17.73—Standards for compromise of claims.
(a) Compromise offer.
An offer to compromise may be accepted: (1) If there is real doubt concerning the Department's ability to prove its case in court for the full amount claimed; (2) if the cost of collecting the claim does not justify the enforced collection of the full amount; (3) if in connection with statutory penalties of forfeitures established as an aid to enforcement and to compel compliance, the Department's enforcement policy will be adequately served by acceptance of the sum to be agreed upon, or (4) for other reasons deemed valid by the Assistant Secretary for Administration (or other designee) and made a part of the claim record.
(b) Documentary evidence of compromise.
No compromise of a claim shall be final or binding on the Department unless it is in writing and signed by the appropriate officer who has authority to compromise the claim pursuant to this subpart.