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  1. Fonteum
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  5. Suspension and Debarment
Federal Contracting · Fonteum Data GlossaryRegulatory

What is suspension and debarment?

Full name: Federal Suspension and Debarment

Suspension and debarment are the two federal actions that exclude a party from new government awards. A suspension is a temporary bar, generally pending an investigation or legal proceeding; a debarment is a fixed-term exclusion, typically not exceeding three years, imposed for cause under the Federal Acquisition Regulation. Both are published government-wide in SAM.gov and tagged by exclusion type.

Last updated: 2026-06-20Reviewed by: Fonteum data standards desk — Source-provenance editorial review. Definitions checked against primary federal sources.

How it’s used

  • FAR Subpart 9.4: the regulation sets the grounds and procedures for suspension (temporary, pending action) and debarment (fixed-term, for cause).
  • SAM.gov Exclusions: suspensions and debarments are both published in the GSA registry, each tagged with an exclusion type and dates.
  • Fonteum reads the exclusion type on each SAM.gov record, so a roster or vendor scan can tell a temporary suspension apart from a multi-year debarment.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between suspension and debarment?
A suspension is a temporary exclusion, usually pending an investigation or legal proceeding. A debarment is a fixed-term exclusion, generally not exceeding three years, imposed for cause after a formal process.
How long does a debarment last?
A debarment is set for a fixed period, generally not to exceed three years, though the excluding agency can extend or shorten it based on the circumstances.
Where are suspensions and debarments published?
Federal suspensions and debarments are published government-wide in SAM.gov, the System for Award Management maintained by the GSA.

Related terms

  • SAM Exclusion
  • UEI
  • CAGE Code
  • FAPIIS
  • 8(a) Program
  • Exclusion Screening
  • OIG Exclusion

Explore in Fonteum

How Fonteum sources, resolves, and publishes data tied to this term.

  • StudyFederal debarment scorecard
  • Use caseFederal contracting hub
  • Use case8(a) certification and eligibility

Authoritative sources

  • FAR Subpart 9.4 — debarment, suspension, ineligibility↗
  • 2 CFR Part 180 — nonprocurement suspension and debarment↗
  • SAM.gov: federal exclusions↗
← All glossary terms

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Reviewed by Jennifer Montecillo, MD, medical reviewer. Non-practicing medical reviewer.

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Reviewed by Jennifer Montecillo, MD, medical reviewer. Non-practicing medical reviewer.

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