(a) Offset authority A contracting officer of a contracting agency may offset the amount of a kickback provided, accepted, or charged in violation of section
53 of this title against any moneys owed by the United States to the prime contractor under the prime contract to which such kickback relates.
(b) Duties of prime contractor
(1) Upon direction of a contracting officer of a contracting agency with respect to a prime contract, the prime contractor shall withhold from any sums owed to a subcontractor under a subcontract of the prime contract the amount of any kickback which was or may be offset against that prime contractor under subsection (a) of this section.
(2) Such contracting officer may order that sums withheld under paragraph (1)
(A) be paid over to the contracting agency; or
(B) if the United States has already offset the amount of such sums against that prime contractor, be retained by the prime contractor.
(3) The prime contractor shall notify the contracting officer when an amount is withheld and retained under paragraph (2)(B).
