Due to anticipated changes resulting from the ongoing review of EEO Circular 4704.1A, state and regional transportation agencies now have until October 1, 2026 to submit their EEO programs. This compliance alert discusses those impacted and how they can take action.
Summary
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) have announced the extension of the deadline for covered state and regional transportation agencies to submit their EEO Programs from March 1, 2026, to October 1, 2026.
This restructured deadline is a direct result of the ongoing review of Circular 4704.1A, “Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Requirements and Guidelines for Federal Transit Administration Recipients.” This review is part of a wider initiative at the FTA and DOT to update, modify, or rescind guidance and regulations in alignment with recent executive orders.
Circular 4704.1A provides guidance to FTA grant recipients on how to conduct equal employment opportunity requirements and prepare EEO program plans, following a four-year submission cycle. The nature of upcoming changes to the circular is currently unknown, and the FTA promises to issue relevant updates to the public when available.
Who Is Impacted?
The extensions apply only to state and regional transportation agencies covered by FTA regulations.
Actions Required
Covered entities may wish to continue working on the data elements of their EEO programs in accordance with the existing Circular. However, their programs and supporting documentation may require revisions prior to submission should there be substantive changes to the requirements.
How Affirmity Can Help
Affirmity’s experts have extensive experience with a wide range of workforce analytics tasks and work with numerous state and regional transportation agencies to create FTA EEO programs. We can additionally offer software and services support for:
- Race and sex-based non-discrimination analyses, applying affirmative action-style processes to ensure your organization’s adherence to Title VII and other key equal opportunity laws
- Your other federally mandated reporting requirements, including EEO-4
The Affirmity team is ready to assist you in gathering the data you need to comply—contact us today to get started.
About the Author
Brad Wiltshire is a Manager of Consulting Services at Affirmity. He has 18 years of experience developing Affirmative Action Plans as well as EEO-1 and VETS-4212 reports for clients across many industries. A former attorney, Mr. Wiltshire’s legal background has helped him provide ongoing guidance and support for OFCCP audits and other compliance needs. Connect with him on LinkedIn.