10 C.F.R. PART 800—LOANS FOR BID OR PROPOSAL PREPARATION BY MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISES SEEKING DOE CONTRACTS AND ASSISTANCE


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PART 800—LOANS FOR BID OR PROPOSAL PREPARATION BY MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISES SEEKING DOE CONTRACTS AND ASSISTANCE

Section Contents

Subpart A—General

§ 800.001   Purpose.
§ 800.002   Program management.
§ 800.003   Definitions.
§ 800.004   Eligibility.

Subpart B—Loan Solicitation, Application and Review

§ 800.100   Solicitation of applications.
§ 800.101   Application requirements.
§ 800.102   Review by Application Evaluation Panel.
§ 800.103   Review by Application Approving Official.

Subpart C—Loans

§ 800.200   Maximum loan; allowable costs.
§ 800.201   Findings.
§ 800.202   Loan terms and conditions.
§ 800.203   Loan limits.
§ 800.204   Deviations.

Subpart D—Loan Administration

§ 800.300   Loan servicing.
§ 800.301   Monitoring.
§ 800.302   Loan limitation.
§ 800.303   Assignment or transfer of loan.
§ 800.304   Default.
§ 800.305   Disclosure.
§ 800.306   Noninterference with other laws.
§ 800.307   Appeals.


Authority:  Sec. 211(e) of the Department of Energy (DOE) Organization Act, Pub. L. 95–91, Title II, as amended by Pub. L. 95–619, Title VI, sec. 641, Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3284 (42 U.S.C. 7141).

Source:  46 FR 44689, Sept. 4, 1981, unless otherwise noted.

Subpart A—General
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§ 800.001   Purpose.
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The purpose of this regulation is to set forth policies and procedures for the award and administration of loans to minority business enterprises. The loans are to assist such enterprises in participating fully in research, development, demonstration and contract activities of the Department of Energy. The loans are to defray a percentage of the cost of obtaining DOE contracts and other agreements, including procurements, cooperative agreements, grants, loans and loan guarantees; of obtaining subcontracts with DOE operating contractors; and of obtaining contracts with first-tier subcontractors of DOE operating contractors in furtherance of the research, development, demonstration or other contract activities of DOE. Issuance of loans under this regulation is limited to the extent funds are provided in advance in appropriation acts. This regulation implements the authority for such loans in section 211(e) of the Department of Energy (DOE) Organization Act, Public Law 95–619, title VI, section 641, November 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3284 (42 U.S.C.A. 7141).

[48 FR 17574, Apr. 25, 1983]

§ 800.002   Program management.
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Program management responsibility for financial assistance awarded under this regulation has been assigned to the Office of Minority Economic Impact.

§ 800.003   Definitions.
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For the purpose of this regulation:

Act means the DOE Organization Act, Public Law 95–91, title II, as amended by the National Energy Conservation Policy Act, Public Law 95–619, title VI, section 641.

Applicant means a minority business enterprise which is seeking a loan under this regulation.

Application Approving Official means the Director of the Office of Minority Economic Impact.

Application Evaluation Panel (also referred to as the Panel) means a team of Federal employees appointed by the Application Approving Official to evaluate loan applications and make approval or disapproval recommendations regarding such applications.

Borrower means an applicant who enters into a loan agreement with DOE.

Contracting Officer means the DOE official warranted and authorized to contractually bind the Department of Energy and execute written agreements that are binding on the Department.

Costs of a bid or proposal means the cost of preparing, submitting and supporting a bid or proposal, whether solicited or not, for a DOE contract or other agreement such as a procurement contract, grant, cooperative agreement, loan or loan guarantee; or a subcontract with a DOE operating contractor; or a contract with a first-tier subcontractor of a DOE operating contractor in furtherance of the research, development, demonstration or other contract activities of DOE.

