1A04 Use of the Standard Compliance Evaluation Report

The SCER is a tool used by COs to conduct and document desk audits. The SCER and its instructions, found in Appendices A-1 and A-2, establish a framework for conducting the desk audit and assisting in the development and implementation of the on-site investigative plan. COs use the SCER, either in whole or in part, when conducting a compliance evaluation using the compliance review, off-site review of records or focused review investigative procedures discussed in subsection 1A00 of this chapter. Compliance checks require the completion of the Compliance Check Control Sheet, rather than the SCER.6

The SCER begins with a Contractor Information section in which the CO records basic information about the contractor, including address, company contacts, type of industry, contract coverage, and workforce composition. After the Contractor Information section, there is a Case Summary and Recommendations section that serves as the final assessment of the compliance evaluation, listing all findings. These two sections are then followed by three main parts.7

a. Part A: Preparation. Part A includes general information gathered by the CO during the preparatory stages of a compliance evaluation, such as the contractor’s problems in prior compliance evaluations, information on known complaints or enforcement proceedings, and any collaboration with or referrals to other agencies during the compliance evaluation.

b. Part B: Desk Audit. Part B records the results of the CO’s desk audit. It documents the CO’s initial review of the contractor’s AAPs and Itemized Listing data for inclusion and acceptability, and summarizes any problems the CO finds regarding the acceptability of the AAPs and Itemized Listing data, and provides resolutions for those problems. Part B also provides for analysis of Executive Order 11246 affirmative action progress and identifies any areas where a CO needs additional information to determine the extent of a contractor’s good faith efforts. This Part also includes an assessment of a contractor’s Section 503 utilization analysis and outreach assessment, as well as the VEVRAA outreach assessment. The CO also records results of the analyses performed on the employment activity provided by the contractor (e.g., terminations, compensation) and notes any other problems for an on-site investigation. For any problem unresolved at the conclusion of the desk audit, the SCER requires the development of an On-Site Plan.8

c. Part C: On-Site Review. Part C records the results of an on-site review. It provides for the CO to document verification of the contractor’s implementation of certain equal opportunity clause requirements (e.g., posting current required EEO notices), implementation of the regulations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex, and implementation of the guidelines on discrimination based on national origin and religion. The CO also records the on-site review findings for any potential systemic or individual discrimination that was identified during the desk audit or discovered during the on-site review. These findings include a discussion of the nature of the problem(s), relevant evidence collected and reviewed, actions (if any) taken to resolve the problem, and whether and how the problem was resolved.