Promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Federal Contracting

The Biden-Harris administration has taken critical steps to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) among federal contractors. Through a series of executive orders and policy initiatives, the administration is working to address long-standing discrimination in government contracting and drive meaningful progress on DEI.

One key action was Executive Order 13985, signed in January 2021, which directed federal agencies to advance equity for underserved communities in their policies, programs, and procurement. This order required agencies to conduct equity assessments and develop plans to remove barriers to equal opportunity.

Additionally, the administration issued Executive Order 14035 in June 2021, focusing specifically on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in the federal workforce. This order mandated that federal contractors and subcontractors implement DEIA best practices, including setting representation goals, conducting pay equity analyses, and providing DEI training.

These executive actions build on the existing requirements for federal contractors to comply with nondiscrimination and affirmative action laws. Contractors must already have written affirmative action programs, track hiring and employment data, and take proactive steps to recruit, hire, and promote qualified individuals from underrepresented groups.

However, studies have shown that discrimination and underrepresentation persist in the federal contracting sector. For example, a 2021 analysis by the Center for American Progress found that women and people of color are significantly underrepresented among the leadership and workforce of the top federal contractors.

To address these challenges, the Biden-Harris administration has rolled out additional initiatives, such as:

• Increasing transparency around contractor demographics and DEI practices through new data collection and reporting requirements.
• Providing guidance and technical assistance to help contractors develop and implement effective DEIA programs.
• Strengthening enforcement of nondiscrimination and affirmative action laws through enhanced monitoring and compliance reviews.

By taking these multifaceted actions, the administration aims to drive systemic change and create a more equitable, inclusive, and representative federal contracting ecosystem. This is a critical step in the broader effort to advance racial and gender equity across all aspects of government and the private sector.