Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. 2000d to 2000d-4; Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, 42 U.S.C. 3601-3619; 42 U.S.C. 4601 to 4655; 23 U.S.C. 109(h); 23 U.S.C. 324.
To provide guidelines for: (a) Implementing the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Title VI compliance program under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related civil rights laws and regulations, and (b) Conducting Title VI program compliance reviews relative to the Federal-aid highway program.
The provisions of this part are applicable to all elements of FHWA and provide requirements and guidelines for State highway agencies to implement the Title VI Program requirements. The related civil rights laws and regulations are listed under § 200.5(p) of this part. Title VI requirements for 23 U.S.C. 402 will be covered under a joint FHWA/NHTSA agreement.
The following definitions shall apply for the purpose of this part:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
(1) Grants and loans of Federal funds,
(2) The grant or donation of Federal property and interests in property,
(3) The detail of Federal personnel,
(4) The sale and lease of, and the permission to use (on other than a casual or transient basis), Federal property or any interest in such property without consideration or at a nominal consideration, or at a consideration which is reduced for the purpose of assisting the recipient, or in recognition of the public interest to be served by such sale or lease to the recipient, and
(5) Any Federal agreement, arrangement, or other contract which has, as one of its purposes, the provision of assistance.
(i)
(j)
(k)
(l)
(m)
(n)
(o)
(p)
(1) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. 2000d-d4 (49 CFR part 21; the standard DOT Title VI assurances signed by each State pursuant to DOT Order 1050.2; Executive Order 11764; 28 CFR 50.3);
(2) Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 4601-4655) (49 CFR part 25; Pub. L. 91-646);
(3) Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, amended 1974 (42 U.S.C. 3601- 3619);
(4) 23 U.S.C. 109(h);
(5) 23 U.S.C. 324;
(6) Subsequent Federal-Aid Highway Acts and related statutes.
It is the policy of the FHWA to ensure compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; 49 CFR part 21; and related statutes and regulations.
(a) State assurances in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
(1) Title 49, CFR part 21 (Department of Transportation Regulations for the implementation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964) requires assurances from States that no person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied
(2) Section 162a of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1973 (section 324, title 23 U.S.C.) requires that there be no discrimination on the ground of sex. The FHWA considers all assurances heretofore received to have been amended to include a prohibition against discrimination on the ground of sex. These assurances were signed by the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa. The State highway agency shall submit a certification to the FHWA indicating that the requirements of section 162a of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1973 have been added to its assurances.
(3) The State highway agency shall take affirmative action to correct any deficiencies found by the FHWA within a reasonable time period, not to exceed 90 days, in order to implement Title VI compliance in accordance with State-signed assurances and required guidelines. The head of the State highway agency shall be held responsible for implementing Title VI requirements.
(4) The State program area officials and Title VI Specialist shall conduct annual reviews of all pertinent program areas to determine the effectiveness of program area activities at all levels.
(b)
(2) Adequately staff the civil rights unit to effectively implement the State civil rights requirements.
(3) Develop procedures for prompt processing and disposition of Title VI and Title VIII complaints received directly by the State and not by FHWA. Complaints shall be investigated by State civil rights personnel trained in compliance investigations. Identify each complainant by race, color, sex, or national origin; the recipient; the nature of the complaint; the dates the complaint was filed and the investigation completed; the disposition; the date of the disposition; and other pertinent information. Each recipient (State) processing Title VI complaints shall be required to maintain a similar log. A copy of the complaint, together with a copy of the State's report of investigation, shall be forwarded to the FHWA division office within 60 days of the date the complaint was received by the State.
(4) Develop procedures for the collection of statistical data (race, color, religion, sex, and national origin) of participants in, and beneficiaries of State highway programs,
(5) Develop a program to conduct Title VI reviews of program areas.
(6) Conduct annual reviews of special emphasis program areas to determine the effectiveness or program area activities at all levels.
(7) Conduct Title VI reviews of cities, counties, consultant contractors, suppliers, universities, colleges, planning agencies, and other recipients of Federal-aid highway funds.
(8) Review State program directives in coordination with State program officials and, where applicable, include Title VI and related requirements.
(9) The State highway agency Title VI designee shall be responsible for conducting training programs on Title VI and related statutes for State program and civil rights officials.
(10) Prepare a yearly report of Title VI accomplishments for the past year and goals for the next year.
(11) Beginning October 1, 1976, each State highway agency shall annually submit an updated Title VI implementing plan to the Regional Federal Highway Administrator for approval or disapproval.
(12) Develop Title VI information for dissemination to the general public and, where appropriate, in languages other than English.
(13) Establishing procedures for pregrant and postgrant approval reviews of State programs and applicants for compliance with Title VI requirements;
(14) Establish procedures to identify and eliminate discrimination when found to exist.
(15) Establishing procedures for promptly resolving deficiency status and reducing to writing the remedial action agreed to be necessary, all within a period not to exceed 90 days.
(a) If the regional Title VI review report contains deficiencies and recommended actions, the report shall be forwarded by the Regional Federal Highway Administrator to the Division Administrator, who will forward it with a cover letter to the State highway agency for corrective action.
(b) The division office, in coordination with the Regional Civil Rights Officer, shall schedule a meeting with the recipient, to be held not later than 30 days from receipt of the deficiency report.
(c) Recipients placed in a deficiency status shall be given a reasonable time, not to exceed 90 days after receipt of the deficiency letter, to voluntarily correct deficiencies.
(d) The Division Administrator shall seek the cooperation of the recipient in correcting deficiencies found during the review. The FHWA officials shall also provide the technical assistance and guidance needed to aid the recipient to comply voluntarily.
(e) When a recipient fails or refuses to voluntarily comply with requirements within the time frame allotted, the Division Administrator shall submit to the Regional Administrator two copies of the case file and a recommendation that the State be found in noncompliance.
(f) The Office of Civil Rights shall review the case file for a determination of concurrence or noncurrence with a recommendation to the Federal Highway Administrator. Should the Federal Highway Administrator concur with the recommendation, the file is referred to the Department of Transportation, Office of the Secretary, for appropriate action in accordance with 49 CFR.
23 U.S.C. 101, 140, and 315; 42 U.S.C. 2000d
The purpose of the regulations in this subpart is to prescribe the policies, procedures, and guides relative to the implementation of an equal employment opportunity program on Federal and Federal-aid highway construction contracts, except for those contracts awarded under 23 U.S.C. 117, and to the preparation and submission of reports pursuant thereto.
For purposes of this subpart—
(a)
(1) Federal-aided highway construction projects being constructed pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 117; and
(2) Those projects located in areas where the Office of Federal Contract Compliance has implemented an “Imposed” or a “Hometown” Plan, except for those requirements pertaining to specific provisions involving on-the-job training and those provisions pertaining to supportive services and reporting requirements.
(b)
(1) For those provisions relating to the special requirements for the provision of supportive services; and
(2) For those provisions relating to implementation of specific equal employment opportunity requirements in areas where the Office of Federal Contract Compliance has implemented an “Imposed” or “Hometown” plan.
(a)
(b)
(a)
(b)
I expect to employ the following firms as subcontractors on this project: (Naming subcontractors at this time does not constitute a binding commitment on the bidder to retain such subcontractors, nor will failure to enter names affect the contract award):
(a) The State highway agency shall determine which Federal-aid highway construction contracts shall include the “Training Special Provisions” (appendix B) and the minimum number of trainees to be specified therein after giving appropriate consideration to the guidelines set forth in § 230.111(c). The “Training Special Provisions” shall supersede section 7(b) of the Special Provisions (appendix A) entitled “Specific Equal Employment Opportunity Responsibilities.” Minor wording revisions will be required to the “Training Special Provisions” in areas having “Hometown” or “Imposed Plan” requirements.
(b) The Washington Headquarters shall establish and publish annually suggested minimum training goals. These goals will be based on the Federal-aid apportioned amounts and the minority population. A State will have achieved its goal if the total number of training slots on selected federally aided highway construction contracts which have been awarded during each 12-month period equals or exceeds the State's suggested minimum annual goal. In the event a State highway agency does not attain its goal during a calendar year, the State highway agency at the end of the calendar year shall inform the Administrator of the reasons for its inability to meet the suggested minimum number of training slots and the steps to be taken to achieve the goal during the next calendar year. The information is to be submitted not later than 30 days from the end of the calendar year and should be factual, and should not only indicate the situations occurring during the year but show the project conditions at least through the coming year. The final determination will be made on what training goals are considered to be realistic based on the information submitted by a State.
(c) The following guidelines shall be utilized by the State highway agency in selecting projects and determining the number of trainees to be provided training therein:
(1) Availability of minorities, women, and disadvantaged for training.
(2) The potential for effective training.
(3) Duration of the contract.
(4) Dollar value of the contract.
(5) Total normal work force that the average bidder could be expected to use.
(6) Geographic location.
(7) Type of work.
(8) The need for additional journeymen in the area.
(9) Recognition of the suggested minimum goal for the State.
(10) A satisfactory ratio of trainees to journeymen expected to be on the contractor's work force during normal operations (considered to fall between 1:10 and 1:4).
(d) Training programs which are established shall be approved only if they meet the standards set forth in appendix B with regard to:
(1) The primary objectives of training and upgrading minority group workers, women and disadvantaged persons.
(2) The development of full journeymen.
(3) The minimum length and type of training.
(4) The minimum wages of trainees.
(5) Trainees certifications.
(6) Keeping records and furnishing reports.
(e)(1) Training programs considered by a State highway agency to meet the standards under this directive shall be submitted to the FHWA division Administrator with a recommendation for approval.
