851.41—Settlement.
               		
               	 	
               	 	
               	 	               	 	               	 	               	 	               	 	
               	 	
    
        
        (a) 
         DOE encourages settlement of a proceeding under this subpart at any time if the settlement is consistent with this part. The Director and a contractor may confer at any time concerning settlement. A settlement conference is not open to the public and DOE does not make a transcript of the conference.
     
    
        
        (b) 
         Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, the Director may resolve any issues in an outstanding proceeding under this subpart with a consent order.
     
    
        
        (1) 
         The Director and the contractor, or a duly authorized representative thereto, must sign the consent order and indicate agreement to the terms contained therein.
     
    
        
        (2) 
         A contractor is not required to admit in a consent order that a requirement of this part has been violated.
     
    
        
        (3) 
         DOE is not required to make a finding in a consent order that a contractor has violated a requirement of this part.
     
    
        
        (4) 
         A consent order must set forth the relevant facts that form the basis for the order and what remedy, if any, is imposed.
     
    
        
        (5) 
         A consent order shall constitute a final order.