Default means the actual failure by the borrower to make payment of principal or interest in accordance with the terms and conditions of a loan issued under this regulation, or the failure of the borrower to meet any other requirement specified as a default condition in the loan agreement.

Director means the Director of the Office of Minority Economic Impact (OMEI).

Loan, in reference to a loan made pursuant to the regulation, means a transaction in which a contractual instrument (“loan agreement”) is executed between the United States, as lender, acting through the Secretary of Energy, and a borrower. The instrument must obligate the United States to provide the borrower with a specified amount(s) of United States funds for a specified period of time and must obligate the borrower to use the moneys to bid for and attempt to obtain contracts and other agreements relating to DOE research, development, demonstration and contract activities, and to repay the moneys at a specified time at an agreed rate of interest. The words ‘loan’, ‘loan agreement’ and ‘transaction’ include (where the context does not require otherwise) the terms and conditions of related documents, such as the borrower's note or bond or other evidence of, or security for, the borrower's indebtedness.

Minority Business Enterprise means a firm including a sole proprietorship, corporation, association, or partnership which is at least 50 percent owned or controlled by a member of a minority or group of members of a minority. For the purpose of this definition, ‘control’ means direct or indirect possession of the power to direct, or cause the direction of, management and policies, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. An individual who is a citizen of the United States and who is a Negro, Puerto Rican, American Indian, Eskimo, Oriental, or Aleut, or is a Spanish speaking individual of Spanish descent, is a member of a “minority” as used in this regulation.

Operating Contractors means contractors under contracts having one of the following purposes, in accordance with the provisions of §9.50.001(a)(1) of the DOE procurement regulations (title 41 CFR part 9–50):

(a) DOE prime contracts for the management of Federal Government-owned laboratories, production plants, and research facilities located on Federal Government-owned or Federal Government-leased sites, where the programs being conducted are considered of a long-term, continuing nature; or

(b) DOE prime contracts for the operation of Federal Government-owned facilities located on contractor-owned or leased sites where the programs being conducted are of a long-term, continuing nature. An example of this category would be those contracts with universities for the operation of Federal Government-owned facilities, for the purpose of conducting long-term basic research programs.

(c) Other contracts performed on sites owned by the Federal Government when so designated by the appropriate procurement official.

Secretary means the Secretary of the Department of Energy or his delegate.

[46 FR 44689, Sept. 4, 1981, as amended at 48 FR 17574, Apr. 25, 1983]

§ 800.004   Eligibility.
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In order to be eligible for a loan, an applicant must be a minority business enterprise as defined in §800.003.

Subpart B—Loan Solicitation, Application and Review
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§ 800.100   Solicitation of applications.
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The Secretary will periodically issue an announcement soliciting applications under this regulation. The announcement will be published in the Federal Register, synopsized in the Commerce Business Daily, and circulated to minority trade associations and organizations and to the Minority Business Development Agency and Small Business Administration. The announcement will indicate funds availability, eligibility requirements, application instructions, interest rates, maturities and other key loan terms and any applicable restrictions. In such solicitations, DOE shall further indicate that, in the case of applications for loans relating to bids or proposals for contracts with first-tier subcontractors of DOE operating contractors, information necessary to substantiate such applications may be unavailable to DOE from such subcontractors. If the substantiating information is not made available to DOE in a timely manner, the application may be rejected.

[46 FR 44689, Sept. 4, 1981, as amended at 48 FR 17574, Apr. 25, 1983]

§ 800.101   Application requirements.
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(a) Applications for loans shall be filed, one original and three copies with: Department of Energy, Washington, DC 20585, Attention: Announcement No. DE-PS60-MI.

(b) An application for a loan under this regulation must include the following information. Items described in paragraphs (b)(1) through (7) of this section may be submitted for preliminary review in advance of a specific loan request but must be updated at time of loan request to reflect substantial changes.

(1) Applicant's name and address, with a description of the kind and size of its business, its business experience and its history as a minority business enterprise.

