The Government on Combatting Human Trafficking: "We REALLY, REALLY Mean It"
Since 2005, federal contractors have been on notice that the Government has “zero tolerance” for any federal contractor found to be complicit in aiding human trafficking. For the past seven years, however, that “zero tolerance” has been focused on halting only some aspects of human trafficking, namely involuntary servitude and commercial sex acts. We have previously discussed the human trafficking regulations that are currently in place here. But, as Bob Dylan once said, “The times, they are a changing.” On September 25, 2012, President Obama issued an executive order requiring the Federal Acquisition Regulations (“FAR”) Council to amend the FAR to strengthen protections against human trafficking in persons. As before, the new FAR requirements will apply to solicitations, contracts, and subcontracts for supplies or services (including construction and commercial items) and prohibit contractors and subcontractors from engaging in various trafficking-related activities. However, the trafficking activities identified in the Executive Order have expanded dramatically and will require contractors to plan review, and to revamp as needed, their policies and procedures for the recruitment of personnel and the monitoring of compliance with the expanded requirements.
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