The purpose of this part is to effectuate section 403 of Public Law 93-153 (87 Stat. 576) to the end that no person shall on the grounds of race, creed, color, national origin, or sex, be excluded from receiving, or participating in any activity conducted under, any permit, right-of-way, public land order, or other Federal authorization granted or issued under title II of Public Law 93-153, 87 Stat. 584, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act.

This part applies to all activities, including contracting, employment, services, financial aids, and other benefits, conducted under permits, rights-of-way, public land orders, and other Federal authorizations granted or issued under title II of the Act by recipients of those authorizations, their agents, contractors, and subcontractors at each of their facilities conducting such activities.

(a) General. No person shall on the grounds of race, creed, color, national origin, or sex, be excluded from receiving or participating in any activity conducted under, any permit, right-of-way, public land order, or other Federal authorization to which this part applies.

(b) Specific discriminatory actions prohibited. No recipient of any permit, right-of-way, public land order, or other Federal authorization to which this part applies, or its contractors, or subcontractors to which this part applies may directly or through contractual or other arrangements, on the grounds of race, creed, color, national origin, or sex, discriminate in offering or providing employment, contracting, services, financial aids, or other benefits as follows:

(1) Employment practices. No recipient, contractor, or subcontractor to which this part applies may, directly or through contractual or other arrangements, subject an individual to discrimination on the grounds of race, creed, color, national origin, or sex in its employment practices, including recruitment advertising, hiring, firing, up-grading, promotion, demotion, or transfer, layoff, or terminations, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, or benefits, selection for training, or apprenticeship, use of facilities, treatment of employees or any other employment practice.

(2) Contracting practices. No recipient, contractor, or subcontractor to which this part applies may discriminate on the grounds of race, creed, color, national origin, or sex in its contracting practices, including but not limited to, determining qualification for placement on bidder lists, composition of bidder lists, pre-bid conferences, solicitation for bids, designation of quantities, or other specifications, delivery schedules, contract award and performance, or any other contracting practice.

(3) Services, financial aids and other benefits. No recipient, contractor, or subcontractor to which this part applies may, directly or through contractual or other arrangements, on the grounds of race, creed, color, national origin, or sex, discriminate in offering or providing services, financial aids, or other benefits as follows:

(i) Deny an individual any service, financial aid, or other benefit provided, in whole or in part, because of any Federal authorization to which this part applies;

(ii) Provide any service, financial aid, or other benefit to an individual which is different, or is provided in a different manner, from that provided to others;

(iii) Subject an individual to segregation or separate treatment in any matter related to his receipt of any service, financial aid, or other benefit provided, in whole or in part, because of any Federal authorization to which this part applies;

(iv) Restrict an individual in any way in the enjoyment of any advantage or privilege enjoyed by others receiving any service, financial aid, or other benefit provided, in whole or in part, because of any Federal authorization to which this part applies;

(v) Treat an individual differently from others in determining whether he satisfies any admission, enrollment, eligibility, membership or other requirement or condition which individuals must meet in order to be provided any service, financial aid, or other benefit offered, in whole or in part, because of any Federal authorization to which this part applies;

(vi) Deny an individual an opportunity to participate in any activity made possible, in whole or in part, because of any Federal authorization to which this part applies, through the provision of services or otherwise, or afford him an opportunity to do so which is different from that afforded others;

(vii) Deny an individual the opportunity to participate as a member of a planning or advisory body participating in the provision of any service, financial aid, or other benefit which is integrally associated with any Federal authorization to which this part applies;

(4) Determining and administering services, financial aids and other benefits. In determining the types of services, financial aids or other benefits, or facilities which will be provided because of any Federal authorization to which this part applies, or the class of individuals or establishments to whom, or the situations in which, such services, financial aids, other benefits or facilities will be provided, or the class of individuals or establishments to be afforded an opportunity to participate in any activity made possible, in whole or in part, because of any Federal authorization to which this part applies, a recipient, contractor, or subcontractor to which this part applies, may not, directly or through contractual or other arrangements, utilize criteria or methods of administration which have the effect of subjecting individuals or establishments to discrimination because of their race, creed, color, national origin, or sex.

