<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".18" citation="COMAR 10.54.03.18" title_num="10" subtitle_num="54" chapter_num="03" heading="Vendor Appeals.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Except as otherwise provided in this regulation, the procedures set forth in COMAR 10.01.03, and not the procedures set forth in COMAR 10.01.06, govern appeals by vendors and vendor applicants.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Notice.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Not less than 15 days in advance of the effective date of the proposed Program action, the Program shall provide notice to a vendor applicant, or vendor whose application is proposed to be denied or authorization is proposed to be disqualified, on the right to a hearing on the proposed denial or disqualification.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The Program shall provide notice that complies with the requirements set forth in COMAR 10.01.03.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Request for Hearing.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A vendor or vendor applicant shall preserve the right to a hearing, if a hearing is desired, by filing a written request for a hearing with the Director of the Program within 10 days of the receipt of the notice of proposed disqualification or denial.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The Program shall consider a request for a hearing filed on the earlier of the dates it is:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Received by the Program; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Postmarked by the United States Postal Service.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Hearings.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Office of Administrative Hearings shall have jurisdiction over the hearings provided in this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If a hearing is requested, the agency shall hold the hearing pursuant to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Health-General Article, §§18-107(a) and 18-108, Annotated Code of Maryland;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>State Government Article, Title 10, Subtitle 2, Annotated Code of Maryland;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>COMAR 10.01.03;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>COMAR 28.02.01; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>This chapter.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>A vendor may not appeal the following actions:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Disqualification from WIC resulting from a violation of Regulation .15B(1)(m) of this chapter;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The State agency's decision as to whether a participant hardship exists;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The expiration of a vendor agreement;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The State agency's determination to include or exclude an infant formula manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, or retailer from the required list of infant formula suppliers;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>The validity or appropriateness of the State agency’s prohibition of incentive items and the State agency’s denial of an above 50 percent vendor’s request to provide an incentive item;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>The State agency's determination whether to notify a vendor in writing when an investigation reveals an initial violation for which a pattern of violations must be established in order to impose a sanction;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>The validity or appropriateness of the State agency’s selection criteria for competitive price, including, but not limited to, vendor peer group criteria and the criteria used to identify vendors that are above 50 percent vendors or comparable to above 50 percent vendors;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>The State agency's determination whether a vendor had an effective policy and program in effect to prevent trafficking and that the ownership of the vendor was not aware of, did not approve of, and was not involved in the conduct of the violation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>Disputes regarding payments and vendor claims, not including the opportunity to justify or correct a vendor overcharge or other error; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(10)">
      <text>The validity or appropriateness of the State agency's vendor selection criteria.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>