48 CFR 6101.9 – Record; content and access[Rule 9]
(a) Record for decision. The record on which the Board will decide a case includes the following:
Terms Used In 48 CFR 6101.9
- Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
- Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
- Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
- Discovery: Lawyers' examination, before trial, of facts and documents in possession of the opponents to help the lawyers prepare for trial.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
(1) Evidence. Evidence in a case includes:
(i) Rule 4 (48 CFR 6101.4) appeal file exhibits other than those to which an objection is sustained;
(ii) Other documents or parts thereof admitted as evidence;
(iii) Tangible things admitted as evidence;
(iv) Transcripts or recordings of testimony before the Board; and
(v) Factual stipulations and factual admissions.
(2) Other material. The Board may also rely on to decide a case:
(i) The notice of appeal, petition, or application;
(ii) The complaint, answer, and amendments thereto;
(iii) Motions and briefs on motions;
(iv) Other briefs;
(v) Demonstrative hearing exhibits; and
(vi) Anything else the Board may expressly admit or take notice of.
(b) Other contents of case file. The Board’s administrative record may be broader than the record for decision. Material in the Board’s case file that is not listed in Rule 9(a) (48 CFR 6101.9(a)) is part of the administrative record but is not part of the record for decision.
(c) Enlarging or reopening the record. The Board may enlarge or reopen the record for decision on terms fair to the parties.
(d) Protected and in camera submissions. The Board may limit access to specified material in a record for decision.
(1) Protective orders. The Board may limit access to specified material in a record for decision if the Board finds good cause to treat the material as privileged, confidential, or otherwise sensitive.
(2) In camera submissions. The Board may allow a party to submit a document solely for the Board’s review in camera if:
(i) The party submits the document to explain a discovery dispute;
(ii) The Board denies a motion for protective order, and the movant asks that the record include a document that the party would have used in the case with a protective order, for possible later review of the Board’s denial; or
(iii) Good cause exists to find that in camera review may limit or prevent needless harm to a party, witness, or other person.
(3) Status in record. A document submitted and accepted under a protective order or in camera is part of the record for decision. If the Board’s decision is judicially reviewed, the Board will endeavor to preserve the protected or in camera nature of the document to the extent consistent with judicial review.
(e) Review and copying. The Clerk makes records for decision, except evidence submitted under a protective order or in camera, available for review on reasonable notice during business hours, and provides copies of such available documents for a reasonable fee. The Clerk will not relinquish possession of material in the Board’s files.