Army, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Fort Smith, North Dakota 84165, 15 April 1993 Mr. T. Hudson Taylor, Attorney At Law, 105 Hay Street, Whynot, ND 84167 Dear Mr. Taylor: We have learned that you subpoenaed Captain Roberta Selby to testify at a deposition in the case Kramer Kramer, Under 32 CFR §§ 97.6(c), 516.35, and 516.40, the Army must authorize the appearance of its personnel or the production of official documents in private litigation. In this case, the Army cannot authorize Captain Selby to appear or produce the requested file absent the following: You must request in writing her appearance and the production of the file in accordance with Department of Defense directives, 32 CFR § 97.6(c), and Army regulations, 32 CFR §§ 516.34-516.40. The request must include the nature of the proceeding, 32 CFR § 516.34(b), and the nature and relevance of the official information sought. Id. See, for example, United States ex rel. Touhy Ragen, Boron Oil Co. Downie, United States Bizzard, United States Marino, United States Allen, To overcome Federal statutory restrictions on the disclosure of the requested file imposed by the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552a, you must provide either a written release authorization signed by the individual to whom the file pertains (that is, SSG Kramer) or a court ordered release signed by a judge of a court of competent jurisdiction. A subpoena signed by a clerk of court, notary, or other official is insufficient. See, for example, Doe DiGenova, In this case, because of the attorney-client relationship between Captain Selby and SSG Kramer, you must produce a written waiver of the attorney-client privilege from SSG Kramer. Because the privilege may protect both documents and testimony, Captain Selby may not divulge such information without SSG Kramer's consent. See, for example, In addition to the above requirements, Captain Selby's supervisor must approve her absence from duty. See See id. Finally, if Captain Selby does appear as a witness, she may only give factual testimony. She may not testify as an opinion or expert witness. This limitation is based on Department of Defense and Army policy that generally prohibits Government employees from appearing as expert witnesses in private litigation. See id. Our sole concern in this matter is to protect the interests of the United States Army; the Army will not block access to witnesses or documents to which you are lawfully entitled. So that the Army can adequately protect its interests in this matter, I request that you respond to this letter by 27 April 1993. If you have any questions, please call CPT Taylor at 919-882-4500. Sincerely, Robert V. Jackansi, Major, JA, Chief, Administrative Law. Figure G-2. Sample Fact Witness Approval Letter Department of the Army, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Fort Smith, North Dakota 84165, 15 April 1993 Mr. T. Hudson Taylor, Attorney At Law, l05 Hay Street, Whynot, ND 84167 Dear Mr. Taylor: This letter responds to your request to interview and depose Captain Buzz Sawyer as a witness in Morgan Jones. This grant of authority is limited to factual testimony only. Captain Sawyer may not testify as an expert witness. This limitation is based on Army policy prohibiting Government employees from appearing as expert witnesses in private litigation. See The decision whether to testify in private litigation is within the discretion of the prospective witness. This authorization is also subject to the approval of the witness' supervisors to be absent during the period involved. Finally, because this is private litigation, the witness' participation must be at no expense to the United States. See If you have any questions, please call CPT Taylor at 919-882-4500. Sincerely, Robert V. Jackansi, Major, JA, Chief, Administrative Law Figure G-3. Sample Expert Witness Denial Letter Department of the Army, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Fort Smith, North Dakota 84165, 15 April 1993 Mr. T. Hudson Taylor, Attorney At Law, l05 Hay Street, Whynot, ND 84167 Dear Mr. Taylor: This responds to your request for Mr. Charles Montrose to appear as an expert witness in private litigation: Smithers ABC Video. Army Regulation 27-40 forbids Army personnel from providing expert testimony in private litigation, with or without compensation, except under the most extraordinary circumstances. See 32 CFR §§ 97.6(e), 516.42. Several reasons support the exercise of strict control over such witness appearances. The Army policy is one of strict impartiality in litigation in which the Army is not a named party, a real party in interest, or in which the Army does not have a significant interest. When a witness with an official connection with the Army testifies, a natural tendency exists to assume that the testimony represents the official view of the Army, despite express disclaimers to the contrary. The Army is also interested in preventing the unnecessary