(a) Initiating officials have broad discretion in deciding whether to start a PIE proceeding.

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(b) In exercising this discretion, the initiating official must consider the Department’s policy regarding the seriousness of the service agent’s conduct (see § 40.365) and all information he or she has obtained to this point concerning the facts of the case. The initiating official may also consider the availability of the resources needed to pursue a PIE proceeding.

(c) A decision not to initiate a PIE proceeding does not necessarily mean that the Department regards a service agent as being in compliance or that the Department may not use other applicable remedies in a situation of noncompliance.