As of October 1, 2025, the jurisdictional thresholds for two key regulations impacting federal contractors—the Rehabilitation Act (Section 503) and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA)—have increased. These changes stem from an inflationary adjustment statute that authorizes the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council to review and update acquisition-related thresholds in statutes governing federal procurement.
Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs
Breaking OFCCP News: Catherine Eschbach leaving OFCCP
It is being reported that Ashley Romanias has assumed leadership of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), as Catherine Eschbach steps into a new role as Principal Deputy General Counsel at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
At the time of this post, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has not yet issued…
OFCCP Seeks Feedback on Section 503 Voluntary Self-ID Form in Connection with Other Proposed Regulatory Revisions
On August 25, 2025, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) issued a new request for public comments on proposed revisions to its data collection and recordkeeping requirements under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 503), which would include the withdrawal of the Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability form (OMB Control…
OFCCP Updates Annual Veteran Hiring Benchmark
Though delayed, OFCCP has released the updated the annual Veteran Hiring Benchmark. The benchmark is set at 5.1% effective July 30, 2025.
The current 5.1% benchmark, is slightly lower than the previous mark of 5.2% set in March 2024 and continues the steady downward trend for this annual hiring benchmark.
Though there remains uncertainty around…
Ninth Circuit Affirms Disclosure of EEO-1 Reports Under FOIA
On July 30, 2025, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a district court order requiring the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to release EEO-1 reports previously withheld in response to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. In Center for Investigative Reporting v. U.S. Dep’t of Labor, the Ninth Circuit held that federal contractors’…
OFCCP To Close All Prior Section 503 and VEVRAA Compliance Reviews Following Secretary of Labor Order Reviving Enforcement Activities
In conjunction with the recent proposed rule changes to the Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 503) and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (VEVRAA) regulations, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced OFCCP has the authority to resume its enforcement activities related to veterans and individuals with disabilities.
On…
OFCCP Proposes Changes to Veterans and Disability Regulations
OFCCP has published proposed modifications to the VEVRAA and Section 503 regulations which govern federal contractor affirmative action obligations for veterans and individuals with disabilities.
The proposed changes to the veterans’ regulations are largely procedural – removing references to Executive Order 11246 and its implementing regulations – resulting in the veterans’ regulations being wholly self-contained…
OFCCP Invites Voluntary Disclosures from Federal Contractors Regarding Executive Order 14173
In a letter dated June 27, 2025, sent to federal contractors and posted on its website, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) announced it is providing federal contractors the option to voluntarily submit information about actions they have taken in response to Executive Order 14173, “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based …
OFCCP Extends Enforcement Moratorium for VAHBP Providers Until 2027
In a move the Agency reported is designed to maintain healthcare access for active and retired service members and their families, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has announced a two-year extension to the enforcement moratorium for Veterans Affairs Health Benefits Program (VAHBP) providers. This extension, effective June 11, 2025, will now run…
Department of Labor Proposed Budget Seeks To Completely Dismantle OFCCP
According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) fiscal year 2026 proposed budget, the Department is set to fully eliminate the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) next fiscal year, which begins October 1, 2025. The budget proposal aligns with the current administration’s broader efforts to shut down the OFCCP and its authority…