loss of the services of its personnel in connection with matters unrelated to their official responsibilities. If Army personnel testify as expert witnesses in private litigation, their official duties are invariably disrupted, often at the expense of the Army's mission and the Federal taxpayer. Finally, the Army is concerned about the potential for conflict of interest inherent in the unrestricted appearance of its personnel as expert witnesses on behalf of parties other than the United States. Even the appearance of such conflicts of interest seriously undermines the public trust and confidence in the integrity of our Government. This case does not present the extraordinary circumstances necessary to justify the requested witness' expert testimony. You have demonstrated no exceptional need or unique circumstances that would warrant (his or her) appearance. The expert testimony desired can be secured from non-Army sources. Consequently, we are unable to grant you an exception to the Army's policy. If you have any questions, please call me or CPT Taylor at 919-882-4500. Sincerely, Robert V. Jackansi, Major, JA, Chief, Administrative Law. Figure G-4. Sample of Doctor Approval Letter Department of the Army, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Fort Smith, North Dakota 84165, 15 April 1993 Mr. T. Hudson Taylor, Attorney At Law, 105 Hay Street, Whynot, ND 84167 Dear Mr. Taylor: This responds to your request to depose Dr. (MAJ) J. McDonald, Fort Smith Medical Treatment Facility. Pursuant to 32 CFR §§ 516.33-516.49, you may depose him subject to the following conditions: He may testify as to his treatment of his patient, Sergeant Rock, as to related laboratory tests he may have conducted, or other actions he took in the regular course of his duties. He must limit his testimony to factual matters such as his observations of the patient or other operative facts, the treatment prescribed or corrective action taken, course of recovery or steps required for treatment of injuries suffered, or contemplated future treatment. His testimony may not extend to hypothetical questions or to a prognosis. He may not testify as an “expert.” This limitation is based on Department of Defense and Army policy prohibiting present or former military personnel and Army civilian employees from providing opinion or expert testimony concerning official information, subjects, or activities in private litigation. See The witnesses may not provide official information that is classified, privileged, or otherwise protected from public disclosure. To protect the Army's interests, CPT Taylor or another Army attorney will be present during the depositions. To overcome restrictions imposed by the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552a, Dr. McDonald may not discuss matters derived from the patient's medical records absent the patient's written consent or a court order signed by a judge. A subpoena issued by someone other than a judge or magistrate is insufficient. See Doe DiGenova, 779 F.2d 74 (D.C. Cir. 1985); Stiles Atlanta Gas Light Co., The decision whether to testify in private litigation is within the discretion of the witness, subject to the approval of his supervisors to be absent during the period involved. Finally, because this is private litigation, the witnesses' participation must be at no expense to the United States. See If you have any questions, please call me or CPT Taylor at 919-882-4500. Sincerely, Robert V. Jackansi, Major, JA, Chief, Administrative Law. Figure H-1. Procurement Fraud Indicators Procurement Fraud Indicators 1. During the identification of the government and services. a. Need determinations for items currently scheduled for disposal or reprocurement, or which have predetermined reorder levels. b. Excessive purchase of “expendables” such as drugs or auto parts. c. Inadequate or vague need assessment. d. Frequent changes in the need assessment or determination. e. Mandatory stock levels and inventory requirements appear excessive. f. Items appear to be unnecessarily declared excess or sold as surplus, while same items are being reprocured. g. It appears that an item or service is being purchased more as a result of aggressive marketing efforts rather than in response to a valid requirement. h. Need determination appears to be unnecessarily tailored in ways that can only be met by certain contractors. i. Items and services are continually obtained from the same source due to an unwarranted lack of effort to develop second sources. 