[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 243 (Friday, December 18, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 70282-70287]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-33515]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

General Services Administration

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

48 CFR Parts 22 and 52

[FAC 97-10; FAR Case 98-607; Item III]
RIN 9000-AI15


Federal Acquisition Regulation; Office of Federal Contract 
Compliance Programs National Pre-Award Registry

AGENCIES: Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration 
(GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense 
Acquisition Regulations Council have agreed on a final rule amending 
the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to inform the procurement 
community of the availability of the Department of Labor's Office of 
Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) National Pre-Award 
Registry (Registry), accessible through the Internet, that contains 
contractor establishments that have been reviewed within the preceding 
24 months and found in compliance with the equal opportunity laws 
enforced by OFCCP, and the option to use the information in the 
Registry in lieu of submitting a written request for a preaward 
clearance; and implement revised Department of Labor (DoL) regulations 
pertaining to equal employment opportunity and affirmative action 
requirements for Federal contractors and subcontractors.

EFFECTIVE DATE: February 16, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The FAR Secretariat, Room 4035, GS 
Building, Washington, DC, 20405, (202) 501-4755, for information 
pertaining to status or publication schedules. For clarification of 
content, contact Mr. Jack O'Neill, Procurement Analyst, at (202) 501-
3856. Please cite FAC 97-10, FAR case 98-607.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    Section 60-1.29 of Title 41 of the Code of Federal Regulations 
provides that agencies shall not enter into contracts or approve the 
entry into contracts or subcontracts for $10 million or more with any 
bidder, prospective prime contractor, or proposed subcontractor until a 
preaward compliance evaluation has been conducted and the Deputy 
Assistant

[[Page 70283]]

Secretary or his designee has approved a determination that the bidder, 
prospective prime contractor, or proposed subcontractor will be able to 
comply with the provisions of the equal employment opportunity 
regulations.
    To streamline the process for obtaining preaward clearance, the 
Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has developed 
and implemented the OFCCP National Pre-Award Registry which contains 
contractor establishments that have been evaluated within the past 24 
months and found to be in compliance with its Equal Employment 
Opportunity regulations.
    Since April 15, 1998, agencies who have inquired have been verbally 
advised by OFCCP that they may review the Registry to search for 
prospective contractor establishments to whom they intend to award 
contracts of $10 million or more. If the specific contractor 
establishment receiving the contract is listed on the Registry, the 
agency is not required to request a written preaward clearance from 
OFCCP. The use of the Registry will reduce the number of requests from 
the contracting agencies to OFCCP and responses back from OFCCP to the 
agency. Thus, use of the Registry will reduce the administrative burden 
of paperwork for both agencies.
    Also, this final rule amends FAR subpart 22.8 and the provisions 
and clauses at FAR 52.212-3, 52.222-21 through 52.222-24, and 52.222-26 
through 52.222-29, to implement revised Department of Labor (DoL) 
regulations, published as a final rule in the Federal Register at 62 FR 
44173, August 19, 1997. The DoL rule increased, from $1 million to $10 
million, the threshold for obtaining preaward compliance clearance from 
OFCCP, and amended administrative procedures for obtaining such 
clearances; eliminated the requirement for OFCCP clearance of 
subcontracts after award of the prime contract; and eliminated the 
requirement to obtain a certification of nonsegregated facilities from 
prospective contractors.
    This regulatory action was not subject to Office of Management and 
Budget review under Executive Order 12866, dated September 30, 1993, 
and is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The final rule does not constitute a significant FAR revision 
within the meaning of FAR 1.501 and Public Law 98-577, and publication 
for public comments is not required. However, comments from small 
entities concerning the affected FAR subparts will be considered in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 610. Such comments must be submitted 
separately and should cite 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq. (FAC 97-10, FAR case 
98-607), in correspondence.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the changes to 
the FAR do not impose recordkeeping or information collection 
requirements, or collections of information from offerors, contractors, 
or members of the public which require the approval of the Office of 
Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 22 and 52

    Government procurement.