(2) Employment pursuant to training programs approved by the FHWA division Administrator will be exempt from the minimum wage rate provisions of section 113 of title 23 U.S.C. Approval, however, shall not be given to training programs which provide for employment of trainees at wages less than those required by the Special Training Provisions. (Appendix B.)
(f)(1) Apprenticeship programs approved by the U.S. Department of Labor as of the date of proposed use by a Federal-aid highway contractor or subcontractor need not be formally approved by the State highway agency or the FHWA division Administrator. Such programs, including their minimum wage provisions, are acceptable for use, provided they are administered
(2) Other training programs approved by the U.S. Department of Labor as of the date of proposed use by a Federal-aid highway contractor or subcontractor are also acceptable for use without the formal approval of the State highway agency or the division Administrator provided:
(i) The U.S. Department of Labor has clearly approved the program aspects relating to equal employment opportunity and the payment of trainee wage rates in lieu of prevailing wage rates.
(ii) They are reasonably calculated to qualify the average trainees for journeyman status in the classification concerned by the end of the training period.
(iii) They are administered in a manner calculated to meet the equal employment obligations of the contractors.
(g) The State highway agencies have the option of permitting Federal-aid highway construction contractors to bid on training to be given under this directive. The following procedures are to be utilized by those State highway agencies that elect to provide a bid item for training:
(1) The number of training positions shall continue to be specified in the Special Training Provisions. Furthermore, this number should be converted into an estimated number of hours of training which is to be used in arriving at the total bid price for the training item. Increases and decreases from the estimated amounts would be handled as overruns or underruns;
(2) A section concerning the method of payment should be included in the Special Training Provisions. Some offsite training is permissible as long as the training is an integral part of an approved training program and does not comprise a substantial part of the overall training. Furthermore, the trainee must be concurrently employed on a federally aided highway construction project subject to the Special Training Provisions attached to this directive. Reimbursement for offsite training may only be made to the contractor where he does one or more of the following: Contributes to the cost of the training, provides the instruction to the trainee, or pays the trainee's wages during the offsite training period;
(3) A State highway agency may modify the special provisions to specify the numbers to be trained in specific job classifications;
(4) A State highway agency can specify training standards provided any prospective bidder can use them, the training standards are made known in the advertised specifications, and such standards are found acceptable by FHWA.
(a) The State highway agency shall establish procedures, subject to the availability of funds under 23 U.S.C. 140(b), for the provision of supportive services in support of training programs approved under this directive. Funds made available to implement this paragraph shall not be used to finance the training of State highway agency employees or to provide services in support of such training. State highway agencies are not required to match funds allocated to them under this section.
(b) In determining the types of supportive services to be provided which will increase the effectiveness of approved training programs. State highway agencies shall give preference to the following types of services in the order listed:
(1) Services related to recruiting, counseling, transportation, physical examinations, remedial training, with special emphasis upon increasing training opportunities for members of minority groups and women;
(2) Services in connection with the administration of on-the-job training programs being sponsored by individual or groups of contractors and/or minority groups and women's groups;
(3) Services designed to develop the capabilities of prospective trainees for undertaking on-the-job training;
(4) Services in connection with providing a continuation of training during periods of seasonal shutdown;
(5) Followup services to ascertain outcome of training being provided.
(c) State highway agencies which desire to provide or obtain supportive services other than those listed above shall submit their proposals to the Federal Highway Administration for approval. The proposal, together with recommendations of the division and regional offices shall be submitted to the Administrator for appropriate action.
(d) When the State highway agency provides supportive services by contract, formal advertising is not required by the FHWA, however, the State highway agency shall solicit proposals from such qualified sources as will assure the competitive nature of the procurement. The evaluation of proposals by the State highway agency must include consideration of the proposer's ability to effect a productive relationship with contractors, unions (if appropriate), minority and women groups, minority and women trainees, and other persons or organizations whose cooperation and assistance will contribute to the successful performance of the contract work.
(e) In the selection of contractors to provide supportive services, State highway agencies shall make conscientious efforts to search out and utilize the services of qualified minority or women organizations, or minority or women business enterprises.
(f) As a minimum, State highway agency contracts to obtain supportive services shall include the following provisions:
(1) A statement that a primary purpose of the supportive services is to increase the effectiveness of approved on-the-job training programs, particularly their effectiveness in providing meaningful training opportunities for minorities, women, and the disadvantaged on Federal-aid highway projects;
(2) A clear and complete statement of the services to be provided under the contract, such as services to construction contractors, subcontractors, and trainees, for recruiting, counseling, remedial educational training, assistance in the acquisition of tools, special equipment and transportation, followup procedures, etc.;
(3) The nondiscrimination provisions required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as set forth in FHWA Form PR-1273, and a statement of nondiscrimination in employment because of race, color, religion, national origin or sex;
(4) The establishment of a definite perriod of contract performance together with, if appropriate, a schedule stating when specific supportive services are to be provided;
(5) Reporting requirements pursuant to which the State highway agency will receive monthly or quarterly reports containing sufficient statistical data and narrative content to enable evaluation of both progress and problems;
(6) A requirement that the contractor keep track of trainees receiving training on Federal-aid highway construction projects for up to 6 months during periods when their training is interrupted. Such contracts shall also require the contractor to conduct a 6 month followup review of the employment status of each graduate who completes an on-the-job training program on a Federal-aid highway construction project subsequent to the effective date of the contract for supportive services.
(7) The basis of payment;
(8) An estimated schedule for expenditures;
(9) The right of access to contractor and subcontractor records and the right to audit shall be granted to authorize State highway agency and FHWA officials;
(10) Noncollusion certification;
(11) A requirement that the contractor provide all information necessary to support progress payments if such are provided for in the contract;
(12) A termination clause.
(g) The State highway agency is to furnish copies of the reports received under paragraph (b)(5) of this section, to the division office.
Direct Federal and Federal-aid contracts to be performed in “Hometown”
(a)
(b)
(2) Where a State highway agency does not obligate all its funds within the time specified in the particular year's allocation directive, the funds shall revert to the FHWA Headquarters Office to be made available for use by other State highway agencies, taking into consideration each State's need for and ability to use such funds.
Supportive services procured by a State highway agency shall be monitored by both the State highway agency and the division office.
(a) Employment reports on Federal-aid highway construction contracts not subject to “Hometown” or “Imposed” plan requirements.
(1) Paragraph 10c of the special provisions (appendix A) sets forth specific reporting requirements. FHWA Form PR-1391, Federal-Aid Highway Construction Contractors Annual EEO Report, (appendix C) and FHWA Form PR 1392, Federal-Aid Highway Construction Summary of Employment Data (including minority breakdown) for all Federal-Aid Highway Projects for month ending July 31st, 19—, (appendix D) are to be used to fulfill these reporting requirements.
(2) Form PR 1391 is to be completed by each contractor and each subcontractor subject to this part for every month of July during which work is performed, and submitted to the State highway agency. A separate report is to be completed for each covered contract or subcontract. The employment data entered should reflect the work force on board during all or any part of the last payroll period preceding the end of the month. The State highway agency is to forward a single copy of each report to the FHWA division office.
(3) Form PR 1392 is to be completed by the State highway agencies, summarizing the reports on PR 1391 for the month of July received from all active contractors and subcontractors. Three (3) copies of completed Forms PR 1392 are to be forwarded to the division office.
(b) Employment reports on direct Federal highway construction contracts not subject to “Hometown” or “Imposed” plan requirements. Forms PR 1391 (appendix C) and PR 1392 (appendix D) shall be used for reporting purposes as prescribed in § 230.121(a).
(c) Employment reports on direct Federal and Federal-aid highway construction contracts subject to “Hometown” or “Imposed” plan requirements.
(1) Reporting requirements for direct Federal and Federal-aid highway construction projects located in areas where “Hometown” or “Imposed” plans are in effect shall be in accordance with those issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Federal Contract Compliance.
(2) In order that we may comply with the U.S. Senate Committee on Public Works' request that the Federal Highway Administration submit a report annually on the status of the equal employment opportunity program, Form PR 1391 is to be completed annually by each contractor and each subcontractor holding contracts or subcontracts exceeding $10,000 except as otherwise provided for under 23 U.S.C. 117. The employment data entered should reflect the work force on board during all or any part of the last payroll period preceding the end of the month of July.
(d) [Reserved]
(e) Reports on supportive services contracts. The State highway agency is
1.
b. The contractor will work with the State highway agencies and the Federal Government in carrying out equal employment opportunity obligations and in their review of his/her activities under the contract.
c. The contractor and all his/her subcontractors holding subcontracts not including material suppliers, of $10,000 or more, will comply with the following minimum specific requirement activities of equal employment opportunity: (The equal employment opportunity requirements of Executive Order 11246, as set forth in volume 6, chapter 4, section 1, subsection 1 of the Federal-Aid Highway Program Manual, are applicable to material suppliers as well as contractors and subcontractors.) The contractor will include these requirements in every subcontract of $10,000 or more with such modification of language as is necessary to make them binding on the subcontractor.
2.
It is the policy of this Company to assure that applicants are employed, and that employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, religion, sex, color, or national origin. Such action shall include: employment, upgrading, demotion, or transfer; recruitment or recruitment advertising; layoff or termination; rates of pay or other forms of compensation; and selection for training, including apprenticeship, preapprenticeship, and/or on-the-job training.
3.
4.
(1) Periodic meetings of supervisory and personnel office employees will be conducted before the start of work and then not less often than once every six months, at which time the contractor's equal employment opportunity policy and its implementation will be reviewed and explained. The meetings will be conducted by the EEO Officer or other knowledgeable company official.
