FAQs

Who is required to submit an Affirmative Action Plan (AAP)?

Each state department or agency, except the legislative branch of state government, shall annually prepare an affirmative action plan.

What is the deadline for State Agencies to submit an AAP?

Plans will cover the time period of July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023. Affirmative Action Plans must be submitted to the DEDI EOO, no later than February 24, 2023. Each state department or agency, excluding the legislative branch of state government, shall submit to EOO and House Fiscal Advisor sufficient data to enable EOO and House Budgetary Advisor to determine whether the agency achieved the hiring goals contained in its AAP for the previous year.

What is the purpose of the information session?

DEDI’s Information Session provides individuals with resources, information, and guidance for their interest and pursuit of employment within RI state government.

What are the goals of HROD?

HROD is within DEDI’s EOO. HROD creates an effective culture of inclusion within RI state government that values and promotes diversity and enables individuals to participate and contribute to their maximum potential.

What type of training does EOO facilitate for State employees?

We require all new employees to attend training on Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, and Diversity. We also offer cultural competency training for all state employees.

What is the mission of the EOO?

Mission of EOO is to ensure equal opportunity compliance for all units of RI state government, as set forth by federal agencies and RI General Laws, and to ensure non-discrimination and equal opportunity in all aspects of state government, including, but not limited to, employment, procurement, and policy relative to state programs, services, and activities.

Who approves the Affirmation Action Plan?

EOO Administrator is responsible for monitoring and enforcing all equal opportunity laws, programs, and policies within the state government.

What is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) contract compliance form?

A contract compliance report is a comprehensive report that ensures any vendor doing business in RI does not discriminate against any job applicants or an employee because of the person's race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older) disability or genetic information, through a thorough review process.

Did you know Rhode Island has laws to ensure every public contract offers equal opportunity for qualified women and Minority workers?

EOO does this through our comprehensive contract compliance report and certificate of compliance, which every vendor doing business in RI must complete. EOO also requires an Equal Opportunity policy statement and AAP for vendors who meet the thresholds, with legal requirements to take affirmative action and not discriminate on the biases of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. EOO also require vendors to submit an employment application and list of minorities hired and fired over the past 12 months to ensure no job applicant or employee is discriminated against.

The Division of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (DEDI) is responsible for enforcing R.I Gen. Laws § 28-5.1-10

Division of Purchases shall prepare any rules, regulations, and compliance reports requiring state contractors to commit to equal opportunity as prevails under federal contracts controlled by federal executive orders 11246, 11625, and 11375. EOO shall review affirmative action plans prepared pursuant to those rules and regulations. EOO shall prepare a comprehensive plan to provide compliance reviews for state contracts. A contractor’s failure to abide by the established rules, regulations, contract terms, and compliance reporting provisions shall be grounds for forfeitures and penalties as established by the DOA in consultation with EOO

We want to do business with RI and were awarded a tentative award letter for a $60 million contract with the Department of Purchasing. They said we need an approved Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) letter. What do I need to move forward with BID?

You should have received an email from DEDI with two attachments: the contract compliance report and the certificate of compliance. Once filled out, please submit it via email to eoo.compliance@doa.ri.gov, along with the required attachments, before the 21-day deadline. Upon receipt by DEDI, EOO will review all attached documents and compliance forms before sending an approved letter to the purchasing agent and vendor contact. Please allow 3-4 business days from receiving the documents for approval.

Do I need to submit any documents for EEO before I know if I’ve been awarded the contract?

No, you are only required to submit a contract compliance form and certificate of compliance when tentatively awarded a project.

What happens if I don’t submit EEO evidence?

A contractor's failure to abide by the established rules, regulations, contract terms, and compliance reporting provisions shall be grounds for forfeitures and penalties as established by DOA in consultation with EOO.

My company has no employees. Do I still need to fill out a contract compliance report?

Yes, EOO needs to establish whether your company does not meet EEO threshold requirements, and that is through EOO’s contract compliance review process and employment-wide statistics.

Should I submit an EEO contract compliance report for each Bid?

Yes, EOO needs a new contract compliance report for each bid; however, if documents were submitted for a Bid within the past 12 months, you do not need to

EEO Contract Compliance Questions and Answers