41 C.F.R. Subpart A—Preliminary Matters, Equal Opportunity Clause
Title 41 - Public Contracts and Property Management
(a) Purpose. The purpose of this part is to set forth the standards for compliance with section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 793), which requires Government contractors and subcontractors to take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities. (b) Applicability. This part applies to all Government contracts and subcontracts in excess of $10,000 for the purchase, sale or use of personal property or nonpersonal services (including construction): Provided, That subpart C of this part applies only as described in §60–741.40(a). Compliance by the contractor with the provisions of this part will not necessarily determine its compliance with other statutes, and compliance with other statutes will not necessarily determine its compliance with this part: Provided, That compliance shall also satisfy the employment provisions of the Department of Labor's regulations implementing section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (see 29 CFR 32.2(b)) when the contractor is also subject to those requirements. (c) Construction—(1) In general. Except as otherwise provided in this part, this part does not apply a lesser standard than the standards applied under title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), or the regulations issued by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission pursuant to that title (29 CFR part 1630). The Interpretive Guidance on Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act set out as an appendix to 29 CFR part 1630 issued pursuant to that title may be relied upon for guidance in interpreting the parallel provisions of this part. (2) Relationship to other laws. This part does not invalidate or limit the remedies, rights, and procedures under any Federal law or the law of any State or political subdivision that provides greater or equal protection for the rights of individuals with disabilities as compared to the protection afforded by this part. It may be a defense to a charge of violation of this part that a challenged action is required or necessitated by another Federal law or regulation, or that another Federal law or regulation prohibits an action (including the provision of a particular reasonable accommodation) that would otherwise be required by this part. (a) Act means the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Pub. L. 93–112 (29 U.S.C 706 and 793), as amended by sec. 111, Pub. L. 93–516; sec. 103(d)(2)(B), Pub. L. 99–506; sec. 9, Pub. L. 100–259; sec. 512, Pub. L. 101–336 ; and secs. 102 and 505, Pub. L. 102–569. (b) Equal opportunity clause means the contract provisions set forth in §60–741.5, “Equal opportunity clause.” (c) Secretary means the Secretary of Labor, United States Department of Labor, or his or her designee. (d) Deputy Assistant Secretary means the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Federal Contract Compliance of the United States Department of Labor, or his or her designee. (e) Government means the Government of the United States of America. (f) United States, as used herein, shall include the several States, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Wake Island. (g) Recruiting and training agency means any person who refers workers to any contractor, or who provides or supervises apprenticeship or training for employment by any contractor. (h) Contract means any Government contract or subcontract. (i) Government contract means any agreement or modification thereof between any contracting agency and any person for the purchase, sale or use of personal property or nonpersonal services (including construction). The term Government contract does not include agreements in which the parties stand in the relationship of employer and employee, and federally assisted contracts. (1) Modification means any alteration in the terms and conditions of a contract, including supplemental agreements, amendments and extensions. (2) Contracting agency means any department, agency, establishment or instrumentality of the United States, including any wholly owned Government corporation, which enters into contracts. (3) Person, as used in paragraphs (i) and (l) of this section, means any natural person, corporation, partnership or joint venture, unincorporated association, State or local government, and any agency, instrumentality, or subdivision of such a government. (4) Nonpersonal services, as used in paragraphs (i) and (l) of this section, includes, but is not limited to, the following: Utility, construction, transportation, research, insurance, and fund depository. (5) Construction, as used in paragraphs (i) and (l) of this section, means the construction, rehabilitation, alteration, conversion, extension, demolition, or repair of buildings, highways, or other changes or improvements to real property, including facilities providing utility services. The term also includes the supervision, inspection, and other on-site functions incidental to the actual construction. (6) Personal property, as used in paragraphs (i) and (l) of this section, includes supplies and contracts for the use of real property (such as lease arrangements), unless the contract for the use of real property itself constitutes real property (such as easements). (j) Contractor means, unless otherwise indicated, a prime contractor or subcontractor holding a contract in excess of $10,000. (k) Prime contractor means any person holding a contract in excess of $10,000, and, for the