(2) Financial statements of applicant and its principals, including source of revenue and balance sheets for the current year and, as to applicant, for the two preceding years of applicant's existence as a business entity. The Secretary may require applicant to provide certification by a public accountant, or other certification acceptable to the Secretary.

(3) A description of any other Federal financial backing (direct loans, guaranteed loans, grants, etc.) applied for or obtained by the applicant within the previous five years, or expected to be applied for.

(4) A description of applicant's management structure, with list of applicant's key persons with their responsibilities and qualifications.

(i) In the case of a specific loan request this list should include any contractor or consultant whose services are proposed in connection with the bid or proposal for which the loan is sought.

(5) Affidavit(s) of eligibility (see §800.004).

(6) Documentation as to applicant's authority to undertake the activities contemplated by the application. Such documentation shall take substantially the following form:

(i) If the applicant is a corporation, a copy of the charter or certificate and articles of incorporation, with any amendments, duly certified by the Secretary of State of the State where organized, and a copy of the by-laws. There shall also be included a copy of all minutes, resolutions of stockholders or directors or other representatives of the applicant, properly attested, authorizing the filing of the application.

(ii) If the applicant is an association, a verified copy of its articles of association, if any, with an attested copy of the resolution of its governing board, if any, authorizing the filing of the application.

(iii) If the applicant is a business trust, a verified copy of the trust instrument and an attested copy of the resolution or other authority under which the application is made.

(iv) If the applicant is a joint stock company, a verified copy of the articles of association and of the authorizing resolution.

(v) If the application is made on behalf of a partnership, a copy of the partnership agreement, if any; if on behalf of a limited partnership, a duly certified copy, also, of the certificate of limited partnership, if such certificate is required to be obtained under state law governing such limited partnership.

(7) Credit references.

(8) Information on the award to be sought through the bid or proposal, as follows:

(i) Title, and whether in response to a solicitation or unsolicited.

(ii) Brief description of work to be performed.

(iii) Sponsoring DOE office, including solicitation number, if any.

(iv) If an unsolicited proposal is planned, the loan application shall indicate the appropriate DOE program personnel to be consulted as to whether there is potential for the proposal to be supported.

(v) Schedule for preparation and submission of the bid or proposal.

(9) Itemized cost estimates (and whether yet incurred).

(10) The required loan amount, not to exceed 75 percent of total bid or proposal costs, in accordance with §800.200 on allowable costs.

(11) Requested loan maturity, in accordance with §800.202(a)(3).

(12) How applicant will finance performance of work under a successful bid or proposal.

(13) Such other information as the Application Approving Official may deem necessary for evaluation in accordance with §800.103 and for compliance with the provisions of this regulation.

(14) The application shall be signed by the applicant or on behalf of the applicant by an authorized representative. Verification may be by affidavit of an authorized representative of an applicant; attestation shall be by the authorized officer of an applicant.

Note: Title 18 United States Code, section 1001 provides criminal penalties for fraud and intentional false statements in information submitted in such an application.

§ 800.102   Review by Application Evaluation Panel.
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(a) Applications for loans under this regulation shall be reviewed by an Application Evaluation Panel, which shall be appointed by the Application Approving Official. The Panel shall include, at a minimum, a representative of the Office of Minority Economic Impact, the contracting officer and a representative of the Office of the Controller.

(b) Panel review shall be conducted pursuant to paragraph (c) or (d) of this section, as applicable, to evaluate, to clarify and to develop information contained in the application and such other information as the Application Approving Official or the Panel may request.

(1) The Panel shall give priority to applications relating to a competitive solicitation, because of time limits on such solicitations. The Panel may defer action a maximum of five days after a solicitation has been announced in the Commerce Business Daily to provide all interested applicants an opportunity to apply.

(2) Initial screening will be in the order applications are received, but time required to process an application may vary from case to case.

(c) Panel review of specific loan requests.