(5) Site or location of facilities. In determining the site or location of facilities, for the provision of services, financial aids, or other benefits, a recipient, contractor or subcontractor to which this part applies, may not make selections with the purpose or effect of excluding individuals or establishments from, denying them the benefits of, or subjecting them to discrimination on the grounds of race, creed, color, national origin, or sex, or with the purpose or effect of defeating or substantially impairing the accomplishment of the objectives of section 403 of Public Law 93-153 and implementing rules, regulations, and orders.

(6) References to services, financial aides or other benefits. References to services, financial aids or other benefits shall be deemed to include all services, financial aids, or other benefits provided in or through facilities, programs, or operations made possible, in whole or in part, because of any Federal authorizations to which this part applies.

(7) Scope of prohibited discrimination. The enumeration of specific forms of prohibited discrimination in this paragraph (b) does not limit the generality of the prohibitions in paragraph (a) of this section.

Every application for a permit, right-of-way, public land order, or other Federal authorization to which this part applies, filed after the effective date of these regulations, and every contract covered hereunder to provide goods, services or facilities in the amount of $10,000 or more to the recipient of any Federal authorization to which this part applies, must contain an assurance that the recipient, contractor, or subcontractor does not and will not maintain any facilities in a segregated manner, and that all requirements imposed by or pursuant to section 403 of PubLic Law 93-153 shall be met, and that it will require a similar assurance in every subcontract over $10,000. The assurances shall be in a form specified by the Department Compliance Officer.

Each permit, right-of-way, public land order, or other Federal authorization to which this part applies, shall include by reference or incorporation by operation of law the terms, conditions, obligations, and responsibilities of this section, as follows:

(a) The recipient hereby agrees that it will not, directly or through contractual or other arrangements, on the grounds of race, creed, color, national origin, or sex, discriminate against any individual or establishment in offering or providing contracts, employment, services, financial aids, or other benefits. Recipient will take affirmative action to utilize minority business enterprises in the performance of contracts awarded by recipient, to assure that applicants for employment are employed and that employees are treated during employment, and that individuals are offered and provided services, financial aids, and other benefits without regard to their race, creed, color, national origin, or sex. Recipient agrees to post in conspicuous places available to contractors, employees, and other interested individuals, notices which set forth these equal opportunity terms and to notify interested individuals, such as bidders, purchasers, and labor unions or representatives of workers with whom it has collective bargaining agreements of recipient's obligations under section 403 of Public Law 93-153.

(b) The recipient will comply with all rules, regulations, and orders of the Department of the Interior which implement section 403 of Public Law 93-153.

(c) The recipient will furnish all information and reports required by or pursuant to rules, regulations, and orders implementing section 403 of Public Law 93-153 and permit access to its books, records, and accounts by the Secretary of the Interior, the Department Compliance Officer, or other designee of the Secretary, for purposes of investigation to ascertain compliance with rules, regulations, and orders of the Department of the Interior which implement section 403 of Public Law 93-153.

(d) The recipient recognizes and agrees that its obligation for compliance with section 403 of Public Law 93-153 and implementing rules, regulations, and orders extends not only to direct activities, but also to require that contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and lessees, comply with section 403 and implementing rules, regulations and orders. To that end the recipient agrees that with regard to all contracts over $10,000 and all contracts of indefinite quantity (unless there is reason to believe that the amount to be ordered in any year under the contract will not exceed $10,000) to:

(1) Obtain as part of its contractual arrangements with such parties, as a minimum form of assurance an agreement in writing, that:

(i) The contractor hereby agrees that it will not, directly or through contractual or other arrangements, on the grounds of race, creed, color, national origin, or sex, discriminate against any individual or establishment in offering or providing contracts, employment, services, financial aids, or other benefits. Contractor will take affirmative action to utilize minority business enterprises in the performance of subcontracts which is awards, and to assure that applicants are employed and that employees are treated during employment, and that individuals are offered and provided services, financial aids, and other benefits without regard to their race, creed, color, national origin, or sex. Contractor agrees to post in conspicuous places available to contractors, employees, and other interested individuals notices which set forth these equal opportunity terms and to notify interested individuals, such as bidders, purchasers, and labor unions or representatives of workers with whom it has collective bargaining agreements of contractor's obligations under section 403 of Public Law 93-153.

