45 CFR 1150.13: How will the Endowment contract for collection services?

The Endowment will use the services of a private collection contractor where it determines that such use is in the best interest of the Endowment. When the Endowment determines that there is a need to contract for collection services, it will:

(a) Retain sole authority to:

(1) Resolve any dispute with the debtor regarding the validity of the debt;

(2) Compromise the debt;

(3) Suspend or terminate collection action;

(4) Refer the debt to the DOJ for litigation; and

(5) Take any other action under this part which does not result in full collection of the debt;

(b) Require the contractor to comply with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, to the extent specified in 5 U.S.C. 552a(m); with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (15 U.S.C. 1692-1692o) and other applicable Federal and State laws pertaining to debt collection practices; and with the applicable regulations of the Endowment in this chapter;

(c) Require the contractor to account accurately and fully for all amounts collected; and

(d) Require the contractor to provide to the Endowment, upon request, all data and reports contained in its files related to its collection actions on a debt.