THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA), FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE (FSIS), CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION (CRD) IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) COMPLAINTS OF DISCRIMINATION ARE PROCESSED FAIRLY, PROMPTLY, THOROUGHLY, AND IN STRICT COMPLIANCE WITH EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION (EEOC) REGULATIONS AND MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVES, AND DEPARTMENTAL REGULATIONS (DRS). THE PURPOSE OF THIS SOW IS TO ESTABLISH THE PROCEDURES UNDER WHICH EEO CONTRACTORS WILL CONDUCT EEO INVESTIGATIONS IN ORDER TO GATHER SUFFICIENT FACTUAL INFORMATION SO THAT A THIRD PARTY SUCH AS THE USDA, OFFICE OF ADJUDICATION AND COMPLIANCE (OAC), THE EEOC, OR THE MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD CAN MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION REGARDING WHETHER OR NOT DISCRIMINATION OCCURRED. THE SCOPE OF WORK APPLIES TO EEO COMPLAINTS OF DISCRIMINATION FILED BY FSIS EMPLOYEES OR APPLICANTS FOR POSITIONS IN FSIS WHO ARE COVERED BY 29 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS (CFR) PART 1614, AND ANY SUBSEQUENT STATUTES. THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO THOSE WHO ARE ENGAGED IN AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH FSIS. THE SCOPE OF WORK ALSO INCLUDES ALLEGATIONS OF DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT ON THE BASIS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION, POLITICAL BELIEFS AND/OR MARITAL OR FAMILIAL STATUS, WHICH ARE ONLY PROCESSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH DRS. THE EEO INVESTIGATION WILL INCLUDE A THOROUGH REVIEW OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH THE ALLEGED DISCRIMINATION OCCURRED AND THE TREATMENT OF THE COMPLAINANT AND MEMBERS OF THE COMPLAINANT S PROTECTED GROUP COMPARED WITH THE TREATMENT OF OTHERS NOT IN THE COMPLAINANT S PROTECTED GROUP. THE CONTRACTOR WILL FURNISH ALL ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS, PERSONNEL, AND SUPPLIES NECESSARY TO PERFORM ALL OF THE WORK DETAILED HEREIN, INCLUDING INVESTIGATING COMPLAINTS, ASSEMBLING THE REPORTS OF INVESTIGATION (ROIS), AND SUBMITTING THE FINAL PRODUCT TO THE AGENCY.