type: other

text: b' OFCCP\xe2\x80\x99s METHOD OF\n SELECTING CONSTRUCTION\n CONTRACTORS\n FOR COMPLIANCE REVIEWS\n\n\n\n\nEMPLOYMENT STANDARDS ADMINISTRATION\n\n\n\n\n REPORT NO.: 2E-04-410-0002\n DATE ISSUED: March 6, 2002\n\x0c TABLE OF CONTENTS\n\n\n\n\nACRONYMS AND GLOSSARY\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6..i\n\nEXECUTIVE SUMMARY\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6..iv\n\nBACKGROUND\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa61\n\nPURPOSE, SCOPE, AND METHODOLOGY\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6...3\n\nFINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa65\n\n Finding A: OFCCP Needs to Clarify the Sources from Which\n Construction Contractors Will Be Selected for\n Compliance Reviews\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa65\n\n Finding B: OFCCP Needs to Establish and Apply Neutral\n Selection Criteria\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa612\n\n Finding C: Regional and District Offices Need to Consistently\n Document Their Rationale for Selection Decisions\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6...14\n\nOFCCP RESPONSE AND OIG CONCLUSIONS ........\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6.\xe2\x80\xa6.15\n\n\nAPPENDICES\n\n\n Appendix A Steps for Selection of Construction Contractors\n for Review Based on 1990 Directive\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6.\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6.\xe2\x80\xa618\n\n Appendix B Typical OFCCP Scheduling Process\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6.\xe2\x80\xa6..\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6.\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6.\xe2\x80\xa6.19\n\n Appendix C Agency Response\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6..\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6.\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6\xe2\x80\xa6...\xe2\x80\xa6.20\n\n\n\n\n i\n\x0c ACRONYMS AND GLOSSARY\n\n\n\n\n ACRONYMS\nAAP Affirmative Action Plan\nCIS Construction Information System\nCRA Construction Resource Analysis\nDOL United States Department of Labor\nEEO Equal Employment Opportunity\nESA Employment Standards Administration\nGSA General Services Administration\n\nOASAM Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management\n\nOFCCP Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs\nOIG Office of Inspector General\nOSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration\nVETS Veterans\xe2\x80\x99 Employment and Training Service\nWHD Wage and Hour Division\n\n\n\n GLOSSARY\n\nAffirmative Action Actions, policies, and procedures to which a contractor\n commits that are designed to achieve equal\n employment opportunity. The affirmative action\n obligation entails: (1) thorough, systematic efforts to\n prevent discrimination from occurring or to detect it\n and eliminate it as promptly as possible, and\n (2) recruitment and outreach measures.\n\n\n\n\n ii\n\x0cContracting Agency Any department, agency, establishment or instrumentality\n of the United States (under the Executive Order, limited to\n the executive branch of the Government), including any\n wholly owned Government Corporation, which enters into\n contracts with the federal Government.\n\n\nFederally Assisted Project Any agreement or modification thereof between any\n Construction Contract applicant and a person for\n construction work which is paid for in whole or in part with\n funds obtained from the Government or on credit of the\n Government pursuant to any Federal program involving a\n grant, contract, loan, insurance, or guarantee, or undertaken\n pursuant under which the applicant itself participates in the\n construction work.\n\n\n\n\n iii\n\x0c EXECUTIVE SUMMARY\n\nThe Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) is a component of the U.S.\nDepartment of Labor (DOL), Employment Standards Administration. OFCCP has the\nresponsibility for ensuring that employers doing business with the Federal Government comply\nwith the equal employment opportunity (EEO) and affirmative action provisions of their\ncontracts. Federal contractors, subcontractors, and federally assisted contractors are required to\ntake affirmative action to ensure that all individuals have an equal opportunity for employment,\nwithout regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or status as a Vietnam era\nor special disabled veteran.\n\nOFCCP\xe2\x80\x99s jurisdiction covers approximately 26 million employees, or nearly 22% of the total\ncivilian workforce. OFCCP\xe2\x80\x99s covered Federal contractors include an estimated 100,000\nconstruction contractor establishments.\n\nThe purpose of this evaluation was to assess OFCCP\xe2\x80\x99s methods for selecting construction\ncontractors for compliance reviews. Because of the large size of the contractor universe, and the\nrelatively small size of the OFCCP compliance workforce, it is both prudent and practical for\nOFCCP to have an efficient and effective method for selecting contractors for compliance\nevaluations.\n\n RESULTS OF EVALUATION\n\nWe identified several steps that OFCCP can take to improve their method of selecting\nconstruction contractors by: (a) identifying sources the Regional and District Offices should use\nto secure current federal and federally assisted construction data, (b) developing and publishing\nneutral selection criteria, and (c) documenting the entire selection process.\n\n\nFINDING A - OFCCP Needs to Clarify the Sources from Which Construction Contractors\n Will Be Selected for Compliance Reviews\n\nWe found that the selection process outlined in OFCCP\xe2\x80\x99s 1990 directive -\xe2\x80\x9cConstruction\nContractor Selection System\xe2\x80\x9d- is not being followed. Instead, OFCCP\xe2\x80\x99s Regional and District\nOffices inconsistently use a variety of sources to identify construction contractors for compliance\nreviews; accurate and current database information on federal construction contractors is difficult\nto identify; and no substantive policy guidance on selecting construction contractors for review\nhas been issued since the 1990 directive.\n\n\n\n\n iv\n\x0cFINDING B - OFCCP Needs to Establish and Apply Neutral Selection Criteria\n\nIn addition to identifying the sources to be used for selecting construction contractors, OFCCP\nneeds to develop a uniform application of selection criteria. We found the selection criteria\nprovided in the 1990 directive on the \xe2\x80\x9cConstruction Contractor Selection System\xe2\x80\x9d are not\nuniformly applied.\n\nWhile many District Offices appropriately consider the date of a contractor\xe2\x80\x99s prior review and\nthe dollar value of a contract as their primary selection criteria, many others do not. Further,\nsome District Offices do not schedule companies with less than 15 employees while other offices\nuse a minimum of 25 employees as one of their selection criterion. Finally, while OFCCP can\nschedule a construction contractor for a compliance review if it has a contract of $10,000 or\ngreater, we identified that $25,000 is being used as one criterion for the selection of a contractor\nfor compliance reviews.\n\n\nFINDING C BRegional and District Offices Need to Consistently Document the\n Rationale for Selection Decisions\n\nWe found that most District Offices maintain records on contractors selected for compliance\nreviews, but do not maintain information on those contractors who were considered but not\nselected for a compliance review.\n\nThe Solicitor\xe2\x80\x99s office noted that incomplete historical information addressing the selection\nsystem is a problem often encountered during litigation involving issues related to selection\nsystems.\n\nThe 1990 directive on construction scheduling, states that District and Regional Offices must\ninclude the reasons for each compliance review selection in each case file. The District Offices\xe2\x80\x99\nlack of documentation showing they applied neutral criteria could result in legal challenges from\nthe contractor community. We believe it is important that OFCCP document each step of its\nselection system, and maintain such documentation for review.\n\n\n RECOMMENDATIONS\n\nWe recommend that OFCCP take the following actions to improve the efficiency and\neffectiveness of their method for selecting construction contractors for compliance reviews:\n\n 1. Develop and disseminate guidance to District and Regional offices regarding the use\n of sources for selecting construction contractors for review.\n\n (a) Determine what database(s) can provide OFCCP with the most accurate and\n timely information needed for contractor selection.\n\n\n\n\n v\n\x0c (b) Develop a database system where contractors can report into the agency on\n actual subcontractors being used on the construction contracts.\n\n (c) Inform executive branch department and agencies of their need to comply\n with the affirmative action requirement of 48 CFR Chapter 1, Part 22.804-\n 2(c). OFCCP should develop a reporting mechanism for contracting agencies,\n notify them in writing of the requirement, and where possible, meet with\n representatives of the Federal contracting agencies to stress the need for\n timely reporting. OFCCP should also determine if there is a need to enter into\n a Memorandum of Understanding with agencies in order to obtain the\n required information.\n\n (d) Request that contracting agencies include a notification to prime contractors\n regarding their affirmative action requirement of 41 CFR Chapter 60-4.2(d)3\n when they award a contract, with a copy sent to OFCCP. The requirement\n states that Contractors shall provide written notification to OFCCP within 10\n working days of award of any construction subcontract in excess of $10,000\n at any tier for construction.\n\n (e) Use its official directive system to promulgate the sources for construction\n compliance reviews. This will guarantee easy access to the information for\n operational purposes and ensure a written record of the sources to be used in\n selecting contractors.\n\n2. Determine and specify in writing what neutral criteria will be applied at each step of the\n selection process. If there is Region-specific, or District-specific neutral criteria to be\n applied, it should also be specified in writing and maintained for review should the need\n arise. OFCCP should use its official directive system to clarify the neutral criteria to field\n personnel.\n\n3. Document the rationale for compliance review selection decisions and provide direction\n to field personnel in the directive on the selection procedures. Consider development of\n an electronic system for field personnel to utilize when reporting on contractor\n selection/non-selection.\n\n (a) Create a \xe2\x80\x9cConstruction Contractor Scheduling Documentation Form.\xe2\x80\x9d The\n form should be completed for all scheduled construction reviews and\n included in the case file. This will create an institutional record of the\n decision should questions arise concerning selection and scheduling\n procedures. At a minimum, the form should include: OFCCP identification\n information, contractor identification information, and reason(s) the\n contractor was scheduled for review.\n\n (b) Create a \xe2\x80\x9cConstruction Contractor Non-Scheduling Documentation Form.\xe2\x80\x9d\n This form should be completed for all construction contractors that were\n considered but not scheduled for a compliance review. The form should be\n maintained in duplicate form in: (a) the case file of the selected contractor;\n\n\n vi\n\x0c and (b) a general District Office file either in hard copy or electronic format.\n At a minimum, the form should include: OFCCP identification information,\n contractor identification information, and reason(s) the contractor was not\n scheduled for review.\n\n\n OFCCP RESPONSE AND OIG CONCLUSIONS\n\nOFCCP \xe2\x80\x9cgenerally concurs with OIG\xe2\x80\x99s main recommendations,\xe2\x80\x9d and acknowledges there are\nproblems in each of the findings identified by OIG, \xe2\x80\x9cespecially with respect to OFCCP\xe2\x80\x99s\nselection criteria.\xe2\x80\x9d The agency requested that OIG more fully articulate the practical difficulties\nassociated with OFCCP\xe2\x80\x99s role in ensuring that contracting officers and federal contractors\ncomply with existing reporting mandates, particularly at the State level. We have incorporated\nthis information in the report.\n\nBased on OFCCP\xe2\x80\x99s response, we consider all recommendations resolved. The recommendations\nwill be closed pending OIG\xe2\x80\x99s receipt of appropriate documentation specified in the report.\n\nThe agency\xe2\x80\x99s complete response is found in Appendix C.\n\n\n\n\n vii\n\x0c BACKGROUND\n\n\nThe Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) is component of the U.S.\nDepartment of Labor, Employment Standards Administration. It has a national network of six\nRegional Offices, and 54 District and Area Offices in major metropolitan centers.\n\nOFCCP has the responsibility for ensuring that employers doing business with the Federal\nGovernment comply with the equal employment opportunity (EEO) and affirmative action\nprovisions of their contracts. OFCCP administers and enforces three EEO programs: Executive\nOrder 11246; Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and the affirmative action provisions\nof the Vietnam Era Veterans\xe2\x80\x99 Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974. OFCCP also shares\nenforcement authority for the regulations requiring EEO and affirmative action in apprenticeship\nprograms; Title I of the American with Disabilities Act; the Immigration Reform and Control Act;\nand, the Family and Medical Leave Act. Together, these laws ban discrimination and require\nFederal contractors, subcontractors, and federally assisted contractors to take affirmative action to\nensure that all individuals have an equal opportunity for employment, without regard to race, color,\nreligion, sex, national origin, disability or status as a Vietnam era or special disabled veteran.