    Dated: December 14, 1998.
Ralph DeStefano,
Acting Director, Federal Acquisition Policy Division.

    Therefore, 48 CFR parts 22 and 52 are amended as set forth below:
    1. The authority citation for 48 CFR Parts 22 and 52 continues to 
read as follows:

    Authority: 40 U.S.C. 486(c); 10 U.S.C. chapter 137; and 42 
U.S.C. 2473(c).

PART 22--APPLICATION OF LABOR LAWS TO GOVERNMENT ACQUISITIONS


22.800  [Amended]

    2. Section 22.800 is amended by removing ``Government.''
    3. Section 22.801 is revised to read as follows:


22.801  Definitions.

    As used in this subpart--
    Affirmative action program means a contractor's program that 
complies with Department of Labor regulations to ensure equal 
opportunity in employment to minorities and women.
    Compliance evaluation means any one or combination of actions that 
the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) may take to 
examine a Federal contractor's compliance with one or more of the 
requirements of E.O. 11246.
    Contractor includes the terms ``prime contractor'' and 
``subcontractor.''
    Deputy Assistant Secretary means the Deputy Assistant Secretary for 
Federal Contract Compliance, U.S. Department of Labor, or a designee.
    Equal Opportunity clause means the clause at 52.222-26, Equal 
Opportunity, as prescribed in 22.810(e).
    E.O. 11246 means Parts II and IV of Executive Order 11246, 
September 24, 1965 (30 FR 12319), and any Executive order amending or 
superseding this order (see 22.802). This term specifically includes 
the Equal Opportunity clause at 52.222-26, and the rules, regulations, 
and orders issued pursuant to E.O. 11246 by the Secretary of Labor or a 
designee.
    Prime contractor means any person who holds, or has held, a 
Government contract subject to E.O. 11246.
    Recruiting and training agency means any person who refers workers 
to any contractor or provides or supervises apprenticeship or training 
for employment by any contractor.
    Site of construction means the general physical location of any 
building, highway, or other change or improvement to real property that 
is undergoing construction, rehabilitation, alteration, conversion, 
extension, demolition, or repair; and any temporary location or 
facility at which a contractor or other participating party meets a 
demand or performs a function relating to a Government contract or 
subcontract.
    Subcontract means any agreement or arrangement between a contractor 
and any person (in which the parties do not stand in the relationship 
of an employer and an employee)--
    (1) For the purchase, sale, or use of personal property or 
nonpersonal services that, in whole or in part, are necessary to the 
performance of any one or more contracts; or
    (2) Under which any portion of the contractor's obligation under 
any one or more contracts is performed, undertaken, or assumed.
    Subcontractor means any person who holds, or has held, a 
subcontract subject to E.O. 11246. The term first-tier subcontractor 
means a subcontractor holding a subcontract with a prime contractor.
    United States means the several states, the District of Columbia, 
the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American 
Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Wake 
Island.


22.802  [Amended]

    4. Section 22.802 is amended in paragraph (a) by removing 
``Government contracting'' and ``Govvernment prime''; and in paragraph 
(b) by removing ``Director'' and adding ``Deputy Assistant Secretary''.
    5. Section 22.803 is amended in paragraph (b) by removing 
``Director'' and adding ``Deputy Assistant Secretary''; and by revising 
paragraph (d) to read as follows:


22.803  Responsibilities.

* * * * *
    (d) In the event the applicability of E.O. 11246 and implementing

[[Page 70284]]

regulations is questioned, the contracting officer shall forward the 
matter to the Deputy Assistant Secretary, through agency channels, for 
resolution.
    6. Section 22.804-1 is revised to read as follows:


22.804-1  Nonconstruction.

    Except as provided in 22.807, each nonconstruction prime contractor 
and each subcontractor with 50 or more employees and either a contract 
or subcontract of $50,000 or more, or Government bills of lading that 
in any 12-month period total, or can reasonably be expected to total, 
$50,000 or more, is required to develop a written affirmative action 
program for each of its establishments. Each contractor and 
subcontractor shall develop its written affirmative action programs 
within 120 days from the commencement of its first such Government 
contract, subcontract, or Government bill of lading.


