D. Withholding Payment

Comment: The same respondent had concerns about how long the Government may withhold payment for non-compliance. The respondent stated that the period of time that final payment may be delayed should be specified, e.g., "not to exceed 30 days" or "pending satisfactory resolution of the non-compliance."

Response: It would be unwise to state a specific date such as "not to exceed 30 days" because the contractor may need a longer time to return the PIV card. Adding language like "pending satisfactory resolution of the non-compliance" is superfluous, as it is a given that the Government would only hold final payment until the non-compliance has been resolved.