purposes of subpart D of this part, “General Enforcement and Complaint Procedures,” includes any person who has held a contract subject to the act. (l) Subcontract means any agreement or arrangement between a contractor and any person (in which the parties do not stand in the relationship of an employer and an employee): (1) For the purchase, sale or use of personal property or nonpersonal services (including construction) which, in whole or in part, is necessary to the performance of any one or more contracts; or (2) Under which any portion of the contractor's obligation under any one or more contracts is performed, undertaken, or assumed. (m) Subcontractor means any person holding a subcontract in excess of $10,000 and, for the purposes of subpart D of this part, “General Enforcement and Complaint Procedures,” any person who has held a subcontract subject to the act. (n)(1) Individual with a disability means any person who: (i) Has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more of such person's major life activities; (ii) Has a record of such an impairment; or (iii) Is regarded as having such an impairment. (2) See §60–741.3 for exceptions to the definition in paragraph (n)(1) of this section. (o) Physical or mental impairment means: (1) Any physiological disorder, or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: neurological, musculoskeletal, special sense organs, respiratory (including speech organs), cardiovascular, reproductive, digestive, genito-urinary, hemic and lymphatic, skin, and endocrine; or (2) Any mental or psychological disorder, such as mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities. (p) Major life activities means functions such as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working. (q) Substantially limits—(1) The term substantially limits means: (i) Unable to perform a major life activity that the average person in the general population can perform;1 1 People have a range of abilities with regard to many major life activities such as walking, lifting, and bending, and a range of such abilities may be considered average. Thus, the term “average” person in the general population does not indicate a need to determine a precise average ability, but rather reflects that a range of abilities may be considered average. (ii) Significantly restricted as to the condition, manner or duration under which an individual can perform a particular major life activity as compared to the condition, manner, or duration under which the average person in the general population can perform that same major life activity. (2) The following factors should be considered in determining whether an individual is substantially limited in a major life activity: (i) The nature and severity of the impairment; (ii) The duration or expected duration of the impairment; and (iii) The permanent or long term impact, or the expected permanent or long term impact of or resulting from the impairment. (3) With respect to the major life activity of working— (i) The term substantially limits means significantly restricted in the ability to perform either a class of jobs or a broad range of jobs in various classes as compared to the average person having comparable training, skills, and abilities. The inability to perform a single, particular job does not constitute a substantial limitation in the major life activity of working. (ii) In addition to the factors listed in paragraph (q)(2) of this section, the following factors may be considered in determining whether an individual is substantially limited in the major life activity of working: (A) The geographic area to which the individual has reasonable access; (B) The job from which the individual has been disqualified because of an impairment, and the number and types of jobs utilizing similar training, knowledge, skills or abilities, within that geographic area, from which the individual is also disqualified because of the impairment (class of jobs); and/or (C) The job from which the individual has been disqualified because of an impairment, and the number and types of other jobs not utilizing similar training, knowledge, skills or abilities, within that geographic area, from which the individual is also disqualified because of the impairment (broad range of jobs in various classes). (r) Has a record of such impairment means has a history of, or has been misclassified as having, a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. (s) Is regarded as having such an impairment means: (1) Has a physical or mental impairment that does not substantially limit major life activities but is treated by the contractor as constituting such limitation; (2) Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits major life activities only as a result of the attitudes of others toward such impairment; or (3) Has none of the impairments defined in paragraph (o)(1) or (2) of this section, but is treated by the contractor as having a substantially limiting impairment. (t) Qualified individual with a disability means an individual with a disability who satisfies the requisite skill, experience, education and other job-related requirements of the employment position such individual holds or desires, and who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of such position. (See §60–741.3 for exceptions to this definition.) (u) Essential functions—(1) In general. The term essential functions means fundamental job duties of the employment position the individual with a disability holds or desires. The term essential functions does not include the