22.804-2  [Amended]

    7. Section 22.804-2 is amended in the first sentence of paragraph 
(b) by removing ``contracting''.
    8. Section 22.805 is amended by revising the introductory text of 
paragraph (a); revising paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3); by 
redesignating paragraphs (a)(4) thru (a)(8) as (a)(5) thru (a)(9), 
respectively, and adding a new paragraph (a)(4); by revising the 
introductory text of the newly designated paragraph (a)(5); revising 
newly designated paragraphs (a)(5)(ii) and (v); (a)(6), (a)(7), (a)(8), 
and (a)(9); and in paragraph (b) by adding ``Employment'' after 
``Equal''. The revised text reads as follows:


22.805  Procedures.

    (a) Preaward clearances for contracts and subcontracts of $10 
million or more (excluding construction). (1) Except as provided in 
paragraphs (a)(4) and (a)(8) of this section, if the estimated amount 
of the contract or subcontract is $10 million or more, the contracting 
officer shall request clearance from the appropriate OFCCP regional 
office before--
    (i) Award of any contract, including any indefinite delivery 
contract or letter contract; or
    (ii) Modificaton of an existing contract for new effort that would 
constitute a contract award.
    (2) Preaward clearance for each proposed contract and for each 
proposed first-tier subcontract of $10 million or more shall be 
requested by the contracting officer directly from the OFCCP regional 
office(s). Verbal requests shall be confirmed by letter or facsimile 
transmission.
    (3) When the contract work is to be performed outside the United 
States with employees recruited within the United States, the 
contracting officer shall send the request for a preaward clearance to 
the OFCCP regional office serving the area where the proposed 
contractor's corporate home or branch office is located in the United 
States, or the corporate location where personnel recruiting is 
handled, if different from the contractor's corporate home or branch 
office. If the proposed contractor has no corporate office or location 
within the United States, the preaward clearance request action should 
be based on the location of the recruiting and training agency in the 
United States.
    (4) The contracting officer does not need to request a preaward 
clearance if--
    (i) The specific proposed contractor is listed in OFCCP's National 
Preaward Registry via the Internet at http://www.dol-esa.gov/preaward/;
    (ii) The projected award date is within 24 months of the proposed 
contractor's Notice of Compliance completion date in the Registry; and
    (iii) The contracting officer documents the Registry review in the 
contract file.
    (5) The contracting officer shall include the following information 
in the preaward clearance request:
* * * * *
    (ii) Name, address, and telephone number of each proposed first-
tier subcontractor with a proposed subcontract estimated at $10 million 
or more.
* * * * *
    (v) Place or places of performance of the prime contract and first-
tier subcontracts estimated at $10 million or more, if known.
* * * * *
    (6) The contracting officer shall allow as much time as feasible 
before award for the conduct of necessary compliance evaluation by 
OFCCP. As soon as the apparently successful offeror can be determined, 
the contracting officer shall process a preaward clearance request in 
accordance with agency procedures, assuring, if possible, that the 
preaward clearance request is submitted to the OFCCP regional office at 
least 30 days before the proposed award date.
    (7) Within 15 days of the clearance request, OFCCP will inform the 
awarding agency of its intention to conduct a preaward compliance 
evaluation. If OFCCP does not inform the awarding agency within that 
period of its intention to conduct a preaward compliance evaluation, 
clearance shall be presumed and the awarding agency is authorized to 
proceed with the award. If OFCCP informs the awarding agency of its 
intention to conduct a preaward compliance evaluation, OFCCP shall be 
allowed an additional 20 days after the date that it so informs the 
awarding agency to provide its conclusions. If OFCCP does not provide 
the awarding agency with its conclusions within that period, clearance 
shall be presumed and the awarding agency is authorized to proceed with 
the award.
    (8) If the procedures specified in paragraphs (a)(6) and (a)(7) of 
this section would delay award of an urgent and critical contract 
beyond the time necessary to make award or beyond the time specified in 
the offer or extension thereof, the contracting officer shall 
immediately inform the OFCCP regional office of the expiration date of 
the offer or the required date of award and request clearance be 
provided before that date. If the OFCCP regional office advises that a 
preaward evaluation cannot be completed by the required date, the 
contracting officer shall submit written justification for the award to 
the head of the contracting activity, who, after informing the OFCCP 
regional office, may then approve the award without the preaward 
clearance. If an award is made under this authority, the contracting 
officer shall immediately request a postaward evaluation from the OFCCP 
regional office.
    (9) If, under the provisions of paragraph (a)(8) of this section, a 
postaward evaluation determines the contractor to be in noncompliance 
with E.O. 11246, the Deputy Assistant Secretary may authorize the use 
of the enforcement procedures at 22.809 against the noncomplying 
contractor.
* * * * *
    9. Section 22.806 is revised to read as follows:


