United States Code
USC most recently checked for updates: Dec 05, 2024
§ 8705.
Administrative offsets
(a)
In this section, the term “contracting officer” has the meaning given that term in chapter 71 of this title.
(b)
A contracting officer of a contracting agency may offset the amount of a kickback provided, accepted, or charged in violation of section 8702 of this title against amounts the Federal Government owes the prime contractor under the prime contract to which the kickback relates.
(c)
(1)
On direction of a contracting officer of a contracting agency with respect to a prime contract, the prime contractor shall withhold from amounts owed to a subcontractor under a subcontract of the prime contract the amount of a kickback which was or may be offset against the prime contractor under subsection (b). The contracting officer may order that amounts withheld—
(A)
be paid over to the contracting agency; or
(B)
(2)
The prime contractor shall notify the contracting officer when an amount is withheld and retained under paragraph (1)(B).
(d)
An offset under subsection (b) or a direction or order of a contracting officer under subsection (c) is a claim by the Federal Government for the purposes of chapter 71 of this title.
cite as: 41 USC 8705