2. During the development of the statements of work and specifications. a. Statements of work and specifications appear to be intentionally written to fit the products or capabilities of a single contractor. b. Statements of work, specifications, or sole source justifications developed by or in consultation with a preferred contractor. c. Information concerning requirements and pending contracts is released only to preferred contractors. d. Allowing companies and industry personnel who participated in the preparation of bid packages to perform on subsequent contracts in either a prime or subcontractor capacity. e. Release of information by firms or personnel participating in design or engineering to companies competing for prime contract. f. Prequalification standards or specifications appear designed to exclude otherwise qualified contractors or their productions. g. Requirements appear split up to allow for rotating bids, giving each contractor his or her “fair share.” h. Requirements appear split up to meet small purchase requirements (that is, $25,000) or to avoid higher levels of approval that would be otherwise required. i. Bid specifications or statement of work appear inconsistent with the items described in the general requirements. j. Specifications appear so vague that reasonable comparisons of estimate would be difficult. k. Specifications appear inconsistent with previous procurements of similar items of services. 3. During the presolicitation phase. a. Sole source justifications appear unnecessary or poorly supported. b. Statements justifying sole source or negotiated procurements appear inadequate or incredible. c. Solicitation documents appear to contain unnecessary requirements which tend to restrict competition. d. Contractors or their representatives appear to have received advanced information related to the proposed procurement on a preferential basis. 4. During the solicitation phase. a. Procurement appears to be processed so as to exclude or impede certain contractors. b. The time for submission of bids appears to be unnecessarily limited so that only those with advance information have adequate time to prepare bids or proposals. c. It appears that information concerning the procurement has been revealed only to certain contractors, without being revealed to all prospective competitors. d. Bidders conferences are conducted in a way that apparently invites bid rigging, price fixing, or other improper collusion between contractors. e. There is an apparent intentional failure to fairly publish notice of the solicitation. f. Solicitation appears vague as to the details such as time, place and manner, of submitting acceptable bids. g. There is evidence of improper communications or social contract between contractors and government personnel. h. Controls over the number and destination of bid packages sent to interested bidders appear inadequate. i. Indications that government personnel or their families may own stock or have some other financial interest in either a contractor or subcontractor. j. Indications that government personnel are discussing possible employment for themselves or a family member with a contractor or subcontractor or indications that a proposal for future employment from a contractor or subcontractor to a government employee or his or her family members has not been firmly rejected. k. Indications that any contractor has received special assistance in preparation of his or her bid or proposal. l. It appears that a contract is given an expressed or implied reference to a specific subcontractor. m. Failure to amend solicitation to reflect necessary changes or modifications. 5. During the submission of bids and proposals. a. Improper acceptance of a late bid. b. Documents, such as receipts, appear falsified to obtain acceptance of a late bid. c. Improperly attempting to change a bid after other bidders prices are known. d. Indications that mistakes have been deliberately planted in a bid to support correction after bid opening. e. Withdrawal by a low bidder who may later become a subcontractor to a higher bidder who gets the contract. f. Apparent collusion or bid rigging among the bidders. g. Bidders apparently revealing their prices to each other. h. Required contractor certifications appear falsified. i. Information concerning contractor's qualifications, finances, and capabilities appears falsified. 6. During the evaluation of bids and proposals. a. Deliberately losing or discarding bids of certain contractors. b. Improperly disqualifying the bids or proposals of certain contractors. c. Accepting apparently nonresponsive bids from preferred contractors. d. Unusual or unnecessary contacts between government personnel and contractors during solicitation, evaluation, and negotiation. e. Any apparently unauthorized release of procurement information to a contractor or to non-government personnel. f. Any apparent favoritism in the evaluation of the bid or proposal of a particular contractor. g. Apparent bias in the evaluation criteria or in the attitude or actions of the members of the evaluation panel. 