22.806  Inquiries.

    (a) An inquiry from a contractor regarding status of its compliance 
with E.O. 11246, or rights of appeal to any of the actions in 22.809, 
shall be referred to the OFCCP regional office.
    (b) Labor union inquiries regarding the revision of a collective 
bargaining agreement in order to comply with E.O. 11246 shall be 
referred to the Deputy Assistant Secretary.
    10. Section 22.807 is amended--
    a. In paragraph (a)(1) by removing ``Director'' and adding ``Deputy 
Assistant Secretary'';
    b. By revising paragraph (a)(2);
    c. In the second sentence of paragraph (b)(1) by removing ``or 
subcontractor'';

[[Page 70285]]

    d. In paragraph (b)(3) by adding a comma following 
``instrumentality'' the second time it appears;
    e. By revising paragraph (b)(5);
    f. In paragraph (b)(6) by adding a hyphen between ``Indefinite 
quantity'' (both times it appears);
    g. By revising paragraph (c);
    h. By revising the introductory text of (d); and
    i. In paragraph (d)(2) by removing ``calendar''.
    The revised text read as follows:


22.807  Exemptions.

    (a) * * *
    (2) Specific contracts. The Deputy Assistant Secretary may exempt 
an agency from requiring the inclusion of one or more of the 
requirements of E.O. 11246 in any contract if the Deputy Assistant 
Secretary deems that special circumstances in the national interest so 
require. Groups or categories of contracts of the same type may also be 
exempted if the Deputy Assistant Secretary finds it impracticable to 
act upon each request individually or if group exemptions will 
contribute to convenience in the administration of E.O. 11246.
    (b) * * *
    (5) Facilities not connected with contracts. The Deputy Assistant 
Secretary may exempt from the requirements of E.O. 11246 any of a 
contractor's facilities that the Deputy Assistant Secretary finds to be 
in all respects separate and distinct from activities of the contractor 
related to performing the contract, provided, that the Deputy Assistant 
Secretary also finds that the exemption will not interfere with, or 
impede the effectiveness of, E.O. 11246.
* * * * *
    (c) To request an exemption under paragraph (a)(2) or (b)(5) of 
this section, the contracting officer shall submit, under agency 
procedures, a detailed justification for omitting all, or part of, the 
requirements of E.O. 11246. Requests for exemptions under paragraph 
(a)(2) or (b)(5) of this section shall be submitted to the Deputy 
Assistant Secretary for approval.
    (d) The Deputy Assistant Secretary may withdraw the exemption for a 
specific contract, or group of contracts, if the Deputy Assistant 
Secretary deems that such action is necessary and appropriate to 
achieve the purposes of E.O. 11246. Such withdrawal shall not apply--
* * * * *


22.809  [Amended]