(ii) The contractor will comply with all rules, regulations, and orders of the Department of the Interior which implement section 403 of Public Law 93-153.

(iii) The contractor will furnish all information and reports required by or pursuant to rules, regulations, and orders implementing section 403 of Public Law 93-153 and permit access to its books, records, and accounts by the Secretary of the Interior, the Department Compliance Officer, or other designee of the Secretary, for purposes of investigation to ascertain compliance with rules, regulations, and orders of the Department of the Interior which implement section 403 of Public Law 93-153.

(iv) Contractor's noncompliance with the nondiscrimination clauses of this contract or with any of said rules, regulations, and orders shall constitute a breach of its contractual arrangements whereby said arrangements may be cancelled, terminated, or suspended, or may be subject to enforcement otherwise by appropriate legal proceedings.

(v) Contractor will obtain the provisions of paragraph (d)(1) (i) through (v) of this section in all subcontracts over $10,000 and all subcontracts of indefinite quantity (unless there is reason to believe that the amount to be ordered in any year under the contract will not exceed $10,000).

(2) Recipient will make every good faith effort to secure the compliance and will assist and cooperate actively with the Department Compliance Officer and the Secretary or his designee in obtaining and enforcing the compliance of said contracting parties with the requirements of section 403 and implementing rules, regulations, and orders, and with their respective contractual arrangements; and will take such action with respect to any contract or purchase order that the Secretary of the Interior, the Department Compliance Officer, or other designee of the Secretary may direct as a means of enforcing such provisions: Provided, however, That in the event the recipient becomes involved in litigation with a noncomplying party, it may request the Department of the Interior to enter into such litigation to protect the interests of the United States in the enforcement of these obligations, and

(3) Recipient will obtain and furnish to the Department Compliance Officer such information as he may require for the supervision or securing of such compliance.

(e) In the event of the recipient's noncompliance with the equal opportunity terms, compliance may be effected by the suspension or termination or refusal to grant or to continue providing the Federal authorization in accordance with procedures authorized by section 403 of Public Law 93-153, and set forth in implementing rules, regulations, or orders, or by any other means authorized by law.

Within sixty (60) days of the effective date of these regulations, or within sixty (60) days from the commencement of a Federal authorization to which this part applies, whichever occurs later, recipients of Federal authorizations to which this part applies, shall prepare and submit an affirmative action plan for each of their establishments to which this part applies, to assure that the requirements of this part will be met. In addition, recipients and each of their prime contractors and subcontractors shall require each contractor and subcontractor with a contract of $50,000 or more and 50 or more employees to develop within sixty (60) days from the commencement of the contract and to keep on file a written affirmative action plan for each of its establishments, to which this part applies, with the exception of those establishments which the Department Compliance Officer determines are in all respects separate and distinct from performance of the activities of the prime contractor or subcontractor conducted under the Federal authorizations. Such plans shall include a set of specific and result-oriented procedures which the recipient, contractor or subcontractor commits itself to apply every good faith effort to achieve equal opportunity in all aspects of its operations. An acceptable program must include an analysis of all areas of operation of the recipient, contractor, or subcontractor in which it could be deficient in offering services, opportunities, or benefits to minority groups and women, and all areas of employment in which it could be deficient in the utilization of minority groups and women and all areas of contracting in which it could be deficient in the utilization of minority business enterprises, and, further, specific goals and specific timetables to which its efforts will be directed, to correct all deficiencies and thus to increase materially the participation of minorities and women in all aspects of its operation. The implementing affirmative action plans shall include the following:

(a) Services, financial aids, and other benefits. The implementing program is required to specifically address all areas of operation of the recipient, contractor or subcontractor which offer and provide services, financial aids, and other benefits; it shall identify those services, financial aids, and benefits; analyze the opportunities available to minorities and women in each area; and set forth affirmative action, including goals and time- tables, which will be taken to materially increase participation of minorities and women.

(b) Employment practices. The implementing plan shall address all aspects of employment operations and is required to contain all analyses and commitments, including goals and timetables, which are required in rules, regulations, and orders implementing Executive Order 11246, as amended, and to include additional commitments to employment goals for minorities and women in construction operations, to the extent that those goals are not established under Executive Order 11246.