\n\nOFCCP\xe2\x80\x99s jurisdiction covers approximately 26 million employees or nearly 22% of the\ntotal civilian workforce. OFCCP\xe2\x80\x99s covered Federal contractors include an estimated 100,000\nconstruction contractor establishments.\n\nBased on the large number of federal construction contractors, and the relatively small size of\nOFCCP\xe2\x80\x99s enforcement workforce, (Fiscal Year 2001 data shows 444 Compliance Officers), the\nAgency\xe2\x80\x99s annual program plan projects a relatively small number of construction contractors for\nevaluation within the overall contractor population at any given time (reference Figure 1 below).\nThese figures show that less than 1.4% of construction contractors under OFCCP\xe2\x80\x99s jurisdiction\nundergo compliance evaluations annually.\n\n Evaluations Completed versus Compliance Workforce\n 1999 2000 2001\n Total Evaluations Completed 3,833 4,162 6,979\n Service & Supply 2,588 2,795 5,529\n Construction 1,245 1,367 1,562\n\n Compliance Officers 387 453 444\nFigure 1.\n\nBecause of the large size of the contractor universe, and the relatively small size of the OFCCP\ncompliance workforce, it is both prudent and practical for OFCCP to have an efficient and\neffective method to select contractors for compliance evaluations.\n\n\n\n\n 1\n\x0cCovered Contractors\n\n Each of the laws administered by OFCCP has its own set of nondiscrimination and affirmative\n action obligations and requirements for employers with covered contracts and subcontracts as\n shown below.\n\n Contractors Covered By Laws\n\n Employment Federal Contracts & Federally Assisted\n Laws Subcontracts Construction\n Contracts & Subcontracts\n E.O. 11246 > $10,000 > $10,000\n Section 503 > $ 10,000 --\n 38 U.S.C. 4212 $10,000 or more --\n Figure 2.\n\n Because of the fluid and often-temporary nature of construction work, and the differing lengths\n of duration of the federal contracts associated with construction work, OFCCP has established a\n distinct approach to affirmative action for the construction industry. For example, Executive\n Order 11246 does not require covered construction contractors to develop written Affirmative\n Action Plans. Instead, the construction regulations enumerate the good faith steps these covered\n contractors must take in order to demonstrate affirmative actions taken in order to increase\n minorities and women in the skilled trades.\n\n\n\n\n 2\n\x0c PURPOSE, SCOPE, AND METHODOLOGY\n\nPURPOSE\n\nThe purpose of this evaluation was to assess OFCCP\xe2\x80\x99s methods for selecting construction\ncontractors for compliance reviews. Specifically, we addressed the following questions:\n\n (1) Has OFCCP developed, implemented, and monitored policies and procedures for\n selecting construction contractors for compliance review?\n (2) If there is a selection process, is it uniformly applied throughout the agency?\n (3) What are the methods currently utilized by OFCCP District Offices for\n selecting construction contractors for a compliance review?\n (4) What recommendations, if any, can be made to help OFCCP develop a more systematic\n and neutral approach for selecting contractors for review?\n\nThis evaluation supports DOL\xe2\x80\x99s Strategic Goal 3, Quality Workplaces-Foster workplaces that are\nsafe, healthy, and fair, and ESA\xe2\x80\x99s Strategic Goal 1, Create better workplaces by increasing\nemployer and employee awareness of, commitment to, and involvement in assuring fair wages\nand equal opportunity, minimizing the impact of work related injuries, and safeguarding union\ndemocracy.\n\nSCOPE\n\nThis evaluation focused on OFCCP\xe2\x80\x99s methods for selecting federal construction contractors for\ncompliance reviews for FYs 1999 through 2001. OFCCP conducted a total of 4,174 construction\nreviews during this period.\n\nMETHODOLOGY\n\nOur methodology included qualitative methods and document reviews.\n\n Qualitative Methods\n\n Qualitative methods included numerous interviews/discussions with:\n\n (1) OFCCP\xe2\x80\x99s National Office staff.\n (2) Telephone interviews with OFCCP\xe2\x80\x99s six Regional Directors and\n 16 District/Area Directors.\n\n\n\n\n 3\n\x0c (3) Other DOL agencies: ESA\xe2\x80\x99s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Veterans\xe2\x80\x99\n Employment and Training Services (VETS), and the Occupational Safety and Health\n Administration (OSHA).\n (4) OSHA\xe2\x80\x99s Office of Financial Management in reference to contracts related to data\n collection methods of other agencies.\n (5) The Department\xe2\x80\x99s Information Clearance Office.\n (6) The University of Tennessee-Knoxville\xe2\x80\x99s, Construction Resource Analysis group.\n\nDocument Review\n\nWe reviewed numerous documents related to methods of identifying and selecting contractors\nfor compliance reviews, including:\n\n (1) OFCCP\xe2\x80\x99s Federal Contract Compliance Manual.\n (2) National and Regional Offices documents pertaining to policy, procedures and\n guidelines.\n (3) DOL Federal Register Notices.\n (4) Contracts relating to data collection and construction targeting of contractors.\n (5) Documentation in reference to the composition of the F.W. Dodge Report.\n (6) OFCCP\xe2\x80\x99s website containing information dedicated to EEO and affirmative\n action guidelines.\n (7) Other agencies (internal and external) to OFCCP selection procedures.\n\nWe relied heavily on information obtained through extensive interviews, and did not conduct\nadditional support review of district case files.\n\nWe conducted our review in accordance with the Quality Standards for Inspections, published by\nthe President\xe2\x80\x99s Council on Integrity and Efficiency.\n\n\n\n\n 4\n\x0c FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS\n\nFINDING A\xe2\x80\x94OFCCP Needs to Clarify the Sources from Which Construction Contractors\n Will Be Selected for Compliance Reviews\n\nWe found that the selection process outlined in OFCCP\xe2\x80\x99s 1990 directive\xe2\x80\x94\xe2\x80\x9cConstruction\nContractor Selection System\xe2\x80\x9d\xe2\x80\x94is not being followed. Instead, OFCCP\xe2\x80\x99s Regional and District\nOffices inconsistently use a variety of sources to identify construction contractors for compliance\nreviews; accurate and current database information on federal construction contractors is difficult\nto identify; and no substantive policy guidance on selecting construction contractors for review\nhas been issued since the 1990 directive.\n\nOFCCP should clarify for their Regional and District Offices what sources (e.g., database\ninformation, contract award notices, visual identification, etc.) should be used for securing\ncurrent federal and federally assisted construction data. In conjunction with this identification of\nsources to be used, the agency should also: (a) develop and publish neutral selection criteria, and\n(b) document the entire selection process. These two items are identified in separate findings.\n\nOFCCP Is Not Following Its Own 1990 Directive for Selecting Construction Contractors\nfor Compliance Reviews\n\nOFCCP\xe2\x80\x99s headquarters issued a directive to its Regional Offices in May 1990 regarding a\nselection system for construction contractors. This directive updated and replaced an Order\nissued in 1987 that similarly addressed policies and procedures for conducting construction\nreviews (ADM87-1/SEL, formerly OFCCP Order No. 670a4, March 17, 1987). While it\nreflected changes in terminology and nomenclature since the 1987 Order, the 1990 directive\neffected no substantive changes in policy and procedures. The selection steps outlined in the\n1990 directive are found in Appendix A.\n\nOFCCP uses their directive system to provide guidance to the field on operating procedures and\nto ensure consistent application of policies within the agency. We learned through interviews\nthat District Offices are not following the steps detailed in the 1990 directive for a variety of\nreasons, including: (1) the F. W. Dodge Report (Dodge)1 frequently does not list any federally\nfunded projects in their district, and it has limited workforce information; (2) several District\nOffices use mega-projects2 as a resource for scheduling individual reviews, but these projects are\nnot addressed in the 1990 directive (a January 11, 1995 directive was issued on the subject of\nMega Project Reporting, but it did not provide guidance regarding selection); (3) District\n\n1\n Dodge advertises that it has been the single largest source of advance information on current and pending\nconstruction jobs. Each month the District Offices receive from CRA a list of publicly owned projects currently\nunder construction within their jurisdiction. The list consists of new contracts awarded during the month and active\nprojects carried over from the previous month.\n2\n Mega-projects are defined as federally funded or federally assisted construction projects that meet the following\ncriteria: (a) significant economic impact on community; (b) duration of two years or more; and (c) significant\nemployment opportunities throughout the duration of the project.\n\n\n 5\n\x0cDirectors have difficulty obtaining information on an employers\xe2\x80\x99 use of minorities and women in\ntheir scheduling process because they no longer have access to demographic data from the\nMonthly Employment Utilization Reports (CC-257s)3; and (4) the agency has not thoroughly\nexamined how selecting officials can make selection decisions more consistently.\n\nDistrict Offices Inconsistently Use a Wide Variety of Resources for Identifying Contractors\nfor a Compliance Review\n\nWe learned through interviews, and confirmed through a review of support documentation, that\nDistrict Offices use multiple sources to identify construction contractors for compliance reviews,\nbut they are not used consistently. These sources range from a review of monthly hardcopy\nreports of contractor awards to information received from unions and local community groups.\n(Reference Appendix B for the typical workflow and the variety of sources the districts consider\nin their selection process.)\n\nOFCCP does not have a centralized database that provides construction award and workforce\ndata from one recognized source, nor do they have a complete universe of construction\ncontractors to draw from for compliance reviews. Agency representatives stated, and we agree,\nthat it is difficult to obtain such information from a single source, especially one that includes\ninformation on federally assisted projects. Over time, OFCCP has turned to other readily\navailable sources of information, such as the Dodge Report, from which to select contractors for\nreviews.\n\nFollowing are the most frequently used sources for construction award data utilized by OFCCP.\n\n (a) F. W. Dodge Report\n\n The 1990 directive states that potential candidates for compliance reviews should be\n generated principally from a monthly printout entitled \xe2\x80\x9cActive Projects\xe2\x80\x9d, provided by the\n Construction Resource Analysis (CRA) group at the University of Tennessee. CRA\n obtains its data for the monthly report from Dodge, which is a business unit of the\n McGraw-Hill Construction Information Group. OFCCP\xe2\x80\x99s National Office purchases\n monthly listings from CRA of active construction contract projects within each District\xe2\x80\x99s\n jurisdiction. Many District Offices use the Dodge Reports (hardcopy and/or electronic\n via the Intranet) as a source, but not the sole source for selecting contractors.\n\n We found several limitations with the Dodge Report used by OFCCP, including:\n\n 1. The Dodge Report is essentially comprised of data on prime contractors. If\n subcontractors are included on the Dodge Report, the information may not be\n3\n The CC-257 was used through 1997 to document and report the employment hours of women and minority in the\nconstruction trades. The form was required for construction work performed in geographic areas where a contractor\nheld a Federal or federally assisted construction contract and where minority goals had been established prior to\nOctober 3, 1980. Construction contractors and subcontractors in those areas submitted their CC-257s directly to the\nOFCCP District Office with jurisdiction over the location where payroll records were kept. OFCCP recommended\nthe monthly utilization report be eliminated in 1995 as part of the National Performance, Paperwork Reduction Act.\nWe note that the electronic version of OFCCP\xe2\x80\x99s manual still contains the CC-257 requirement in section 4C02.\n\n\n 6\n\x0c current or complete. The subcontractor information provided from the Dodge\n Report may be on those subcontractors who placed a bid for the contract rather\n the subcontractors who were awarded the contract.\n\n 2. The Dodge Report contains all publicly funded active construction projects, many\n of which do not involve federal funds.\n\n 3. Both the hard copy and the Intranet version of the report have similar data, but the\n Intranet version sometimes has general contractor and owner information\n included on it. When it is not included, Compliance Officers have to obtain\n owner and general contractor data from CRA.