EO

Executive Orders directly affect government contractors in multiple ways. Several landmark EOs have shaped procurement policy:

• EO 11246 — Requires affirmative action and non-discrimination by federal contractors
• EO 13706 — Established paid sick leave for federal contractor employees
• EO 14042 — Required COVID-19 vaccination for federal contractor employees (later blocked by courts)
• EO 14005 — Strengthened Buy American requirements for federal procurement

When a new administration takes office, EOs are one of the fastest ways procurement policy changes. Contractors should monitor new EOs closely — they can create new compliance requirements, open or close market opportunities, and change evaluation criteria for proposals.

EOs are published in the Federal Register and compiled in Title 3 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The FAR is updated to implement EO requirements, but there's often a lag — new EOs may apply to contracts before the FAR is formally amended.