(c) Contracting practices. Recipients to which this part applies and each of their contractors and subcontractors with a contract of $150,000 or more shall also include in their affirmative action plan a program in which the recipient, contractor or subcontractor agrees to take specific affirmative action as set forth below to utilize minority business enterprises as subcontractors and suppliers. For this purpose, the term minority business enterprise means a business enterprise that is owned or controlled by minority group members or women. The plan shall identify specific actions which the recipient, contractor or subcontractor will take to:

(1) Designate a liaison officer who will administer the minority business enterprises program;

(2) Provide adequate and timely consideration of the potentialities of minority business enterprises in all contracting decisions;

(3) Afford minority business enterprises an equitable opportunity to compete for contracts and subcontracts by arranging solicitations, time for preparation of bids, quantities, specifications, and delivery schedules so as to facilitiate the participation of minority business enterprises;

(4) Submit periodic reports of contracting opportunities, procedures, and awards to minority business enterprises, at such times, and in such form, and containing such information as the Department Compliance Officer may prescribe, including reports showing:

(i) Procedures which have been adopted to comply with the policies set forth in this clause, including the establishment of a source list of minority business enterprises;

(ii) Awards to minority business enterprises on the source lists, and

(iii) Specific efforts to identify and award contracts to minority business enterprises.

(5) Establish specific goals and timetables to utilize minority business enterprises in the performance of contracts awarded.

(6) Inform minority business enterprises and organizations of minority business enterprises of contracting opportunities and procedures.

(7) Cooperate with the Department Compliance Officer in any studies and surveys of the recipient's minority business enterprise procedures and practices that the Department Compliance Officer may from time to time conduct.

(8) Assist potential minority business enterprises in obtaining and maintaining suitable bonding capabilities, in those instances where bonds are required.

(d) Exemption. Contracts and subcontracts are exempt from the requirements of the equal opportunity clause with regard to work performed outside the United States by employees who were not recruited within the United States.

(a) Records, reports, and access to books. Each recipient, contractor, or subcontractor to which this part applies, shall keep such records and submit to the Department Compliance Officer complete and accurate reports, at such times, and in such form, and containing such information, as he may determine to be necessary to enable him to ascertain whether the recipient, contractor or subcontractor has complied or is complying with rules, regulations and orders implementing section 403 of Public Law 93-153. In the case where the recipient, contractor or subcontractor contracts with another, such other contractor shall also submit such compliance reports to the recipient, contractor or subcontractor as may be necessary to enable the recipient, contractor or subcontractor to determine and carry out his obligations under section 403 of Public Law 93-153 and implementing rules, regulations, and orders.

(b) Access to sources of information. Each recipient, contractor and subcontractor to which this part applies, shall permit access by the Department Compliance Officer or his designee or by the Secretary or his designee during normal business hours to such of his books, records, accounts, and other sources of information, and his facilities, as may be pertinent to ascertain compliance with rules, regulations, and orders implementing section 403 of Public Law 93-153.

(c) Information in possession of other agency, institution, or person. Where any information required of a recipient, contractor or subcontractor is in the exclusive possession of any other agency, institution, or person and such agency, institution or person shall fail or refuse to furnish this information, the recipient, contractor or subcontractor shall so certify in a report and shall set forth what efforts it has made to obtain the information.

(d) Failure to submit reports. Failure to file timely, complete and accurate reports as required constitutes noncompliance with the equal opportunity clause and is ground for the imposition by the agency, recipient, contractor, or subcontractor of any sanctions as authorized by section 403 of Public Law 93-153 and implementating rules, regulations, and orders.

(e) Information to beneficiaries and participants. Each recipient, contractor and subcontractor to which this part applies, shall make available to participants in and beneficiaries of its operations and services, information regarding the provisions of this part and the details of the recipient's, contractor's or subcontractor's compliance with this part, to the extent that it will enhance their participation in nondiscrimination programs of recipient, contractor, or subcontractor, and aid the recipient, contractor, or subcontractor in meeting its obligations under this part.

(a) Approval of affirmative action plans. The Department Compliance Officer shall from time to time review the recipient's, contractor's or subcontractor's affirmative action plans to determine whether they meet the requirements of rules, regulations and orders implementing section 403 of Public Law 93-153. Where deficiencies are found to exist, the Department Compliance Officer or his designee will so inform the recipient, contractor or subcontractor and the matter will be resolved by informal means whenever possible. If it has been determined that the matter cannot be resolved by informal means, action will be taken as provided for in § 27.9.

