(a) DOE encourages settlement of a proceeding under this subpart at any time if the settlement is consistent with this part. The Enforcement 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 Enforcement Director may resolve any issues in an outstanding proceeding under this subpart with a consent order.

(1) The Enforcement 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.