7. During contract formation and administration. a. Defective pricing by the contractor usually associated with submitting false cost and pricing data under the Truth in Negotiation Act. b. Cost/Labor mischarging. c. Product substitution. d. Progress payment fraud. For more details on these subjects see DA PAM 27-153, Contract Law, paragraph 23-5. Figure H-2. Guide for Preparing Remedies Plan Guide for Preparing a Remedies Plan (Date of Plan) Section I (Administrative Data) A. Subject of Allegation. B. Principal Investigative Agency. C. Investigative Agency File Number. D. Subject's Location. E. Location Where Offense Took Place. F. Responsible Action Commander. G. Responsible MACOM. H. Contract Administrative Data (If Applicable): 1. Contract Number. 2. Type of Contract. 3. Dollar Amount of Contract. 4. Period of Contract. I. Principal Case Agent (Name and Telephone Number). J. Civilian Prosecutor (If Applicable) (Name, Address, and Telephone Number). K. Is Grand Jury Investigating This Matter? If So, Where is Grand Jury Located? L. Audit Agency Involved (If Applicable). Name and Telephone Number of Principal Auditor. M. Suspense Date for Update of This Plan. Section II (Summary of Allegations and Investigative Results to Date) (Provide sufficient detail for reviewers of the plan to evaluate the appropriateness of the planned remedies. If information is “close-hold” or if grand jury secrecy applies, so state.) Section III (Adverse Impact Statement) (Describe any adverse impact on the DA/DOD mission. Adverse impact is described in DOD Directive 7050.5, paragraph E.1.g. Identify impact as actual or potential. Describe the impact in terms of monetary loss, endangerment to personnel or property, mission readiness, etc. This information should be considered in formulating your remedies as described below and provided to prosecutors for their use in prosecution of the offenses.) Section IV (Remedies Taken and/or Being Pursued) A. Criminal Sanctions. (As a minimum, address the following: Are criminal sanctions appropriate? If so, which ones? If not, why not? Has the local U.S. Attorney or other civilian prosecutor been notified and briefed? What actions have been taken or are intended? If and when action is complete, describe action and final results of the action. Other pertinent comments should be included.) B. Civil Remedies. (As a minimum address the following: Which civil remedies are appropriate? Has the local U.S. Attorney or other civilian prosecutor been notified and briefed? How, when, where and by whom are the appropriate civil remedies implemented? If and when action is completed, describe action and final results. Other pertinent comments should be included.) C. Contractual/Administrative Remedies. (As a minimum, address the following: Are contractual and administrative remedies appropriate: If so, which ones? If not, Why? If contractual or administrative remedies are considered appropriate, describe how, when, and by whom the remedies are implemented. If and when action is completed, describe action and results of the action. Other pertinent comments should be included.) D. Restrictions on Remedies Action. (Comment as to why obvious remedies are not being pursued. For example, the U.S. Attorney requests suspension action held in abeyance pending criminal action.) Section V (Miscellaneous Comments/Information) Section VI (Remedies Plan Participants) (Record the name, grade, organization, and telephone number of all Remedies Plan participants.) Section VII (MACOM Coordination Comments) (Record the name, grade, office symbol, and telephone number of all MACOM officials providing coordination comments; record the date when comments are submitted and append to the Remedies Plan the signed comments provided.) MACOM Focal Point (Record the name, grade, office symbol, and telephone number of the MACOM focal point.) Section VIII (Coordination/Comments) (Record the name, grade, organization, office symbol, and telephone number of all officials with whom you have coordinated the Remedies Plan or who have provided comments on your plan; append any comments provided to the Remedies Plan.) Figure H-3. Guide for Testing Defective Items Under Criminal or Civil Investigation Testing Defective Items Under Criminal or Civil Investigation 1. Under no circumstances is testing to proceed unless the command has committed sufficient funding to cover the entire cost of the projected testing. 2. No testing will be initiated unless there has been a written request for the testing to the appropriate Procurement Fraud Advisor from a criminal investigator or Assistant United States Attorney or Department of Justice Attorney (AUSA is used in these procedures to indicate either an AUSA or Department of Justice attorney). If they have not already done so, criminal investigators should be requested to coordinate their testing requests with the AUSA overseeing the investigation. 3. Barring extraordinary circumstances, only one test will be conducted to support the criminal and civil recovery efforts of a procurement fraud/irregularity matter. Early coordination with the Civil Division of Department of Justice or the local United States Attorneys Office is necessary to ensure that testing funds are not wasted. 