(b) Periodic compliance reviews. The Department Compliance Officer shall from time to time review the practices of recipients, contractors and subcontractors to determine whether they are complying with the rules, regulations and orders implementing section 403 of Public Law 93-153. The purpose of the compliance review is to determine if the recipient, contractor or subcontractor maintains nondiscriminatory operations and practices and whether it is taking the action required by the rules, regulations, and orders implementing section 403 of Public Law 93-153 to assure that no person on the grounds of race, creed, color, national origin or sex is excluded from receiving or participating in any activity conducted under any permit, right-of-way, public land order or other Federal authorization to which this part applies. It shall consist of a comprehensive analysis of all aspects of the recipient's, contractor's or subcontractor's operations and practices which may be involved, and the policies and conditions resulting therefrom. Where necessary, recommendations for appropriate sanctions shall be made.

(c) Complaints. Any person who believes himself or any other individual to be subjected to discrimination prohibited by this part may file with the Department Compliance Officer or his designee, a written complaint. A complaint must be filed not later than 180 days from the date of the alleged discrimination, unless the time for filing is extended by the Department Compliance Officer or his designee.

(d) Investigations. The Department Compliance Officer or his designee will make a prompt investigation whenever a compliance review report, complaint, or any other information indicates a possible failure to comply with the rules, regulations, and orders implementing section 403 of Public Law 93-153. The investigation should include, where appropriate, a review of the pertinent practices and policies of the recipient, contractor, or subcontractor, the circumstances under which the possible noncompliance occurred and other factors relevant to a determination as to whether the recipient, contractor or subcontractor has failed to comply with section 403 of Public Law 93-153 and implementing rules, regulations, and orders.

(e) Resolution of matters. (1) If an investigation pursuant to paragraph (a), (b), (c), or (d) of this section indicates a failure to comply with the rules, regulations, and orders implementing section 403 of Public Law 93-153, the Department Compliance Officer or his designee will so inform the recipient, contractor or subcontractor and the matter will be resolved by informal means whenever possible. Before the recipient, contractor or subcontractor can be found to be in compliance, he must make specific commitments in writing, to correct all deficiencies. The commitments must include the precise actions to be taken and dates for completion. The time periods allotted shall be no longer than the minimum periods necessary to effect such changes. Upon approval of the Department Compliance Officer, the recipient, contractor or subcontractor, may be considered in compliance, on condition that the commitments are faithfully kept. The recipient, contractor or subcontractor shall be notified that making such commitments does not preclude future determinations of noncompliance when the commitments are not being met or when there is a determination by the Department Compliance Officer that the full facts were not known at the time commitments were accepted, and that commitments are not sufficient to correct deficiencies.

(2) If an investigation does not warrant action pursuant to paragraph (e)(1) of this section, the Department Compliance Officer shall so inform the recipient, contractor or subcontractor, and the complainant, if any, in writing.

(f) Intimidatory or retaliatory acts prohibited. No recipient, contractor or subcontractor shall intimidate, threaten, coerce, or discriminate against any individual for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by section 403 of Public Law 93-153 and implementing rules, regulations, and orders, or because he has made a complaint, testified, assisted, benefited from, or participated in any manner in an investigation, compliance review, proceeding, or hearing under this part. The identity of complainants shall be kept confidential except to the extent necessary to carry out the purposes of this part including the conduct of any investigation, hearing, or judicial proceeding arising thereunder.

(g) Approval of action by Authorized Officer. During the period of construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, and until such time as this paragraph (g) is rescinded by the Secretary, the Department Compliance Officer shall coordinate all actions taken pursuant to this part with the Authorized Officer and shall secure the approval of the Authorized Officer prior to the taking of any final act hereunder.