(2) All new supervisory or personnel office employees will be given a thorough indoctrination by the EEO Officer or other knowledgeable company official, covering all major aspects of the contractor's equal employment opportunity obligations within thirty days following their reporting for duty with the contractor.
(3) All personnel who are engaged in direct recruitment for the project will be instructed by the EEO Officer or appropriate company official in the contractor's procedures for locating and hiring minority group employees.
b. In order to make the contractor's equal employment opportunity policy known to all employees, prospective employees and potential sources of employees,
(1) Notices and posters setting forth the contractor's equal employment opportunity
(2) The contractor's equal employment opportunity policy and the procedures to implement such policy will be brought to the attention of employees by means of meetings, employee handbooks, or other appropriate means.
5. Recruitment. a. When advertising for employees, the contractor will include in all advertisements for employees the notation: “An Equal Opportunity Employer.” All such advertisements will be published in newspapers or other publications having a large circulation among minority groups in the area from which the project work force would normally be derived.
b. The contractor will, unless precluded by a valid bargaining agreement, conduct systematic and direct recruitment through public and private employee referral sources likely to yield qualified minority group applicants, including, but not limited to, State employment agencies, schools, colleges and minority group organizations. To meet this requirement, the contractor will, through his EEO Officer, identify sources of potential minority group employees, and establish with such identified sources procedures whereby minority group applicants may be referred to the contractor for employment consideration.
In the event the contractor has a valid bargaining agreement providing for exclusive hiring hall referrals, he is expected to observe the provisions of that agreement to the extent that the system permits the contractor's compliance with equal employment opportunity contract provisions. (The U.S. Department of Labor has held that where implementation of such agreements have the effect of discriminating against minorities or women, or obligates the contractor to do the same, such implementation violates Executive Order 11246, as amended.)
c. The contractor will encourage his present employees to refer minority group applicants for employment by posting appropriate notices or bulletins in areas accessible to all such employees. In addition, information and procedures with regard to referring minority group applicants will be discussed with employees.
6.
a. The contractor will conduct periodic inspections of project sites to insure that working conditions and employee facilities do not indicate discriminatory treatment of project site personnel.
b. The contractor will periodically evaluate the spread of wages paid within each classification to determine any evidence of discriminatory wage practices.
c. The contractor will periodically review selected personnel actions in depth to determine whether there is evidence of discrimination. Where evidence is found, the contractor will promptly take corrective action. If the review indicates that the discrimination may extend beyond the actions reviewed, such corrective action shall include all affected persons.
d. The contractor will promptly investigate all complaints of alleged discrimination made to the contractor in connection with his obligations under this contract, will attempt to resolve such complaints, and will take appropriate corrective action within a reasonable time. If the investigation indicates that the discrimination may affect persons other than the complainant, such corrective action shall include such other persons. Upon completion of each investigation, the contractor will inform every complainant of all of his avenues of appeal.
7.
b. Consistent with the contractor's work force requirements and as permissible under Federal and State regulations, the contractor shall make full use of training programs,
c. The contractor will advise employees and applicants for employment of available training programs and entrance requirements for each.
d. The contractor will periodically review the training and promotion potential of minority group and women employees and will encourage eligible employees to apply for such training and promotion.
8.
a. The contractor will use best efforts to develop, in cooperation with the unions, joint training programs aimed toward qualifying more minority group members and women for membership in the unions and increasing the skills of minority group employees and women so that they may qualify for higher paying employment.
b. The contractor will use best efforts to incorporate an equal employment opportunity clause into each union agreement to the end that such union will be contractually bound to refer applicants without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
c. The contractor is to obtain information as to the referral practices and policies of the labor union except that to the extent such information is within the exclusive possession of the labor union and such labor union refuses to furnish such information to the contractor, the contractor shall so certify to the State highway department and shall set forth what efforts have been made to obtain such information.
d. In the event the union is unable to provide the contractor with a reasonable flow of minority and women referrals within the time limit set forth in the collective bargaining agreement, the contractor will, through independent recruitment efforts, fill the employment vacancies without regard to race, color, religion, sex, or national origin; making full efforts to obtain qualified and/or qualifiable minority group persons and women. (The U.S. Department of Labor has held that it shall be no excuse that the union with which the contractor has a collective bargaining agreement providing for exclusive referral failed to refer minority employees.) In the event the union referral practice prevents the contractor from meeting the obligations pursuant to Executive Order 11246, as amended, and these special provisions, such contractor shall immediately notify the State highway agency.
9.
b. The contractor will use his best efforts to ensure subcontractor compliance with their equal employment opportunity obligations.
10.
(1) The number of minority and nonminority group members and women employed in each work classification on the project.
(2) The progress and efforts being made in cooperation with unions to increase employment opportunities for minorities and women (applicable only to contractors who rely in whole or in part on unions as a source of their work force),
(3) The progress and efforts being made in locating, hiring, training, qualifying, and upgrading minority and female employees, and
(4) The progress and efforts being made in securing the services of minority group subcontractors or subcontractors with meaningful minority and female representation among their employees.
b. All such records must be retained for a period of three years following completion of the contract work and shall be available at reasonable times and places for inspection by authorized representatives of the State highway agency and the Federal Highway Administration.
c. The contractors will submit an annual report to the State highway agency each July for the duration of the project, indicating the number of minority, women, and non-minority group employees currently engaged in each work classification required by the contract work. This information is to be reported on Form PR 1391. If on-the-job training is being required by “Training Special Provision”, the contractor will be required to furnish Form FHWA 1409.
This Training Special Provision supersedes subparagraph 7b of the Special Provision entitled “Specific Equal Employment Opportunity Responsibilities,” (Attachment 1), and is in implementation of 23 U.S.C. 140(a).
As part of the contractor's equal employment opportunity affirmative action program training shall be provided as follows:
The contractor shall provide on-the-job training aimed at developing full journeymen in the type of trade or job classification involved.
The number of trainees to be trained under the special provisions will be ____ (amount to be filled in by State highway department).
In the event that a contractor subcontracts a portion of the contract work, he shall determine how many, if any, of the trainees are to be trained by the subcontractor, provided, however, that the contractor shall retain the primary responsibility for meeting the training requirements imposed by this special provision. The contractor shall also insure that this training
The number of trainees shall be distributed among the work classifications on the basis of the contractor's needs and the availability of journeymen in the various classifications within a reasonable area of recruitment. Prior to commencing construction, the contractor shall submit to the State highway agency for approval the number of trainees to be trained in each selected classification and training program to be used. Furthermore, the contractor shall specify the starting time for training in each of the classifications. The contractor will be credited for each trainee employed by him on the contract work who is currently enrolled or becomes enrolled in an approved program and will be reimbursed for such trainees as provided hereinafter.
Training and upgrading of minorities and women toward journeymen status is a primary objective of this Training Special Provision. Accordingly, the contractor shall make every effort to enroll minority trainees and women (e.g., by conducting systematic and direct recruitment through public and private sources likely to yield minority and women trainees) to the extent that such persons are available within a reasonable area of recruitment. The contractor will be responsible for demonstrating the steps that he has taken in pursuance thereof, prior to a determination as to whether the contractor is in compliance with this Training Special Provision. This training commitment is not intended, and shall not be used, to discriminate against any applicant for training, whether a member of a minority group or not.
No employee shall be employed as a trainee in any classification in which he has successfully completed a training course leading to journeyman status or in which he has been employed as a journeyman. The contractor should satisfy this requirement by including appropriate questions in the employee application or by other suitable means. Regardless of the method used the contractor's records should document the findings in each case.
The minimum length and type of training for each classification will be as established in the training program selected by the contractor and approved by the State highway agency and the Federal Highway Administration. The State highway agency and the Federal Highway Administration shall approve a program if it is reasonably calculated to meet the equal employment opportunity obligations of the contractor and to qualify the average trainee for journeyman status in the classification concerned by the end of the training period. Furthermore, apprenticeship programs registered with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training, or with a State apprenticeship agency recognized by the Bureau and training programs approved but not necessarily sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Manpower Administration, Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training shall also be considered acceptable provided it is being administered in a manner consistent with the equal employment obligations of Federal-aid highway construction contracts. Approval or acceptance of a training program shall be obtained from the State prior to commencing work on the classification covered by the program. It is the intention of these provisions that training is to be provided in the construction crafts rather than clerk-typists or secretarial-type positions. Training is permissible in lower level management positions such as office engineers, estimators, timekeepers, etc., where the training is oriented toward construction applications. Training in the laborer classification may be permitted provided that significant and meaningful training is provided and approved by the division office. Some offsite training is permissible as long as the training is an integral part of an approved training program and does not comprise a significant part of the overall training.
Except as otherwise noted below, the contractor will be reimbursed 80 cents per hour of training given an employee on this contract in accordance with an approved training program. As approved by the engineer, reimbursement will be made for training persons in excess of the number specified herein. This reimbursement will be made even though the contractor receives additional training program funds from other sources, provided such other does not specifically prohibit the contractor from receiving other reimbursement. Reimbursement for offsite training indicated above may only be made to the contractor where he does one or more of the following and the trainees are concurrently employed on a Federal-aid project; contributes to the cost of the training, provides the instruction to the trainee or pays the trainee's wages during the offsite training period.
