124 STAT. 3785 PUBLIC LAW 111–350—JAN. 4, 2011 that contractor before the submission of that proposal, the executive agency shall assess a penalty against the contractor in an amount equal to 2 times the amount of the disallowed cost allocated to covered contracts for which a proposal for settlement of indirect costs has been submitted. (c) WAIVER OF PENALTY.—The Federal Acquisition Regulation shall provide for a penalty under subsection (b) to be waived in the case of a contractor’s proposal for settlement of indirect costs when— (1) the contractor withdraws the proposal before the formal initiation of an audit of the proposal by the Federal Government and resubmits a revised proposal; (2) the amount of unallowable costs subject to the penalty is insignificant; or (3) the contractor demonstrates, to the contracting officer’s satisfaction, that— (A) it has established appropriate policies and personnel training and an internal control and review system that provide assurances that unallowable costs subject to pen- alties are precluded from being included in the contractor’s proposal for settlement of indirect costs; and (B) the unallowable costs subject to the penalty were inadvertently incorporated into the proposal. (d) APPLICABILITY OF CONTRACT DISPUTES PROCEDURE.—An action of an executive agency under subsection (a) or (b)— (1) shall be considered a final decision for the purposes of section 7103 of this title; and (2) is appealable in the manner provided in section 7104(a) of this title. § 4304. Specific costs not allowable (a) SPECIFIC COSTS.—The following costs are not allowable under a covered contract: (1) Costs of entertainment, including amusement, diversion, and social activities, and any costs directly associated with those costs (such as tickets to shows or sports events, meals, lodging, rentals, transportation, and gratuities). (2) Costs incurred to influence (directly or indirectly) legisla- tive action on any matter pending before Congress, a State legislature, or a legislative body of a political subdivision of a State. (3) Costs incurred in defense of any civil or criminal fraud proceeding or similar proceeding (including filing of any false certification) brought by the Federal Government where the contractor is found liable or had pleaded nolo contendere to a charge of fraud or similar proceeding (including filing of a false certification). (4) Payments of fines and penalties resulting from violations of, or failure to comply with, Federal, State, local, or foreign laws and regulations, except when incurred as a result of compliance with specific terms and conditions of the contract or specific written instructions from the contracting officer authorizing in advance those payments in accordance with applicable provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. (5) Costs of membership in any social, dining, or country club or organization. (6) Costs of alcoholic beverages. (7) Contributions or donations, regardless of the recipient.