\n\n 4. Information on duration of the contracts is sometimes inaccurate because\n construction work is very fluid.\n\n 5. The Intranet version of the document is cumbersome. The document has\n anywhere from 700 to 1300 records listed monthly, sorted alphabetically by\n States. The report requires the District Offices to sort through the report to obtain\n those states in their jurisdiction. This is a time-consuming process.\n\n(b) Award Notices from Contracting Agencies\n\nRegulatory requirement in 48 CFR Chapter 1, Part 22.804-2 (c) states that:\n\n\xe2\x80\x9cContracting officers shall give written notice to OFCCP regional offices within 10\nworking days of award of a construction contract subject to these affirmative action\nrequirements. The notification should include the name, address, and telephone number\nof the contractor; employer identification number; dollar amount of the contract;\nestimated start and completion dates of the contract; the contract number; and\ngeographical area in which the contract is to be performed.\xe2\x80\x9d\n\nWe identified there is no reporting mechanism in place to ensure that contracting agencies\nprovide OFCCP with this information, and many contracting agencies are not complying with\nthe requirement. However, OFCCP representatives stress that while OFCCP has the authority to\npromulgate regulations purporting to govern the actions of contracting officers of other executive\nagencies, such action requires consultation and cooperation between the agencies. OFCCP\nissued a memorandum dated April 29, 1980 pertaining to Notification of Federally-Assisted\nConstruction Contracts and Award Notifications, signed by the Secretary of Labor. It was\naddressed to heads of executive branch departments and agencies and requested their cooperation\nin identifying those \xe2\x80\x9cgrant, contract, loan, insurance or guarantee programs administered by\nyour agency which result or could result in whole or in part in construction contracts or\nsubcontracts, regardless of the states purpose of the program.\xe2\x80\x9d It also requested that procedures\nbe identified for notification of contract information to regional OFCCP offices. We learned\nthrough our interviews that these procedures have not been followed for several years, and\nalternative procedures or reminders have not been sent to executive branch departments and\nagencies.\n\n\n\n 7\n\x0cSeveral OFCCP Officials stated it would be beneficial for OFCCP to enhance communications\nwith Federal contracting agencies in their jurisdiction (e.g., Housing and Urban Development,\nthe Department of Transportation and the Department of Defense, particularly the Army Corps\nof Engineers). They stated that this fostering of relationships would help to facilitate the\nrequired notifications of pre-award information to OFCCP.\n\n(c) Notices of Subcontractor Awards\n\nOFCCP needs to obtain better information on subcontractors. The District Offices derive much\nof their subcontractor data from notices provided by the prime contractors. While many OFCCP\nofficials indicated the subcontractor notices were a good selection source, they also stated the\nprocess of obtaining the information could be improved. Section 41 CFR 60-4.2(d) requires that\n\n\xe2\x80\x9cThe Contractor shall provide written notification to the Director of OFCCP within 10\nworking days of award of any construction subcontract in excess of $10,000 at any tier\nfor construction work under contract resulting from the solicitation. The notification\nshall list the name, address and telephone number of the subcontractor; employer\nidentification number of each subcontractor, estimated dollar amount of the subcontract,\nits estimated starting and completion dates, and geographic area (Standard Metropolitan\nStatistical Area or Economic Area) in which the work is to be performed.\xe2\x80\x9d\n\nAgain, there is no mechanism in place to ensure all prime contractors notify OFCCP\nwhen they award subcontracts.\n\n(d) Mega Construction Projects\n\nMega construction projects are not addressed in the 1990 directive, but many District Offices use\ncontractor information from these projects as a primary source for scheduling individual\ncontractors for review.\n\nFrequently one mega-project results in a number of individual compliance reviews of\ndifferent contractors. OFCCP maintains an inventory of at least 30 active mega-projects.\nIn fiscal year 2001, OFCCP is projected to conduct 120 mega-project evaluations from an\ninventory of at least 30 active mega-projects.\n\n 30\n\n 25 Region I/II -New York & Boston\n 20 Region III -Philadelphia\n Mega-Projects Region IV -Atlanta\n 15\n Reviews Proj Region V -Chicago\n 10 Region VI -Dallas\n 5 Region IX/X -San Francisco/Seattle\n 0\n I/II III IV V VI IX/X\n\n\n\nFigure 3. FY 2001 Mega-Projects, and Reviews Generated from the Projects\n\n\n\n 8\n\x0c We found each OFCCP region has current mega-projects, but not all District Offices\n within a region have mega-projects within their jurisdiction. If OFCCP is going to\n continue to use these mega-project reviews as a source for selecting individual\n contractors for review, they need to develop a uniform method for determining their\n selection.\n\n (e) Other Sources\n\n Several interviewees stated that public notices in local newspapers, union data, and visual\n observation of construction worksites are useful sources for scheduling construction\n reviews. For example, one Compliance Officer read in a local newspaper that a post\n office was being built within the jurisdiction of the District Office. The project involved\n federal funds, but the contracting agency had not provided notification of the contract\n award to OFCCP. We believe that there are several potential issues in attempting to\n schedule reviews through visual observation, including the lack of neutrality and the\n project may be nearing closure.\n\nWhile all of these sources (the Dodge Report, award notices from contracting agencies, notices\nof subcontractor awards, mega-projects, etc.) may provide good information on Federal\nconstruction projects, field personnel lack guidance on how and when these sources should be\nutilized. Our review of documentation and interview results revealed there is no consistency in\nthe agency\xe2\x80\x99s approach to using these sources.\n\nAccurate and Current Database Information on Federal Construction Contractors is\nDifficult to Identify\n\nOFCCP officials stress, and we agree, there are practical difficulties associated with OFCCP\xe2\x80\x99s\nrole in ensuring that contracting officers and federal contractors comply with reporting mandates,\nparticularly at the State level. For example, many contractors covered by OFCCP regulations do\nnot contract directly with contracting agencies, but with municipalities or other local\ngovernmental units that receive federal assistance funneled through State block grants. Often\ntimes the federal agency awarding the grant to the State cannot identify the contractors that\nultimately receive federal funds without identifying a complicated chain of subsequent grants\nfrom the State to the local governmental unit.\n\nOur research did not find a centralized, government-wide database that identified all Federal and\nfederally assisted contractors. However, we discovered two agencies in DOL, the Occupational\nSafety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Veterans\xe2\x80\x99 Employment and Training Service\n(VETS) that have database initiatives to consolidate contractor information into centralized\ndatabases. OSHA\xe2\x80\x99s Construction Information System and Construction Inspection Scheduling\nWebsite and VETS\xe2\x80\x99 Federal Contract Award Information System are discussed below. We\nrecognize that an OFCCP system would not duplicate either of these systems, as each has unique\nneeds. However, there may be aspects of the systems that OFCCP can draw from to develop a\ndatabase system for construction contractors.\n\n\n\n\n 9\n\x0c (a) OSHA\xe2\x80\x99s Construction Information Selection System (CIS) and Construction\n Inspection Scheduling Website\n\n OSHA\xe2\x80\x99s Construction Information Selection System (CIS) was designed to provide\n timely information on active construction projects, including: project location,\n\n contractor and project manager information, and the types and numbers of\n subcontractors involved in the projects.\n\n OSHA\xe2\x80\x99s construction system relies on monthly data provided from F. W. Dodge to\n CRA on construction projects, which are expected to start in the next 60 days.\n Through the use of a sophisticated construction duration model, CRA adds to the\n Dodge data a time period when each project is active and maintains a file\n containing all active construction projects. The system is designed to get inspectors\n on site at neutrally selected projects when they are between 30 percent and 60\n percent complete.\n\n The current OSHA-CRA contract requires that CRA (and Dodge) provide\n numerous services, including but not limited to: a file of the universe of all\n construction projects estimated to be currently active; monthly lists of randomly\n selected construction projects meeting the unique criteria of the Area Offices. To\n achieve this, CRA orders an OSHA Construction Report for each project from\n Dodge (currently over 100 Federal and State Area Offices receive monthly targeting\n lists); statistical reports provided to the National Office on construction activity at\n the National, Regional, and Area Office levels, in aggregate form; an annual report\n addressing fatalities at construction sites for the previous year.\n\n (b) VETS\xe2\x80\x99 Federal Contract Award Information System\n\n VETS has a grant with University of Colorado at Denver (UCD) to support their\n Federal Contract Award Information System (FCAIS). According to VETS,\n FCAIS is an efficient, interactive, user-friendly data information system that\n collects data from the Commerce Business Daily (CBD)4 and the Federal\n Procurement Data System (FPDS). All Federal procurement offices are required to\n announce proposed procurement actions and contract awards in the CBD if they are\n over $25,000 and are likely to result in the award of any subcontracts. The FPDS is\n a central repository for information on all Federal contracts awarded. The FPDS\n contains detailed information on contract actions over $25,000 and summary data\n on procurements of less than $25,000. UCD maintains a database of contracts\n awarded and other employer information from an estimated 60,000 awards\n processed annually. The database contains fields such as award issuing agency,\n\n\n\n\n4\n Effective October 1, 2001, all federal agencies are required to post bid notices valued at $25,000 or more into a\nnew system called FedBizOpps. In 2002, procurements will no longer be required to be published in the CBD.\n\n\n 10\n\x0c contract number, contract dollar amount, contract starting and ending dates,\n contractors\xe2\x80\x99 name and address, and place of performance. VETS has an Internet site\n for this system, which may be used by OFCCP with permission.\n\nRecommendation:\n\nWe recommend that OFCCP:\n\n1. Develop and disseminate guidance to District and Regional offices regarding the use of\n sources for selecting construction contractors for review. OFCCP should:\n\n (a) Determine what database(s) can provide OFCCP with the most accurate and\n timely information needed for contractor selection.\n\n (b) Develop a database system where contractors can report into the agency on\n actual subcontractors being used on construction contracts.\n\n (c) Inform executive branch department and agencies of their need to comply\n with the reporting requirements of 48 CFR Chapter 1, Part 22.804-2(c).\n OFCCP should develop a reporting mechanism for agencies, notify them in\n writing of the requirement, and where possible, meet with representatives of\n the agencies to stress the need for timely reporting. OFCCP should also\n determine if there is a need to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding\n with agencies in order to obtain the required information.\n\n (d) Request that contracting agencies include a notification to prime contractors\n regarding their affirmative action requirement of 41 CFR Chapter 60-\n 4.2(d) when they award a contract, with a copy sent to OFCCP. The\n requirement states that the Contractors shall provide written notification to\n the Director of OFCCP within 10 working days of award of any construction\n subcontract in excess of $10,000 at any tier for construction.\n\n (e) Use its official directive system to promulgate the sources for construction\n compliance reviews. This will guarantee easy access to the information\n for operational purposes and ensure a written record of the sources to be\n used in selecting contractors.\n\n\n\n\n 11\n\x0cFINDING B\xe2\x80\x94OFCCP Needs to Establish and Apply Neutral Selection Criteria\n\nIn addition to identifying the sources to be used for selecting construction contractors, OFCCP\nneeds to develop a uniform application of selection criteria. We found the selection criteria\nprovided in the 1990 directive on the \xe2\x80\x9cConstruction Contractor Selection System\xe2\x80\x9d are not\nuniformly applied.\n\nNeutral Selection Criteria\n\nThe 1990 directive on construction selection procedures states that contractors should be selected\nfor review based on the following criteria, in sequential order: 1) length of time since prior\nreview, 2) size of contracts, 3) size of workforce, and 4) minority and female representation as\ncompared to their availability in the labor market5. The directive also states that those\ncontractors with a history of compliance review violations or a record of individual complaints\nshould also be considered for review.