102-117.290—What is the difference between temporary nonuse, suspension and debarment?
(a)
Temporary nonuse is limited to your agency and initiated by the agency transportation officers for a period not to exceed 90 days for:
(1)
Willful violations of the terms of the rate tender;
(2)
Persistent or willful failure to meet requested packing and pickup service;
(3)
Failure to meet required delivery dates;
(4)
Violation of Department of Transportation (DOT) hazardous material regulations;
(5)
Mishandling of freight, damaged or missing transportation seals, improper loading, blocking, packing or bracing of property;
(6)
Improper routing of property;
(7)
Subjecting your shipments to unlawful seizure or detention by failing to pay debts;
(8)
Operating without legal authority;
(9)
Failure to settle claims according to Government regulations; or
(10)
Repeated failure to comply with regulations of DOT, Surface Transportation Board, State or local governments or other Government agencies.
(b)
Suspension is disqualifying a TSP from receiving orders for certain services under a contract or rate tender pending an investigation or legal proceeding. A TSP may be suspended on adequate evidence of:
(1)
Fraud or a criminal offense in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or performing a contract for transportation;
(2)
Violation of Federal or State antitrust statutes;
(3)
Embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, or receiving stolen property; and
(4)
Any other offense indicating a lack of business integrity or business honesty that seriously and directly affects the present responsibility of the TSP as a transporter of the Government's property or the HHG of its employees relocated for the Government.
(c)
Debarment means action taken to exclude a contractor from contracting with all Federal agencies. The seriousness of the TSP's acts or omissions and the mitigating factors must be considered in making any debarment decisions. A TSP may be debarred for the following reasons:
(1)
Failure of a TSP to take the necessary corrective actions within the period of temporary nonuse; or
(2)
Conviction of or civil judgment for any of the causes for suspension.