The U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) new online portal for federal government contractors and subcontractors will help them securely certify annual Affirmative Action compliance.
The Affirmative Action Program Verification Interface, also known as the Contractor Portal, will be operated by the department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), a Dec. 2 DOL press release said. The new online portal will be available next year.
“The Contractor Portal will provide federal contractors with a secure method of certifying compliance with their affirmative action program requirements,” OFCCP Director Jenny R. Yang said in the release. “OFCCP's new online portal provides a mechanism to promote greater contractor attention to removing barriers to opportunity and evaluating employment practices.”
Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Director Jenny R. Yang
| dol.gov/
Through the portal, federal contractors and subcontractors will be able to certify whether they've developed and maintained affirmative action programs for each of their establishments or functional units, the release said. The Contractor Portal also provides a secure way to schedule compliance evaluations.
Federal contractors and subcontractors may begin to access the portal on Feb. 1, the release said. The portal's certification features will be available March 31. Contractors and subcontractors must certify their Affirmative Action Program compliance by June 30.
Contractors and subcontractors that meet certain contract dollar and employee thresholds fall under the OFCCP's jurisdiction and must develop and maintain Affirmative Action Programs, the release said. They are also required to annually certify compliance.
“Affirmative action requirements are meant to ensure federal contractor and subcontractor applicants and employees receive equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran,” the release said.
More information about the portal, including frequently asked questions, may be found on OFCCP’s Contractor Portal Landing Page at DOL.gov.
