Federal Register #DOT-OST-2025-0633

DOT Rule Change: Revised Hearing Procedures for Aviation Consumer Protection

This opportunity concerns a procedural rule change by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for aviation consumer protection: - Government Buyer: - U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) - Office of the Secretary (OST) - Office of Aviation Consumer Protection - No OEMs or commercial vendors are mentioned; this is a regulatory action, not a procurement. - Products/Services Requested: - Procedural services: hearings with neutral officers, formal findings of fact, written submissions, and testimony for rulemakings on unfair or deceptive practices in aviation - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Rule reinstates due process protections from 2020, including neutral hearing officers and formal findings - Rescinds previous rules and clarifications regarding enforcement actions - No substantive compliance costs or product/service requirements for regulated entities - Stakeholders include Airlines for America, IATA, and consumer advocacy groups, but no procurement activity is involved.

Description

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is amending its regulations regarding hearing procedures for discretionary aviation consumer protection rulemaking that declares a practice to be unfair or deceptive. The final rule revises hearing procedures established in 2022 to align with due process protections from 2020, ensuring the use of neutral hearing officers and formal findings of fact. It rescinds the 2023 Clarification of Formal Enforcement Procedures, which allowed civil enforcement actions in U.S. District Court beyond administrative proceedings. The Department finds this clarification unnecessary as its authority to seek judicial enforcement is clear by statute.

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