4. The request for testing should include a clear, concise statement of the purpose of the testing to include a statement of the allegations made and the contact number(s) involved. Any test plan which requires destructive testing must be approved by the AUSA. 5. No testing will be initiated unless a test plan has been developed which states the following: a. the contract number(s) involved b. the National Stock Number (NSN) of the item to be tested c. the purpose of the testing d. the alleged defect or the contractual requirement violated e. the CID report of investigation (ROI) number or the DCIS case number f. cost of the test (a cost proposal should be an attachment to the test plan) g. where the test will be conducted h. how the test will be conducted i. the name and telephone number of the test team leader j. the names of all test team members k. the approximate dates of the testing l. the date that completion of the test is required m. a clear statement of the desired product (that is test report, raw data, analysis of results, evaluation of test results) n. the PRON to fund the testing o. a retention plan. 6. The test plan shall be coordinated with the concurrence received in advance from the appropriate personnel in the Procurement Directorate, Product Assurance and Test Directorate, the Procurement Fraud Advisor, and the investigator/AUSA requesting the test. No testing will be initiated until the criminal investigator/AUSA who requested the testing has approved the test plan. 7. If the items tested are to be retained as evidence, the criminal investigator should arrange for retention of the evidence. While the Command will support evidence retention, this is primarily the responsibility of the criminal investigators. Agents should be advised that putting items in Code L or similar non-use status is insufficient to protect it from being released to the field. A decision not to retain the tested items as evidence must have the approval of the AUSA. 8. All items to be tested should be from a statistically valid random sample. The sample should conform with the inspection requirements of the contract or be in conformance with a random sample specifically developed for the instant test plan. It is recommended that a statistician be consulted to determine the feasibility of a random sample specifically created to support the test plan. 9. Results of testing should be available to Command and DA personnel for appropriate contractual and administrative remedies. Any request for testing results that indicates that dissemination of the testing results will be limited by Rule 6(e) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure is to be forwarded through the MACOM or AMC Procurement Fraud Coordinator to DA Procurement Fraud Division prior to the initiation of any testing. 10. Resolution of problems associated with testing requests should be conducted at the local level. In AMC the authority to refuse a testing request resides with the Office of Command Counsel. Any disputes which cannot be resolved at the local level will be forwarded to the AMC or MACOM Procurement Fraud Coordinator for resolution. This includes disputes regarding funding or any time sensitive issues. 11. Second requests for testing of the same item due to a change in the investigative plan require coordination by the PFA with the investigator and Figure I-1. Guide for Seeking Legal Advice and Representation Before Office of Special Counsel Guide for Seeking Legal Advice and Representation Before Office of Special Counsel 1. Overview a. DA employees or military members asked to provide information (testimonial or documentary) to OSC may obtain legal advice through the Labor Counselor from DA attorneys concerning their rights and obligations. This includes assistance at any interviews with OSC investigators. However, an attorney-client relationship will not be established unless the employee or military member— (1) Is suspected or accused by the OSC of committing a prohibited personnel practice or other illegal or improper act; and (2) Has been assigned counsel by the DA General Counsel. b. Any military member or employee who reasonably believes that he or she is suspected or has been accused by OSC of committing a prohibited personnel practice or other illegal or improper act may obtain legal representation from DA. The counsel assigned will be from another DOD component whenever a DA attorney is likely to face a conflict between the attorney's ethical obligation to the client and DA, or when the suspected or accused individual has requested representation from another DOD component. Outside legal counsel may be retained by DA on behalf of the member or employee under unusual circumstances and only with the personal approval of the DOD General Counsel. c. The DA General Counsel will determine whether a conflict is likely to occur if a DA attorney is assigned to represent a military member or civilian. If the DA General Counsel determines a conflict may occur, or if the