No payment shall be made to the contractor if either the failure to provide the required training, or the failure to hire the trainee as a journeyman, is caused by the contractor and evidences a lack of good faith on the part of the contractor in meeting the requirements of this Training Special Provision. It is normally expected that a trainee will begin his training on the project as soon as feasible after start of work utilizing the skill involved and remain on the project as long as training opportunities exist in his work classification or until he has completed his training program. It is not required that all trainees be on board for the entire length
Trainees will be paid at least 60 percent of the appropriate minimum journeyman's rate specified in the contract for the first half of the training period, 75 percent for the third quarter of the training period, and 90 percent for the last quarter of the training period, unless apprentices or trainees in an approved existing program are enrolled as trainees on this project. In that case, the appropriate rates approved by the Departments of Labor or Transportation in connection with the existing program shall apply to all trainees being trained for the same classification who are covered by this Training Special Provision.
The contractor shall furnish the trainee a copy of the program he will follow in providing the training. The contractor shall provide each trainee with a certification showing the type and length of training satisfactorily completed.
The contractor will provide for the maintenance of records and furnish periodic reports documenting his performance under this Training Special Provision.
This form is to be developed from the “Contractor's Annual EEO Report.” This data is to be compiled by the State and submitted annually. It should reflect the total employment on all Federal-Aid Highway Projects in the State as of July 31st. The staffing figures to be reported should represent the project work force on board in all
Entries made for “Job Categories” are to be confined to the listing shown. Miscellaneous job classifications are to be incorporated in the most appropriate category listed on the form. All employees on projects should thus be accounted for.
This information will be useful in complying with the U.S. Senate Committee on Public Works request that the Federal Highway Administration submit a report annually on the status of the Equal Employment Opportunity Program, its effectiveness, and progress made by the States and the Administration in carrying out section 22(A) of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1968. In addition, the form should be used as a valuable tool for States to evaluate their own programs for ensuring equal opportunity.
It is requested that States submit this information annually to the FHWA Divisions no later than September 25.
In addition to the reporting requirements set forth elsewhere in this contract the contractor and the subcontractors holding subcontracts, not including material suppliers, of $10,000 or more, shall submit for every month of July during which work is performed, employment data as contained under Form PR-1391 (appendix C to 23 CFR part 230) and in accordance with the instructions included thereon.
To prescribe the policies, procedures, and guidance to develop, conduct, and administer supportive services assistance programs for minority, disadvantaged, and women business enterprises.
(a)
(b)
(c)
Based on the provisions of Pub. L. 97-424, dated January 6, 1983, it is the policy of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to promote increased participation of minority business enterprises in Federal-aid highway contracts in part through the development and implementation of cost effective supportive services programs through the State highway agencies.
(a) Subject to the availability of funds under 23 U.S.C. 140(c), the State highway agency shall establish procedures to develop, conduct, and administer minority business enterprise training and assistance programs specifically for the benefit of women and minority businesses. Supportive services funds allocated to the States shall not be used to finance the training of State highway agency employees or to provide services in support of such training. State highway agencies are not required to match funds allocated to them under this section. Individual States are encouraged to be actively involved in the provision of supportive services. Such involvement can take the form of staff, funding, and/or direct assistance to augment the supportive services efforts financed by Federal-aid funds.
(b) State highway agencies shall give preference to the following types of services:
(1) Services relating to identification, prequalification, and certification assistance, with emphasis on increasing the total number of legitimate minority business enterprises participating in the Federal-aid highway program;
(2) Services in connection with estimating, bidding, and technical assistance designed to develop and improve the capabilities of minority businesses and assist them in achieving proficiency in the technical skills involved in highway construction;
(3) Services designed to develop and improve the immediate and long-term business management, recordkeeping, and financial accounting capabilities;
(4) Services to assist minority business enterprises to become eligible for and to obtain bonding and financial assistance;
(5) Services relating to verification procedures to ensure that only
(6) Follow-up services to ascertain the outcome of training and assistance being provided; and
(7) Other services which contribute to long-term development, increased opportunities, and eventual self-sufficiency of minority business enterprises.
(c) A detailed work statement of the supportive services which the State highway agency considers to meet the guidance under this regulation and a program plan for meeting the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section and accomplishing other objectives shall be submitted to the FHWA for approval.
(d) State highway agencies which desire to provide or obtain services other than those listed in paragraph (b) of this section shall submit their proposals to the FHWA for approval.
(e) When the State highway agency provides supportive services by contract, formal advertising is not required by FHWA; however, the State highway agency shall solicit proposals from such qualified sources as will assure the competitive nature of the procurement. The evaluation of proposals by the State highway agency must include consideration of the proposer's ability to effect a productive relationship with majority and minority contractors, contractors' associations, minority groups, and other persons or organizations whose cooperation and assistance will increase the opportunities for minority business enterprises to compete for and perform contracts and subcontracts.
(f) In the selection of contractors to perform supportive services, State highway agencies shall make conscientious efforts to search out, and utilize the services of qualified minority or women organizations, or minority or women enterprises.
(g) As a minimum, State highway agency contracts to obtain supportive services shall include the following provisions:
(1) A statement that a primary purpose of the supportive services is to increase the total number of minority firms participating in the Federal-aid highway program and to contribute to the growth and eventual self-sufficiency of minority firms;
(2) A statement that supportive services shall be provided only to those minority business enterprises determined to be eligible for participation in the Federal-aid highway program in accordance with 49 CFR part 23 and have a work specialty related to the highway construction industry;
(3) A clear and complete statement of the services to be provided under the contract, such as technical assistance, managerial assistance, counseling, certification assistance, and follow-up procedures as set forth in § 230.204(b) of this part;
(4) The nondiscrimination provisions required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as set forth in Form FHWA-1273, Required Contract Provisions, Federal-Aid Construction Contracts,
(5) The establishment of a definite period of contract performance together with, if appropriate, a schedule stating when specific supportive services are to be provided;
(6) Monthly or quarterly reports to the State highway agency containing sufficient data and narrative content to enable evaluation of both progress and problems;
(7) The basis of payment;
(8) An estimated schedule for expenditures;
(9) The right of access to records and the right to audit shall be granted to authorize State highway agency and FHWA officials;
(10) Noncollusion certification;
(11) A requirement that the contractor provide all information necessary to support progress payments if such are provided for in the contract; and
(12) A termination clause.
(h) The State highway agency is to furnish copies of the reports received under paragraph(g)(6) of this section to the FHWA division office.
Supportive services funds shall be obligated in accordance with the procedures set forth in § 230.117(b) of this part. The point of obligation is defined as that time when the FHWA has approved a detailed work statement for the supportive services.
Supportive services programs shall be continually monitored and evaluated by the State highway agency so that needed improvements can be identified and instituted. This requires the documentation of valid effectiveness
It is the policy of the FHWA that all potential sources of assistance to minority business enterprises be utilized. The State highway agency shall take actions to ensure that supportive services contracts reflect the availability of all sources of assistance in order to maximize resource utilization and avoid unnecessary duplication.
The purpose of the regulations in this subpart is to set forth Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Federal-aid policy and FHWA and State responsibilities relative to a State highway agency's internal equal employment opportunity program and for assuring compliance with the equal employment opportunity requirements of federally-assisted highway construction contracts.
The provisions of this subpart are applicable to all States that receive Federal financial assistance in connection with the Federal-aid highway program.
As used in this subpart, the following definitions apply:
(a)
(1) With regard to State highway agency work forces, a written document detailing the positive action steps the State highway agency will take to assure internal equal employment opportunity (internal plan).
(2) With regard to Federal-aid construction contract work forces, the Federal equal employment opportunity bid conditions, to be enforced by a State highway agency in the plan areas established by the Secretary of Labor and FHWA special provisions in nonplan areas (external plan).
(b)
(c)
(d)
(1) The category
(2) The category
(3) The category
(4) The category
(5) The category
(e)
(f)
Every employee and representative of State highway agencies shall perform all official equal employment opportunity actions in an affirmative manner, and in full accord with applicable statutes, executive orders, regulations, and policies enunciated thereunder, to assure the equality of employment opportunity, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, or national origin both in its own work force and in the work forces of contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers engaged in the performance of Federal-aid highway construction contracts.
It is essential that a standardized Federal approach be taken in assisting the States in development and implementation of EEO programs. The format set forth in appendix A provides that standardized approach. State equal employment opportunity programs that meet or exceed the prescribed standards will comply with basic FHWA requirements.
(a) Each State highway agency shall prepare and submit an updated equal employment opportunity program, one year from the date of approval of the preceding program by the Federal Highway Administrator, over the signature of the head of the State highway agency, to the Federal Highway Administrator through the FHWA Division Administrator. The program shall consist of the following elements:
(1) The collection and analysis of internal employment data for its entire work force in the manner prescribed in part II, paragraph III of appendix A; and
(2) The equal employment opportunity program, including the internal affirmative action plan, in the format and manner set forth in appendix A.
(b) In preparation of the program required by § 230.311(a), the State highway agency shall consider and respond to written comments from FHWA regarding the preceding program.
After reviewing the State highway agency equal employment opportunity program and the summary analysis and recommendations from the FHWA regional office, the Washington Headquarters Office of Civil Rights staff will recommend approval or disapproval of the program to the Federal Highway Administrator. The State highway agency will be advised of the Administrator's decision. Each program approval is effective for a period of one year from date of approval.
Each State highway agency's (SHA) equal employment opportunity (EEO) program shall be in the format set forth herein and shall address Contractor Compliance (part I) and SHA Internal Employment (part II), including the organizational structure of the SHA total EEO Program (internal and external).
I.
2. Indicate whether full or part-time; if part-time, indicate percentage of time devoted to EEO.
3. Indicate length of time in position, civil rights experience and training, and supervision.
4. Indicate whether compliance program is centralized or decentralized.
5. Identify EEO Coordinator's staff support (full- and part-time) by job title and indicate areas of their responsibilities.