    11. Section 22.809 is amended in the introductory text by removing 
``Director'' and adding ``Deputy Assistant Secretary''; in paragraph 
(a) by removing ``their'' and adding ``its''; and in paragraph (d) by 
removing Director and adding ``Deputy Assistant Secretary''.
    12. Section 22.810 is amended--
    a. By revising paragraph (a);
    b. In paragraph (b) by adding ``for Construction'' after 
``Opportunity'' the first time it appears;
    c. By revising paragraph (c);
    d. By revising paragraph (e),
    e. In paragraph (f) by removing ``and'' the second time it appears 
and adding ``when'';
    f. By removing paragraph (g); and
    g. By redesignating paragraph (h) as (g).
    The revised paragraphs read as follows:


22.810  Solicitation provisions and contract clauses.

    (a) When a contract is contemplated that will include the clause at 
52.222-26, Equal Opportunity, the contracting officer shall insert--
    (1) The clause at 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities, 
in the solicitation and contract; and
    (2) The provision at 52.222-22, Previous Contracts and Compliance 
Reports, in the solicitation.
* * * * *
    (c) The contracting officer shall insert the provision at 52.222-
24, Preaward On-Site Equal Opportunity Compliance Evaluation, in 
solicitations other than those for construction when a contract is 
contemplated that will include the clause at 52.222-26, Equal 
Opportunity, and the amount of the contract is expected be $10 million 
or more.
* * * * *
    (e) The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.222-26, 
Equal Opportunity, in solicitations and contracts (see 22.802) unless 
the contract is exempt from all of the requirements of E.O. 11246 (see 
22.807(a)). If the contract is exempt from one or more, but not all, of 
the requirements of E.O. 11246, the contracting officer shall use the 
clause with its Alternate I.
* * * * *


22.802, 22.803, 22.807, 22.808, 22.809  [Amended]

    13. In addition to the amendments set forth above, subpart 22.8 is 
also amended by removing ``EO'' and adding ``E.O.'' in the following 
places:
    a. Section 22.802 (b), and (c);
    b. Section 22.803 (a)(1), (a)(2) and (b);
    c. Section 22.807 (a) introductory text (twice), (b)(2), (b)(3), 
and (b)(4) (twice);
    d. Section 22.808; and
    e. Section 22.809 introductory text, (c), and (d).

PART 52--SOLICITATION PROVISIONS AND CONTRACT CLAUSES

    14. Section 52.212-3 is amended by revising the provision date; by 
removing (d)(1); and redesignating paragraphs (d)(2) and (d)(3) as 
(d)(1) and (d)(2) respectively; by revising the newly designated 
(d)(1); and in the newly redesignated paragraph (d)(2)(i) by removing 
``Subparts'' and adding ``parts''. The revised text reads as follows:


52.212-3  Offeror Representations and Certifications--Commercial Items.

* * * * *

Offeror Representations and Certifications--Commercial Items (Feb 1999)

* * * * *
    (d) Certifications and representations required to implement 
provisions of Executive Order 11246--(1) Previous contracts and 
compliance. The offeror represents that--
    (i) It {time}  has, {time}  has not participated in a previous 
contract or subcontract subject to the Equal Opportunity clause of 
this solicitation; and
    (ii) It {time}  has, {time}  has not filed all required 
compliance reports.
* * * * *
    15. Section 52.222-21 is revised to read as follows:


52.222-21  Prohibition of segregated facilities.

    As prescribed in 22.810(a)(1), insert the following clause:

Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Feb 1999)

    (a) Segregated facilities, as used in this clause, means any 
waiting rooms, work areas, rest rooms and wash rooms, restaurants 
and other eating areas, time clocks, locker rooms and other storage 
or dressing areas, parking lots, drinking fountains, recreation or 
entertainment areas, transportation, and housing facilities provided 
for employees, that are segregated by explicit directive or are in 
fact segregated on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or 
national origin because of written or oral policies or employee 
custom. The term does not include separate or single-user rest rooms 
or necessary dressing or sleeping areas provided to assure privacy 
between the sexes.
    (b) The Contractor agrees that it does not and will not maintain 
or provide for its employees any segregated facilities at any of its 
establishments, and that it does not and will not permit its 
employees to perform their services at any location under its 
control where segregated facilities are maintained. The Contractor 
agrees that a breach of this clause is a violation of the Equal 
Opportunity clause in this contract.
    (c) The Contractor shall include this clause in every 
subcontract and purchase order that

[[Page 70286]]

is subject to the Equal Opportunity clause of this contract.

