Yes, the old joke was, “The scariest words you can hear are, ‘I’m from the Government and here to help.’” But there are government agencies that are not only ready, willing, and able to help contractors, they are constantly looking for ways to do it. One way, becoming more popular, is online with information on what contracts have been let.
The U.S. Dept. of Labor’s OFCCP (Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs) launched a new online platform, referred to as the NCAP (Notification of Construction Contract Award Portal), to modernize how the agency receives required notices about construction contract and subcontract awards.
NCAP provides contracting officers, contractors, and applicants seeking federal assistance for construction projects (such as state Dept. of Transportation) a more efficient and secure electronic means to submit a notice to OFCCP within 10 working days of an award of a federal or federally assisted construction contract or subcontract more than $10,000. These notification requirements can be viewed at 41 CFR 60–4.2.
After creating an account, NCAP users can securely upload details of awarded construction contracts, including contract value, estimated start and completion dates of the contract, contact information, the contract awarding entity, the contract receiving entity, and contract place(s) of performance, using a single or bulk upload. The bulk upload feature will allow the user to upload multiple notices simultaneously. Instructions for performing the bulk upload using a template are in the NCAP User Guide.
NCAP is the primary source for entering, tracking, and submitting contract award notifications for review by OFCCP. NCAP will reduce or eliminate the need to submit contract award notifications via mail or email to OFCCP.
As part of the Dept. of Labor, OFCCP protects workers, promotes diversity and enforces the law. OFCCP holds those who do business with the federal government (contractors and subcontractors) responsible for complying with the legal requirement to take affirmative action and not discriminate based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. In addition, contractors and subcontractors are prohibited from discharging or otherwise discriminating against applicants or employees who inquire about, discuss or disclose their compensation or that of others, subject to certain limitations.
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