6. Identify any other individuals in the central office having a responsibility for the implementation of this program and describe their respective roles and training received in program area.
B.
2. Explain whether district EEO personnel are full-time or have other responsibilities such as labor compliance or engineering.
3. Describe training provided for personnel having EEO compliance responsibility.
C.
II.
2. EEO Special Provisions (FHWA Federal-Aid Highway Program Manual, vol. 6, chap. 4, sec. 1, subsec. 2, Attachment 1)
3. Training Special Provisions (FHWA Federal-Aid Highway Program Manual, vol. 6, chap. 4, sec. 1, subsec. 2, Attachment 2)
4. FHWA Federal-Aid Highway Program Manual, vol. 6, chap. 4, sec. 1, subsec. 6 (Contract Procedures), and subsec. 8 (Minority Business Enterprise).
B.
2. Describe the methods used by the State to familiarize State compliance personnel with all FHWA contract compliance directives. Indicate frequency of work shops, training sessions, etc.
3. Describe the procedure for advising the contractor of the EEO contract requirements at any preconstruction conference held in connection with a Federal-aid contract.
III.
A.
1. Number of compliance reviews conducted.
2. Number of contractors reviewed.
3. Number of contractors found in compliance.
4. Number of contractors found in noncompliance.
5. Number of show cause notices issued.
6. Number of show cause notices rescinded.
7. Number of show cause actions still under conciliation and unresolved.
8. Number of followup reviews conducted.
In addition to information requested in items 4-8 above, include a brief summary of total show cause and followup activities—findings and achievements.)
B.
2. Identify any significant impact or effect of this program on contractor compliance.
C.
D.
E.
IV.
B. Indicate by job titles the number of State personnel involved in the collection, consolidation, preparation, copying, reviewing, analysis, and transmittal of area plan reports (Contracting Activity and Post Contract Implementation). Estimate the amount of time (number of hours) spent collectively on this activity each month. How does the State use the plan report data?
C. Identify Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) area plan audits or compliance checks in which State personnel participated during the last fiscal year. On the average, how many hours have been spent on these audits and/or checks during the past fiscal year?
D. Describe the working relationship of State EEO compliance personnel with representatives of plan administrative committee(s).
E. Provide recommendations for improving the areawide plan program and the reporting system.
V.
B. Indicate the State or Federal laws which are applicable.
C. Does the State withhold a contractor's progress payments for failure to comply with EEO requirements? If so, identify contractors involved in such actions during the past fiscal year. If not, identify other actions taken.
VI.
B. If complaints are referred to a State fair employment agency or similar agency, describe the referral procedure.
C. Identify the Federal-aid highway contractors that have had discrimination complaints filed against them during the past fiscal year and provide current status.
VII.
B. Describe the State's procedures for identifying the number of minorities and women who have completed training programs.
C. Describe the extent of participation by women in construction training programs.
D. Describe the efforts made by the State to locate and use the services of qualified minority and female supportive service consultants. Indicate if the State's supportive service contractor is a minority or female owned enterprise.
E. Describe the extent to which reports from the supportive service contractors provide sufficient data to evaluate the status of training programs, with particular reference to minorities and women.
VIII.
A. Describe the method used for listing of minority contractors capable of, or interested in, highway construction contracting or subcontracting. Describe the process used to circulate names of appropriate minority firms and associations to contractors obtaining contract proposals.
B. Describe the State's procedure for insuring that contractors take action to affirmatively solicit the interest, capability, and prices of potential minority subcontractors.
C. Describe the State's procedure for insuring that contractors have designated liaison officers to administer the minority business enterprise program in an effective manner. Specify resource material, including contracts, which the State provides to liaison officers.
D. Describe the action the State has taken to meet its goals for prequalification or licensing of minority business. Include dollar goals established for the year, and describe what criteria or formula the State has adopted for setting such goals. If it is different from the previous year, describe in detail.
E. Outline the State's procedure for evaluating its prequalification/licensing requirements.
F. Identify instances where the State has waived prequalification for subcontractors on Federal-aid construction work or for prime contractors on Federal-aid contracts with an estimated dollar value lower than $100,000.
G. Describe the State's methods of monitoring the progress and results of its minority business enterprise efforts.
IX.
X.
I.
Set forth are general guidelines designed to assist the State highway agencies in implementing internal programs, including the development and implementation of AAP's to ensure fair and equal treatment for all persons, regardless of race, color, religion, sex or national origin in all employment practices.
II.
To ensure effectiveness in the implementation of the internal EEO program, a specific and realistic AAP should be developed. It should include both short and long-range objectives, with priorities and target dates for achieving goals and measuring progress, according to the agency's individual need to overcome existing problems.
A.
a. The person appointed should have proven ability to accomplish major program goals.
b. Managing the internal EEO program requires a major time commitment; it cannot be added on to an existing full-time job.
c. Appointing qualified minority and/or female employees to head or staff the program may offer good role models for present and potential employees and add credibility to the programs involved. However, the most essential requirements for such position(s) are sensitivity to varied ways in which discrimination limits job opportunities, commitment to program goals and sufficient status and ability to work with others in the agency to achieve them.
2.
a. Developing the written AAP.
b. Publicizing its content internally and externally.
c. Assisting managers and supervisors in collecting and analyzing employment data, identifying problem areas, setting goals and timetables and developing programs to achieve goals. Programs should include specific remedies to eliminate any discriminatory practices discovered in the employment system.
d. Handling and processing formal discrimination complaints.
e. Designing, implementing and monitoring internal audit and reporting systems to measure program effectiveness and to determine where progress has been made and where further action is needed.
f. Reporting, at least quarterly, to the head of the SHA on progress and deficiencies of each unit in relation to agency goals.
g. In addition, consider the creation of:
(1) An EEO Advisory Committee, whose membership would include top management officials,
(2) An EEO Employee Committee, whose membership would include rank and file employees, with minority and female representatives from various job levels and departments to meet regularly with the AA officer, and
(3) An EEO Counseling Program to attempt informal resolution of discrimination complaints.
B.
1. Inclusion of a strong agency policy statement of commitment to EEO.
2. Assignment of responsibility and authority for program to a qualified individual.
3. A survey of the labor market area in terms of population makeup, skills, and availability for employment.
4. Analyzing the present work force to identify jobs, departments and units where minorities and females are underutilized.
5. Setting specific, measurable, attainable hiring and promotion goals, with target dates, in each area of underutilization.
6. Making every manager and supervisor responsible and accountable for meeting these goals.
7. Reevaluating job descriptions and hiring criteria to assure that they reflect actual job needs.
8. Finding minorities and females who are qualified or qualifiable to fill jobs.
9. Getting minorities and females into upward mobility and relevant training programs where they have not had previous access.
10. Developing systems to monitor and measure progress regularly. If results are not satisfactory to meet goals, determine the reasons and make necessary changes.
11. Developing a procedure whereby employees and applicants may process allegations of discrimination to an impartial body without fear of reprisal.
C.
1.
The statement should include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following elements:
a. EEO for all persons, regardless of race, color, religion, sex or national origin as a fundamental agency policy.
b. Personal commitment to and support of EEO by the head of the SHA.
c. The requirement that special affirmative action be taken throughout the agency to overcome the effects of past discrimination.
d. The requirement that the EEO program be a goal setting program with measurement
e. Equal opportunity in all employment practices, including (but not limited to) recruiting, hiring, transfers, promotions, training, compensation, benefits, recognition (awards), layoffs, and other terminations.
f. Responsibility for positive affirmative action in the discharge of EEO programs, including performance evaluations of managers and supervisors in such functions, will be expected of and shared by all management personnel.
g. Accountability for action or inaction in the area of EEO by management personnel.
2.
(2) Include the AAP and the EEO policy statement in agency operations manual.
(3) Hold individual meetings with managers and supervisors to discuss the program, their individual responsibilities and to review progress.
(4) Place Federal and State EEO posters on bulletin boards, near time clocks and in personnel offices.
(5) Publicize the AAP in the agency newsletters and other publications.
(6) Present and discuss the AAP as a part of employee orientation and all training programs.
(7) Invite employee organization representatives to cooperate and assist in developing and implementing the AAP.
b.
3.
(1) Periodic classification plan reviews to correct inaccurate position descriptions and to ensure that positions are allocated to the appropriate classification.
(2) Plans to ensure that all qualification requirements are closely job related.
(3) Efforts to restructure jobs and establish entry level and trainee positions to facilitate progression within occupational areas.
(4) Career counseling and guidance to employees.
(5) Creating career development plans for lower grade employees who are underutilized or who demonstrate potential for advancement.
(6) Widely publicizing upward mobility programs and opportunities within each work unit and within the total organizational structure.
b.
(1) Active recruitment efforts to support and supplement those of the central personnel agency or department, reaching all appropriate sources to obtain qualified employees on a nondiscriminatory basis.
(2) Maintaining contracts with organizations representing minority groups, women, professional societies, and other sources of candidates for technical, professional and management level positions.
(3) Ensuring that recruitment literature is relevant to all employees, including minority groups and women.
(4) Reviewing and monitoring recruitment and placement procedures so as to assure that no discriminatory practices exist.
(5) Cooperating with management and the central personnel agency on the review and validation of written tests and other selection devices.
(6) Analyzing the flow of applicants through the selection and appointment process, including an analytical review of reasons for rejections.
(7) Monitoring the placement of employees to ensure the assignment of work and workplace on a nondiscriminatory basis.
c.
1. Establishing an agency-wide merit promotion program, including a merit promotion plan, to provide equal opportunity for all persons based on merit and without regard to race, color, religion, sex or national origin.
