137-049-0370 Disqualification of Persons (1) Authority. A Contracting Agency may disqualify a Person from consideration of Award of the Contracting Agency’s Contracts after providing the Person with notice and a reasonable opportunity to be heard in accordance with sections (2) and (4) of this rule. (a) Standards for Conduct Disqualification. As provided in ORS 279C.440, a Contracting Agency may disqualify a Person for: (A) Conviction for the commission of a criminal offense as an incident in obtaining or attempting to obtain a public or private contract or subcontract, or in the performance of such contract or subcontract. (B) Conviction under state or federal statutes of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, receiving stolen property or any other offense indicating a lack of business integrity or business honesty that currently, seriously and directly affects the Person’s responsibility as a contractor. (C) Conviction under state or federal antitrust statutes. (D) Violation of a contract provision that is regarded by the Contracting Agency to be so serious as to justify Conduct Disqualification. A violation under this subsection (1)(a)(D) may include but is not limited to material failure to perform the terms of a contract or an unsatisfactory performance in accordance with the terms of the contract. However, a Person's failure to perform or unsatisfactory performance caused by acts beyond the Person's control is not a basis for Disqualification. (b) Standards for Disqualification. As provided in ORS 200.065, 200.075 or 279A.110, a Contracting Agency may disqualify a Person’s right to submit an Offer or to participate in a Contract (e.g. subcontractors) as follows: (A) For a Disqualification under ORS 200.065, the Contracting Agency may disqualify a Person upon finding that: (i) The Person fraudulently obtained or retained or attempted to obtain or retain or aided another Person to fraudulently obtain or retain or attempt to obtain or retain certification as a disadvantaged business enterprise, minority-owned business, women-owned business, emerging small business, or a Veteran-owned business; or (ii) The Person knowingly made a false claim that any Person is qualified for certification or is certified under ORS 200.055 for the purpose of gaining a Contract or subcontract or other benefit; or (iii) The Person has been disqualified by another Contracting Agency under ORS 200.065. (B) For a Disqualification under ORS 200.075, the Contracting Agency may disqualify a Person upon finding that: (i) The Person has entered into an agreement representing that a disadvantaged business enterprise, minority-owned business, women-owned business, emerging small business, or a Veteran-owned business, certified under ORS 200.055 (“Certified Enterprise”), will perform or supply materials under a Public Improvement Contract without the knowledge and consent of the Certified Enterprise; or (ii) The Person exercises management and decision-making control over the internal operations, as defined by ORS 200.075(1)(b), of any Certified Enterprise; or (iii) The Person uses a Certified Enterprise to perform Work under a Public Improvement Contract to meet an established Certified Enterprise goal, and such enterprise does not perform a commercially useful function, as defined by ORS 200.075(3), in performing its obligations under the contract. (iv) If a Person is Disqualified for a Disqualification under ORS 200.075, the affected Contracting Agency shall not permit that Person to participate in that Contracting Agency’s Contracts. (C) For a Disqualification under ORS 279A.110, a Contracting Agency may disqualify a Person if the Contracting Agency finds that the Person discriminated against a disadvantaged business enterprise, minority-owned business, women-owned business, emerging small business, or a Veteran-owned business in awarding a subcontract under a Contract with that Contracting Agency. (2) Notice of Intent to Disqualify. The Contracting Agency shall notify the Person in Writing of a proposed Disqualification personally or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested. This notice shall: (a) State that the Contracting Agency intends to disqualify the Person; (b) Set forth the reasons for the Disqualification; (c) Include a statement of the Person’s right to a hearing if requested in Writing within the time stated in the notice and that if the Contracting Agency does not receive the Person’s Written request for a hearing within the time stated, the Person shall have waived its right to a hearing; (d) Include a statement of the authority under which the hearing will be held; (e) Include a reference to the particular sections of the statutes and rules involved; (f) State the proposed Disqualification period; and (g) State that the Person may be represented by legal counsel. (3) Hearing. The Contracting Agency shall schedule a hearing upon the Contracting Agency’s receipt of the Person’s timely hearing request. Within a reasonable time prior to the hearing, the Contracting Agency shall notify the Person of the time and place of the hearing and provide information on the procedures, right of representation and other rights related to the conduct of the hearing. (4) Notice of Disqualification. The Contracting Agency will notify the Person in Writing of its Disqualification, personally or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested. The notice shall contain: (a) The effective date and period of Disqualification; (b) The grounds for Disqualification; and (c) A statement of the Person’s appeal rights and applicable appeal deadlines. For a Conduct Disqualification or a Disqualification under ORS 279A.110, the disqualified person must notify the Contracting Agency in Writing within three business Days after receipt of the Contracting Agency’s notice of Disqualification if the Person intends to appeal the Contracting Agency's decision. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 279A.065 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 200.065, 200.075, 279A.110, 279C.440, 279C.445, 279C.450, OL 2015 & ch 565 (HB 3303) History: DOJ 27-2023, amend filed 12/27/2023, effective 01/02/2024 DOJ 18-2015, f. 12-31-15, cert. ef. 1-1-16 DOJ 20-2005, f. 12-27-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06 DOJ 11-2004, f. 9-1-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05