(a) For the purposes of FAR 9.406-1, the SDO's authority includes debarments pursuant to the Federal Management Regulation at 41 CFR 102-117.295. In addition to the factors listed in FAR 9.406-1, the SDO may consider the following examples before arriving at a debarment decision:

(1) Whether the contractor had a mechanism, such as a hotline, by which employees could have reported suspected instances of improper conduct, and instructions in place that encouraged employees to make such reports; or

(2) Whether the contractor conducted periodic reviews of company business practices, procedures, policies, and internal controls for compliance with standards of conduct and the special requirements of Government contracting.

(c) As provided in FAR 9.406-1(c), authority to determine whether to continue business dealings between VA and a contractor suspended, proposed for debarment, or debarred is delegated to the SDO.