Part 303--Improper Business Practices and Personal Conflicts of Interest

HHS Acquisition Regulation (HHSAR)

Sections on this page:

Subpart 303.1--Safeguards
Subpart 303.2--Contractor Gratuities to Government Personnel
- 303.203 Reporting suspected violations of the Gratuities clause.
Subpart 303.3--Reports of Suspected Antitrust Violations
- 303.303 Reporting suspected antitrust violations.
Subpart 303.4--Contingent Fees
- 303.405 Misrepresentations or violations of the Covenant Against Contingent Fees clause.
Subpart 303.6--Contracts with Government Employees or Organizations Owned or Controlled by Them
- 303.602 Exceptions.
Subpart 303.7--Voiding and Rescinding Contracts
- 303.704 Policy.
Subpart 303.8--Limitation on the Payment of Funds to Influence Federal Transactions
- 303.808-70 Solicitation provision and contract clause.

(Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 40 U.S.C. 121(c)(2))

Subpart 303.1--Safeguards

303.101 Standards of conduct.

303.101-3 Agency regulations.

(a) (3) The HHS Standards of Conduct are prescribed in 45 CFR Part 73.

303.104-7 Violations or possible violations of the Procurement Integrity Act.

(a) (1) The Contracting Officer shall submit to the HCA for review and approval the determination (along with supporting documentation) that a reported violation or possible violation of the statutory prohibitions has no impact on the pending award or selection of a contractor for award.

(2) The Contracting Officer shall refer the determination that a reported violation or possible violation of the statutory prohibitions has an impact on the pending award or selection of a contractor, along with all related information available, to the HCA, if the HCA is in the Senior Executive Service (SES), or to another SES official designated by the OPDIV. That individual shall—

(i) Refer the matter immediately to the Associate DAS for Acquisition for review, who may consult with OGC-GLD and the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), as appropriate; and

(ii) Determine the necessary action in accordance with FAR 3.104–7(c) and (d). The HCA shall obtain the approval or concurrence of the Associate DAS for Acquisition before proceeding with an action.

(b) The HCA (non-delegable) shall act with respect to actions taken under the FAR clause 52.203–10, Price or Fee Adjustment for Illegal or Improper Authority.

303.1003 Requirements.

(b) The Contracting Officer, when notified of a possible contractor violation of federal criminal law, in accordance with FAR 3.1003(b), shall—

(1) Notify the OIG at http://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/hotline, 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477), or HHSTips@oig.hhs.gov;

(2) Notify the HCA; and http://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/hotline

(3) Cooperate with any investigation by the OIG; and in coordination with the HCA, OIG, OGC and the affected program office, pursue appropriate remedies.

(c) (2) The Contracting Officer shall specify the title of HHS’ hotline poster (“Report Fraud”) and the website where the poster can be obtained (http://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/hotline/OIG_Hotline_Poster.pdf) in subparagraph (b)(3) of the clause at FAR 52.203-14.

Subpart 303.2--Contractor Gratuities to Government Personnel

303.203 Reporting suspected violations of the Gratuities clause.

HHS personnel shall report suspected violations of the Gratuities clause to the Contracting Officer, who will in turn report the matter to the OGC Ethics Division for disposition. The OGC Ethics Division shall identify, and notify the Contracting Officer of, the form and content of the required report.

Subpart 303.3--Reports of Suspected Antitrust Violations

303.303 Reporting suspected antitrust violations.

(h) The HCA shall provide a copy of the draft OPDIV report of suspected antitrust violations to the SPE. If the SPE concurs with the draft report, the SPE will provide it to the OGC-GLD for its review. If the OGD-GLD concurs with the draft report, the SPE will provide the signed OGC-approved report to the Attorney General.

Subpart 303.4--Contingent Fees

303.405 Misrepresentations or violations of the Covenant Against Contingent Fees clause.

(a) HHS personnel shall promptly report suspected misrepresentations or violations of the Covenant Against Contingent Fees clause to the Contracting Officer.

(b) (4) The HCA shall provide a copy of the draft OPDIV report of suspected covenant against contingency fees misrepresentations or violations to the SPE. If the SPE concurs with the draft report, the SPE will provide it to the OGC-GLD for its review. If the OGD-GLD concurs with the draft report, the SPE will provide the signed OGC-approved report to the Attorney General.