(a) Filing and content. The Presiding Officer shall issue and file with the Hearing Clerk a final order as soon as practicable after the period for filing reply briefs under § 305.35 has expired, but within the time allowed for issuance of a final order as prescribed by § 305.4(d). The final order shall contain his findings of fact, conclusions of law, as well as the reasons therefor, and an order for an award for a sum certain, or an explanation of why no award is granted.

(b) Costs. If the Presiding Officer concludes in writing that the Request for a Hearing was frivolous, he may direct the Hearing Clerk to assess all or part of the costs of the proceeding against the Requestor. In such case, the Hearing Clerk shall assess such costs as directed by the Presiding Officer, and shall serve notice of such direction and the amount of such costs on all parties. No later than 5 days after receipt of notice of assessment of costs, the Requestor may move that the Presiding Officer review the assessment of costs by the Hearing Clerk. The Presiding Officer may uphold, reverse, or modify the action of the Hearing Clerk in assessing costs.