The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has updated its regulations for veterans effective January 3, 2006. The regulations add two new categories of veterans: Other Protected Veteran and Recently Separated Veteran. In addition to several administrative changes, the regulations also raise the basic coverage threshold from $10,000 to $25,000. (The affirmative action program threshold remains at $50,000.)

Affirmative action programs (AAPs) for veterans can be updated during the "standard 12-month AAP review and updating cycle." This means that contractors do not have to update their AAPs until their current AAPs expire. Although many contractors may already be using these categories as part of VETS-100 reporting requirements, covered federal contractors should ensure that their invitation to self-identify will include both of these new categories.

Note that these regulations do not incorporate changes made as part of the Jobs for Veterans Act that went into effect on December 1, 2003. The OFCCP plans to update the regulations again "at a later date." Information on the new regulations can be found in the Federal Register Vol. 70 No. 230.

An updated invitation to self-identify sample is available to Maly Consulting clients on our website (Download Sample) or by request.

If you have any questions regarding the regulation changes or veterans requirements in general, please give us a call.