2. Monitoring the operation of the merit promotion program, including a review of promotion actions, to assure that requirements procedures and practices support EEO program objectives and do not have a discriminatory impact in actual operation.
3. Establishing skills banks to match employee skills with available job advancement opportunities.
4. Evaluating promotion criteria (supervisory evaluations, oral interviews, written tests, qualification standards, etc.) and their use by selecting officials to identify and eliminate factors which may lead to improper “selection out” of employees or applicants, particularly minorities and women, who traditionally have not had access to better jobs. It may be appropriate to require selecting officials to submit a written justification when well qualified persons are passed over for upgrading or promotion.
5. Assuring that all job vacancies are posted conspicuously and that all employees are encouraged to bid on all jobs for which they feel they are qualified.
6. Publicizing the agency merit promotion program by highlighting breakthrough promotions,
d.
(1) Requiring managers and supervisors to participate in EEO seminars covering the AAP, the overall EEO program and the administration of the policies and procedures incorporated therein, and on Federal, State and local laws relating to EEO.
(2) Training in proper interviewing techniques of employees who conduct employment selection interviews.
(3) Training and education programs designed to provide opportunities for employees to advance in relation to the present and projected manpower needs of the agency and the employees' career goals.
(4) The review of profiles of training course participants to ensure that training opportunities are being offered to all eligible employees on an equal basis and to correct any inequities discovered.
e.
(1) When employees, particularly minorities and females, are disciplined, laid off, discharged or downgraded, it is advisable that the actions be reviewed by the AA Officer before they become final.
(2) Any punitive action (
(3) The following records should be kept to monitor this area of the internal EEO program:
On all terminations, including layoffs and discharges: indicate total number, name, (home address and phone number), employment date, termination date, recall rights, sex, racial/ethnic identification (by job category), type of termination and reason for termination.
On all demotions: indicate total number, name, (home address and phone number), demotion date, sex, racial/ethnic identification (by job category), and reason for demotion.
On all recalls: indicate total number, name, (home address and phone number) recall date, sex, and racial/ethnic identification (by job category).
Exit interviews should be conducted with employees who leave the employment of the SHA.
f.
(1) Assuring that information on EEO counseling and grievance procedures is easily available to all employees.
(2) A system for processing complaints alleging discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex or national origin to an impartial body.
(3) A system for processing grievances and appeals (
(4) Including in the performance appraisal system a factor to rate manager's and supervisors' performance in discharging the EEO program responsibilities assigned to them.
(5) Reviewing and monitoring the performance appraisal program periodically to determine its objectivity and effectiveness.
(6) Ensuring the equal availability of employee benefits to all employees.
4.
a. Defining the major objectives of EEO program evaluation.
b. The evaluation should be directed toward results accomplished, not only at efforts made.
c. The evaluation should focus attention on assessing the adequacy of problem identification in the AAP and the extent to which the specific action steps in the plan provide solutions.
d. The AAP should be reviewed and evaluated at least annually. The review and evaluation procedures should include, but not be limited to, the following:
(1) Each bureau, division or other major component of the agency should make annual and such other periodic reports as are needed to provide an accurate review of the operations of the AAP in that component.
(2) The AA Officer should make an annual report to the head of the SHA, containing the overall status of the program, results achieved toward established objectives, identity of any particular problems encountered and recommendations for corrective actions needed.
e. Specific, numerical goals and objectives should be established for the ensuing year. Goals should be developed for the SHA as a whole, as well as for each unit and each job category.
III.
1. The total population in the State,
2. The total labor market in State, with a breakdown by racial/ethnic identification and sex, and
3. An analysis of (1) and (2) above, in connection with the availability of personnel and jobs within SHA's.
B. State highway agencies shall use the EEO-4 Form in providing current work force data. This data shall reflect only State department of transportation/State highway department employment.
The purpose of the regulations in this subpart is to prescribe policies and procedures to standardize the implementation of the equal opportunity contract compliance program, including compliance reviews, consolidated compliance reviews, and the administration of areawide plans.
The procedures set forth hereinafter apply to all nonexempt direct Federal and Federal-aid highway construction contracts and subcontracts, unless otherwise specified.
(a)
(2) The Federal Highway Administrator or a designee may inquire into the status of any matter affecting the FHWA equal opportunity program and, when considered necessary, assume jurisdiction over the matter, proceeding in coordination with the State concerned. This is without derogation of the authority of the Secretary of Transportation, Department of Transportation (DOT), the Director, DOT Departmental Office of Civil Rights (OCR) or the Director, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), Department of Labor.
(3) Failure of the State highway agency (SHA) to discharge the responsibilities stated in § 230.405(b)(1) may result in DOT's taking any or all of the following actions (see appendix A to 23 CFR part 630, subpart C “Federal-aid project agreement”):
(i) Cancel, terminate, or suspend the Federal-aid project agreement in whole or in part;
(ii) Refrain from extending any further assistance to the SHA under the program with respect to which the failure or refusal occurred until satisfactory assurance of future compliance has been received from the SHA; and
(iii) Refer the case to an appropriate Federal agency for legal proceedings.
(4) Action by the DOT, with respect to noncompliant contractors, shall not relieve a SHA of its responsibilities in connection with these same matters; nor is such action by DOT a substitute for corrective action utilized by a State under applicable State laws or regulations.
(b)
(2) The corrective action procedures outlined herein do not preclude normal contract administration procedures by the States to ensure the contractor's completion of specific contract equal opportunity requirements, as long as such procedures support, and sustain the objectives of E.O. 11246, as amended. The State shall inform FHWA of any actions taken against a contractor under normal State contract administration procedures, if that action is precipitated in whole or in part by noncompliance with equal opportunity contract requirements.
For the purpose of this subpart, the following definitions shall apply, unless the context requires otherwise:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(1)
(2)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
(i)
(j)
(k)
(l)
(m)
(1)
(2)
(3)
(n)
(o)
(p)
(q)
(a)
(1) Review Scheduling (Actions R-1 and R-2).
(2) Contractor Notification (Action R-3).
(3) Preliminary Analysis (Phase I) (Action R-4).
(4) Onsite Verification and Interviews (Phase II) (Action R-5).
(5) Exit Conference (Action R-6).
(6) Compliance Determination and Formal Notification (Actions R-8, R-9, R-10, R-11, R-12).
(b)
(1) Which hold the greatest potential for employment and promotion of minorities and women (particularly in higher skilled crafts or occupations);
(2) Working in areas which have significant minority and female labor forces within a reasonable recruitment area;
(3) Working on projects that include special training provisions; and
(4) Where compliance with equal opportunity requirements is questionable. (Based on previous PR-1391's (23 CFR part 230, subpart A, appendix C) Review Reports and Hometown Plan Reports).
(5) Reviews specifically requested by the Washington Headquarters shall receive priority scheduling;
(6) Compliance Reviews in geographical areas covered by areawide plans would normally be reviewed under the Consolidated Compliance Review Procedures set forth in § 230.415.
(7) Reviews shall be conducted prior to or during peak employment periods.
(8) No compliance review shall be conducted that is based on a home office work force of less than 15 employees unless requested or approved by Washington Headquarters; and
(9) For compliance reviews based on an area work force (outside of areawide plan coverage), the Compliance Specialist shall define the applicable geographical area by considering:
(i) Union geographical boundaries;
(ii) The geographical area from which the contractor recruits employees,
(iii) Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) or census tracts; and
(iv) The county in which the Federal or Federal-aid project(s) is located and adjacent counties.
(c)
(2) The contractor shall be requested to provide a meeting place on the day
(3) The contractor shall be requested to supply all of the following information to the Compliance Specialist prior to the onsite verification and interviews.
(i) Current Form PR-1391 developed from the most recent payroll;
(ii) Copies of all current bargaining agreements;
(iii) Copies of purchase orders and subcontracts containing the EEO clause;
(iv) A list of recruitment sources available and utilized;
(v) A statement of the status of any action pertaining to employment practices taken by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or other Federal, State, or local agency regarding the contractor or any source of employees;
(vi) A list of promotions made during the past 6 months, to include race, national origin, and sex of employee, previous job held, job promoted into; and corresponding wage rates;
(vii) An annotated payroll to show job classification, race, national origin and sex;
(viii) A list of minority- or female-owned companies contacted as possible subcontractors, vendors, material suppliers, etc.; and
(ix) Any other necessary documents or statements requested by the Compliance Specialist for review prior to the actual onsite visit.
(4) For a project review, the prime contractor shall be held responsible for ensuring that all active subcontractors are present at the meeting and have supplied the documentation listed in § 230.409(c)(3).
(d)
(1) The contractor's current work force;
(2) The contractor's relationship with referral sources, e.g., unions, employment agencies, community action agencies, minority and female organizations, etc.;
(3) The minority and female representation of sources;
(4) The availability of minorities and females with requisite skills in a reasonable recruitment area;
(5) Any pending EEOC or Department of Justice cases or local or State Fair Employment Agency cases which are relevant to the contractor and/or the referral sources; and
(6) The related projects (and/or contractor) files of FHWA regional or division and State Coordinator's offices to obtain current information relating to the status of the contractor's project(s), value, scheduled duration, written corrective action plans, PR-1391 or Manpower Utilization Reports, training requirements, previous compliance reviews, and other pertinent correspondence and/or reports.
(e)
(i) Objectives of the visit;
(ii) The material submitted by the contractor, including the actual implementation of the employee referral source system and any discrepancies found in the material; and
(iii) Arrangements for the site tour(s) and employee interviews.