(1) If an application contains a specific loan request, and complies with §800.101, the Panel shall arrange for risk analysis, independent of any such analysis submitted by or on behalf of the applicant. Risk analysis shall be directed both to the loan request and to applicant's prospective performance of work pursuant to the bid or proposal.

(2) The Panel shall evaluate the loan request in light of the risk analysis, and shall give its conclusions in writing to the Application Approving Official, with respect to the following and to such other considerations as that official may direct:

(i) Applicant's eligibility as a minority business enterprise.

(ii) Compliance with the application requirements of §800.101.

(iii) Compliance with §800.200 on allowable costs.

(iv) Applicant's financial ability to make the bid or proposal without the loan.

(v) Applicant's contribution of, or ability to contribute, the 25% minimum share of allowable costs, or more.

(vi) Applicant's ability to prepare an adequate bid or proposal, if the loan is made.

(vii) Possibility of award to applicant pursuant to its bid or proposal.

Note: Normally, not more than three loans will be approved for the same competitive award.

(viii) Applicant's ability to perform pursuant to the bid or proposal.

(ix) Likelihood that applicant will repay the requested loan, regardless of success of applicant's bid or proposal.

(x) Optimal use of available program funds.

(xi) The Panel's recommendation.

(d) Panel review of other applications. If the application was submitted without a specific loan request, the Panel shall review the application in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section with the limited purpose of determining whether the applicant has complied with §800.101, except as to matters determinable only with respect to a future specific loan request, and shall inform the Application Approving Official in writing as to its determinations.

§ 800.103   Review by Application Approving Official.
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(a) The Application Approving Official shall consider the results of the Panel's review under section 102 (c) or (d), and such other information as the Application Approving Official determines to be relevant pursuant to the provisions of this regulation, and shall either approve or disapprove the application, giving it priority in accordance with the provisions of §800.102(b).

(b) The Application Approving Official shall authorize a contracting officer to notify the applicant of approval or disapproval.

(c) An applicant whose application has been rejected will be informed, on request, of the reason for rejection. Rejection is not a bar to submission of an appropriately revised application.

Subpart C—Loans
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§ 800.200   Maximum loan; allowable costs.
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(a) A loan under this regulation shall not exceed 75 percent of allowable costs of a bid or proposal to obtain a DOE contract or other agreement (such as a procurement contract, cooperative agreement, grant, loan or loan guarantee), or a subcontract with a DOE operating contractor, or a contract with a first-tier subcontractor of a DOE operating contractor in furtherance of the research, development, demonstration or other contract activities of DOE.

(b) To be allowable, costs must, in DOE's judgment:

(1) Be consistent with the bidding cost principles of the Federal Procurement Regulation (41 CFR Ch. 1, 1–15.205–3) and DOE Procurement Regulation (41 CFR Ch. 9, 9–15.205–3); and;

(2) Be necessary, reasonable and customary for the bid or proposal contemplated by the application; and

(3) Be incurred, or expected to be incurred, by the applicant.

(c) Costs which are, in general, allowable, if consistent with paragraph (b) of this section include, but are not limited to:

(1) Bid bond premiums.

(2) Financial, accounting, legal, engineering and other professional, consulting or similar fees and service charges.

(3) Printing and reproduction costs.

(4) Travel and transportation costs.

(5) Costs of the loan application under this rule.

(d) Costs that are not considered as allowable costs include the following:

(1) Fees and commissions charged to the applicant, including finder's fees, for obtaining Federal funds.

(2) Expenses, which, in DOE's judgment, have primarily an application broader than the specific loan request.

(3) Costs which, in DOE's judgment, fail to conform to paragraph (b) of this section.

[46 FR 44689, Sept. 4, 1981, as amended at 48 FR 17574, Apr. 25, 1983]

§ 800.201   Findings.
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A loan shall issue under this regulation only if the Secretary, having reviewed the action of the Application Approving Official, and having considered such other information as the Secretary may deem pertinent, has made all the findings that follow:

(a) That the applicant is a minority business enterprise.

