Notice-_EHA_1.17.2025_Redacted

Source: Notice-_EHA_1.17.2025_Redacted
Published: January 17, 2025 | Archived: July 16, 2026

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Office of the Secretary Washington, D.C. 20201

VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL

Charles Blanchard, Esq. Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP 601 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington, DC 20001 Email: Charles.Blanchard@arnoldporter.com

Ronald D. Lee, Esq. Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP 601 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington, DC 20001 Email: Ronald.Lee@arnoldporter.com

Alex E. Sirio, Esq. Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP 601 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington, DC 20001 Email: Alex.Sirio@arnoldporter.com

Re: Notice of Debarment of EcoHealth Alliance, Inc.

Dear Mr. Blanchard, Mr. Lee, and Mr. Siro:

In a May 15, 2024, Notice of Suspension and Proposed Debarment (Notice) and Action Referral Memorandum (ARM), and December 11, 2024, Amended Notice and Amended ARM, sent by electronic mail, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) notified your client, EcoHealth Alliance, Inc. (EHA), that HHS had suspended and proposed EHA for debarment from participating in United States Federal Government procurement and nonprocurement programs. The suspension and proposed debarment actions were based on information that EHA lacks the present responsibility to participate in United States Federal Government procurement and nonprocurement programs. The Notice and Amended Notice also provided EHA with an opportunity to submit information and argument in opposition to the suspension and proposed debarment actions. On July 22, 2024, September 19, 2024, January 13, 2025, and January 15, 2025, responses and information were submitted for consideration by me, as the HHS Suspension and Debarment Official (SDO), on EHA’s behalf.

After considering the information in the administrative record in this matter, including the information presented in the above-mentioned responses, I have determined that a period of debarment for EHA is necessary to protect the Federal Government’s business interests. This debarment action is being taken pursuant to the Nonprocurement Common Rule at 2 C.F.R. § 180, which HHS adopted and gave regulatory effect to at 2 C.F.R. § 376.10. The basis for my decision is set forth in the enclosed ARM for Final Debarment, dated the same date as this Notice.

Notice of Debarment of EcoHealth Alliance, Inc.

page 2

EHA’s debarment is for a period of five years, effective as of the date of this Notice, pursuant to 2 C.F.R. § 180.800(d), for “any other cause that is so serious or compelling in nature that it affects your present responsibility.” The period of ineligibility during EHA’s suspension and proposed debarment, which was effective May 15, 2024, will be included in the period of debarment. Therefore, under the five-year period of debarment, EHA will remain ineligible through May 14, 2029. The debarment is effective for covered transactions subject to the prohibitions of 2 C.F.R. § 180 and contracts that are subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (48 C.F.R. Chapter 1), throughout the executive branch of the United States Federal Government unless an agency head or an authorized designee grants an exception in writing.

Sincerely,

Suspension and Debarment Official and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisitions

Enclosure: Action Referral Memorandum for Final Debarment Decision