marginal functions of the position. (2) A job function may be considered essential for any of several reasons, including but not limited to the following: (i) The function may be essential because the reason the position exists is to perform that function; (ii) The function may be essential because of the limited number of employees available among whom the performance of that job function can be distributed; and/or (iii) The function may be highly specialized so that the incumbent in the position is hired for his or her expertise or ability to perform the particular function. (3) Evidence of whether a particular function is essential includes, but is not limited to: (i) The contractor's judgment as to which functions are essential; (ii) Written job descriptions prepared before advertising or interviewing applicants for the job; (iii) The amount of time spent on the job performing the function; (iv) The consequences of not requiring the incumbent to perform the function; (v) The terms of a collective bargaining agreement; (vi) The work experience of past incumbents in the job; and/or (vii) The current work experience of incumbents in similar jobs. (v) Reasonable accommodation—(1) The term reasonable accommodation means: (i) Modifications or adjustments to a job application process that enable a qualified applicant with a disability to be considered for the position such applicant desires;2 2 A contractor's duty to provide a reasonable accommodation with respect to applicants with disabilities is not limited to those who ultimately demonstrate that they are qualified to perform the job in issue. Applicants with disabilities must be provided a reasonable accommodation with respect to the application process if they are qualified with respect to that process (e.g., if they present themselves at the correct location and time to fill out an application). (ii) Modifications or adjustments to the work environment, or to the manner or circumstances under which the position held or desired is customarily performed, that enable a qualified individual with a disability to perform the essential functions of that position; or (iii) Modifications or adjustments that enable the contractor's employee with a disability to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by the contractor's other similarly situated employees without disabilities. (2) Reasonable accommodation may include but is not limited to: (i) Making existing facilities used by employees readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities; and (ii) Job restructuring; part-time or modified work schedules; reassignment to a vacant position; acquisition or modifications of equipment or devices; appropriate adjustment or modifications of examinations, training materials, or policies; the provision of qualified readers or interpreters; and other similar accommodations for individuals with disabilities. (3) To determine the appropriate reasonable accommodation it may be necessary for the contractor to initiate an informal, interactive process with the qualified individual with a disability in need of the accommodation.3 3 Contractors must engage in such an interactive process with an individual with disabilities whether or not a reasonable accommodation ultimately is identified. Contractors must engage in the interactive process because, until they have done so, they may be unable to determine whether a reasonable accommodation exists that will result in the person being qualified. (w) Undue hardship—(1) In general. Undue hardship means, with respect to the provision of an accommodation, significant difficulty or expense incurred by the contractor, when considered in light of the factors set forth in paragraph (w)(2) of this section. (2) Factors to be considered. In determining whether an accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the contractor, factors to be considered include: (i) The nature and net cost of the accommodation needed, taking into consideration the availability of tax credits and deductions, and/or outside funding; (ii) The overall financial resources of the facility or facilities involved in the provision of the reasonable accommodation, the number of persons employed at such facility, and the effect on expenses and resources; (iii) The overall financial resources of the contractor, the overall size of the business of the contractor with respect to the number of its employees, and the number, type and location of its facilities; (iv) The type of operation or operations of the contractor, including the composition, structure and functions of the work force of such contractor, and the geographic separateness and administrative or fiscal relationship of the facility or facilities in question to the contractor; and (v) The impact of the accommodation upon the operation of the facility, including the impact on the ability of other employees to perform their duties and the impact on the facility's ability to conduct business. (x) Qualification standards means the personal and professional attributes including the skill, experience, education, physical, medical, safety and other requirements established by the contractor as requirements which an individual must meet in order to be eligible for the position held or desired. (y) Direct threat means a significant risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of the individual or others that cannot be eliminated or reduced by reasonable accommodation. The determination that an individual with a disability poses a “direct threat” shall be based on an