(b) That the loan will assist the enterprise to participate in the research, development, demonstration or contract activities of the Department of Energy by providing funds needed by applicant for bid or proposal purposes.

(c) That, by terms of the loan, applicant's use of the funds will be limited to bidding for and obtaining a contract or other agreement with the Department of Energy, a subcontract with a DOE operating contractor, or a contract with a first-tier subcontractor of a DOE operating contractor in furtherance of the research, development, demonstration or other contract activities of DOE.

(d) That the funds to be loaned will not exceed 75% of applicant's costs in bidding for and obtaining the contract or agreement.

(e) That the rate of interest on the loan has been determined in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury.

(f) That there is a reasonable prospect that the applicant will make the bid or proposal which is the purpose of the loan, will perform according to its bid or proposal, and will repay the loan according to the terms thereof, regardless of the success of its bid or proposal.

(g) That the terms and conditions of the loan are acceptable to the Secretary and comply with this regulation and with section 211(e) of the Department of Energy Organization Act.

[46 FR 44689, Sept. 4, 1981, as amended at 48 FR 17574, Apr. 25, 1983]

§ 800.202   Loan terms and conditions.
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(a) The loan shall be based upon a loan agreement and the borrower's separate promissory note for the proceeds of the loan, including interest. The agreement and note shall be executed in writing between the borrower and the Secretary. The contracting officer shall execute the loan agreement on behalf of the Secretary. The loan agreement and the promissory note shall provide as follows, either at full length or by incorporation by reference to terms of the other of the two documents.

(1) The borrower agrees to repay the loan of funds provided by the Secretary.

(2) The interest rate on the loan is as established in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, taking into consideration the current average market yields of outstanding marketable obligations of the United States having maturities comparable to the loan.

(3) The loan shall be repaid over a maximum period as follows, in equal monthly installments of principal and interest, unless a different frequency of installments is specified by the Secretary:

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------                Loan value                      Maximum repayment \1\------------------------------------------------------------------------$0_$5,000.................................  3 years 3 months.$5,000_$25,000............................  5 years 3 months.Excess of $25,000.........................  8 years 3 months.------------------------------------------------------------------------\1\ Maximum repayment period from date of initial disbursement.

Repayment of principal and interest shall begin within 90 days following the initial loan disbursement or such longer period as may be acceptable to the Secretary. Installments shall be applied to accrued interest first and then to repayment of principal. Past due installments shall accrue interest at the quarterly current-value-of-funds-rate specified by the Treasury for overdue accounts. Prepayments may be made at any time without penalty.

(4) The borrower shall have appropriate opportunities, as specified in the loan agreement, to cure any default, failure, or breach of any of the covenants, conditions and obligations undertaken by the borrower pursuant to the provisions of the loan agreement.

(5) Loans of $10,000 or less will be disbursed in a single disbursement. Disbursement of loans larger than $10,000 shall be per schedule and documentation specified by the Secretary.

(6) The loan may be used by the borrower to defray as much as, but no more than, 75 percent of the cost of the bid or proposal within the limitations specified in §800.200, on allowable costs. Costs incurred by the borrower prior to the effective date of the loan agreement, and allowable under §800.200, may be credited toward the borrower's share of costs if, in DOE's judgment, they were primarily related to the bid or proposal, but shall not be reimbursed from the loan.

(7) The borrower shall make periodic reports regarding the bid or proposal.

(8) The borrower shall maintain good standing under Federal, State and local laws and regulations applicable to the conduct of its business, including current payment of all taxes, fees and other charges and all requisite licenses and other governmental authorization necessary for the continued operation of the business throughout the term of the loan.

(9) The borrower shall remain a minority business enterprise throughout the term of the loan.

