Executive Order 11246 Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as
             amended, and Section 4212 of the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment
             Assistance Act ban discrimination and require Federal contractors and
             subcontractors to take affirmative action to ensure equal opportunity for
             employment, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin,
             disability or status (Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs 2002).
             The implementing arm is the OFCCP, which exercises jurisdiction over
             approximately 26 million or close to 22% of the civilian labor force,
             consisting of almost 100,000 non-construction establishments and 100,000
             The Executive Order, through the OFCCP, requires the elimination of
             any barriers to equal employment opportunity as a condition to a federal
             contract. The OFCCP also investigates complaints of discrimination (OFCCP
             2002) and implements programs to prevent it. A contracting agency must
             include the equal opportunity clause in its nonexempt government contracts
             and this equal opportunity clause requires the contractor-employer to
             assure that race, color, religion, sex and national origin will not be
             conditions or considerations in applications for employment and in the
             treatment of employees (OFCCP). Focus is on minorities such as American
             Indian or Alaskan native, Asian or Pacific islander, black and Hispanic
             persons. Failure to do observe this rule constitutes violation of the
             contract and subjects it to cancellation, termination or suspension
             (OFCCP). Otherwise, the contractor can be ineligible for future government
             contracts at a fixed or indefinite period.
             Unresolved questions or matters are referred by the OFCCP to the
             Office of the Solicitor of Labor, which may initiate administrative
             proceedings until a Department of Labor Administrative Law Judges hears and
             issues recommended findings of fact, conclusions and an order. From there,
             t...