Here is a rundown of last week’s top developments related to government contracts to get you back on track and ready for this week.
1. SEC MESSAGE TO GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS, DON’T LIMIT WHISTLEBLOWING
On April 1, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) settled its first enforcement action against a company for violating whistleblower protections by including restrictive language in confidentiality agreements used in its internal investigations.
2. OFCCP EXTENDS COMMENT PERIOD FOR PROPOSED RULE PROHIBITING SEX DISCRIMINATION
The U.S. Department of Labor is extending the comment period for its proposed rule governing the obligations of federal contractors and subcontractors not to discriminate on the basis of sex in their employment practices.
3. NATIONAL DIALOGUE TO REDUCE REPORTING COMPLIANCE COSTS FOR CONTRACTORS
The Chief Acquisition Officers Council, HHS, and GSA are conducting a national dialogue to discuss ideas on how to reduce the costs associated with reporting compliance under federal awards (contracts, subcontracts, grants, cooperative agreements).
4. FEC SEEKS COMMENTS ON CONTRACTOR POLITICAL DONATIONS
The Federal Election Commission seeks comments on a public Petition for Rulemaking to amend the Commission’s regulations regarding political contributions, to include certain factors for determining whether entities of the same corporate family are distinct business entities for purposes of the prohibition on contributions by federal contractors.