(a) Contesting proposed sanctions. A provider may formally contest the proposed penalties and assessments by sending a written notice to the debarring official within 30 days after receiving the notice described in §890.1066. The debarring official must apply the administrative procedures set forth in §§890.1069 and 890.1070 to decide the contest.

(b) Contesting debarments and financial sanctions concurrently. If OPM proposes debarment and penalties and assessments in the same notice, the provider may contest both the debarment and the financial sanctions in the same proceeding. If the provider pursues a combined contest, the requirements set forth in §§890.1022 through 890.1024, as well as this section, apply.

(c) Settling or compromising proposed sanctions. The debarring official may settle or compromise proposed sanctions at any time before issuing a final decision under §890.1070.