(a) General. If there appears to be a failure or refusal of any recipient, contractor, or subcontractor to observe or comply substantially with section 403 of Public Law 93-153, or implementing rules, regulations, and orders, compliance may be effected through the use of conciliation conferences, informal hearings, and procedures to cause termination or suspension of or refusal to grant or to continue the permit, or other Federal authorization to which this part applies, or of the contracts to which this part applies, or by any other means authorized by law. Such other means may include, but are not limited to:

(1) A reference to the Department of Justice with a recommendation that appropriate proceedings be brought to enforce any rights of the United States under any law of the United States or any assurance or other contractural undertaking, and

(2) Any applicable proceeding under State or local law.

(b) Noncompliance with § 27.4. In the event that a recipient fails or refuses to furnish an assurance required under § 27.4, or otherwise fails or refuses to comply with a requirement imposed by or pursuant to that section the failure or refusal may, at the option of the Secretary, be grounds for authorizing proceedings to cause refusal of the Federal authorization in accordance with the procedures of paragraph (c) of this section. The Department of the Interior shall not be required to provide the authorization in such a case during the pendency of the administrative proceedings under such paragraph.

(c) Termination of or refusal to grant or to continue the Federal authorization—(1) General. In those instances where a recipient fails or refuses to observe or comply substantially with section 403 of Public Law 93-153 or implementing rules, regulations, and orders, noncompliance at the option of the Secretary, may be grounds for termination, suspension, refusal to grant or continue the Federal authorization.

(i) Recommendation to proceed. The Department Compliance Officer may request that the Secretary commence procedures to suspend, terminate, or refuse to grant or continue the Federal authorization or to cause such suspension, termination, or refusal to grant. He shall indicate the specific grounds for alleging noncompliance with section 403 and implementing rules, regulations, and orders, the actions which would create compliance, and the time necessary to achieve compliance.

(ii) Commencement of proceedings. Before the Secretary authorizes the commencement of an administrative proceeding for termination, suspension, or refusal to grant any Federal authorization to which this part applies, the Secretary or his designee shall give the recipient notice in writing of the alleged ground or grounds for termination or formal suspension, or refusal to grant, with sufficient particularity to enable the recipient to comply with section 403 of Public Law 93-153 and implementing rules, regulations and orders. The recipient shall have sixty (60) days from the date of delivery of the notice within which to comply. If compliance cannot be achieved in sixty (60) days, the recipient shall be entitled to additional time if he demonstrates that compliance is not possible within the sixty (60) day period and that the necessary curative actions were undertaken promptly and have been diligently prosecuted toward completion; Provided further that the aforesaid additional time shall not exceed ninety (90) days from the last day of the said sixty (60) day period, without the prior written consent of the Secretary or his designee which shall specify the last day upon which the curative action must be completed to the satisfaction of the Secretary or his designee.

(iii) Opportunity for a hearing. No order suspending, terminating or refusing to grant or continue any Federal authorization to which this part applies shall become effective until there has been an express finding on the record, after opportunity for a formal hearing, of a failure by the applicant or recipient to comply substantially with section 403 of Public Law 93-153 or implementing rules, regulations, and orders and the action has been approved by the Secretary pursuant to § 27.11(e).

(2) [Reserved]

(d) Other means authorized by law. No action to effect compliance by any other means authorized by law shall be taken until (1) the action has been approved by the Secretary, (2) the recipient or other person has been notified of its failure to comply and of the action to be taken to effect compliance, and (3) the expiration of at least 10 days from the mailing of such notice to the recipient or other person. During this period of at least 10 days additional efforts shall be made to persuade the recipient or other person to comply and to take such corrective action as may be appropriate.

(a) Informal hearings—(1) Purpose. The Department Compliance Officer may convene such informal hearings as may be deemed appropriate for the purpose of inquiring into the status of compliance of any recipient, contractor, or subcontractor to which this part applies.

(2) Notice. Recipients, contractors, and subcontractors shall be advised in writing as to the time and place of the informal hearings and may be directed to bring specific documents and records, or furnish other relevant information concerning their compliance status. When so requested, the recipient, contractor, or subcontractor shall attend and bring requested documents and records, or other requested information.

(3) Conduct of hearings. The hearing shall be conducted by hearing officers appointed by the Department Compliance Officer. Parties to informal hearings may be represented by counsel or other authorized representative as provided in 43 CFR part 1 and shall have a fair opportunity to present any relevant material. Formal rules of evidence will not apply to such proceedings.

