News Release
US Department of Labor announces new web portal for federal contractors and subcontractors to certify whether they have developed and maintained an Affirmative Action Program
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the upcoming launch of an online portal through which federal government contractors and subcontractors will certify compliance with annual Affirmative Action Program requirements.
Led by the department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, the Affirmative Action Program Verification Interface, or the Contractor Portal, provides a method for covered federal contractors to certify, on an annual basis, whether they have developed and maintained affirmative action programs for each establishment or functional unit, as applicable. In addition, the Contractor Portal will provide a secure method for contractors scheduled for compliance evaluations to submit to OFCCP their Affirmative Action Program(s).
“The Contractor Portal will provide federal contractors with a secure method of certifying compliance with their affirmative action program requirements,” said Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Director Jenny R. Yang. “OFCCP’s new online portal provides a mechanism to promote greater contractor attention to removing barriers to opportunity and evaluating employment practices.”
Affirmative action requirements are intended to ensure that applicants and employees of federal contractors have equal employment opportunity without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. Contractors within OFCCP’s jurisdiction that meet certain contract dollar and employee thresholds are required to develop and maintain Affirmative Action Programs and will be required to annually certify compliance. Covered federal contractors and subcontractors may register on the Contractor Portal beginning Feb. 1, 2022. The portal’s certification features will be available beginning on March 31, 2022, and existing contractors will be required to certify their compliance by June 30, 2022. Additional information on the Contractor Portal, including Frequently Asked Questions, can be found on OFCCP’s Contractor Portal Landing Page.
