FAR 22.1406—Complaint procedures.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 22.1406 explains how complaints about administration of the Act are handled and who must receive them. It covers the contracting office’s duty to forward complaints, the required recipients within the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), and OFCCP’s duty to investigate each complaint and build a complete case record. In practice, this section creates a clear referral path so complaints are not handled informally or left at the contracting office level. It also ensures that complaints are routed to the agency with enforcement authority and investigative responsibility. For contractors and contracting personnel, the section matters because it defines where complaints go, who takes over, and how the administrative record is developed for follow-up action.
Key Rules
Forward complaints promptly
When the contracting office receives a complaint about administration of the Act, it must forward the complaint in accordance with agency procedures. The contracting office is not the final decision-maker on the complaint; its role is to route the matter to the proper enforcement office.
Send to OFCCP headquarters or field office
Complaints must be sent either to the Director, OFCCP, U.S. Department of Labor, or to any OFCCP regional or area office. This gives the agency flexibility in where complaints are filed while ensuring they reach the responsible enforcement organization.
OFCCP investigates each complaint
OFCCP is required to institute an investigation of every complaint it receives under this section. The rule makes investigation mandatory rather than discretionary once a complaint is properly submitted.
Complete case record required
OFCCP must develop a complete case record for each complaint. This means the agency must document the complaint, investigative steps, findings, and supporting materials so the matter is fully supported and reviewable.
Responsibilities
Contracting Office
Follow agency procedures and forward any complaints received about administration of the Act to the Director, OFCCP, or to an OFCCP regional or area office. The contracting office should not attempt to resolve the complaint outside the prescribed referral process.
Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP)
Receive referred complaints, institute an investigation of each complaint, and develop a complete case record. OFCCP is responsible for the substantive handling and documentation of the complaint.
Director, OFCCP
Serve as an authorized recipient of complaints about administration of the Act when complaints are sent to OFCCP headquarters.
OFCCP Regional or Area Office
Serve as an authorized recipient of complaints and carry out the investigation and case development process after receipt.
Practical Implications
Contracting offices should have a clear internal process for identifying complaints covered by this section and routing them quickly to OFCCP.
A common pitfall is treating the complaint as a local contract administration issue instead of forwarding it to the enforcement office required by the regulation.
Because OFCCP must investigate each complaint, contractors should expect that complaints may trigger formal inquiry and record collection rather than informal resolution.
The requirement for a complete case record means documentation matters; incomplete submissions or poor internal tracking can slow the process or create gaps in the record.
Contractors and contracting personnel should know the correct OFCCP contact points so complaints are not delayed by misrouting or uncertainty about where to send them.
Official Regulatory Text
(a) Following agency procedures, the contracting office shall forward any complaints received about the administration of the Act to- (1) Director, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20210; or (2) Any OFCCP regional or area office. (b) The OFCCP shall institute investigation of each complaint and shall be responsible for developing a complete case record.