\n\nOFCCP is not Uniformly Applying Neutral Selection Criteria\n\nWhile many District Offices appropriately consider the date of a contractor\xe2\x80\x99s prior review and\nthe dollar value of a contract as their primary selection criteria, many others do not. Further,\nsome District Offices do not schedule companies with less than 15 employees while other offices\nuse a minimum of 25 employees as one of their selection criterion. Finally, while OFCCP can\nschedule a construction contractor for a compliance review if it has a contract of $10,000 or\ngreater, we identified that $25,000 is being used as one criterion for the selection of a contractor\nfor compliance reviews.\n\nRecently, the Solicitor\xe2\x80\x99s office advised OFCCP that in order to successfully defend against a\nlegal challenge made to their selection decision based on an administrative selection system, they\nwould have to show that: 1) the selection the system contained specific neutral criteria, and\n2) the selection system was actually applied neutrally at the time the challenged selection\ndecision was made. The Solicitor also pointed out that although oral testimony of the officials\ninvolved could prove that neutral criteria were used, courts have noted, \xe2\x80\x9cagencies are well\nadvised to make proper records and maintain them.\xe2\x80\x9d\n\nWhatever sources the agency ultimately decides to use for selecting construction contractors\n(i.e., the Dodge Report or a combination of sources), the agency must apply the specific neutral\ncriteria used at every step in developing the list of contractors derived from the source(s).\n\n\n\n\n5\n We note that since the elimination of the CC-257 report, it is more difficult to obtain workforce information prior\nto a compliance review. We also note that the Wage Hour Certified Payroll Report (WH-347) could be used by\nOFCCP to obtain demographic information, if the report is modified to include race/sex information.\n\n\n 12\n\x0cRecommendation:\n\nWe recommend that OFCCP:\n\n2. Determine and specify in writing what neutral criteria will be applied at each step of the\n selection process. If there is Region-specific, or District-specific neutral criteria to be\n applied, it should also be specified in writing and maintained for review should the need\n arise. OFCCP should use its official directive system to clarify the neutral criteria to field\n personnel.\n\n\n\n\n 13\n\x0cFinding C: Regional and District Offices Need to Consistently Document Their Rationale\n for Selection Decisions\n\nWe found that most District Offices maintain records on contractors selected for compliance\nreviews, but do not maintain information on those contractors who were considered but not\nselected for a compliance review.\n\nThe Solicitor\xe2\x80\x99s office noted that incomplete historical information addressing the selection\nsystem is a problem often encountered during litigation involving issues related to selection\nsystems.\n\nThe 1990 directive on construction scheduling states that the District and Regional Offices must\ninclude in each case file information on the reasons for their selection of a contractor for each\ncompliance review. The District Offices\xe2\x80\x99 lack of documentation showing they applied neutral\ncriteria could result in legal challenges from the contractor community. We believe it is\nimportant that OFCCP document each step of its selection system, and maintain such\ndocumentation for review.\n\nIt is essential that OFCCP document every step of its neutral system for selecting construction\ncontractors for compliance reviews, and make and maintain written records of the criteria applied\nin every selection decision.\n\nRecommendation:\n\nWe recommend that OFCCP:\n\n3. Document the rationale for compliance review decisions and provide direction to field\n personnel in the directive on selection procedures. Consider development of an electronic\n system for field personnel to utilize when reporting on contractor selection/non-selection.\n\n (a) Create a \xe2\x80\x9cConstruction Contractor Scheduling Documentation Form.\xe2\x80\x9d The form\n should be completed for all scheduled construction reviews and included in the case\n file. This will create an institutional record of the decision should questions arise\n concerning selection and scheduling procedures. At a minimum, the form should\n include: OFCCP identification information, contractor identification information,\n and reason(s) the contractor was scheduled for review.\n\n (b) Create a \xe2\x80\x9cConstruction Contractor Non-Scheduling Documentation Form.\xe2\x80\x9d This\n form should be completed for all construction contractors that were considered but\n not scheduled for a compliance review. The form should be maintained in duplicate\n form in: (a) the case file of the selected contractor; and (b) a general District Office\n file either in hard copy or electronic format. At a minimum, the form should include:\n OFCCP identification information, contractor identification information, and\n reason(s) the contractor was not scheduled for review.\n\n\n\n 14\n\x0c OFCCP\xe2\x80\x99s Response and OIG Conclusions\n\nThe purpose of our recommendations is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of OFCCP\xe2\x80\x99s\nmethod for selecting construction contractors for compliance reviews.\n\nOFCCP\xe2\x80\x99s Response:\n\nOFCCP \xe2\x80\x9cgenerally concurs with OIG\xe2\x80\x99s main recommendations\xe2\x80\x9d and commits to the following\nactions:\n\n \xe2\x80\x9cOFCCP will continue to evaluate whether there are databases that provide OFCCP\n with more comprehensive information on covered construction contractors than the\n information contained in the Dodge Report.\n\n \xe2\x80\x9cOFCCP will develop a database to allow contractors to submit required information\n about covered subcontractors to OFCCP. OFCCP will notify contractors of this\n database through various media outlets, including OFCCP\xe2\x80\x99s web-site. OFCCP will\n describe this database in the reminder letter to contracting agencies and ask them to\n include such notification to contractors upon the initial award of the contract.\n\n \xe2\x80\x9cOFCCP also will develop a reporting process to provide contracting officers and grant\n applicants several easy methods for submitting required information about covered\n contracts to OFCCP. OFCCP will describe this reporting process in the reminder letter,\n and through various other media outlets, including OFCCP\xe2\x80\x99s web-site.\n\n \xe2\x80\x9cOFCCP will promulgate formal guidance to its field offices on the process for selecting\n contractors for construction reviews, including the criteria for selection and the sources\n of information to be used. OFCCP will consider the use of appropriate forms and other\n reporting mechanisms to document the selection process.\n\nOIG\xe2\x80\x99s Conclusions\n\nWe consider the recommendations resolved. The recommendations will be closed upon receipt\nof the following:\n\n \xe2\x80\xa2 A status report on: (a) OFCCP\xe2\x80\x99s efforts to identify more comprehensive information on\n covered construction contractors; (b) OFCCP\xe2\x80\x99s development of a database to allow\n contractors to submit required information about covered subcontractors to OFCCP; and.\n (c) notification to contractors of this database. Please provide information on these plans\n no later than July 31, 2002.\n\n \xe2\x80\xa2 A copy of: (a) OFCCP\xe2\x80\x99s letter to executive agencies reminding them of reporting\n requirements, and (b) information on the agency\xe2\x80\x99s development of a reporting process for\n contracting officers and grant applicants. Please provide a copy of the letter to executive\n agencies and information on the reporting process no later than May 31, 2002.\n\n\n\n 15\n\x0c\xe2\x80\xa2 A copy of the guidance for field offices on selecting contractors for construction reviews,\n including the criteria for selection, the sources of information to be used, and reporting\n mechanisms. Please provide the information no later than July 31, 2002.\n\n\n\n\n 16\n\x0cAPPENDIX\n\n\n\n\n 17\n\x0c Appendix A\n\n\n Steps For Selection of Construction Contractors For Compliance Reviews\n 1990 Directive\n\nStep 1 Establish a pool of available contractors using Construction Resource Analysis (CRA),\n F.W. Dodge individual reports.\n\nStep 2 Consult the Active Project List before using other contract/contractor sources. The Active\n Projects List contains all public construction projects in the offices\xe2\x80\x99 jurisdiction regardless\n of funding sources. If there are compliance evaluation candidates from other sources, add\n them to the pool already established through the CRA printouts. Call the owner of the\n project identified to determine if Federal funds or guarantees are involved.\n\nStep 3 Determine whether work is being done primarily by the prime contractor or by its\n subcontractors. Using the F.W. Dodge report, contact the prime contractor to obtain\n names, addresses, and size of their major subcontractors. The subcontractors are to be\n considered candidates for compliance review in the same fashion as the prime contractor\n identified from the monthly Active Project List.\n\nStep 4 Verify the existence of a Federal or federally assisted contract or subcontract of the\n requisite dollar amount.\n\nStep 5 Determine date of last review. Do not review construction contractors who have been\n reviewed within the last two calendar years unless:\n a) complaint investigations indicate significant problems which warrant a compliance\n review;\n b) there is a possible violation of a Conciliation Agreement or Letter of Commitment;\n c) State Fair Employment Practices agencies or EEOC investigations reveal\n significant equal employment opportunity problems; or\n d) their work force has significantly increased (or is expected to significantly increase)\n during the 2-year period since the previous review.\n\nStep 6 Consider contractors with the largest onsite construction workforce first. Prime\n contractors employing few workers should be considered a low priority regardless of the\n size of the contract. This data may, where possible, be obtained from the CC-257.\n Otherwise, they can be obtained from the contractor or subcontractor.\n\nStep 7 Consider those contractors who have used fewer minorities or women in proportion to their\n availability in the total workforce before those who have a greater utilization.\n\nStep 8 Give priority to contractors having a history of compliance review violations, individual\n complaints, or a reputation for noncompliance on the community or industry.\n\n\n\n\n 18\n\x0c Appendix B\n\n\n\n Typical OFCCP Scheduling Process\n\n\n\n\n National Office (NO)\n Disseminates FY Program DDs Review Goals Set By RD\n Operational Plan (POP) to Regional RDs Disseminate POP to District and Provide Guidance to\n Directors (RD) Directors (DD) Assistant District Directors\n (ADD)\n\n\n\n\n ADDs, COs, or EOA CO or EOA Determines Call Contractors to Obtain\n Review Varied If Contractors Meet Workforce Structure\n Sources Criteria** Information or Confirmation\n of Contract\n\n\n\n\n Prime Contractors CO or EOA Make\nContracting Agencies\n Notification of Recommendation to DD\n Notices\n Subcontractors and/or ADD on Contractors\nDOT, HUD, DOD, etc. to be Reviewed\n\n\n Hardcopy Dodge\n Mega Projects\nReport From University\n Notifications\n of Tennessee\n DD and/or ADD(s)\n Select Contractors for\n Review\nDodge Report OFCCP\n Intranet Visual Observation\n\n\n Schedule Review With\n Others Companies\n Newspaper i.e. Community Groups,\n Unions etc.\n\n\n\n\n **Criteria\n Jurisdiction\n Dollar Amount of Contract\n Duration of the Contract\n Workforce Size\n Geographic Location\n\n\n\n\n 19\n\x0c Appendix C\n\n\n\n\nAGENCY RESPONSE\n\n\n\n\n 20\n\x0c\x0c\x0c\x0c\x0c'


type: wikipedia

text:
Balmain East ferry wharf (also known as Darling Street ferry wharf) is located on Sydney Harbour serving the Sydney suburb of Balmain East.
 History
 The Balmain East ferry wharf has been operating since the 1840s as Balmain's main wharf. Originally, watermen offered the first services on demand in small rowing skiffs or sailing dinghies. In February 1844 the steamer Waterman commenced the first public ferry service between Balmain and the Australian Gas Light Company wharf at Millers Point. The service was established by Henry Perdriau, the owner of Perdriau Ferries, later Balmain Steam Ferries.
 From the beginning of the 20th century, Sydney's electric tram system down Darling Street to the wharf and connected with the ferries. The tramway operated until 1954. As the road next to the wharf had a grade of 1 in 8, a unique counterweight dummy system was installed under the road surface to help push trams up the hill. An underground counterweight system was connected by cable to a cable tram grip dummy on the track on the surface. A tram descending would push the grip dummy ahead of it (which raised the counterweight). On the return journey, the grip dummy would give the tram a helpful push. The mechanism was preserved at the Sydney Tramway Museum when the tramway was removed.
 On 14 January 2015, the wharf closed for a rebuild with the existing structure demolished and a new one opened on 18 June 2015.
 Services
 Balmain East wharf is served by Sydney Ferries Pyrmont Bay services operating between and via . Services are operated by First Fleet class ferries. Balmain East wharf is also served by weekday and Saturday evening Parramatta River services from Sydney Olympic Park.