individualized assessment of the individual's present ability to perform safely the essential functions of the job. This assessment shall be based on a reasonable medical judgment that relies on the most current medical knowledge and/or on the best available objective evidence. In determining whether an individual would pose a direct threat, the factors to be considered include: (1) The duration of the risk; (2) The nature and severity of the potential harm; (3) The likelihood that the potential harm will occur; and (4) The imminence of the potential harm. (z) Compliance evaluation means any one or combination of actions OFCCP may take to examine a Federal contractor's or subcontractor's compliance with one or more of the requirements of Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. [61 FR 19350, May 1, 1996, as amended at 70 FR 36265, June 22, 2005] (a) Current illegal use of drugs—(1) In general. The terms individual with a disability and qualified individual with a disability do not include individuals currently engaging in the illegal use of drugs, when the contractor acts on the basis of such use. (2) “Drug” defined. The term drug means a controlled substance, as defined in schedules I through V of section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812). (3) “Illegal use of drugs” defined. The term illegal use of drugs means the use of drugs, the possession or distribution of which is unlawful under the Controlled Substances Act, as updated pursuant to that act. Such term does not include the use of a drug taken under supervision by a licensed health care professional, or other uses authorized by the Controlled Substances Act or other provisions of Federal law. (4) Construction. (i) Nothing in paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall be construed to exclude as an “individual with a disability” or as a “qualified individual with a disability” an individual who: (A) Has successfully completed a supervised drug rehabilitation program and is no longer engaging in the illegal use of drugs, or has otherwise been rehabilitated successfully and is no longer engaging in the illegal use of drugs; (B) Is participating in a supervised rehabilitation program and is no longer engaging in such use; or (C) Is erroneously regarded as engaging in such use, but is not engaging in such use. (ii) In order to be protected by section 503 and this part, an individual described in paragraph (a)(4)(i) of this section must satisfy the requirements of the definition of qualified individual with a disability. (5) Drug testing. It shall not be a violation of this part for the contractor to adopt or administer reasonable policies or procedures, including but not limited to drug testing, designed to ensure that an individual described in paragraphs (a)(4)(i)(A) and (B) of this section is no longer engaging in the illegal use of drugs. (See §60–741.24(b)(1).) (b) Alcoholics—(1) In general. The terms individual with a disability and qualified individual with a disability do not include an individual who is an alcoholic whose current use of alcohol prevents such individual from performing the essential functions of the employment position such individual holds or desires or whose employment, by reason of such current alcohol abuse, would constitute a direct threat to property or to the health or safety of the individual or others. (2) Duty to provide reasonable accommodation. Nothing in paragraph (b)(1) of this section shall relieve the contractor of its obligation to provide a reasonable accommodation for an individual described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section when such an accommodation will enable the individual to perform the essential functions of the employment position such individual holds or desires, or when the accommodation will eliminate or reduce the direct threat to property or the health or safety of the individual or others posed by such individual, provided that such individual satisfies the requisite skill, experience, education and other job-related requirements of such position. (c) Contagious disease or infection—(1) In general. The terms individual with a disability and qualified individual with a disability do not include an individual who has a currently contagious disease or infection and who, by reason of such disease or infection, would constitute a direct threat to the health or safety of the individual or others or who, by reason of the currently contagious disease or infection, is unable to perform the essential functions of the employment position such individual holds or desires. (2) Duty to provide reasonable accommodation. Nothing in paragraph (c)(1) of this section shall relieve the contractor of its obligation to provide a reasonable accommodation for an individual described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section when such an accommodation will enable the individual to perform the essential functions of the employment position such individual holds or desires, or when the accommodation will eliminate or reduce the direct threat to the health or safety of the individual or others posed by such individual, provided that such individual satisfies the requisite skill, experience, education and other job-related requirements of such position. (d) Homosexuality or bisexuality. The term impairment as defined in this part does not include homosexuality or bisexuality, and therefore the term individual with a disability as defined in this part does not include an individual on the basis of homosexuality or bisexuality. (e) Other