OFCCP AT A GLANCE

U. S. Dept. of Labor

"Thirty years of committment
to equal employment opportunity
and affirmative action"

WHAT IS THE OFCCP?

The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) is part of the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment Standards Administration. It has a national network of ten Regional Offices, each with District and Area Offices in major metropolitan centers. Contact information may be accessed via a link at the bottom of this page.

The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program enforces the following:

• Executive order 11246, as amended

  This 30 year-old order, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, prohibits discrimination in hiring or employment opportunities on the basis of race, color, gender religion, and national origin. It applies to all contractors and subcontractors holding any federal or federally assisted contracts worth more than $10,000 annually.

  In addition, the Executive Order requires contractors and subcontractors with a federal contract of $50,000 or more, and 50 or more employees, to develop a written affirmative action program that sets forth specific and result-oriented procedures to which a contractor commits itself to apply every good faith effort.

• Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended

  Prohibits discrimination and requires affirmative action in all personnel practices for persons with disabilities. It applies to firms with federal contracts of $10,000 or more annually. An affirmative action program is required.

• 38 USC 4212 - The Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974

  This prohibits discrimination and requires affirmative action in all personnel practices for disabled veterans and Vietnam Era veterans. It applies to firms with federal contracts of $10,000 or more annually. An affirmative action program s required.

• Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986

  Requires employers to maintain certain records pertaining to the citizenship status of new employees. These records are examined during the course of compliance reviews and complaint investigations. Results are reported to the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

• American with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)

  When this new legislation became effective, July 1992, most disabled employees attained protection against discrimination through two federal non-discrimination statutes - the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the ADA.

 

OFCCP'S ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES

In carrying out its responsibilities, the OFCCP uses the following enforcement procedures:

• Conducts compliance reviews and complaint investigations of federal contractors' personnel policies and procedures.

• Obtains Letters of Commitment and Conciliation Agreements from contractors who are in violation of regulatory requirements.

• Monitors contractors' progress in fulfilling the terms of their agreements through periodic compliance reports.

• Forms linkage agreements between contractors and Labor Department job training programs to help employers identify and recruit qualified workers.

• Offers technical assistance to federal contractors to help them understand the regulatory requirements and review process.

• Recommends enforcement actions to the Solicitor of Labor.

• The ultimate sanction for violations is debarment - the loss of a company's federal contracts. Other forms of relief to victims of discrimination may also be available, including back pay for lost wages.

The OFCCP has close working relationships with other Departmental agencies, such as: the Office of the Solicitor, which advises on ethical, legal and enforcement issues; the Women's Bureau, which emphasizes the needs of working women; the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training, which establishes policies to promote equal opportunities in the recruitment and selection of apprentices; and the Employment and Training Administration, which administers Labor Department job training programs for current workforce needs.

THE EVE AWARD

The OFCCP continues to encourage voluntary compliance with its laws by presenting its annual Exemplary Voluntary Efforts (EVE) Awards.

Since its creation in 1983, the EVE awards have been a platform to publicly recognize federal contractors and subcontractors that have consistently demonstrated outstanding commitment to equal opportunity programs which further the advancement in employment for minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans.

THE EPIC AWARD

The OFCCP also presents the Exemplary Public Interest Contributions (EPIC) Award. This recognizes community and constituent organizations whose activities support the mission of the OFCCP. These activities include recruitment, referral, and training and employment for minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and Vietnam Era Veterans.

THE SECRETARY'S OPPORTUNITY 2000 AWARD

Each year the Secretary of Labor's Opportunity 2000 Award recognizes one federal contractor that has implemented major comprehensive equal employment programs which have a dynamic national impact and goes beyond the internal workforce to include community involvement.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Link to the OFCCP Resources page.

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U.S. Department of Labor
Employment Standards Administration
Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs
Pam. OFCCP 7, February 1997