May the debarring official extend a debarment?

(a) Yes. The debarring official may extend a debarment for an additional period if that official determines that an extension is necessary to protect the public interest. (b) However, the debarring official may not extend a debarment solely on the basis of the facts and circumstances upon which the initial debarment action was based. (c) If the debarring official decides that a debarment for an additional period is necessary, the debarring official must follow the applicable procedures in this subpart, and subpart F, to extend the debarment.