New FOIA Request Targets Contractor Type 2 EEO-1 Reports
Authors
Bret S. Wacker , J. Chris White
On Oct. 29, the U.S. Labor Department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (“OFCCP”) notified federal contractors of an opportunity to object to two new Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) requests for 2021 Type 2 EEO-1 Reports filed by the University of Utah and a non-profit entity, “As You Sow.” Objections must be filed with OFCCP no later than Dec. 9. Contractors are encouraged to consider filing objections to release of the requested information, which may be confidential commercial information, information protected from disclosure under FOIA exemption 4. Failure to object will mean individual contractor information will be made public.
The new FOIA requests are in addition to the prior FOIA requests of Center for Investigative Reporting that sought Type 2 EEO-1 Reports spanning 2016 to 2020. OFCCP received a significant number of objections to these previous FOIA requests. Litigation related to the release of that data is currently pending before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Previously filed objections to the CIR FOIA will not prevent the release of the 2021 EEO-1 reports. New objections must be filed.
Clark Hill’s Government Contracts and Regulations team is standing by to assist federal contractors in determining how to address these new FOIA requests and to ensure their data is protected.
This publication is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or a solicitation to provide legal services. The information in this publication is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, a lawyer-client relationship. Readers should not act upon this information without seeking professional legal counsel. The views and opinions expressed herein represent those of the individual author only and are not necessarily the views of Clark Hill PLC. Although we attempt to ensure that postings on our website are complete, accurate, and up to date, we assume no responsibility for their completeness, accuracy, or timeliness.