 Interchanges
 Transit Systems operate one route to and from Balmain East wharf:
 442: to Queen Victoria Building
 References
 External links
 Balmain East Wharf at Transport for New South Wales (Archived 11 June 2019)
 Balmain East Locality Map Transport for NSW
 Ferry wharves in Sydney
 Balmain East, New South Wales


text:
Der Turnierkragen ist in der Heraldik als Beizeichen bekannt.
 Verwendung
 Er findet sowohl als gemeine Figur als auch als Heroldsbild Verwendung. Er wird auch als Bank, Steg, Rechen oder Brücke bezeichnet. Der Betrachter sollte sich das Bild des Turnierkragens wie eine stilisierte, seitliche Brückenansicht vorstellen. Die „Brückenpfeiler“ werden als Lätze benannt. In der Regel sind es drei, jedoch sind auch vier oder fünf möglich. Der Turnierkragen wird in der Regel im Wappenschild schwebend im Schildhaupt dargestellt. Auch gibt es Wappen mit mehreren Kragen. Die in der Kirchenfahne herabhängenden Hängel sind keine Lätze.
 Die Ausdehnung von Wappenrand zu Wappenrand ist auch gebräuchlich. Die Tinkturen sind abhebend von der Schildfarbe. Die heraldische Farbregel wird dabei aber ignoriert. Die Funktion des Turnierkragens ist in vielen Wappen nicht mehr zwangsläufig Beizeichen. Die Auflage im Wappen als Beizeichen dient zur Kennzeichnung für den Sohn und als Unterscheidung sonst gleicher Wappen vom Vater.
 In Frankreich war und in England ist dieses Zeichen verbreitet. So wird der Turnierkragen in der englischen Heraldik mit Rosen, Lilien, Herzen und auch Wappentieren oder anderen gemeinen Figuren belegt. Es kommt in Wappen häufig zur Anwendung, um die Nachfolger eines Amtes von dem des Amtsinhabers abzugrenzen. So führt etwa der Prince of Wales als Thronfolger den abgewandelten britischen Royal Standard mit einem Turnierkragen (und zusätzlichem Wappenschild).
 Liste Wappen mit Turnierkragen
 Orte
 Bad Honnef, Bedburg, Bell (bei Mendig), Dillingen/Saar, Elbe (Niedersachsen), Esch (bei Gerolstein), Fensdorf, Gerolstein, Grasdorf (Holle), Grimburg, Hellenthal, Kölbingen, Landkreis Vulkaneifel, Lebach, Mechernich, Merchweiler, Messerich, Oberlinxweiler, Oberreifenberg, Prambachkirchen, Ritzerau, Rommerskirchen, Senden (Westfalen), Sillium, Spabrücken, Stolberg (Rheinland), Wipperfürth, Zweibrücken
 Familien
 von Westphalen
 von Schaesberg
 von Laar
 von der Lippe
 Beispiele
 Weblinks
 Einführung in die Heraldik: Der Turnierkragen
 Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon: Beizeichen
 Wappenfigur
 Heroldsbild


type: contracts

jurisdiction: EU

text:
 Avviż Legali Importanti
 |
 22001D0086
 Official Journal L 238 , 06/09/2001 P. 0039 - 0040
 Deċiżjoni tal-Kumitat Konġunt taż-ŻEENru 86/2001tad-19 ta' Ġunju 2001li temenda l-Anness XXI (Statistika) għall-Ftehim taż-ŻEEIL-KUMITAT KONĠUNT TAŻ-ŻEE,Wara li kkunsidra l-Ftehim dwar iż-Żona Ekonomika Ewropea, kif emendat bil-Protokoll li jaġġusta l-Ftehim għaż-Żona Ekonomika Ewropea, minn hawn iżjed 'il quddiem issir referenza għalih bħala "l-Ftehim", u b'mod partikolari l-Artikolu 98 tiegħu,Billi:(1) L-Anness XXI għall-Ftehim ġie emendat bid-Deċiżjoni tal-Kumitat Konġunt taż-ŻEE Nru 57/2001 tat-18 ta' Mejju 2001 [1].(2) Id-Deċiżjoni tal-Kunsill taż-ŻEE Nru 1/95 ta' l-10 ta' Marzu 1995 dwar id-daħla fis-seħħ tal-Ftehim dwar iż-Żona Ekonomika Ewropea għall-Prinċipalità tal-Liechtenstein [2] tipprovdi illi l-Liechtenstein għandu jittrżmetti data fil-qasam ta' statistika ta' kummerċ ma' pajjiżi barranin, kif meħtieġ mid-dispożizzjonijiet relevanti għall-Ftehim mill-1 ta' Jannar 1999.(3) Reviżjoni ta' dan l-obbligu kellha ssir mill-Kumitat Konġunt taż-ŻEE fl-aħħar tal-perjodu ta' transizzjoni, billi tieħu kont tas-sitwazzjoni speċifika tal-Liechtenstein.(4) B'riżultat tar-reviżjoni msemmija qabel, il-Liechtenstein għandu jiġi eżentat mill-ġabra ta' ċerti statistiċi dwar il-kummerċ ma' pajjiżi barranin,IDDEĊIEDA KIF ĠEJ:Artikolu 1L-Anness XXI għall-Ftehim għandu jiġi emendat kif ġej:1. L-ewwel paragrafu wara l-intestatura "Statistika ta' Kummerċ Barrani" għandu jitħassar.2. Li ġej għandu jiġi miżjud fil-punt 8 (Regolament tal-Kunsill (KEE) Nru 1172/95) wara t-test ta' addattament:"(e) Il-Liechtenstein għandu jiġbor id-data meħtieġa minn dan ir-Regolament sa mill-1 ta' Jannar 2000.(f) Il-Liechtenstein għandu jkun eżentat mill-ġbir ta' data fuq kummerċ bejn l-Isvizzera u l-Liechtenstein.(g) Il-Liechtenstein għandu jiġbor biss data dwar importazzjonijiet u esportazzjonijiet diretti.(h) Il-Liechtenstein għandu jkun eżentat mill-ġbir ta' data fuq kummerċ bil-muniti u lingotti tad-deheb u l-fidda.(i) Il-kliem "inkluż il-kurrent elettriku" fl-Artikolu 2(b) ma għandhomx japplikaw għall-Liechtenstein.(j) Il-Liechtenstein għandu jipprovdi biss informazzjoni fuq livell ta' sitt ċifri taħt l-Artikolu 8(2).(k) Fir-rigward tal-Liechtenstein, in-nazzjonalità tal-mezzi ta' trasport li jaqbżu l-fruntjieri fl-Artikolu 10(1)(i) tapplika biss għal trasport bit-triq.(l) Il-Liechtenstein huwa eżenti milli jitrażmetti id-data meħtieġa mill-Artikolu 10(1)(j).(m) Fir-rigward tal-Liechtenstein, riżultati statistiċi koperti mill-Artikolu 13(1) li jagħmlu possibbli illi jiġu identifikati b'mod indirett esportaturi u importaturi ma għandhomx jiġu mifruxa u għandha tiġi mifruxa biss informazzjoni ta' livell ta' żewġ ċifri tas-Sistema Armonizzata."3. Li ġej għandu jiġi miżjud wara t-test ta' addattament fil-punt 10 (Regolament tal-Kummissjoni (KE) Nru 840/96):"(f) Il-Kodiċi Nru 7 fl-Artikoli 6(4)(a) u 6(4)(b) ma għandhomx japplikaw għal-Liechtenstein;(g) "Propulsjoni proprja" bħala mezz ta' trasport taħt l-Artikolu 10(3) ma huwiex użat għal-Liechtenstein."Artikolu 2Din id-Deċiżjoni għandha tidħol fis-seħħ nhar l-20 ta' Ġunju 2001, sakemm ikunu saru n-notifiki kollha taħt l-Artikolu 103(1) tal-Ftehim lill-Kumitat Konġunt taż-ŻEE [3].Artikolu 3Din id-Deċiżjoni għandha tiġi ppubblikata fit-Taqsima taż-ŻEE ta', u fis-Suppliment taż-ŻEE għall-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Komunitajiet Ewropej.Magħmula fi Brussel, fid-19 ta' Ġunju 2001.Għall-Kumitat Konġunt taż-ŻEEIl-PresidentP. Westerlund[1] ĠU L 165, tat-21.6.2001, p. 63.[2] ĠU L 86, ta' l-20.4.1995, p. 58.[3] Ebda ħtiġiet kostituzzjonali indikati.--------------------------------------------------


text:
Izraelio ginkluotosios pajėgos ( – Cva Hagana leJisrael, sutr. צה"ל – Cahal) – Izraelio ginkluotosios pajėgos ir pagrindinis jo saugumo organas.
 Pagal 2014 metų vertinimą (Global Firepower) Izraelio ginkluotosios pajėgos yra 11 vietoje pasaulyje pagal pajėgumą. Jas sudaro sausumos, jūrų ir oro pajėgos. Armijoje kiekvienas turi tarnauti 3 metus, į ją šaukiamos ir moterys (bet jos nesiunčiamos į pavojingus regionus). Karinėms reikmėms skiriama 9,5 % nuo BVP.
 Sudėtis
 Izraelio armiją sudaro:
 Sausumos pajėgos: 120,000 karių, 3750 karo tankų (Centurion, M-60A1/3, Magach 7, Merkava). 1988 metais jas sudarė 16 000 profesionalių karių. Nuo 1979 metų serijiniu būdu gaminamas netipinės konstrukcinės sudėties tankas Merkawa Mk 1. Nuo 2001 metų gaminamas ketvirtas šio tanko modelis Merkawa Mk 4.
 Jūrų laivynas: 6500 karių, 48 laivai ir 3 povandeniniai laivai.
 Oro pajėgos: 35,000 karių, 704 karo lėktuvai (iš jų 50 F-4E/2000, 86 F-15 ir 232 F-16). Naudojamos ir naudotos antskrydžiams prieš okupuotas teritorijas ir aplinkinkines valstybes.
 Branduolinis arsenalas: apie 500 kovinių galvučių, Jericho 1 ir Jericho 2 , Jericho - 3 modeliai, vidutinio nuotolio raketos MGM-52 Lance gali smogti taikiniams regione.
 Taip pat yra rezervinės pajėgos iš 445 000 žmonių.
