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External Equal Opportunity Contract Compliance

The External Equal Opportunity Contract Compliance Program is responsible for ensuring that contractors and subcontractors working on federally funded construction projects throughout the state do not discriminate in employment and contracting practices based on race, color, religion (in the context of employment), sex, national origin, age or disability. The Equal Opportunity (EO) requirements set forth in the Required Contract Provisions (FHWA-1273) are applicable to all contractors and subcontractors who hold Federal-aid contracts of $10,000 or more.


Image of the cover of EEO Contract Compliance Requirements brochure

Please reference the following presentations for general information regarding External Equal Opportunity and Training Special Provision Requirements:


Equal Opportunity (EO) Requirements:

EO Manual

Cover of the Equal Opportunity Manual

An EO Manual has been developed to assist contractors with ensuring EO compliance. Contractors awarded projects within the state of South Carolina should follow the guidelines of this manual while working on federal-aid construction projects.


Stage-Type Inspection

STIs are a monitoring tool that provides an overview of contractor compliance with EO requirements on federal-aid projects. STIs also provide information used to assist in determining which contractor(s) and/or project(s) will be selected for an "In-Depth Review" and identifying issues that need to be addressed in order to assist the contractor in complying with EEO requirements.

STI Form


In-Depth Reviews (IDRs)

The Office of Civil Rights Programs conduct comprehensive IDRs on contractor compliance with EO requirements while working on highway construction projects. These reviews are conducted in compliance with federal regulations 23 CFR 230 (Subparts A and D).

PR-1391

The PR-1391 captures the gender and race of the construction workforce in the state of South Carolina during the last full payroll period in July of each year for all federal-aid projects with a contract value of $10,000 or more. This information is submitted to the Federal Highway Administration to assist with determining highway funding for the state of South Carolina.


SCDOT Title VII Contractor Complaint Procedure

These procedures have been established for processing Title VII complaints as it relates to the SCDOT External EO Program. It is the responsibility of the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) to investigate equal opportunity complaints filed against a construction contractor awarded a federal-aid contract, while ensuring due process for complainants. The process does not preclude the contractor from investigating complaints brought to its attention, nor does it preclude the complainants from filing a report of discrimination with South Carolina Human Affairs Commission (SCHAC), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), or any other investigative organization or agency. Likewise, this process does not preclude the complainant from attempting to informally resolve the complaint.


On-the-Job Training Requirements

The On-the-Job Training (OJT) Program is a program whose goal is to increase employment, training and advancement opportunities for minorities, females and economically disadvantaged individuals. Based on several criteria, training slots are assigned to some federal-aid construction projects during the preparation of the bid package. Compliance with the OJT requirements is tracked through the use of Initial Training Schedules and Trainee Enrollment Forms (which are submitted directly to the Office of Civil Rights Programs); and Monthly Training Status Reports (MTSR) and Trainee Termination Reports (which are submitted to the Resident Construction Engineer for his/her verification and signature and then forwarded to the Office of Civil Rights Programs). In addition, on-site interviews are conducted with contractors and trainees as part of the monitoring process.

Cover of the OJT Manual

OJT Manual

An OJT manual has been developed to assist contractors with implementing their own OJT program and is also required for fulfillment of the Training Special Provision (TSP) requirements on applicable federal-aid projects.


Spanish Version of all OJT Forms


External Equal Opportunity and On-the-Job Training for Local Public Agencies (LPA)

Contractors working on LPA projects with a contract dollar value of $10,000 or more are required to comply with federal equal opportunity requirements. It is the responsibility of the Local Public Agency to ensure contractor compliance with federal equal opportunity requirements through the utilization of the LPA Stage-Type Inspection form.

Contractors working on LPA projects that include Training Special Provision requirements must utilize the LPA OJT Manual. LPAs are also responsible for utilizing the LPA OJT Manual when monitoring contractor compliance with the Training Special Provision requirements.


Spanish Version of all LPA OJT forms