May I approve a transaction with an excluded or disqualified person at a lower tier?

If a transaction at a lower tier is subject to your approval, you, as a Federal agency official, may not approve: (a) A covered transaction with a person who is currently excluded unless you obtain an exception under § 180.135; or (b) A transaction with a person who is disqualified from that transaction unless you obtain a waiver or exception under the statute, Executive Order, or regulation that is the basis for the person's disqualification.