conditions. The term individual with a disability does not include an individual on the basis of: (1) Transvestism, transsexualism, pedophilia, exhibitionism, voyeurism, gender identity disorders not resulting from physical impairments, or other sexual behavior disorders; (2) Compulsive gambling, kleptomania, or pyromania; or (3) Psychoactive substance use disorders resulting from current illegal use of drugs. (a) Coverage—(1) Contracts and subcontracts in excess of $10,000. Contracts and subcontracts in excess of $10,000 are covered by this part. No contracting agency or contractor shall procure supplies or services in less than usual quantities to avoid the applicability of the equal opportunity clause. (2) Positions engaged in carrying out a contract. (i) With respect to the contractor's employment decisions and practices occurring before October 29, 1992, this part applies only to employees who were employed in, and applicants for, positions that were engaged in carrying out a Government contract; with respect to employment decisions and practices occurring on or after October 29, 1992, this part applies to all of the contractor's positions irrespective of whether the positions are or were engaged in carrying out a Government contract. A position shall be considered to have been engaged in carrying out a contract if: (A) The duties of the position included work that fulfilled a contractual obligation, or work that was necessary to, or that facilitated, performance of the contract or a provision of the contract; or (B) The cost or a portion of the cost of the position was allowable as a cost of the contract under the principles set forth in the Federal Acquisition Regulation at 48 CFR Ch. 1, part 31: Provided, That a position shall not be considered to have been covered by this part by virtue of this provision if the cost of the position was not allocable in whole or in part as a direct cost to any Government contract, and only a de minimis (less than 2%) portion of the cost of the position was allocable as an indirect cost to Government contracts, considered as a group. (ii) Application. Where a contractor or a division or establishment of a contractor was devoted exclusively to Government contract work, all positions within the contractor, division, or establishment shall be considered to have been covered by this part. (Appendix D of this part provides guidance on positions engaged in carrying out a contract.) (3) Contracts and subcontracts for indefinite quantities. With respect to indefinite delivery-type contracts and subcontracts (including, but not limited to, open end contracts, requirement-type contracts, Federal Supply Schedule contracts, “call-type” contracts, and purchase notice agreements), the equal opportunity clause shall be included unless the contracting agency has reason to believe that the amount to be ordered in any year under such contract will not be in excess of $10,000. The applicability of the equal opportunity clause shall be determined at the time of award for the first year, and annually thereafter for succeeding years, if any. Notwithstanding the above, the equal opportunity clause shall be applied to such contract whenever the amount of a single order exceeds $10,000. Once the equal opportunity clause is determined to be applicable, the contract shall continue to be subject to such clause for its duration, regardless of the amounts ordered, or reasonably expected to be ordered in any year. (4) Employment activities within the United States. This part applies only to employment activities within the United States and not to employment activities abroad. The term employment activities within the United States includes actual employment within the United States, and decisions of the contractor made within the United States, pertaining to the contractor's applicants and employees who are within the United States, regarding employment opportunities abroad (such as recruiting and hiring within the United States for employment abroad, or transfer of persons employed in the United States to contractor establishments abroad). (5) Contracts with State or local governments. The requirements of the equal opportunity clause in any contract or subcontract with a State or local government (or any agency, instrumentality or subdivision thereof) shall not be applicable to any agency, instrumentality or subdivision of such government which does not participate in work on or under the contract or subcontract. (b) Waivers—(1) Specific contracts and classes of contracts. The Deputy Assistant Secretary may waive the application to any contract of the equal opportunity clause in whole or part when he or she deems that special circumstances in the national interest so require. The Deputy Assistant Secretary may also grant such waivers to groups or categories of contracts: where it is in the national interest; where it is found impracticable to act upon each request individually; and where such waiver will substantially contribute to convenience in administration of the act. When a waiver has been granted for any class of contracts, the Deputy Assistant Secretary may withdraw the waiver for a specific contract or group of contracts to be awarded, when in his or her judgment such action is necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of the act. The withdrawal shall not apply to contracts awarded prior to the withdrawal, except that in procurements entered into by formal advertising, or the various forms of restricted formal advertising, such withdrawal shall not apply