U.S. Code > Title 41 Public Contracts > CHAPTER 1—GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 1_to_4a—58) > § 57. Contractor responsibilities

§ 57. Contractor responsibilities

(a) Procedural requirements for prevention and detection of violations
Each contracting agency shall include in each prime contract awarded by such agency a requirement that the prime contractor shall have in place and follow reasonable procedures designed to prevent and detect violations of section 53 of this title in its own operations and direct business relationships.
(b) Cooperation in investigations requirement
Each contracting agency shall include in each prime contract awarded by such agency a requirement that the prime contractor shall cooperate fully with any Federal Government agency investigating a violation of section 53 of this title.
(c) Reporting requirement; supplying information as favorable evidence of responsibility
(1)
(A) Whenever a prime contractor or subcontractor has reasonable grounds to believe that a violation of section 53 of this title may have occurred, the prime contractor or subcontractor shall promptly report the possible violation in writing.
(B) A contractor shall make the reports required by subparagraph (A) to the inspector general of the contracting agency, the head of the contracting agency if the agency does not have an inspector general, or the Department of Justice.
(2) In the case of an administrative or contractual action to suspend or debar any person who is eligible to enter into contracts with the Federal Government, evidence that such person has supplied information to the United States pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be favorable evidence of such person’s responsibility for the purposes of Federal procurement laws and regulations.
(d) Partial inapplicability to small contracts
Subsections (a) and (b) of this section do not apply to a prime contract that is not greater than $100,000 or to a prime contract for the acquisition of commercial items (as defined in section 403 (12) of this title).
(e) Cooperation in investigations regardless of contract amount
Notwithstanding subsection (d) of this section, a prime contractor shall cooperate fully with any Federal Government agency investigating a violation of section 53 of this title.