Almost one year after the amendments to the FAR’s anti-human trafficking rule went into effect, Congress is showing signs of bi-partisan support for enforcement of human trafficking prohibitions through the House’s passage of the Trafficking Prevention in Foreign Affairs Contracting Act (H.R. 400) (the “Act”).  As we have previously discussed, the Act would require the United States Agency for International Development (“USAID”) to propose a definition of recruitment fees within 180 days of its enactment.  Although the definition would apply to the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, 22 U.S.C. § 7104(g)(iv)(IV), it is likely to inform undefined references to recruitment fees in other contexts, such as in the FAR’s anti-human trafficking rule at FAR 52.222-50.  Indeed, until the open FAR case to define recruitment fees moves forward, the Act may serve as the only definition of recruitment fees for anti-human trafficking regulations. 

Also within 180 days of enactment, the Act would require that USAID and the Department of State (“State”) each prepare reports describing the actions taken during the 180-day period following the Act’s enactment and intended to be taken in the following year to address human trafficking.  Specifically, the Act would require USAID and State to detail plans and processes to  ensure that they monitor the administration of contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants to prevent human trafficking.  Such reports could signal the first significant efforts to enforce the anti-trafficking requirements in FAR 52.222-50 (which generally applies to contracts with State) and USAID ADS 303maa.M20 (which generally applies to grants from USAID).

We have provided a comprehensive overview of FAR 52.222-50’s requirements here.  In short, this clause prohibits all federal contractors, their employees, subcontractors, and other agents from engaging in human trafficking activities.  Such activities include charging recruitment fees, failing to provide return transportation when required, and destroying or denying access to identity or immigration documents. In addition, certain contractors providing goods and services outside the United States under high-value contracts are generally required to implement compliance plans and make new certifications.  The compliance plan must include, among other things, a recruitment plan, housing plan, and procedures to prevent trafficking in the supply chain.  The regulation provides very little guidance regarding the contents of a compliance plan and the level of diligence required to prevent trafficking in a supply chain.  However, State, with assistance from Verité, a global NGO, intends to release a long-awaited model compliance plan in the near future.

As contracts and grant recipients continue to make best efforts to implement new anti-trafficking provisions, a definition of recruitment fees and a model compliance plan could provide significant guidance.  Indeed, such guidance is especially important before agencies, such as State and USAID, develop plans to enforce anti-human trafficking rules.  Therefore, contractors and grant recipients would be well advised to continue monitoring the progress of H.R. 400, as well as the anticipated release of a model compliance plan.