unless the withdrawal is made more than 10 calendar days before the date set for the opening of the bids. (2) National security. Any requirement set forth in the regulations of this part shall not apply to any contract whenever the head of the contracting agency determines that such contract is essential to the national security and that its award without complying with such requirements is necessary to the national security. Upon making such a determination, the head of the contracting agency will notify the Deputy Assistant Secretary in writing within 30 days. (3) Facilities not connected with contracts. (i) Upon the written request of the contractor, the Deputy Assistant Secretary may waive the requirements of the equal opportunity clause with respect to any of a contractor's facilities if the Deputy Assistant Secretary finds that the contractor has demonstrated that: (A) The facility is in all respects separate and distinct from activities of the contractor related to the performance of a contract; and (B) Such a waiver will not interfere with or impede the effectuation of the act. (ii) The Deputy Assistant Secretary's findings as to whether the facility is separate and distinct in all respects from activities of the contractor related to the performance of a contract shall include consideration of the following factors: (A) Whether any work at the facility directly or indirectly supports or contributes to the satisfaction of the work performed on a Government contract; (B) The extent to which the facility benefits, directly or indirectly, from a Government contract; (C) Whether any costs associated with operating the facility are charged to a Government contract; (D) Whether working at the facility is a prerequisite for advancement in job responsibility or pay, and the extent to which employees at facilities connected to a Government contract are recruited for positions at the facility; (E) Whether employees or applicants for employment at the facility may perform work related to a Government contract at another facility, and the extent to which employees at the facility are interchangeable with employees at facilities connected to a Government contract; and (F) Such other factors that the Deputy Assistant Secretary deems are necessary or appropriate for considering whether the facility is in all respects separate and distinct from the activities of the contractor related to the performance of a contract. (iii) The Deputy Assistant Secretary's findings as to whether granting a waiver will interfere with or impede the effectuation of the act shall include consideration of the following factors: (A) Whether the waiver will be used as a subterfuge to circumvent the contractor's obligations under the act; (B) The contractor's compliance with the act or any other Federal, State or local law requiring equal opportunity for disabled persons; (C) The impact of granting the waiver on OFCCP enforcement efforts; and (D) Such other factors that the Deputy Assistant Secretary deems are necessary or appropriate for considering whether the granting of the waiver would interfere with or impede the effectuation of the act. (iv) A contractor granted a waiver under paragraph (b)(3) of this section shall: (A) Promptly inform the Deputy Assistant Secretary of any changed circumstances not reflected in the contractor's waiver request; and (B) Permit the Deputy Assistant Secretary access during normal business hours to the contractor's places of business for the purpose of investigating whether the facility granted a waiver meets the standards and requirements of paragraph (b)(3) of this section, and for inspecting and copying such books and accounts and records, including computerized records, and other material as may be relevant to the matter under investigation. (v)(A) A waiver granted under paragraph (b)(3) of this section shall terminate on one of the following dates, whichever is earliest: (1) Two years after the date the waiver was granted. (2) When the facility performs any work that directly supports or contributes to the satisfaction of the work performed on a Government contract. (3) When the Deputy Assistant Secretary determines, based on information provided by the contractor under this section or upon any other relevant information, that the facility does not meet the requirements of paragraph (b)(3) of this section. (B) When a waiver terminates in accordance with paragraph (b)(3)(v)(A) of this section the contractor shall ensure that the facility complies with this part on the date of termination, except that compliance with §§60–741.40 through 60–741.45, if applicable, must be attained within 120 days of such termination. (vi) False or fraudulent statements or representations made by a contractor under paragraph (b)(3) of this section are prohibited and may subject the contractor to sanctions and penalties under this part and criminal prosecution under 18 U.S.C. 1001. [61 FR 19350, May 1, 1996, as amended at 65 FR 45179, July 20, 2000] (a) Government contracts. Each contracting agency and each contractor shall include the following equal opportunity clause in each of its covered Government contracts or subcontracts (and modifications, renewals, or extensions thereof if not included in the original contract):
