What action is required by the contracting officer upon receipt of credible information about a violation?

• A. May direct the contractor to take specific steps to abate the violation or enforce the compliance plan
• B. Shall promptly notify in accordance with agency procedures, the Agency Inspector General, the debarring and suspending official, and if appropriate law-enforcement officials with jurisdiction over the alleged offense
• C. Shall report to the contracting officer only
• D. Ignore credible information about violations

Answer: (C)

When credible information about a violation is received, the contracting officer must promptly alert the proper authorities in the organization and follow agency procedures. This usually means reporting to the Agency Inspector General and, as appropriate, to the debarring and suspending official and to law enforcement authorities with jurisdiction over the alleged offense. The goal is to ensure an independent investigation and to trigger possible sanctions, debarment, or other enforcement actions rather than trying to handle the matter alone or ignoring it.

Directing the contractor to take steps to abate the violation would be premature without an official investigation and the proper approvals, and reporting only to the contracting officer or ignoring the information fails to meet established accountability and integrity requirements.