This document provides comprehensive guidance through a series of frequently asked questions for Health and Human Services (HHS) personnel regarding the implementation of Executive Order 14042, which mandates adequate COVID-19 safety protocols for federal contractors. It clarifies terminology related to “covered” contracts, contractors, employees, and workplaces under the order, and outlines that vaccination and safety protocols are to be incorporated into both new and existing contracts, with specified procedures for modification and timeline adherence. The guidance emphasizes that contracting officers are to ensure all covered contractor employees are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the established deadlines, unless legally entitled to accommodation, and requires robust communication and oversight mechanisms through the designation of COVID-19 Response Coordinators.
Additionally, the document details the application of the protocols not only to contractors and their employees working directly on federal contracts, but also to those who share workplaces with covered employees, as well as to eligible subcontractors. It provides definitions of “fully vaccinated,” stipulates documentation and verification responsibilities, and addresses processes for handling exemptions, screening, and testing requirements. Procedures for onboarding, compliance, and enforcement are to be updated as further HHS guidance is developed. The document underscores that responsibility for determination and compliance ultimately resides with contractors, though agencies have oversight and may grant exemptions under mission-critical conditions, and further instructions on remediation for non-compliance are forthcoming.