(b) Formal hearings—(1) Opportunity for hearing. Whenever an opportunity for a hearing is required by § 27.9(c), reasonable notice shall be given by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the affected applicant or recipient. This notice shall advise the applicant or recipient of the action proposed to be taken, the specific provision under which the proposed action against it is to be taken, and the matters of fact or law asserted as the basis for this action, and either (i) fix a date not less than twenty (20) days after the date of such notice within which the applicant or recipient may request of the Secretary or his designee or the administrative law judge to whom the matter has been assigned that the matter be scheduled for hearing or (ii) advise the applicant or recipient that the matter in question has been set down for hearing at a stated place and time. The time and place so fixed shall be reasonable and shall be subject to change for cause. The complainant, if any, shall be advised of the time and place of the hearing. An applicant or recipient may waive a hearing and submit written information and argument for the record. The failure of an applicant or recipient to request a hearing under this paragraph or to appear at a hearing for which a date has been set shall be deemed to be a waiver of the right to a hearing under section 403 of Public Law 93-153 and implementing rules, regulations, and orders and consent to the making of a decision on the basis of information on the record.

(2) Time and place of hearing. Hearings shall be conducted by the Office of Hearings and Appeals of the Department, at a time and place fixed by the administrative law judge to whom the matter has been assigned. Hearings shall be held before an administrative law judge designated by the Office of Hearings and Appeals in accordance with its procedures.

(3) Right to Counsel. In all proceedings under this section, the applicant or recipient and the Department shall have the right to be represented by counsel or other authorized representative as provided in 43 CFR part 1.

(4) Procedures, evidence, and record. (i) The hearing, decision, and any administrative review thereof shall be conducted in conformity with 5 U.S.C. 554 through 557 and in accordance with such rules of procedure as are proper (and not inconsistent with this section) relating to the conduct of the hearing, giving of notices subsequent to those provided for in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, taking of testimony, exhibits, arguments and briefs, requests for findings, and other related matters. Both the Department and the applicant or recipient shall be entitled to introduce all relevant evidence on the issues as stated in the notice for hearing or as determined by the administrative law judge conducting the hearing at the outset of or during the hearing.

(ii) Technical rules of evidence shall not apply to hearings conducted pursuant to this part, but rules or principles designed to assure production of the most credible evidence available and to subject testimony to test by cross-examination shall be applied where determined reasonably necessary by the administrative law judge conducting the hearing. The administrative law judge may exclude irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious evidence. All documents and other evidence offered or taken for the record shall be open to examination by the parties and opportunity shall be given to refute facts and arguments advanced on either side of the issues. A transcript shall be made of the oral evidence except to the extent that the substance thereof is stipulated for the record. All decisions shall be based upon the hearing record and written findings shall be made.

(5) Consolidated or joint hearings. In cases in which the same or related facts are asserted to constitute noncompliance with this part with respect to two or more Federal authorizations to which this part applies, or asserted to constitute noncompliance with this part and the regulations of one or more other Federal departments or agencies, the Secretary may, by agreement with such other departments or agencies, where applicable, provide for the conduct of consolidated or joint hearings, and for the application to such hearings of rules of procedure not inconsistent with this part. Final decisions in such cases, insofar as this part is concerned, shall be made in accordance with § 27.11.

(a) Initial decision by an administrative law judge. The administrative law judge shall make an initial decision and a copy of such initial decision shall be sent by registered mail, return receipt requested, to the recipient or applicant.

(b) Review of the initial decision. The applicant or recipient may file his exceptions to the initial decision, with his reasons therefor, with the Director, Office of Hearings and Appeals, within thirty (30) days of receipt of the initial decision. In the absence of exceptions, the Director, Office of Hearings and Appeals, on his own motion within forty-five (45) days after the initial decision, may notify the applicant or recipient that he will review the decision. In the absence of exceptions or a notice of review, the initial decision shall constitute the final decision subject to the approval of the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (f) of this section.

(c) Decisions by the Director, Office of Hearings and Appeals. Whenever the Director, Office of Hearings and Appeals, reviews the decision of an administrative law judge pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, the applicant or recipient shall be given reasonable opportunity to file with him briefs or other written statements of its contention, and a copy of the final decision of the Director, Office of Hearings and Appeals, shall be given to the applicant or recipient and to the complainant, if any.

