OFCCP Exempts New Federal Contracts Entered Into to Provide COVID-19 Relief From Certain Equal Employment Opportunity Requirements (US)
On March 17, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) issued a temporary, three-month exemption from certain equal employment opportunity requirements for new supply and services and construction contracts “entered into specifically to provide Coronavirus relief.” In the National Interest Exemption Memorandum (NIE Memorandum), the OFCCP provided modified equal opportunity clause language that federal contractors may use in covered contracts and exempts such contracts from all affirmative action obligations, posting requirements, solicitation/advertisement requirements, and mandatory job listing requirements under the following laws administered by the OFCCP: Executive Order 11246 (which prohibits federal contractors from discriminating against employees based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, veteran status, or national origin); Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act o...