(End of clause)

    16. Section 52.222-22 is amended by revising the introductory text, 
the date of the provision, and paragraph (a) to read as follows:


52.222-22  Previous Contracts and Compliance Reports.

    As prescribed in 22.810(a)(2), insert the following provision:

Previous Contracts and Compliance Reports (Feb 1999)

* * * * *
    (a) It {time}  has, {time}  has not participated in a previous 
contract or subcontract subject to the Equal Opportunity clause of 
this solicitation;
* * * * *
    17. Section 52.222-23 is amended by revising the section heading, 
the introductory text, the provision heading, and the introductory text 
of paragraph (d) to read as follows:


52.222-23  Notice of Requirement for Affirmative Action To Ensure Equal 
Employment Opportunity for Construction.

    As prescribed in 22.810(b), insert the following provision:

Notice of Requirement for Affirmative Action To Ensure Equal Employment 
Opportunity for Construction (Feb 1999)

* * * * *
    (d) The Contractor shall provide written notification to the 
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Federal Contract Compliance, U.S. 
Department of Labor, within 10 working days following award of any 
construction subcontract in excess of $10,000 at any tier for 
construction work under the contract resulting from this 
solicitation. The notification shall list the --
* * * * *
    18. Section 52.222-24 is revised to read as follows:


52.222-24  Preaward On-Site Equal Opportunity Compliance Evaluation.

    As prescribed in 22.810(c), insert the following provision:

Preaward On-Site Equal Opportunity Compliance Evaluation (Feb 1999)

    If a contract in the amount of $10 million or more will result 
from this solicitation, the prospective Contractor and its known 
first-tier subcontractors with anticipated subcontracts of $10 
million or more shall be subject to a preaward compliance evaluation 
by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), 
unless, within the preceding 24 months, OFCCP has conducted an 
evaluation and found the prospective Contractor and subcontractors 
to be in compliance with Executive Order 11246.

(End of provision)

    19. Section 52.222-25 is amended by revising the introductory text 
to read as follows:


52.222-25  Affirmative Action Compliance.

    As prescribed in 22.810(d), insert the following provision:
* * * * *
    20. Section 52.222-26 is amended--
    a. By revising the introductory text and the clause date;
    b. In paragraph (a) by removing ``below'' and adding ``of this 
clause'';
    c. By revising paragraphs (b) introductory text and (b)(1);
    d. In paragraph (b)(4) by adding ``s'' to ``advertisement'';
    e. By revising paragraphs (b)(7), (b)(8), and the last sentence of 
(b)(9);
    f. In paragraph (b)(10) by adding ``s'' to ``subparagraph'';
    g. In paragraph (b)(11) by removing ``contracting agency'' and 
adding ``contracting officer''; and
    h. By revising the introductory text of Alternate I.
    The revised text reads as follows:


52.222-26  Equal Opportunity.

    As prescribed in 22.810(e), insert the following clause:

Equal Opportunity (Feb 1999)

