Waiver

Under the conflict of interest statute, 18 U.S.C. § 208, a waiver permits an employee to participate in specified Government matters which would otherwise conflict with private financial interests. Section 208(b)(1) and (b)(3) of the statute details the conditions under which a waiver may be granted. It must be issued in writing by the employee's appointing official or delegate. (The statute also provides, in section 208(b)(2), for exemptions by OGE regulation, for certain remote or inconsequential financial interests common to a large number of employees.)

Giving up a legal right or advantage voluntarily.

The giving up of a right.

In order to maximize the number of communities that can take advantage of COPS grants, only a very small portion of waiver requests are granted at the time of application. Waiver requests can only be considered when a jurisdiction makes the request at the time of application. Applicants that are able to provide satisfactory documentation of severe fiscal distress may be granted waivers. Except in extreme situations, requests for waivers after an award to an agency has been made will not be considered.