Premerger Notification Office Implements Temporary e-Filing System

Due to the developing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, and consistent with guidance from the Office of Personnel Management, the Premerger Notification Office (PNO) will implement a temporary e-filing system. During this emergency, all filings must be submitted via this system, and all hard copy and DVD submissions will be suspended. Key facts are as follows:

• The PNO will be open to accept hard copy and DVD Hart-Scott-Rodino filings until Friday March 13, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
• The PNO will not accept any filings on Monday, March 16, 2020.
• Beginning at 8:30 am on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, the PNO will accept HSR filings only via the temporary e-filing system. 
• The system will involve uploading documents to a secure Accellion file-transfer platform using the same file formats as specified for DVD filings on the Style Sheet for Hart-Scott-Rodino Filings.
• While this temporary system is in place, early termination will not be granted for any filing.
• The Department of Justice will implement the same procedures.

The PNO is working to get this system in place on a very tight schedule. The PNO has issued specific guidance on the temporary e-filing system and PNO operating procedures. If you have questions after reviewing our guidance, please contact premerger@ftc.gov. We appreciate your support and patience during this difficult time.

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