Equal Opportunity for Workers With Disabilities 1. The contractor will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of physical or mental disability in regard to any position for which the employee or applicant for employment is qualified. The contractor agrees to take affirmative action to employ, advance in employment and otherwise treat qualified individuals with disabilities without discrimination based on their physical or mental disability in all employment practices, including the following: i. Recruitment, advertising, and job application procedures; ii. Hiring, upgrading, promotion, award of tenure, demotion, transfer, layoff, termination, right of return from layoff and rehiring; iii. Rates of pay or any other form of compensation and changes in compensation; iv. Job assignments, job classifications, organizational structures, position descriptions, lines of progression, and seniority lists; v. Leaves of absence, sick leave, or any other leave; vi. Fringe benefits available by virtue of employment, whether or not administered by the contractor; vii. Selection and financial support for training, including apprenticeship, professional meetings, conferences, and other related activities, and selection for leaves of absence to pursue training; viii. Activities sponsored by the contractor including social or recreational programs; and ix. Any other term, condition, or privilege of employment. 2. The contractor agrees to comply with the rules, regulations, and relevant orders of the Secretary of Labor issued pursuant to the act. 3. In the event of the contractor's noncompliance with the requirements of this clause, actions for noncompliance may be taken in accordance with the rules, regulations, and relevant orders of the Secretary of Labor issued pursuant to the act. 4. The contractor agrees to post in conspicuous places, available to employees and applicants for employment, notices in a form to be prescribed by the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Federal Contract Compliance Programs, provided by or through the contracting officer. Such notices shall state the rights of applicants and employees as well as the contractor's obligation under the law to take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified employees and applicants with disabilities. The contractor must ensure that applicants and employees with disabilities are informed of the contents of the notice (e.g., the contractor may have the notice read to a visually disabled individual, or may lower the posted notice so that it might be read by a person in a wheelchair). 5. The contractor will notify each labor organization or representative of workers with which it has a collective bargaining agreement or other contract understanding, that the contractor is bound by the terms of section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and is committed to take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals with physical or mental disabilities. 6. The contractor will include the provisions of this clause in every subcontract or purchase order in excess of $10,000, unless exempted by the rules, regulations, or orders of the Secretary issued pursuant to section 503 of the act, as amended, so that such provisions will be binding upon each subcontractor or vendor. The contractor will take such action with respect to any subcontract or purchase order as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Federal Contract Compliance Programs may direct to enforce such provisions, including action for noncompliance. [End of Clause] (b) Subcontracts. Each contractor shall include the equal opportunity clause in each of its subcontracts subject to this part. (c) Adaption of language. Such necessary changes in language may be made to the equal opportunity clause as shall be appropriate to identify properly the parties and their undertakings. (d) Inclusion of the equal opportunity clause in the contract. It is not necessary that the equal opportunity clause be quoted verbatim in the contract. The clause may be made a part of the contract by citation to 41 CFR 60–741.5(a). (e) Incorporation by operation of the act. By operation of the act, the equal opportunity clause shall be considered to be a part of every contract and subcontract required by the act and the regulations in this part to include such a clause, whether or not it is physically incorporated in such contract and whether or not there is a written contract between the agency and the contractor. (f) Duties of contracting agencies. Each contracting agency shall cooperate with the Deputy Assistant Secretary and the Secretary in the performance of their responsibilities under the act. Such cooperation shall include insuring that the equal opportunity clause is included in all covered Government contracts and that contractors are fully informed of their obligations under the act and this part, providing the Deputy Assistant Secretary with any information which comes to the agency's attention that a contractor is not in compliance with the act or this part, responding to requests for information from the Deputy Assistant Secretary, and taking such actions for noncompliance as are set forth in §60–741.66 as may be ordered by the Secretary or the Deputy Assistant Secretary.
Title 41: Public Contracts and Property Management
PART 60–741—AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AND NONDISCRIMINATION OBLIGATIONS OF CONTRACTORS AND SUBCONTRACTORS REGARDING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES
Subpart A—Preliminary Matters, Equal Opportunity Clause
§ 60-741.1 Purpose, applicability, and construction.
§ 60-741.2 Definitions.
§ 60-741.3 Exceptions to the definitions of “individual with a disability” and “qualified individual with a disability.”
§ 60-741.4 Coverage and waivers.
§ 60-741.5 Equal opportunity clause.
