Filing Exceptions; Oral Argument Request. Within 15 calendar days after the Office of Administrative Hearings submits a proposed decision to the parties, a party may file written exceptions to the Secretary. The party filing the exceptions shall mail or deliver a copy of the exceptions to all parties. A party filing exceptions may request the opportunity to present oral argument to the Secretary that the proposed decision should be reversed, affirmed, or remanded. A party may submit a written reply to the exceptions and participate in the oral argument. A reply to exceptions must be filed with the Secretary and delivered to all parties within 15 calendar days after receipt of the exceptions. If oral argument is requested, the Secretary shall notify all parties that oral arguments will be heard at a certain date, time, and place. Oral argument shall be scheduled to allow the parties time to reply to the exceptions. The Secretary may require the parties who filed exceptions to bear the cost of transcribing the relevant portions of the record. Each party shall bear the cost of its own copy of the transcript. The Secretary may extend the time for filing exceptions or replies to exceptions.