Dr.-Peter-Daszak-HHS-Notice_Jan-17-2025_Redacted

Source: Dr.-Peter-Daszak-HHS-Notice_Jan-17-2025_Redacted
Published: January 17, 2025 | Archived: July 16, 2026

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL

Paul Hurst, Esq. Steptoe LLP 1330 Connecticut Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20036 Email: phurst@steptoe.com

Re: Notice of Debarment of Dr. Peter Daszak

Dear Mr. Hurst:

Office of the Secretary Washington, D.C. 20201

In a May 21, 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, Dr. Peter Daszak, that HHS had suspended him and proposed him for debarment from participating in United States Federal Government procurement and nonprocurement programs, related to his role as the former President and Chief Executive Officer of EcoHealth Alliance, Inc. (EHA). The suspension and proposed debarment actions were based on information that Dr. Daszak lacks the present responsibility to participate in United States Federal Government procurement and nonprocurement programs. The Notice and Amended Notice also provided Dr. Daszak 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, you provided responses and information for consideration by me, as the HHS Suspension and Debarment Official (SDO), on Dr. Daszak’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 Dr. Daszak 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.

Dr. Daszak’s debarment is for a period of five years, effective as of the date of this Notice, pursuant to 2 C.F.R. § 180.630(b), 2 C.F.R. § 180.625(b), and 2 C.F.R. § 180.800(d). The period of ineligibility during Dr. Daszak’s suspension and proposed debarment, which was effective May 21, 2024, will be included in the period of debarment. Therefore, under the five-year period of debarment, Dr. Daszak will remain ineligible through May 20, 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