 Ginkluotosios pajėgos pagal valstybes
 Izraelis


text:
 Avis juridique important
 |
 21996A0607(01)
 Samenwerkingsovereenkomst tussen de Europese Gemeenschap en de Socialistische Republiek Viëtnam - Verklaringen van de Europese Gemeenschap - Gemeenschappelijke verklaring van de Europese Gemeenschap en de Regering van Viëtnam - Verklaring van de Socialistische Republiek Viëtnam
 Publicatieblad Nr. L 136 van 07/06/1996 blz. 0029 - 0036
 SAMENWERKINGSOVEREENKOMST tussen de Europese Gemeenschap en de Socialistische Republiek ViëtnamDE RAAD VAN DE EUROPESE UNIE,enerzijds,DE REGERING VAN VIËTNAM,anderzijds,VERHEUGD OVER de uitbreiding van de handel en de samenwerking sinds de normalisering, in november 1990, van de betrekkingen tussen de Europese Gemeenschap enerzijds, hierna genoemd "de Gemeenschap", en de Socialistische Republiek Viëtnam anderzijds, hierna genoemd "Viëtnam";ERKENNENDE dat het van belang is de banden en betrekkingen tussen de Gemeenschap en Viëtnam verder te versterken;OPNIEUW BEVESTIGEND dat de Gemeenschap en Viëtnam groot belang hechten aan de naleving van mensenrechten en democratische beginselen en aan de beginselen van het Handvest van de Verenigde Naties, evenals aan de eerbiediging van nationale onafhankelijkheid en soevereiniteit;ERKENNENDE dat Viëtnam maatregelen heeft getroffen om zijn betrekkingen met alle, zowel regionale als internationale, partners te normaliseren en wijzende op de samenwerkingsmaatregelen die het proces van regionale samenwerking zouden kunnen ondersteunen;ERKENNENDE dat alle Staten krachtens internationaal overeengekomen beginselen en praktijken er verantwoordelijk voor zijn om al hun burgers die hun land om de een of andere reden hebben verlaten, opnieuw toe te laten;GELET op de door de Textielovereenkomst tussen de Gemeenschap en Viëtnam van december 1992 geboden, belangrijke nieuwe handelsmogelijkheden;GELEID door het gemeenschappelijk verlangen om de betrekkingen tussen de partijen te consolideren, te verdiepen en te diversifiëren op gebieden van wederzijds belang, op basis van gelijkheid, non-discriminatie, wederzijds voordeel en wederkerigheid;ERKENNENDE dat het huidige economische hervormingsproces in Viëtnam gunstige gevolgen heeft voor de veiligstelling van de overgang op een markteconomie en dat dit land de verbintenis is aangegaan om dat proces voort te zetten;IN HET STREVEN gunstige voorwaarden te scheppen voor een krachtige ontwikkeling en diversificatie van de handelsbetrekkingen tussen de Gemeenschap en Viëtnam;GELET op de noodzaak om de beginselen en methoden ter bevordering van vrije, onbelemmerde, bilaterale handel op een stabiele, transparente en niet-discriminerende wijze hoog te houden, daarbij rekening houdend met de verschillende economische omstandigheden waarin elk der partijen verkeert;GELET op de noodzaak om gunstige voorwaarden voor rechtstreekse investeringen te scheppen;GELET op de noodzaak om Viëtnams streven naar duurzame economische ontwikkeling te steunen en om de levensstandaard van de armere lagen van de bevolking te verbeteren;OVERWEGENDE dat de Gemeenschap en Viëtnam belang hechten aan milieubescherming in het algemeen en in plaatselijk verband, en aan het duurzame gebruik van natuurlijke hulpbronnen, en erkennende dat er een verband bestaat tussen milieu en ontwikkeling;HEBBEN BESLOTEN deze Overeenkomst te sluiten en hebben te dien einde als hun gevolmachtigden aangewezen:DE RAAD VAN DE EUROPESE UNIE,Javier SOLANA MADARIAGAMinister van Buitenlandse Zaken van het Koninkrijk Spanje,Fungerend Voorzitter van de Raad van de Europese Unie,Manuel MARÍNVice-Voorzitter van de Commissie van de Europese Gemeenschappen,DE REGERING VAN VIËTNAM,NGUYEN MANH CAMMinister van Buitenlandse Zaken van de Socialistische Republiek Viëtnam,DIE, na overlegging van hun in goede en behoorlijke vorm bevonden volmachten,OVEREENSTEMMING HEBBEN BEREIKT OMTRENT DE VOLGENDE BEPALINGEN:Artikel 1 Grondslag De eerbiediging van mensenrechten en democratische beginselen is de grondslag voor de samenwerking tussen de partijen en voor de bepalingen van deze Overeenkomst, en vormt een essentieel bestanddeel van de Overeenkomst.Artikel 2 Doelstellingen De belangrijkste doelstellingen van deze Overeenkomst zijn:1. gunstige voorwaarden te garanderen en de uitbreiding en ontwikkeling van wederzijdse handel en investeringen tussen de beide partijen in hun wederzijds belang te bevorderen, daarbij rekening houdend met hun respectieve economische positie;2. de duurzame economische ontwikkeling van Viëtnam te steunen, alsmede de verbetering van de levensomstandigheden van de armere lagen van de bevolking;3. de economische samenwerking in het wederzijds belang te verbeteren, onder meer door de inspanningen die de Regering van Viëtnam zich momenteel getroost om haar economie te herstructureren en om op een marktsysteem over te gaan, te steunen;4. steun te verlenen voor milieubescherming en duurzaam beheer van natuurlijke hulpbronnen.Artikel 3 Meestbegunstigingsbehandeling De Gemeenschap en Viëtnam zullen elkaar in hun handelsbetrekkingen de status van meestbegunstigde Natie verlenen overeenkomstig de bepalingen van de Algemene Overeenkomst inzake Tarieven en Handel (GATT).De bepalingen van dit artikel zijn niet van toepassing op door één van beide partijen toegekende preferenties krachtens een regeling waarbij een douane-unie, een vrijhandelsgebied of een gebied met voorkeursbehandeling wordt ingesteld.Artikel 4 Handel en commerciële samenwerking 1. Partijen verbinden zich ertoe hun handelsverkeer te ontwikkelen en te diversifiëren en de toegang tot hun markten zo ver te verbeteren als mogelijk is in verband met hun respectieve economische situatie.2. Binnen het huidige kader van hun respectieve wetten en voorschriften zetten partijen zich in voor een beleid dat gericht is op verbetering van de toegang van hun produkten tot elkaars markten. Met het oog daarop zullen zij elkander de gunstigste in- en uitvoervoorwaarden toekennen en komen zij overeen middelen en methoden te bestuderen om belemmeringen voor hun onderlinge handelsverkeer uit de weg te ruimen, met name niet-tarifaire belemmeringen, daarbij rekening houdende met hun verschillende stelsels en het werk dat op dit punt reeds door internationale organisaties is verzet.3. De bepalingen van de leden 1 en 2 zijn niet beperkend voor het recht van elk der beide partijen om maatregelen toe te passen die noodzakelijk zijn voor de bescherming van haar vitale veiligheidsbelangen of voor de bescherming van de volksgezondheid of de goede zeden, en voor het leven of de gezondheid van planten of dieren. In verband met dit laatste mogen dergelijke maatregelen geen middel zijn voor willekeurige of niet te rechtvaardigen discriminatie of voor een verkapte handelsbeperking.4. Partijen spreken af de uitwisseling van informatie over tot wederzijds voordeel strekkende marktkansen te bevorderen en in een constructieve geest overleg te plegen over de volgende punten: tarieven, niet-tarifaire belemmeringen, diensten, gezondheidszorg, veiligheids- of milieumaatregelen en technische voorschriften. Op deze gebieden dienen opleidingsprogramma's te worden uitgevoerd, als een onderdeel van de economische samenwerking tussen de beide partijen.5. Partijen komen overeen de samenwerking in douanezaken tussen de respectieve instanties te verbeteren, in het bijzonder voor wat betreft, beroepsopleiding, vereenvoudiging en harmonisering van de douaneprocedures en het voorkomen, onderzoeken en bestrijden van overtredingen van de douanevoorschriften.6. Partijen komen overeen onderling overleg te plegen over eventuele geschillen in verband met handel of met handel samenhangende vraagstukken.Artikel 5 Investeringen Partijen zullen een stijging in tot wederzijds voordeel strekkende investeringen aanmoedigen door het tot stand brengen van een gunstig klimaat voor particuliere investeringen, zoals betere voorwaarden voor de overdracht van kapitaal en uitwisseling van informatie over investeringskansen. In het bijzonder zullen de partijen, in voorkomend geval, overeenkomsten voor de bevordering en bescherming van investeringen tussen de Lid-Staten van de Europese Unie en Viëtnam op basis van de beginselen van non-discriminatie en wederkerigheid ondersteunen.Artikel 6 Intellectuelle eigendomsrechten1. Partijen zullen, voor zover hun bevoegdheden, wettelijke voorschriften en de beleidslijnen dat toelaten:a) ernaar streven de voorwaarden voor passende en doeltreffende bescherming en versterking van intellectuele, industriële en commerciële eigendomsrechten te verbeteren, overeenkomstig de hoogste internationale normen;b) samenwerken voor de verwezenlijking van deze doelstellingen.2. Partijen komen overeen discriminerende behandeling in verband met intellectuele eigendomsrechten te vermijden en zonodig overleg te plegen, indien zich problemen voordoen die de handelsbetrekkingen aantasten.Artikel 7 Economische samenwerking 1. Partijen verbinden zich ertoe, in hun gemeenschappelijk belang en overeenkomstig hun respectieve beleid en doelstellingen, economische samenwerking op zo groot mogelijke schaal te bevorderen, teneinde tot de ontplooiing van hun respectieve economieën bij te dragen en aan hun ontwikkelingsbehoeften te voldoen.2. Partijen komen overeen dat de economische samenwerking drie brede werkterreinen zal bestrijken:a) verbetering van het economische klimaat in Viëtnam door betere toegang tot kennis en technologie uit de Gemeenschap;b) vergemakkelijking van contacten tussen ondernemers en andere maatregelen voor het bevorderen van handelstransacties en rechtstreekse investeringen;c) versterking van het wederzijdse inzicht in de economische, sociale en culturele achtergrond van beide partijen als basis voor doeltreffende samenwerking.3. Op de bovenvermelde algemene werkterreinen wordt in het bijzonder het volgende beoogd:a) Viëtnam te helpen bij zijn voortdurend streven om de overgang naar een markteconomie te doen slagen en aldus het economische en commerciële klimaat te verbeteren;b) samenwerking tussen hun respectieve takken van economie te bevorderen, in het bijzonder tussen hun particuliere sectoren.4. Binnen de grenzen van hun financiële middelen en van hun respectieve procedures zullen de partijen tezamen en tot hun wederzijds voordeel, de gebieden en prioriteiten vaststellen voor economische samenwerkingsprogramma's en -activiteiten.Artikel 8 Wetenschap en technologie Overeenkomstig hun wederzijdse belangen en de doelstellingen van hun strategie op dit gebied zullen de partijen zich toeleggen op wetenschappelijke en technologische samenwerking, ook op praktische gebieden als normen en kwaliteitscontrole, teneinde:a) de overdracht van kennis, vaardigheid en technologie te bevorderen en informatie en deskundigheid te verspreiden;b) mogelijkheden te scheppen voor toekomstige industriële en commerciële samenwerking.Artikel 9 Ontwikkelingssamenwerking 1. De Gemeenschap erkent Viëtnams behoefte aan ontwikkelingshulp en is bereid haar samenwerking te versterken door dergelijke bijstand te verlenen via specifieke projecten en programma's overeenkomstig de in Verordening (EEG) nr. 443/92 van de Raad gestelde prioriteiten, teneinde tot Viëtnams eigen inspanningen en strategieën voor het bereiken van duurzame economische ontwikkeling en sociale vooruitgang voor zijn bevolking bij te dragen.2. De projecten en programma's worden gericht op de armste bevolkingsgroepen en dus ook op de gebieden waar de naar dit land teruggekeerde burgers worden opgevangen en verder op de ontwikkeling van de sociale en economische infrastructuur. Bijzondere aandacht zal worden besteed aan een goed uitgebalanceerde ontwikkeling van de landbouw, waarbij de doelgroepen zullen worden betrokken. De samenwerking op dit gebied omvat ook de bevordering van werkgelegenheid in plattelandssteden en van de rol van de vrouw in het ontwikkelingsproces, met de nodige nadruk op de opleiding van vrouwen en gezinswelzijn.3. Er zal bijzondere aandacht worden geschonken aan acties ter bevordering van de regionale economische integratie in Viëtnam.4. Bij de ontwikkelingssamenwerking zal men zich concentreren op gezamenlijk vastgestelde prioriteiten en naar efficiency en duurzaamheid van de programma's