suspected or accused employee has requested representation from another DOD component, the DA General Counsel will seek the assistance of another General Counsel in obtaining representation outside DA. 2. Requests for Representation a. To obtain legal representation, military members or civilian employees must— (1) Submit a written request for legal representation through the Labor and Employment Law Office, Office of the Judge Advocate General, Department of the Army, to DA General Counsel, explaining the circumstances that justify legal representation. Copies of all process and pleadings served should accompany the request. (2) Indicate whether private counsel, at personal expense, has been retained. (3) Obtain written certification from their supervisor that— (a) They were acting within the scope of official duties; and (b) DA has not initiated any adverse or disciplinary action against them for the conduct being investigated by the OSC. b. Requests for DA legal representation must be approved by the DA General Counsel. c. The conditions of legal representation must be explained and accepted in writing by the member or employee. 3. Limitations on Representation a. DA will not provide legal representation with respect to a DA initiated disciplinary action against a civilian employee for committing or participating in a prohibited personnel practice or for engaging in illegal or improper conduct. This prohibition applies regardless of whether the participation or conduct is also the basis for the disciplinary action proposed by the OSC. b. In certain situations, counsel provided by DA may be limited to representing the individual only with respect to some of the pending matters, if other specific matters of concern to the OSC or MSPB do not satisfy the requirements contained in this regulation. 4. Attorney-Client Relationship a. An attorney-client relationship will be established and continued between the suspected or accused individual and assigned DA counsel. b. In representing a DA employee or military member, the DA attorney designated as counsel will act as a vigorous advocate of the individual's legal interests before the OSC or MSPB. The attorney's professional responsibility to DA will be satisfied by fulfilling this responsibility to the employee or military member. Legal representation may be terminated only with the approval of the DA General Counsel and normally only on the basis of information not available at the time the attorney was assigned. c. The attorney-client relationship may be terminated if the assigned DA counsel determines, with the approval of the DA General Counsel, that— (1) The military member or civilian employee was acting outside the scope of his or her official duties when engaging in the conduct that is the basis for the OSC investigation or charge; and (2) Termination is not in violation of the rules of professional conduct applicable to the assigned counsel. d. The DA attorney designated as counsel may request relief from the duties of representation or counseling without being required to furnish explanatory information that might compromise confidential communications between the client and the attorney. 5. Funding This regulation authorizes cognizant DA officials to approve requests from military members or civilian employees for travel, per diem, witness appearances, or other departmental support necessary to ensure effective legal representation by the designated counsel. 6. Status A military member's or civilian employee's participation in OSC investigations, MSPB hearings, and other related proceedings will be considered official departmental business for time and attendance requirements and similar purposes. 7. Advice to Witnesses The following advice to military members and civilian employees questioned during the course of an OSC investigation may be appropriate in response to these frequent inquiries: a. A witness may decline to provide a “yes” or “no” answer in favor of a more qualified answer when this is necessary to ensure accuracy in responding to an OSC interviewer's question. b. Requests for clarification of both questions and answers are appropriate to avoid misinterpretation. c. Means to ensure verifications of an interview by OSC investigators are appropriate, whether or not the military member or civilian employee is accompanied by counsel. Tape recorders may only be used for this purpose when— (1) The recorder is used in full view. (2) All attendees are informed. (3) The OSC investigator agrees to record the proceeding. d. Any errors that appear in a written summary of an interview prepared by the investigator should be corrected before the member or employee signs the statement. The military member or civilian employee is not required to sign any written summary that is not completely accurate. A military member or civilian employee may receive a copy of the summary as a condition of signing.

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