(a) The contractor may request a review of the director's finding. To obtain a review, the contractor shall submit a written request for that review within ten (10) days of receipt of the director's finding. Upon timely written request from the affected contractor, a finding that a contractor should be debarred may be reviewed by the Associate Deputy Comptroller responsible for the comptroller's statewide procurement division, or other executive in the comptroller's office designated by the comptroller.
(b) The Associate Deputy Comptroller performing the review pursuant to contractor request may reinstate the contractor to the bidders list; reduce the period of debarment; affirm the finding of the director; or reinstate the contractor to a particular contract. The Associate Deputy Comptroller performing the review may take one or more of the actions listed herein and shall specify the results of the decision in writing.
(c) The Associate Deputy Comptroller performing the review shall issue the decision on the request for review within sixty (60) days of the receipt of the contractor' request for review.
(d) No person who has an interest in the outcome of the reviewing Associate Deputy Comptroller's review may communicate directly or indirectly upon the merits of an investigation or debarment with any division employees prior to the Associate Deputy Comptroller's decision unless that Associate Deputy Comptroller specifically authorizes such communication.

Source Note: The provisions of this §20.587 adopted to be effective January 24, 2017, 42 TexReg 243