* * * * *
    (b) During performance of this contract, the Contractor agrees 
as follows:
    (1) The Contractor shall not discriminate against any employee 
or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, 
or national origin. However, it shall not be a violation of this 
clause for the Contractor to extend a publicly announced preference 
in employment to Indians living on or near an Indian reservation, in 
connection with employment opportunities on or near an Indian 
reservation, as permitted by 41 CFR 60-1.5.
* * * * *
    (7) The Contractor shall furnish to the contracting agency all 
information required by Executive Order 11246, as amended, and by 
the rules, regulations, and orders of the Secretary of Labor. The 
Contractor shall also file Standard Form 100 (EEO-1), or any 
successor form, as prescribed in 41 CFR part 60-1. Unless the 
Contractor has filed within the 12 months preceding the date of 
contract award, the Contractor shall, within 30 days after contract 
award, apply to either the regional Office of Federal Contract 
Compliance Programs (OFCCP) or the local office of the Equal 
Employment Opportunity Commission for the necessary forms.
    (8) The Contractor shall permit access to its premises, during 
normal business hours, by the contracting agency or the OFCCP for 
the purpose of conducting on-site compliance evaluations and 
complaint investigations. The Contractor shall permit the Government 
to inspect and copy any books, accounts, records (including 
computerized records), and other material that may be relevant to 
the matter under investigation and pertinent to compliance with 
Executive Order 11246, as amended, and rules and regulations that 
implement the Executive Order.
    (9) * * * In addition, sanctions may be imposed and remedies 
invoked against the Contractor as provided in Executive Order 11246, 
as amended; in the rules, regulations, and orders of the Secretary 
of Labor; or as otherwise provided by law.
* * * * *
    Alternate I (Feb 1999). As prescribed in 22.810(e), add the 
following as a preamble to the clause:
* * * * *
    21. Section 52.222-27 is amended--
    a. By revising the introductory text and the date of the clause;
    b. In paragraph (a) by removing the definition of ``Director'' and 
adding ``Deputy Assistant Secretary'';
    (c) In paragraph (g)(4) by removing ``Director'' and adding 
``Deputy Assistant Secretary'';
    d. In paragraph (g)(5) by removing ``above'' and adding ``of this 
clause'';
    e. In paragraph (g)(7) by removing ``onsite'' and adding ``on-
site'' in its place;
    f. By revising paragraph (g)(14);
    g. In paragraph (h) by adding ``of this clause'' after ``(16)'' 
(both times it appears); and
    h. In paragraph (m) by removing ``above'' and ``Director'' and 
adding ``of this clause'' and ``Deputy Assistant Secretary'', 
respectively.
    The revised text reads as follows:


52.222-27  Affirmative Action Compliance Requirements for Construction.

    As prescribed in 22.810(f), insert the following clause:

Affirmative Action Compliance Requirements for Construction (Feb 1999)

    (a) * * *
    Deputy Assistant Secretary, as used in this clause, means the 
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Federal Contract Compliance, U.S. 
Department of Labor, or a designee.
* * * * *
    (g) * * *
    (14) Ensure that all facilities and company activities are 
nonsegregated except that separate or single-user rest rooms and 
necessary dressing or sleeping areas shall be provided to assure 
privacy between the sexes.
* * * * *


52.222-28  [Reserved]

    22. Section 52.222-28 is removed and reserved.
    23. Section 52.222-29 is revised to read as follows:


52.222-29  Notification of visa denial.

    As prescribed in 22.810(g), insert the following clause:

Notification of Visa Denial (Feb 1999)

    It is a violation of Executive Order 11246, as amended, for a 
Contractor to refuse to employ any applicant or not to assign any 
person hired in the United States, on the basis that the 
individual's race, color,

[[Page 70287]]

religion, sex, or national origin is not compatible with the 
policies of the country where the work is to be performed or for 
whom the work will be performed (41 CFR 60-1.10). The Contractor 
agrees to notify the U.S. Department of State, Assistant Secretary, 
Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM), 2201 C Street NW, Room 
7325, Washington, DC 20520, and the U.S. Department of Labor, Deputy 
Assistant Secretary for Federal Contract Compliance, when it has 
knowledge of any employee or potential employee being denied an 
entry visa to a country in which the Contractor is required to 
perform this contract, and it believes the denial is attributable to 
the race, color, religion, sex, or national origin of the employee 
or potential employee.

(End of clause)

[FR Doc. 98-33515 Filed 12-16-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-EP-P