(2) The Compliance Specialist shall make a physical tour of the employment site(s) to determine that:
(i) EEO posters are displayed in conspicuous places in a legible fashion;
(ii) Facilities are provided on a nonsegregated basis (e.g. work areas, washroom, timeclocks, locker rooms, storage areas, parking lots, and drinking fountains);
(iii) Supervisory personnel have been oriented to the contractor's EEO commitments;
(iv) The employee referral source system is being implemented;
(v) Reported employment data is accurate;
(vi) Meetings have been held with employees to discuss EEO policy, particularly new employees; and
(vii) Employees are aware of their right to file complaints of discrimination.
(3) The Compliance Specialist should interview at least one minority, one nonminority, and one woman in each trade, classification, or occupation. The contractor's superintendent or home office manager should also be interviewed.
(4) The Compliance Specialist shall, on a sample basis, determine the union membership status of union employees on the site (e.g. whether they have permits, membership cards, or books, and in what category they are classified [e.g., A, B, or C]).
(5) The Compliance Specialist shall also determine the method utilized to place employees on the job and whether equal opportunity requirements have been followed.
(6) The Compliance Specialist shall determine, and the report shall indicate the following:
(i) Is there reasonable representation and utilization of minorities and women in each craft, classification or occupation? If not, what has the contractor done to increase recruitment, hiring, upgrading, and training of minorities and women?
(ii) What action is the contractor taking to meet the contractual requirement to provide equal employment opportunity?
(iii) Are the actions taken by the contractor acceptable? Could they reasonably be expected to result in increased utilization of minorities and women?
(iv) Is there impartiality in treatment of minorities and women?
(v) Are affirmative action measures of an isolated nature or are they continuing?
(vi) Have the contractor's efforts produced results?
(f)
(i) Any preliminary findings that, if not corrected immediately or not corrected by the adoption of an acceptable voluntary corrective action plan, would necessitate a determination of noncompliance;
(ii) The process and time in which the contractor shall be informed of the final determination (15 days following the onsite verification and interviews); and
(iii) Any other matters that would best be resolved before concluding the onsite portion of the review.
(2) Voluntary corrective action plans may be negotiated at the exit conference, so that within 15 days following the exit portion of the review, the Compliance Specialist shall prepare the review report and make a determination of either:
(i) Compliance, and so notify the contractor; or
(ii) Noncompliance, and issue a 30-day show cause notice.
(g)
(2) Compliance determinations on contractors working in a Hometown Plan Area shall reflect the status of those crafts covered by part II of the plan bid conditions. Findings regarding part I crafts shall be transmitted through channels to the Washington Headquarters, Office of Civil Rights.
(3) The compliance status of the contractor will usually be reflected by positive efforts in the following areas:
(i) The contractor's equal employment opportunity (EEO) policy;
(ii) Dissemination of the policy and education of supervisory employees concerning their responsibilities in implementing the EEO policy;
(iii) The authority and responsibilities of the EEO officer;
(iv) The contractor's recruitment activities, especially establishing minority and female recruitment and referral procedures;
(v) The extent of participation and minority and female utilization in FHWA training programs;
(vi) The contractor's review of personnel actions to ensure equal opportunities;
(vii) The contractor's participation in apprenticeship or other training;
(viii) The contractor's relationship (if any) with unions and minority and female union membership;
(ix) Effective measures to assure nonsegregated facilities, as required by contract provisions;
(x) The contractor's procedures for monitoring subcontractors and utilization of minority and female subcontractors and/or subcontractors with substantial minority and female employment; and
(xi) The adequacy of the contractor's records and reports.
(4) A contractor shall be considered to be in compliance (Action R-9) when the equal opportunity requirements have been effectively implemented, or there is evidence that every good faith effort has been made toward achieving this end. Efforts to acheive this goal shall be result-oriented, initiated and maintained in good faith, and emphasized as any other vital management function.
(5) A contractor shall be considered to be in noncompliance (Action R-10) when:
(i) The contractor has discriminated against applicants or employees with respect to the conditions or privileges of employment; or
(ii) The contractor fails to provide evidence of every good faith effort to provide equal opportunity.
(h)
(2)
(i) The findings of a compliance review;
(ii) The results of an investigation which verifies the existence of discrimination; or
(iii) Areawide plan reports that show an underutilization of minorities (based on criteria of U.S. Department of Labor's Optional Form 66 “Manpower Utilization Report”) throughout the contractor's work force covered by part II of the plan bid conditions.
(3)
(ii) When circumstances warrant, the Regional Federal Highway Administrator or a designee may exercise primary compliance responsibility by issuing the notice directly to the contractor.
(iii) The Regional Federal Highway Administrators in Regions 8, 10, and the Regional Engineer in Region 15, shall issue show cause notices to direct Federal contractors found in noncompliance.
(4)
(i) Notify the contractor of the determination of noncompliance;
(ii) Provide the basis for the determination of noncompliance;
(iii) Notify the contractor of the obligation to show cause within 30 days why formal proceedings should not be instituted;
(iv) Schedule (date, time, and place) a compliance conference to be held approximately 15 days from the contractor's receipt of the notice;
(v) Advise the contractor that the conference will be held to receive and discuss the acceptability of any proposed corrective action plan and/or correction of deficiencies; and
(vi) Advise the contractor of the availability and willingness of the Compliance Specialist to conciliate within the time limits of the show cause notice.
(5)
(ii) The recommendation, background data, and final draft notice shall be reviewed by appropriate State or FHWA legal counsel.
(iii) Show cause notices issued by the SHA shall be issued by the head of that agency or a designee.
(iv) The notice shall be personally served to the contractor or delivered by certified mail, return receipt requested, with a certificate of service or the return receipt filed with the case record.
(v) The date of the contractor's receipt of the show cause notice shall begin the 30-day show cause period. (Action R-13).
(vi) The 30-day show cause notice shall be issued directly to the noncompliant contractor or subcontractor with an informational copy sent to any concerned prime contractors.
(6)
(ii) In instances where a contractor is determined to be in compliance after a show cause notice has been issued, the show cause notice will be recinded and the contractor formally notified (Action R-17). The FHWA Washington Headquarters, Office of Civil Rights, shall immediately be notified of any change in status.
(7)
(ii) When a contractor submits an acceptable written corrective action plan, the contractor shall be considered in compliance during the plan's effective implementation and submission of required progress reports. (Action R-15 and R-17).
(iii) When an acceptable corrective action plan is not agreed upon and the contractor does not otherwise show cause as required, the formal hearing process shall be recommended through appropriate channels by the compliance specialist immediately upon expiration of the 30-day show cause period. (Action R-16, R-18, R-19)
(iv) When a contractor, after having submitted an acceptable corrective action plan and being determined in compliance is subsequently determined to be in noncompliance based upon the contractor's failure to implement the corrective action plan, the formal hearing process must be recommended immediately. There are no provisions for reinstituting a show cause notice.
(v) When, however, a contractor operating under an acceptable corrective action plan carries out the provisions of the corrective action plan but the actions do not result in the necessary
(vi) A contractor operating under an approved voluntary corrective action plan (
(i)
(2) Followup reviews shall be reported as a narrative summary referencing the initial review report.
(j)
(2) Recommendations to the Federal Highway Administrator for hearing approval shall be accompanied by full reports of findings and case files containing any related correspondence. The following items shall be included with the recommendation:
(i) Copies of all Federal and Federal-aid contracts and/or subcontracts to which the contractor is party;
(ii) Copies of any contractor or subcontractor certifications;
(iii) Copy of show cause notice;
(iv) Copies of any corrective action plans; and
(v) Copies of all pertinent Manpower Utilization Reports, if applicable.
(3) SHA's through FHWA regional and division offices, will be advised of decisions and directions affecting contractors by the FHWA Washington Headquarters, Office of Civil Rights, for the Department of Transportation.
(k)
(2) SHA's shall refrain from entering into any contract or contract modification subject to E.O. 11246, as amended, with a contractor who has not demonstrated eligibility for Government contracts and federally assisted construction contracts pursuant to E.O. 11246, as amended.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(i) It shall be no excuse that the union, with which the contractor has a collective bargaining agreement providing for exclusive referral, failed to refer minority or female employees.
(ii) Discrimination in referral for employment, even if pursuant to provisions of a collective bargaining agreement, is prohibited by the National Labor Relations Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended.
(iii) Contractors and subcontractors have a responsibility to provide equal opportunity if they want to participate in federally involved contracts. To the extent they have delegated the responsibility for some of their employment practices to some other organization or agency which prevents them from meeting their obligations, these contractors must be found in noncompliance.
(2) If the contractor indicates that union action or inaction is a proximate cause of the contractor's failure to provide equal opportunity, a finding of noncompliance will be made and a show cause notice issued, and:
(i) The contractor will be formally directed to comply with the equal opportunity requirements.
(ii) Reviews of other contractors with projects within the jurisdiction of the applicable union locals shall be scheduled.
(iii) If the reviews indicate a pattern and/or practice of discrimination on the part of specific union locals, each contractor in the area shall be informed of the criteria outlined in § 230.411(e)(1) of this section. Furthermore, the FHWA Washington Headquarters, OCR, shall be provided with full documentary evidence to support the discriminatory pattern indicated.
(iv) In the event the union referral practices prevent the contractor from meeting the equal opportunity requirements pursuant to the E.O. 11246, as amended, such contractor shall immediately notify the SHA.
(a)
(2) The completed compliance review report shall contain documentary evidence to support the determination of a contractor's or subcontractor's compliance status.
(3) Findings, conclusions, and recommendations shall be explicitly stated and, when necessary, supported by documentary evidence.
(4) The compliance review report shall contain at least the following information.
(i) Complete name and address of contractor.
(ii) Project(s) identification.
