Overview
FAR 22.1304 outlines the specific verification steps a contracting officer must take to ensure a prospective contractor has complied with annual veterans' employment reporting requirements (VETS-4212).
Key Rules
- Verification Requirement: The contracting officer is responsible for confirming that a proposed contractor is current with its VETS-4212 Report submissions before proceeding with an award.
- Primary Method: Verification is primarily conducted by querying the Department of Labor’s (DOL) VETS-4212 Database online.
- Secondary Method/Discrepancy Resolution: If a contractor claims to have filed but does not appear in the database, the contracting officer may contact DOL customer support via email to confirm the filing status.
Practical Implications
- Award Readiness: Contractors must ensure their VETS-4212 reports are filed timely, as a "non-current" status in the DOL database can stall or jeopardize a contract award.
- Documentation: Contractors should maintain copies of their filing confirmations to provide to the contracting officer in the event of a database synchronization error.