streven.Artikel 10 Regionale samenwerking 1. De samenwerking tussen de partijen op dit gebied bestrijkt, in onderling overleg, ook acties in het kader van de samenwerking met andere landen in de regio Zuid-Oost Azië, en doet geen afbreuk aan het recht van elk van beide partijen om met andere partners in die regio samen te werken.2. Er zal bijzondere aandacht worden geschonken aan:a) bevordering van interregionale handel,b) steun voor regionale projecten en initiatieven,c) studies ter bevordering van regionale verbindingen en communicaties.Artikel 11 Samenwerking op milieugebied 1. De partijen erkennen dat er ten volle rekening moet worden gehouden met milieubescherming en dat deze laatste onlosmakelijk verbonden is met economische en ontwikkelingssamenwerking. Bovendien onderstrepen zij het belang van de milieuproblematiek en duurzame ontwikkeling en verkondigen zij hun wil om tot samenwerking te komen ter bescherming en verbetering van het milieu, met bijzondere nadruk op zaken als water-, bodem- en luchtvervuiling, erosie, ontbossing en een duurzaam beheer van natuurlijke hulpbronnen, daarbij rekening houdende met door internationale instanties verrichte werkzaamheden.2. Bijzondere aandacht zal worden besteed aan:a) bescherming en behoud van natuurlijke bossen en het duurzame beheer daarvan,b) het belang van het verband tussen energie en milieu,c) praktische oplossingen voor energieproblemen op het platteland,d) bescherming van het stadsmilieu,e) voorkoming van industriële vervuiling,f) bescherming van het mariene milieu en de ecosystemen daarvan,g) vergroting van de beheerscapaciteit van de centrale en plaatselijke milieubeschermingsinstanties.Artikel 12 Voorlichting en communicatie Partijen zullen samenwerken op de gebieden voorlichting en communicatie, om meer wederzijds begrip te kweken en de culturele banden tussen beide regio's te versterken.Artikel 13 Drugsbestrijding 1. Partijen bevestigen dat zij vastbesloten zijn om, overeenkomstig hun respectieve bevoegdheden, de doeltreffendheid van de beleidsvormen en maatregelen ter voorkoming van de produktie en de distributie van alle soorten drugs, verdovende middelen en psychotrope stoffen, te versterken, evenals drugsmisbruik te voorkomen en te verminderen, daarbij rekening houdende met de door internationale instanties ter zake verrichte werkzaamheden.2. De samenwerking tussen partijen zal het volgende omvatten:a) opleiding, onderwijs, bevordering van de gezondheidszorg en de reclassering van drugsverslaafden, waaronder ook steun aan projecten voor de wederopneming van drugsverslaafden in het arbeidsproces en de samenleving;b) maatregelen ter bevordering van alternatieve economische mogelijkheden;c) technische, financiële en administratieve bijstand bij de uitoefening van toezicht op de handel in precursoren; preventie, behandeling en vermindering van drugsmisbruik;d) technische bijstand bij en opleiding in de voorkoming van het witwassen van geld;e) uitwisseling van desbetreffende informatie.Artikel 14 Gemengde Commissie 1. Partijen komen overeen een Gemengde Commissie op te richten, met de volgende taken:a) zorgen voor de goede werking en uitvoering van de Overeenkomst en de dialoog tussen de beide partijen;b) passende aanbevelingen doen voor het bereiken van de doelstellingen van de Overeenkomst;c) prioriteiten vaststellen met betrekking tot de acties die mogelijk zijn om de doelstellingen van de Overeenkomst te bereiken.2. De Gemengde Commissie wordt samengesteld uit vertegenwoordigers van beide partijen, op het niveau van hooggeplaatste ambtenaren. De Gemengde Commissie komt in de regel eenmaal per jaar bijeen, afwisselend in Brussel en in Hanoi, op een door beide partijen in onderling overleg vastgestelde datum. Buitengewone vergaderingen mogen in onderling overleg door de partijen worden bijeengeroepen.3. De Gemengde Commissie mag gespecialiseerde subgroepen oprichten om haar in de uitvoering van haar taken bij te staan en de opstelling en uitvoering van projecten en programma's in het kader van deze Overeenkomst te coördineren.4. De agenda van de vergaderingen van de Gemengde Commissie wordt door partijen in onderling overleg vastgesteld.5. Partijen komen overeen dat de Gemengde Commissie tot taak heeft de goede werking te verzekeren van alle sectorovereenkomsten die zijn of kunnen worden gesloten tussen de Gemeenschap en Viëtnam.6. De organisatiestructuren en operationele voorschriften van de Gemengde Commissie worden door beide partijen vastgesteld en overeengekomen.Artikel 15 Aanpassingsclausule 1. De partijen mogen deze Overeenkomst met wederzijdse instemming uitbreiden, teneinde het peil van de samenwerking te verhogen en aan te vullen door middel van overeenkomsten over specifieke sectoren of activiteiten.2. Binnen het kader van deze Overeenkomst mag elk van de partijen voorstellen doen om de reikwijdte van de samenwerking te verruimen in het licht van de bij de toepassing van de Overeenkomst opgedane ervaring.Artikel 16 Andere overeenkomsten Onverminderd de desbetreffende bepalingen van de Verdragen tot oprichting van de Europese Gemeenschappen, doen noch deze Overeenkomst noch alle in het kader daarvan te nemen maatregelen op enigerlei wijze afbreuk aan de bevoegdheid van de Lid-Staten van de Europese Unie om bilaterale banden met Viëtnam aan te knopen in het kader van economische samenwerking of, indien wenselijk, nieuwe economische samenwerkingsovereenkomsten met Viëtnam te sluiten.Artikel 17 Faciliteiten Om de samenwerking in het kader van deze Overeenkomst te vergemakkelijken, zal de overheid van Viëtnam aan ambtenaren en deskundigen van de Europese Gemeenschap de garanties en faciliteiten verlenen die vereist zijn voor de uitvoering van hun taken. De gedetailleerde bepalingen zullen worden vastgesteld door middel van een afzonderlijke briefwisseling.Artikel 18 Territoriale toepassing Deze Overeenkomst is van toepassing, enerzijds, op de gebieden waar het Verdrag tot oprichting van de Europese Gemeenschappen van kracht is en onder de voorwaarden die in dat Verdrag zijn neergelegd en, anderzijds, op het grondgebied van Viëtnam.Artikel 19 Bijlagen De bijlagen bij deze Overeenkomst vormen een integrerend deel daarvan.Artikel 20 Inwerkingtreding en verlenging 1. Deze Overeenkomst treedt in werking op de eerste dag van de maand volgende op de datum waarop de partijen elkaar in kennis hebben gesteld van de voltooiing van de daartoe vereiste procedures.2. Deze Overeenkomst wordt gesloten voor een periode van vijf jaar. Zij wordt van jaar tot jaar automatisch verlengd, tenzij één van de partijen haar zes maanden vóór het verstrijken opzegt.Artikel 21 Authentieke teksten Deze Overeenkomst is opgesteld in twee exemplaren, in de Deense, de Duitse, de Engelse, de Finse, de Franse, de Griekse, de Italiaanse, de Nederlandse, de Portugese, de Zweedse, de Spaanse en de Viëtnamese taal, zijnde alle teksten gelijkelijk authentiek.En fe de lo cual, los abajo firmantes suscriben el presente Acuerdo.Til bekræftelse heraf har undertegnede underskrevet denne aftale.Zu Urkund dessen haben die Unterzeichneten dieses Abkommen unterschrieben.Óå ðßóôùóç ôùí áíùôÝñù, ïé õðïãñÜöïíôåò Ýèåóáí ôçí õðïãñáöÞ ôïõò êÜôù áðü ôçí ðáñïýóá óõìöùíßá.In witness whereof the undersigned have signed this Agreement.En foi de quoi, les soussignés ont apposé leur signature au bas du présent accord.In fede di che, i sottoscritti hanno firmato il presente accordo.Ten blijke waarvan de ondergetekenden hun handtekening onder deze Overeenkomst hebben gesteld.Em fé do que, os abaixo assinados apuseram as suas assinaturas no final do presente acordo.Tämän vakuudeksi alla mainitut täysivaltaiset edustajat ovat allekirjoittaneet tämän sopimuksen.Som bekräftelse på detta har undertecknade befullmäktigade ombud undertecknat detta avtalet.>REFERENTIE NAAR EEN FILM>Hecho en Bruselas, el diecisiete de julio de mil novecientos noventa y cinco.Udfærdiget i Bruxelles, den syttende juli nitten hundrede og femoghalvfems.Geschehen zu Brüssel am siebzehnten Juli neunzehnhundertfünfundneunzig. ̧ãéíå óôéò ÂñõîÝëëåò, óôéò äÝêá åöôÜ Éïõëßïõ ÷ßëéá åííéáêüóéá åíåíÞíôá ðÝíôå.Done at Brussels on the seventeenth day of July in the year one thousand nine hundred and ninety-five.Fait à Bruxelles, le dix-sept juillet mil neuf cent quatre-vingt-quinze.Fatto a Bruxelles, addì diciassette luglio millenovecentonovantacinque.Gedaan te Brussel, de zeventiende juli negentienhonderd vijfennegentig.Feito em Bruxelas, em dezassete de Julho de mil novecentos e noventa e cinco.Tehty Brysselissä seitsemäntenätoista päivänä heinäkuuta vuonna tuhatyhdeksänsataayhdeksänkymmentäviisi.Som skedde i Bryssel den sjuttonde juli nittonhundranittiofem.>REFERENTIE NAAR EEN FILM>Por la Comunidad EuropeaFor Det Europæiske FællesskabFür die Europäische GemeinschaftÃéá ôçí ÅõñùðáúêÞ ÊïéíüôçôáFor the European CommunityPour la Communauté européennePer la Comunità europeaVoor de Europese GemeenschapPela Comunidade EuropeiaEuroopan yhteisön puolestaPå Europeiska gemenskapens vägnar>REFERENTIE NAAR EEN FILM>>REFERENTIE NAAR EEN FILM>BIJLAGE I Verklaringen van de Europese Gemeenschap Verklaring van de Europese Gemeenschap over de vijfde alinea van de preambule van de Samenwerkingsovereenkomst De Europese Gemeenschap verklaart dat zij bereid is om, in het kader van haar ontwikkelingssamenwerkingsprojecten en voor zover mogelijk, na te gaan of het wenselijk is om tot de economische reïntegratie van Viëtnamese burgers die naar hun land terugkeren, bij te dragen.Verklaring van de Europese Gemeenschap betreffende tariefaanpassingen De Europese Gemeenschap bevestigt dat Viëtnam toegang heeft tot het algemene stelsel van preferenties (ASP), dat door de Europese Economische Gemeenschap op 1 juli 1971 autonoom in werking is gesteld naar aanleiding van resolutie nr. 21 (II) van de tweede conferentie van de Verenigde Naties over handel en ontwikkeling van 1968.Ook is de Gemeenschap bereid in Viëtnam workshops te organiseren voor openbare en particuliere gebruikers van het stelsel, teneinde hen te helpen er zo goed mogelijk van te profiteren.Verklaring van de Europese Gemeenschap Tijdens de onderhandelingen over de Samenwerkingsovereenkomst tussen de Europese Gemeenschap en Viëtnam verklaarde de Gemeenschap dat, behoudens het bepaalde in artikel 16 van de Overeenkomst, de bepalingen van die Overeenkomst in de plaats komen voor de bepalingen van overeenkomsten tussen de Lid-Staten van de Europese Unie en Viëtnam, wanneer die overeenkomsten onverenigbaar zijn met of gelijk aan de bepalingen van de onderhavige Overeenkomst.BIJLAGE II Gemeenschappelijke verklaring van de Europese Gemeenschap en de Regering van Viëtnam Partijen komen overeen dat, in het kader van deze Overeenkomst, "intellectuele, industriële en commerciële eigendom", in het bijzonder omvat: bescherming van auteursrechten (met inbegrip van computersoftware) en aanverwante rechten, handels- of dienstenmerken, geografische benamingen (inclusief benamingen van oorsprong), industriële ontwerpen, octrooien, configuraties van geïntegreerde schakelingen, alsmede bescherming van ongepubliceerde gegevens en bescherming tegen oneerlijke concurrentie.BIJLAGE III Verklaring van de Socialistische Republiek Viëtnam De Regering van de Socialistische Republiek Viëtnam verklaart dat de repatriëring van haar burgers zal geschieden in onderling overleg tussen Viëtnam en het betrokken land, teneinde ervoor zorg te dragen dat de beginselen van een ordelijke, veilige en waardige repatriëring worden nageleefd, overeenkomstig internationaal aanvaardbare praktijken en het "Comprehensive Plan of Action" (CPA) van 1989, met financiële bijstand van de internationale gemeenschap.Verklaring van de Europese Gemeenschap 1. De Europese Gemeenschap herinnert aan het belang dat zijzelf en haar Lid-Staten hechten aan het beginsel dat onderdanen opnieuw tot hun land van herkomst worden toegelaten, waarnaar wordt verwezen in de vijfde considerans van de preambule van de Overeenkomst.2. De Europese Gemeenschap wijst erop dat de bepalingen van die Overeenkomst geenszins afbreuk doen aan de desbetreffende verplichtingen, zoals deze voortvloeien uit bilaterale overeenkomsten tussen haar Lid-Staten en de Socialistische Republiek Viëtnam.


