Generally speaking, government contractors are subject to various equal employment opportunity (EEO) and affirmative action requirements. Complying with these requirements can be difficult. To assist government contractors with understanding their obligations, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program (OFCCP) issues Technical Assistance Guides (TAGs). Recently, OFCCP released a new TAG for small federal contractors. The new guide is available here.

According to OFCCP, small federal contractors can use the TAG as a self-assessment tool to review their compliance practices. The TAG, among other things, provides small federal contractors with information on:

• The equal employment opportunity laws that OFCCP enforces – Executive Order 11246, which prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and national origin; Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, which prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of disability; and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), which prohibits employment discrimination against protected veterans.
• OFCCP’s regulations implementing Executive Order 11246, Section 503, and VEVRAA.
• When contractors are required to develop and maintain written affirmative action programs.
• Required postings, listings, and notice.
• Job advertisement taglines.
• Job listing requirements.
• Flow down requirements in subcontracts, purchase orders, and other contract documents.
• Recordkeeping requirements.

Small federal contractors who want more information on how to comply with their EEO requirements should review the new TAG. In addition to the TAG for small federal contractors, OFCCP has published a Supply and Service TAG, a Construction TAG, and an Educational Institutions TAG. These TAGs are available here.