(a) Any hearing on an appeal by a grantee from a notice of suspension, termination, or denial of refunding must be commenced no later than 120 days from the date the grantee's appeal is received by the Departmental Appeals Board. The final decision in an appeal whether or not there is a hearing must be rendered not later than 60 days after the closing of the record, i.e., 60 days after the Board receives the final authorized submission in the case.

(b) All hearings will be conducted expeditiously and without undue delay or postponement.

(c) The time periods established in paragraph (a) of this section may be extended if:

(1) The parties jointly request a stay to engage in settlement negotiations,

(2) Either party requests summary disposition; or

(3) The Departmental Appeals Board determines that the Board is unable to hold a hearing or render its decision within the specified time period for reasons beyond the control of either party or the Board.