Federal Contractor Requirements

Federal contractor nondiscrimination requirements

You have a responsibility to meet additional obligations as a federal contractor.

As a federal contractor or subcontractor, you’re subject to certain laws depending on the value of the contracts you hold.

If you have a contract or subcontract of more than $15,000, [1] you’re subject to Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and have the responsibility to not discriminate against job applicants or employees on the basis of disability.

If you have a contract or subcontract of $150,000 or more, you’re also subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and have the responsibility to not discriminate against job applicants or employees because of status as a protected veteran.

In addition to the nondiscrimination requirements, you have some related basic recordkeeping and notification responsibilities  such as:

  • maintaining records on all personnel and employment actions;
  • including Equal Opportunity Clauses in all covered contracts and subcontracts; and
  • stating in employment advertising that you don’t discriminate on the basis of disability and status as a protected veteran. Remember, if you are subject to Section 503 and VEVRAA, “disability” and “veteran” or “vet” must be explicitly included in any employment advertising tagline.

[1] This dollar threshold is subject to Federal Acquisition Regulation inflationary adjustments.

 


Questions?
We’re here to help.

We are committed to helping you understand your responsibilities as an employer.

For additional assistance, please contact:

Tel: 1-866-4USADOL (1-866-487-2365) or 1-800-397-6251. If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

Our assistance is free and confidential.

Coworkers with stacked hands at the office
Need more information?

The elaws (Employment Laws Assistance for Workers and Small Businesses) Advisors are a set of online tools developed by the U.S. Department of Labor to help employees and employers understand their rights and responsibilities under federal employment laws.