(a) Scope. Any person claiming to be directly and adversely affected by any of the listed administrative actions taken by BIS pursuant to this subpart may appeal to the Under Secretary for reconsideration of that administrative action. Only the following types of administrative actions are subject to the appeals procedures described in this subpart:
(1) Denial of an application for a specific authorization;
(2) Suspension or revocation of an issued specific authorization; or
(3) Determination of ineligibility for a general authorization.
(b) Designated appeals reviewer and coordinator. The Under Secretary may delegate to the Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security or to another BIS official the authority to review and decide the appeal, and to exercise any other function of the Under Secretary under this section. In addition, the Under Secretary may designate any employee of BIS to be an appeals coordinator to assist in the review and processing of an appeal under this subpart. The responsibilities of an appeals coordinator may include presiding over informal hearings.
(c) Appeals procedures—(1) Filing. An appeal under this subpart must be submitted to the Under Secretary by email or at the following address: Bureau of Industry and Security, U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 3898, 14th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230 no later than 45 days after the date appearing on the written notice of administrative action.
(2) Content of appeal. The appeal must include a full written statement in support of the appellant's position. The appeal must include a precise statement of the reasons that the appellant believes that the administrative action has a direct and adverse effect and should be reversed or modified. The Under Secretary or the designated official may request additional information that would be helpful in resolving the appeal, and may accept additional submissions from the appellant. The Under Secretary or the designated official will not ordinarily accept any submission filed voluntarily more than 30 days after the filing of the appeal.
(3) Request for informal hearing. In addition to the written statement submitted in support of an appeal, an appellant may request, in writing, at the time an appeal is filed, an opportunity for an informal hearing. A hearing is not required, and the Under Secretary or the designated official may grant or deny a request for an informal hearing at the Under Secretary or the designated official's sole discretion. Any hearings will be held in the District of Columbia unless the Under Secretary or the designated official determines, based upon good cause shown, that another location would be preferable.
(d) Informal hearing procedures—(1) Presentations. If a hearing request is granted, the Under Secretary or the designated official may provide an opportunity for the appellant to make an oral presentation at an informal hearing based on the materials previously submitted by the appellant or made available by BIS. The Under Secretary or the designated official may require that any facts in controversy be covered by an affidavit or testimony given under oath or affirmation.
(2) Evidence. The rules of evidence prevailing in courts of law do not apply, and all evidentiary material deemed by the Under Secretary or the designated official to be relevant and material to the proceeding, and not unduly repetitious, will be received and considered.
(3) Procedural questions. The Under Secretary or the designated official has the authority to limit the number of people attending the hearing, to impose any time or other limitations deemed reasonable, and to determine all procedural questions.
(4) Transcript. A transcript of an informal hearing shall not be made, unless the Under Secretary or the designated official determines that the national interest or other good cause warrants it, or if the appellant requests a transcript. If the appellant requests, and the Under Secretary or the designated official approves the taking of, a transcript, the appellant will be responsible for paying all expenses related to production of the transcript.
(5) Report. Any person designated by the Under Secretary to conduct an informal hearing shall submit a written report containing a summary of the hearing and recommended action to the Under Secretary.
(e) Amicus filings. At the request of the appellant, parties not subject to the administrative action under appeal may submit amicus filings in support of the appellant prior to any informal hearing.
(f) Decisions. In addition to the documents specifically submitted in connection with the appeal, the Under Secretary or the designated official may consider any recommendations, reports, or other relevant documents available to BIS in determining the appeal, but shall not be bound by any such information, nor prevented from considering any other relevant information, or consulting with any other person or groups, in making a decision. The Under Secretary or the designated official may adopt any other procedures deemed necessary and reasonable for considering an appeal, including by providing the appellant with an interim or proposed decision and offering the appellant an opportunity to provide comments. The Under Secretary or the designated official shall decide an appeal within a reasonable time after receipt of the appeal. The decision shall be issued to the appellant in writing and contain a statement of the reasons for the action and address any arguments contrary to the decision presented by the appellant. The decision of the Under Secretary or the designated official shall be final.
(g) Effect of appeal. Acceptance and consideration of an appeal shall not affect any administrative action, pending or in effect, unless the Under Secretary or the designated official, upon request by the appellant and with opportunity for a response, grants a stay.