(d) Decisions on record where a hearing is waived. Whenever a hearing is waived pursuant to § 27.10 (b)(1), a decision shall be made by the Director, Office of Hearings and Appeals, on the record and a copy of such decision shall be given in writing to the applicant or recipient and to the complainant, if any.

(e) Rulings required. Each decision of an administrative law judge or the Director, Office of Hearings and Appeals, shall set forth his ruling on each finding, conclusion, or exception presented, and shall identify the requirement or requirements imposed by or pursuant to this part with which it is found that the applicant or recipient has failed to comply.

(f) Approval by Secretary. Any final decision of an administrative law judge or of the Director, Office of Hearings and Appeals, which provides for the suspension or termination of, or the refusal to grant or continue a Federal authorization, or the imposition of any other sanction available under this part, shall promptly be transmitted to the Secretary, who may approve such decision, may vacate it, or remit or mitigate any sanction imposed.

(g) Content of decisions. The final decision may provide for suspension or termination of, or refusal to grant or continue a Federal authorization, in whole or in part, and may contain such terms, conditions, and other provisions as are consistent with and will effectuate the purposes of section 403 of Public Law 93-153 and implementing rules, regulations, and orders, including provisions designated to assure that no Federal authorization will be extended under title II of Public Law 93-153 to the applicant or recipient determined by such decision to be in default in its performance of an assurance given by it pursuant to section 403 and implementing rules, regulations, and orders or to have otherwise failed to comply with this part, unless and until it corrects its noncompliance and satisfies the Secretary that it will fully comply with this part.

(h) Post termination decisions. An applicant or recipient adversely affected by an order issued under paragraph (g) of this section shall be restored to full eligibility to receive the Federal authorization if it satisfies the terms and conditions of that order for such eligibility and if it provides reasonable assurance that it will fully comply with this part.

Action taken pursuant to this part is subject to judicial review.

(a) Effect on other regulations. Nothing in these regulations shall be deemed to supersede any of the following (including future amendments thereof):

(1) Executive Order 11246, as amended, and regulations therefor;

(2) Executive Order 11063 and regulations issued thereunder, or any other regulations or instructions insofar as such Order, regulations, or instructions prohibit discrimination on the ground of race, creed, color, national origin, or sex in any program or situation to which this part is inapplicable, or prohibit discrimination on any other ground.

(3) Regulations to effectuate title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

(b) Forms and instructions. The Department Compliance Officer may issue and make available to interested persons instructions and procedures for effectuating this part.

(c) Supervision and coordination. The Secretary may from time to time assign to such officials of the Department as he deems appropriate, or to officials of other departments or agencies of the Government with the consent of such departments or agencies, responsibilities in connection with the effectuation of the purposes of this part (other than responsibility for final decision as provided in § 27.11), including the achievement of effective coordination and maximum uniformity within the Department and within the Executive Branch of the Government in the application of this part. Any action taken, determination made, or requirement imposed by an official of another department or agency acting pursuant to an assignment of responsibility under this paragraph shall have the same effect as though such action had been taken by the Secretary of the Interior.

As used in this part:

(a) The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.

(b) The term applicant means one who submits an application for any Federal authorization to which this part applies.

(c) The term recipient means any entity or individual who receives a permit, right-of-way, public land order, or other Federal authorization granted or issued under title II of Public Law 93-153 and its agent or agents.

(d) The term contract means any agreement or arrangement between a recipient and any person (in which the parties do not stand in the relationship of an employer and an employee) in any way related to the activities of the recipient conducted under any permit, right-of-way, public land order, or other Federal authorization granted or issued under title II.

(e) The term subcontract means any agreement or arrangement between a contractor and any person (in which the parties do not stand in the relationship of an employer and an employee) in any way related to the performance of any one or more contracts as defined above.

(f) The Authorized Officer means the employee of the Department, designated to act on behalf of the Secretary pursuant to the Agreement and Grant of Right-of-Way for Trans-Alaska Pipeline or such other person to whom the Authorized Officer redelegates his authority pursuant to the delegation of authority to the Authorized Officer from the Secretary.

(g) The Department Compliance Officer means that officer of the Department of the Interior so designated by the Secretary.