text:
 30.3.2017
 HU
 Az Európai Unió Hivatalos Lapja
 L 85/14
 AZ EGT VEGYES BIZOTTSÁG 204/2015 HATÁROZATA
 (2015. szeptember 25.)
 az Európai Gazdasági Térségről szóló megállapodás I. mellékletének (Állat- és növény-egészségügyi kérdések) és II. mellékletének (Műszaki előírások, szabványok, vizsgálatok és tanúsítás) módosításáról [2017/511]
 AZ EGT VEGYES BIZOTTSÁG,
 tekintettel az Európai Gazdasági Térségről szóló megállapodásra (a továbbiakban: az EGT-megállapodás) és különösen annak 98. cikkére,
 mivel:
 (1)
 A 396/2005/EK európai parlamenti és tanácsi rendelet IV. mellékletének az egyes termékekben, illetve azok felületén található tejsav, a Lecanicillium muscarium Ve6 törzse, a kitozán-hidroklorid és az Equisetum arvense L. maradékanyag-határértéke tekintetében történő módosításáról szóló, 2015. február 3-i (EU) 2015/165 bizottsági rendeletet (1) bele kell foglalni az EGT-megállapodásba.
 (2)
 A 396/2005/EK európai parlamenti és tanácsi rendelet II. és III. mellékletének a bizonyos termékekben, illetve azok felületén található acetamiprid, kromafenozid, ciazofamid, dikamba, difenokonazol, fenpirazamin, fluazinam, formetanát, nikotin, penkonazol, pimetrozin, piraklosztrobin, tau-fluvalinát és tebukonazol maradékanyag-határértéke tekintetében történő módosításáról szóló, 2015. február 25-i (EU) 2015/401 bizottsági rendeletet (2) bele kell foglalni az EGT-megállapodásba.
 (3)
 Ez a határozat takarmányokra és élelmiszerekre vonatkozó jogszabályokat érint. Az EGT-megállapodás I. mellékletének a szektorális kiigazításokról szóló részében és II. melléklete XII. fejezetének bevezetőjében meghatározottak szerint a takarmányokra és az élelmiszerekre vonatkozó jogszabályok mindaddig nem alkalmazandók Liechtensteinre, amíg az Európai Közösség és a Svájci Államszövetség között létrejött, a mezőgazdasági termékek kereskedelméről szóló megállapodás kiterjed Liechtensteinre. Ez a határozat ezért nem alkalmazandó Liechtensteinre.
 (4)
 Az EGT-megállapodás I. és II. mellékletét ezért ennek megfelelően módosítani kell,
 ELFOGADTA EZT A HATÁROZATOT:
 1. cikk
 Az EGT-megállapodás I. melléklete II. fejezetének 40. pontja (396/2005/EK európai parlamenti és tanácsi rendelet) a következő francia bekezdésekkel egészül ki:
 „—
 32015 R 0165: a Bizottság 2015. február 3-i (EU) 2015/165 rendelete (HL L 28., 2015.2.4., 1. o.),
 —
 32015 R 0401: a Bizottság 2015. február 25-i (EU) 2015/401 rendelete (HL L 71., 2015.3.14., 114. o.).”
 2. cikk
 Az EGT-megállapodás II. melléklete XII. fejezetének 54zzy. pontja (396/2005/EK európai parlamenti és tanácsi rendelet) a következő francia bekezdésekkel egészül ki:
 „—
 32015 R 0165: a Bizottság 2015. február 3-i (EU) 2015/165 rendelete (HL L 28., 2015.2.4., 1. o.),
 —
 32015 R 0401: a Bizottság 2015. február 25-i (EU) 2015/401 rendelete (HL L 71., 2015.3.14., 114. o.)”.
 3. cikk
 Az (EU) 2015/165 és az (EU) 2015/401 rendeletnek az Európai Unió Hivatalos Lapja EGT-kiegészítésében közzéteendő izlandi és norvég nyelvű szövege hiteles.
 4. cikk
 Ez a határozat 2015. szeptember 26-án lép hatályba, feltéve, hogy az EGT-megállapodás 103. cikkének (1) bekezdésében előírt összes bejelentést megtették (*1).
 5. cikk
 Ezt a határozatot az Európai Unió Hivatalos Lapjának EGT-re vonatkozó részében és EGT-kiegészítésében ki kell hirdetni.
 Kelt Brüsszelben, 2015. szeptember 25-én.
 az EGT Vegyes Bizottság részéről
 az elnök
 Ingrid SCHULERUD
 (1) HL L 28., 2015.2.4., 1. o.
 (2) HL L 71., 2015.3.14., 114. o.
 (*1) Alkotmányos követelmények fennállását nem jelezték.


text:
Elmer Advokater | Erstatning for erhvervsevnetab som følge af en patientskade
 nyheder Elmer Advokaterne Nyheder Højesteret tager ikke fejl... HØJESTERET TAGER IKKE FEJL...
 Højesteret afsagde i går den 15. november 2016 den tredje dom i år om ret til erstatning for erhvervsevnetab som følge af en patientskade.
 De tre sager har handlet om forskellige situationer, hvor patientens indtægtstab har været ophørt inden, der af patientskademyndighederne er truffet afgørelse om, der er opstået ret til erstatning for erhvervsevnetab.
 I den første sag, der ikke blev ført af Elmer Advokater, blev krav om erstatning for forsinket behandling for kræft (først) anmeldt til Patienterstatningen efter, at patienten var død af kræftlidelsen. Det blev anerkendt, at den alt for sene opdagelse af hans kræft var en fejl, der berettigede til erstatning.
 Patientskademyndighederne tilkendte erstatning for tabt arbejdsfortjeneste frem til patienten døde og afviste, at boet efter patienten havde ret til erstatning for erhvervsevnetab med den begrundelse, at patienten var død, og at der derfor ikke (længere) var noget fremtidigt indtægtstab, der kunne erstattes som erhvervsevnetabserstatning.
 Det tiltrådte Højesteret bl.a. med den begrundelse, at patientskademyndighederne ikke inden patienten døde havde haft mulighed for at træffe afgørelse om erhvervsevnetab af den simple grund, at skaden først blev anmeldt, efter han var død.
 SAG 2 I den anden sag, som advokat Karsten Høj førte, fandt Højesteret, at en patient havde ret til erstatning for 75 % erhvervsevnetab selvom han formodentlig kun to måneder efter første afgørelse om afslag på erstatning ville være overgået til folkepension og dermed ikke længere ville have haft erhvervsmæssige indtægter.
 Da Ankenævnet et halvt år senere traf afgørelse i klagesagen, ville patienten have været holdt med at arbejde. Men Højesteret fandt, at det var forholdene på tidspunktet for Patienterstatningens afgørelse, der var afgørende.
 Patienten fik dermed tilkendt en erstatning på ca. 1,5 mio. kr. reelt for to måneders indtægtstab. Læs mere om den sag her
 I Højesteretsdom fra i går, hvor dødsboet efter en ung kvinde igen var repræsenteret af advokat Karsten Høj, skulle der tages stilling til en situation, der mindede om to andre sager.
 En ung kvinde på under 30 år fik med for sent diagnosticeret brystkræft og behandlingen heraf blev derfor forsinket. Det anmeldte hun til Patienterstatningen, der den 13. februar 2012 traf afgørelse om, at det var en fejl. Men forsinkelsen havde ikke betydet nogen væsentlig forringelse af hendes tilstand eller en anden behandling end ved rettidig behandling. Det klagede hun over.
 Ankenævnet var enigt i klagen og fandt, at forsinkelsen var årsag til, at hun var blevet uhelbredeligt syg af kræftlidelsen. Sagen blev sendt retur til udmåling af erstatning for det. Men på det tidspunkt var hun død af kræftlidelsen 31 år gammel. Patientskademyndigheder tilkendte godtgørelse for varigt mén til boet, men gav afslag på erstatning for erhvervsevnetab. De afgørelser har Højesteret nu erklæret sig enige i.
 Under retssagen blev det sandsynliggjort, at der havde været grundlag for at fastsætte hendes erhvervsevnetab til 100 %, da den første (hvad der viste sig at være forkerte) afgørelse blev truffet den 13. februar 2012. Altså inden hun døde. Men pga. den forkerte bedømmelse af forsinkelsens betydning for hendes tilstand, blev afgørelsen om afslag på erstatning for erhvervsevnetab først truffet efter hun var død. Det mindede om sag 1. Mens det på det tidligere tidspunkt den 13. februar 2012 mindede om sag 2.
 Højesteret stod dermed overfor et valg. Skulle sag 1 eller 2 være afgørende?
 Det blev sag nr. 1 således, at det var det faktiske (forsinkede) afgørelsestidspunkt og ikke det mulige tidspunkt, der blev afgørende. Højesteret fandt derfor, at der ikke inden hun døde var opstået ret til erstatning for erhvervsevnetab og dermed kunne det krav ikke falde i arv til boet efter kvinden (mand og to børn). De har fået tilkendt erstatning for tab af forsørger.
 Karsten Højs synspunkt var i kort form, at boet skulle stilles efter forholdene på tidspunktet for den første afgørelse, hvor kvinden stadig var i live. Var der da truffet den rigtige afgørelse, havde det også da været muligt at træffe afgørelse om både varigt mén og 100 % erhvervsevnetab. Dermed var kravet på erstatning for erhvervsevnetab opstået inden kvinden døde.
 Det er ikke helt klart, hvorfor sag 3 fik dette udfald. Højesteret kunne have valgt at følge deres dom i sag 2 og lade forholdene på tidspunktet for Patienterstatningens første afgørelse være afgørende. Ved at lade det senere faktiske afgørelsestidspunkt, hvor kvinden var død, være afgørende, bliver kvinden og hendes bo ikke stillet som om den rigtige afgørelse var truffet første gang.
 Dommen betyder, at det i den enkelte sag kan blive tilfældigt, om erstatning for erhvervsevnetab tilkendes. Hvis der klages over den første afgørelse, kan også det få betydning for erstatningens størrelse, da det så bliver forholdene på et senere tidspunkt, der bliver afgørende. Det vil særligt have betydning for de patienter, der skal igennem et langt forløb for først at få anerkendt deres skade og efter måske flere/mange år skal have udmålt deres erstatning. Er de på det tidspunkt overgået til folkepension eller døde bliver erstatningen for patientskaden langt mindre end, hvis de rigtige afgørelser var truffet tidligere.
 Det forekommer ikke at være en hensigtsmæssig eller rimelig retstilstand, men som anført i overskriften til denne nyhed, så tager Højesteret ikke fejl. Men måske har Højesteret fortrudt deres dom i sag 2, for ellers er det svært at forstå resultatet i sag 3 fra i går.
 Kontakt om dommen til partner og advokat Karsten Høj.