FAR 22.1404—Department of Labor notices.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 22.1404 is a simple but important administrative requirement in the disability nondiscrimination area. It tells the contracting officer to provide the contractor with the appropriate Department of Labor notices that explain the contractor’s obligations and the rights of individuals with disabilities, and it notes that those notices may be obtained from the OFCCP regional office. In practice, this section supports implementation of the disability-related requirements that apply to federal contractors by making sure the contractor receives the official notice language needed to inform employees and applicants. The section is about notice distribution, not the substantive nondiscrimination standards themselves, but it is still significant because proper notice is part of compliance and helps ensure affected individuals know their rights. For contracting officers, it is a procedural step that should be completed at the right time and with the correct notice version. For contractors, it means they may receive a required notice that must be posted, distributed, or otherwise used as directed by the applicable labor requirements.
Key Rules
CO must furnish notices
The contracting officer is responsible for giving the contractor the appropriate Department of Labor notices. This is an affirmative duty, not a discretionary best practice.
Notices must state obligations and rights
The notices must explain both the contractor’s obligations and the rights of individuals with disabilities. The content is meant to inform compliance and employee awareness.
Use appropriate notice form
The notices furnished must be the appropriate ones for the situation. The contracting officer should ensure the notice matches the applicable disability-related contract requirements.
OFCCP can provide notices
The contracting officer may obtain the notices from the OFCCP regional office. This gives the CO a source for official, current notice language.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Furnish the contractor with the appropriate Department of Labor notices and ensure the notices communicate the contractor’s obligations and the rights of individuals with disabilities. The contracting officer may also obtain the notices from the OFCCP regional office.
Contractor
Receive and use the furnished notices as required by the applicable disability-related contract requirements, including any posting, distribution, or internal compliance actions tied to the notice.
OFCCP Regional Office
Provide or make available the appropriate Department of Labor notice language that the contracting officer may use.
Practical Implications
This is a compliance step that should not be overlooked during award or contract administration, because missing notices can create avoidable labor compliance issues.
The main pitfall is using outdated, incomplete, or wrong-version notices instead of the current official language.
Contracting officers should confirm they are furnishing the notice to the correct contractor and that the notice corresponds to the applicable disability requirements.
Contractors should treat receipt of the notice as a signal to review internal posting and dissemination procedures, not as a mere formality.
Because the section points to OFCCP as a source, COs should use official channels rather than drafting ad hoc notice language.
Official Regulatory Text
The contracting officer shall furnish to the contractor appropriate notices that state the contractor’s obligations and the rights of individuals with disabilities. The contracting officer may obtain these notices from the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) regional office.