On September 7, 2018, OFCCP announced that it mailed 750 new Corporate Scheduling Announcement Letters (“CSALs”) to federal contractors as a supplement to the Fiscal Year 2018 Scheduling List released on March 19, 2018.  The agency stated that the CSALs are a “45-day” courtesy notice prior to sending the OMB-approved scheduling letters. Once the scheduling letters are received, contractors will have 30 days in which to submit their Affirmative Action Plans (AAPs) and the other items required by the scheduling letter and itemized listing. Therefore, according to OFCCP, “all contractors on the current list are receiving a minimum of 75 days advance notice to have their AAPs ready.”

In a change outlined in an FAQ entitled “Requesting Extensions to Submit AAP(s) and Supporting Data,”

OFCCP reinforced that contractors are obligated to submit their EO 11246, VEVRAA and Section 503 AAPs and supporting data within 30 days of the receipt of the Scheduling Letter and Itemized Listing.  In order to facilitate a timely submission, the assigned compliance officer will contact the contractor within 15 days of the contractor’s receipt of the Scheduling Letter to offer technical assistance and explain allowable extensions for the AAPs and supporting data.

With respect to allowable extensions, OFCCP will grant a one-time 30-day extension for supporting data related to the EO 11246, VEVRAA and Section 503 AAPs, provided the contractor:

1. Requests the extension prior to the initial 30-day due date for the AAPs; and
2. Timely submits the basic EO 11246, Section 503 and VEVRAA AAPs within the 30-day period after receiving the Scheduling Letter and Itemized Listing.

The FAQ makes clear that OFCCP will generally not allow extensions for the submission of EO 11246, Section 503 and VEVRAA AAPs, or allow extensions for supporting data if requested after the submission date for the AAPs has passed although it reserves discretion to grant such extensions in extraordinary circumstances.  Failure to submit AAPs and/or supporting data timely, with approved extensions, will result in an immediate Show Cause Notice.

In a separate release, the OFCCP provided an updated version of its Methodology for Developing the Supplement to the FY 2018 Supply & Service Scheduling List.

Please contact your FortneyScott attorney or send an email to info@fortneyscott.com for more information on this new extension policy or for assistance in preparing AAPs and responses to Scheduling Letters.