Part II: Practical Compliance Roadmap and Strategic Outlook

To remain compliant and competitive under EO 14173, federal contractors should take immediate steps to realign their policies, data practices, and contracting procedures with the new merit-based framework. The first step is to map your organization’s federal exposure. Identify all contracts, subcontracts, and grants, both prime and sub, with federal agencies, including any flow-down obligations….
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Part I: The New Compliance Landscape Under EO 14173

In her recent remarks, former OFCCP Director Catherine Eschbach emphasized that the compliance environment for federal contractors is undergoing a profound transformation under Executive Order 14173, “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.” She explained that this order establishes a “whole-of-government approach” to identifying and eliminating unlawful DEI practices, meaning that oversight will no longer…
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Filing Your VETS-4212 Report: The Federal Contractor’s Complete Guide

If you’re a federal contractor or subcontractor, you probably already know that compliance is essential to protecting your contracts and avoiding costly penalties. One of the most important annual compliance requirements is filing the VETS-4212 report, also known as the Veterans’ Employment Report. This reporting obligation, overseen by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment…
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EO 14173: The Future of Civil Rights Enforcement for Federal Contractors

As the sun sets on Executive Order 11246, a landmark directive that shaped affirmative action compliance for nearly 60 years, a new chapter in civil rights enforcement begins. Executive Order 14173, signed early in 2025, represents a fundamental shift—from mandate-driven affirmative action for women and minorities to a universal, merit-based approach to nondiscrimination for all…
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