(10) The borrower shall return funds disbursed, but not required together with accrued interest thereon, to DOE, or to the servicing agent, if applicable, when its bid or proposal is ready for submission. The return of unrequired funds shall be by check separate from any payment of interest or principal, shall be identified by the borrower as a return of unrequired funds, and shall be accompanied by the borrower's certification that so much of the loan as has been disbursed to the borrower and not returned has been, or will be, expended by the borrower for costs allowable under §800.200.

(11) Such other provisions as the Secretary deems appropriate.

(b) The loan agreement shall also provide for loan servicing and monitoring in accordance with §800.300 and §800.301, loan limitation in accordance with §800.302, assignment and transfer in accordance with §800.303, default in accordance with §800.304 and appeals in accordance with §800.307.

(c) The Secretary may require, as preconditions to disbursement, that the borrower have specified amounts of working capital (including amounts derived from Federal financial assistance) and maintain specified financial ratios, where in the Secretary's judgment satisfaction of such preconditions is necessary to assure the borrower's ability to make and perform the contract, agreement or subcontract according to the bid or proposal, or is otherwise necessary to protect the interests of the United States.

(d) The Secretary may require pledges, personal guarantees and other collateral security, and the maintenance of insurance on the borrower's assets and principals, in amounts and on terms appropriate in the Secretary's judgment, to protect the interests of the United States.

§ 800.203   Loan limits.
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The Secretary shall not make a loan in excess of $50,000, or make aggregate loans to the same minority business enterprise, including its affiliates, in any Federal fiscal year in excess of $100,000. In addition, the Secretary shall not increase a loan to an amount which would cause the limits set forth in the previous sentence to be exceeded. Nothing in this regulation shall be interpreted to restrict the Secretary, in making the various determinations provided for in this regulation, from taking into account considerations relating to the Office of Minority Economic Impact loan program as a whole.

§ 800.204   Deviations.
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(a) To the extent consistent with the Act, relevant appropriations acts, and other applicable statutes, DOE may deviate on an individual application basis from the requirements of this regulation upon a finding by the Secretary that such deviation is necessary or appropriate in the individual case for the accomplishment of program objectives.

(b) The contracting officer may, subject to written agreement by other necessary parties, modify or amend the terms and conditions of a loan provided that such modification or amendment shall be consistent with this regulation.

Subpart D—Loan Administration
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§ 800.300   Loan servicing.
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(a) Servicing of a loan under this regulation may be performed by DOE, by another Federal agency, or by a servicing agent (commercial bank, broker, or other financial institution or entity) having the capability, and legally qualified, to service the loan consistently with the requirements of this regulation, which contracts with DOE to act as servicing agent. In determining the capability of a prospective servicing agent, DOE shall give due consideration to the experience of the agent in providing financial services to minority business enterprises.

(b) If the servicing of the loan is by contract or other agreement, such contract or other agreement shall provide that the loan shall be serviced in accordance with this regulation and with the terms and conditions of the loan, under a standard of performance that a reasonable and prudent lender would require as to its own similar loan. Servicing responsibilities shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:

(1) Loan disbursements as set forth in the loan agreement.

(2) Collection of principal and interest payments on a monthly basis.

(3) Maintenance of records on loan accounts.

(4) Notification of the Secretary, without delay, as to the following:

(i) That the initial disbursement or loan drawdown is ready to be made, together with evidence from the borrower that the bid or proposal preparation has begun or is about to begin.

(ii) The date and amount of each subsequent disbursement under the loan.

(iii) Any nonreceipt of payment within 10 days after the date specified for payment, together with evidence of appropriate notification to the borrower.

(iv) Any known failure by the borrower to comply with the terms and conditions of the loan agreement.

(v) Evidence, if any, that the borrower is likely to default on any condition set forth in the loan agreement or may be unable to make the next scheduled payment of principal or interest.

(5) Submittal to DOE of periodic (semi-annual or annual) reports on the status and conditions of the loan and of the borrower.