(iii) Basis for the review,
(iv) Identification of Federal or Federal-aid contract(s).
(v) Date of review.
(vi) Employment data by job craft, classification, or occupation by race and sex in accordance with (iii) above. This shall be the data verified during the onsite.
(vii) Identification of local unions involved with contractor, when applicable.
(viii) Determination of compliance status: compliance or noncompliance.
(ix) Copy of show cause notice or compliance notification sent to contractor.
(x) Name of the Compliance Specialist who conducted the review and whether that person is a State, division or regional Compliance Specialist.
(xi) Concurrences at appropriate levels.
(5) Each contractor (joint venture is one contractor) will be reported separately. When a project review is conducted, the reports should be attached, with the initial report being that of the prime contractor followed by the reports of each subcontractor.
(6) Each review level is responsible for ensuring that required information is contained in the report.
(7) When a project review is conducted, the project work force shall be reported. When an areawide review is conducted (all Federal-aid, Federal, and non-Federal projects in an area), then areawide work force shall be reported. When a home office review is conducted, only home office work force shall be reported. Other information required by regional offices shall be detached before forwarding the reports to the Washington Headquarters, OCR.
(8) The Washington Headquarters, OCR, shall be provided all of the following:
(i) The compliance review report required by § 230.413(a)(4).
(ii) Corrective action plans.
(iii) Show cause notices or compliance notifications.
(iv) Show cause recissions.
(b)
(A) Prepare the compliance review report, based on information obtained;
(B) Determine the contractor's compliance status;
(C) Notify the contractor of the compliance determination,
(D) Forward three copies of the compliance review report, and the compliance notification or show cause notice to the FHWA division EEO Specialist.
(ii) Within 10 days of receipt, the FHWA division EEO Specialist shall:
(A) Analyze the State's report, ensure that it is complete and accurate;
(B) Resolve nonconcurrence, if any;
(C) Indicate concurrence, and, where appropriate, prepare comments; and
(D) Forward two copies of the compliance review report, and the compliance notification or show cause notice to the Regional Civil Rights Director.
(iii) Within 15 days of receipt, the FHWA Regional Civil Rights Director shall:
(A) Analyze the report, ensure that it is complete and accurate;
(B) Resolve nonconcurrence, if any;
(C) Indicate concurrence, and, where appropriate, prepare comments; and
(D) Forward one copy of the compliance review report, and the compliance notification or show cause notice to the Washington Headquarters, OCR.
(2)
(A) Prepare compliance review report, based on information obtained;
(B) Determine the contractor's compliance status;
(C) Notify the State to send the contractor the compliance determination,
(D) Forward two copies of the compliance review report and the compliance notification or show cause notice to the Regional Civil Rights Director.
(ii) Within 15 days of receipt, the FHWA Regional Civil Rights Director will take the steps outlined in § 230.413(b)(1)(iii).
(3)
(A) Prepare the compliance review report, based on information obtained;
(B) Determine the contractor's compliance status;
(C) Inform the appropriate division to notify the State to send the contractor
(D) Forward one copy of the compliance review report, and the compliance notification or show cause notice to the Washington Headquarters, OCR.
(4) Upon receipt of compliance review reports, the Washington Headquarters, OCR, shall review, resolve any nonconcurrences, and record them for the purpose of:
(i) Providing ongoing technical assistance to FHWA regional and division offices and SHA's;
(ii) Gathering a sufficient data base for program evaluation;
(iii) Ensuring uniform standards are being applied in the compliance review process;
(iv) Initiating appropriate changes in FHWA policy and implementing regulations; and
(v) Responding to requests from the General Accounting Office, Office of Management and Budget, Senate Subcommittee on Public Roads, and other agencies and organizations.
(a)
(b) OFCCP policy requires contracting agencies to ensure compliance, in hometown an imposed plan areas, on an areawide rather than a project basis. The consolidated compliance review approach facilitates implementation of this policy.
(c)
(i) Minority and female work force concentrations;
(ii) Suspected or alleged discrimination in union membership or referral practices by local unions involved in highway construction;
(iii) Present or potential problem areas;
(iv) The number of highway projects in the target area; and
(v) Hometown or imposed plan reports that indicate underutilization of minorities or females.
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(d)
(i) Compliance review report, for each contractor and subcontractor with accompanying show cause notice or compliance notification.
(ii) Work force data to show the aggregate employment of all contractors in the target area.
(iii) A narrative summary of findings and recommendations to include the following:
(A) A summary of highway construction employment in the target area by craft, race, and sex. This summary should explore possible patterns of discrimination or underutilization and possible causes, and should compare the utilization of minorities and females on contractor's work forces to the civilian labor force percent for minorities and females in the target area.
(B) If the target area is a plan area, a narrative summary of the plan's effectiveness with an identification of part I and part II crafts. This summary shall discuss possible differences in minority and female utilization between part I and part II crafts, documenting any inferences drawn from such comparisons.
(C) If applicable, discuss local labor unions' membership and/or referral practices that impact on the utilization of minorities and females in the target area. Complete and current copies of all collective bargaining agreements and copies of EEO-3, Local Union Reports, for all appropriate unions shall accompany the composite report.
(D) Any other appropriate data, analyses, or information deemed necessary for a complete picture of the areawide employment.
(E) Considering the information compiled from the summaries listed above, make concrete recommendations on possible avenues for correcting problems uncovered by the analyses.
(2)
(i) Selected target areas:
(ii) The basis for selection of each area; and
(iii) The anticipated review period (dates) for each target area.
List of Deficiencies
1.
2.
3.
Your failure to take the contractually required affirmative action has contributed to the unacceptable level of minority and female employment in your operations, particularly in the semiskilled and skilled categories of employees.
The Department of Labor regulations (41 CFR 60) implementing Executive Order 11246, as amended, are applicable to your Federal-aid highway construction contract and are controlling in this matter (see Required Contract Provisions, Form PR-1273, Clause II). Section 60-1.20(b) of these regulations provides that when equal opportunity deficiencies exist, it is necessary that you make a commitment in writing to correct such deficiencies before you may be found in compliance. The commitment must include the specific action which you propose to take to correct each deficiency and the date of completion of such action. The time period allotted shall be no longer than the minimum period necessary to effect the necessary correction. In accordance with instructions issued by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), U.S. Department of Labor, your written commitment must also provide for the submission of monthly progress reports which shall include a head count of minority and female representation at each level of each trade and a list of minority employees.
You are specifically advised that making the commitment discussed above will not preclude a further determination of noncompliance upon a finding that the commitment is not sufficient to achieve compliance.
We will hold a compliance conference at ________(Address) at ________ (Time) on ________(Date) for you to submit and discuss your written commitment. If your written commitment is acceptable and if the commitment is sufficient to achieve compliance, you will be found in compliance during the effective implementation of that commitment. You are cautioned, however, that our determination is subject to review by the Federal Highway Administration, the Department of Transportation, and OFCCP and may be disapproved if your written commitment is not considered sufficient to achieve compliance.
If you indicate either directly or by inaction that you do not wish to participate in the scheduled conference and do not otherwise show cause within 30 days from receipt of this notice why enforcement proceedings should not be instituted, this agency will commence enforcement proceedings under Executive Order 11246, as amended.
If your written commitment is accepted and it is subsequently found that you have failed to comply with its provisions, you will be advised of this determination and formal sanction proceedings will be instituted immediately.
In the event formal sanction proceedings are instituted and the final determination is that a violation of your equal opportunity contract requirements has taken place, any Federal-aid highway construction contracts or subcontracts which you hold may be canceled, terminated, or suspended, and you may be debarred from further such contracts or subcontracts. Such other sanctions as are authorized by Executive Order 11246, as amended, may also be imposed.
We encourage you to take whatever action is necessary to resolve this matter and are anxious to assist you in achieving compliance. Any questions concerning this notice should be addressed to (Name, Address, and Phone).
Sincerely yours,
Deficiency 1: Sources likely to yield minority employees have not been contacted for recruitment purposes.
Commitment: We have developed a system of written job applications at our home office which readily identifies minority applicants. In addition to this, as a minimum, we will contact the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), League of Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Urban League, and the Employment Security Office within 20 days to establish a referral system for minority group applicants and expand our recruitment base. We are in the process of identifying other community organizations and associations that may be able to provide minority applicants and will
Deficiency 2: There have been inadequate efforts to locate, qualify, and increase skills of minority and female employees and applicants for employment.
Commitment: We will set up an individual file for each apprentice or trainee by ______(Date) in order to carefully screen the progress, ensure that they are receiving the necessary training, and being promoted promptly upon completion of training requirements. We have established a goal of at least 50 percent of our apprentices and trainees will be minorities and 15 percent will be female. In addition to the commitment made to deficiency number 1, we will conduct a similar identification of organizations able to supply female applicants. Based on our projected personnel needs, we expect to have reached our 50 percent goal for apprentices and trainees by _______(Date).
Deficiency 3: Very little effort to assure subcontractors have meaningful minority group representation among their employees.
Your corrective action plan, discussed and submitted at the compliance conference held on __________(Date), has been reviewed and determined to be acceptable. Your implementation of your corrective action plan shows that you are now taking the required affirmative action and can be considered in compliance with Executive Order 11246, as amended. If it should later be determined that your corrective action plan is not sufficient to achieve compliance, this Rescission shall not preclude a subsequent finding of noncompliance.
In view of the above, this letter is to inform you that the 30-day show cause notice of __________(Date) is hereby rescinded. You are further advised that if it is found that you have failed to comply with the provisions of your corrective action plan, formal sanction proceedings will be instituted immediately.
Sincerely,