§ 800.301   Monitoring.
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The Secretary shall have the right to audit any and all costs of the bid or proposal for which the loan is sought or made and to exclude or reduce the includible amount of any cost in accordance with §800.200. Auditors who are employees of the United States Government, who are designated by the Secretary of Energy or by the Comptroller General of the United States, shall have access to, and the right to examine, any directly pertinent documents and records of an applicant or borrower at reasonable times under reasonable circumstances. The servicing agent, if any, shall make information regarding the loan available to the Secretary of Energy and Comptroller General to the extent lawful and within its ability. The Secretary may direct the applicant or borrower to submit to an audit by public accountant or equivalent acceptable to the Secretary.

§ 800.302   Loan limitation.
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The Secretary may limit the loan by written notice to the borrower to those amounts, if any, already disbursed under the loan, if the Secretary has determined that the borower has failed to comply with a material term or condition set forth in the loan agreement.

§ 800.303   Assignment or transfer of loan.
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Assignment or transfer of the loan and obligations thereunder may be made only with the prior written consent of the Secretary.

§ 800.304   Default.
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(a) In the event that the borrower fails to perform the terms and conditions of the loan, the borrower shall be in default and the Secretary shall have the right, at the Secretary's option, to accelerate the indebtedness and demand full payment of all principal and interest amounts outstanding under the loan.

(b) No failure on the part of the Secretary to make demand at any time shall constitute a waiver of the rights held by the Secretary.

(c) Upon demand by the Secretary, the borrower shall have a period of not more than 30 days from the date of receipt of the Secretary's demand to make payment in full.

(d) In the event that the failure on the part of the borrower to perform the terms and conditions of the loan does not constitute an intentional act, but is brought about as a result of circumstances largely beyond the control of the borrower, or is deemed by, the Secretary to be insubstantial, the Secretary may elect, at the Secretary's option, to defer such performance and/or restructure the repayment required by the loan agreement in any mutually acceptable manner.

(e) Should the borrower fail to pay after demand as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, and no deferral or restructuring is agreed to by the Secretary as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, the Secretary shall undertake collection in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement and the applicable law.

§ 800.305   Disclosure.
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Information received from an applicant by DOE may be available to the public subject to the provision of 5 U.S.C. 552, 18 U.S.C. 1905 and 10 CFR part 1004; provided that:

(a) Subject to the requirements of law, information such as trade secrets, commercial and financial information, and other information concerning the minority business enterprise that the enterprise submits to DOE in writing, in an application, or at other times throughout the duration of the loan on a privileged or confidential basis, will not be disclosed without prior notice to submitter in accordance with DOE regulations concerning public disclosure of information. Any submitter asserting that the information is privileged or confidential should appropriately identify and mark such information.

(b) Upon a showing satisfactory to the Secretary that any information or portion thereof obtained under this regulation would, if made public, divulge trade secrets or other proprietary information of the minority business enterprise, the Secretary may not disclose such information.

(c) This section shall not be construed as authority to withhold information from Congress or from any committee of Congress upon request of the Chairman.

§ 800.306   Noninterference with other laws.
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Nothing in this regulation shall be construed to modify requirements imposed on the borrower by Federal, State and local government agencies in connection with permits, licenses, or other authorizations to conduct or finance its business.

§ 800.307   Appeals.
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Any dispute concerning questions of fact arising under the loan agreement shall be decided in writing by the contracting officer. The borrower may request the contracting officer to reconsider any such decision, which reconsideration shall be promptly undertaken. If not satisfied with the contracting officer's final decision, the borrower, upon receipt of such written decision, may appeal the decision within 60 days in writing to the Chairman, Financial Assistance Appeals Board (FAAB), Department of Energy, Washington, DC 20585. The Board shall proceed in accordance with the Department of Energy's rules and regulations for such purpose. The decision of the Board with respect to such appeals shall be the final decision of the Secretary.

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