Dismantle DEI Act of 2025
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Education and Workforce, Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, Financial Services, Energy and Commerce, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), for a period to
Cabrillo Club
Editorial Team · February 16, 2026

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Action Kit: Dismantle DEI Act of 2025
Event Type: Legislation
Severity: HIGH
Status: Referred to multiple committees (Oversight and Government Reform, Judiciary, Education and Workforce, Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, Financial Services, Energy and Commerce, Transportation and Infrastructure, Intelligence)
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Immediate Actions (This Week)
- [ ] Conduct portfolio risk assessment — Identify all active contracts and pending proposals that include DEI-related deliverables, training services, or compliance requirements (especially under FAR Part 22 and Executive Order 11246)
- [ ] Freeze new DEI-specific proposal language — Pause development of any proposals emphasizing DEI as a primary technical approach or past performance discriminator until legislative trajectory becomes clearer
- [ ] Brief executive leadership and BD teams — Schedule emergency briefing on potential contract modification risks, especially for OASIS+, ASTRO, HCaTS, and other IDIQ vehicles where DEI may be embedded in task order evaluation criteria
- [ ] Audit current marketing collateral — Review website, capability statements, and past performance narratives for DEI-centric positioning that may become liability or require reframing
- [ ] Establish legislative tracking protocol — Assign responsibility for monitoring committee markups, amendments, and floor action across all eight referred committees
Short-Term Actions (30 Days)
- [ ] Develop alternative positioning frameworks — Reframe workforce development, training, and HR consulting capabilities around "merit-based excellence," "skills optimization," and "performance-driven talent management" without DEI terminology
- [ ] Engage legal counsel on contract modification rights — Review FAR 52.243 (Changes) clauses in existing contracts to understand government's authority to eliminate DEI requirements and your rights to equitable adjustment
- [ ] Build dual-track proposal templates — Create modular proposal content that can pivot quickly depending on whether DEI remains an evaluation factor or is explicitly prohibited
- [ ] Assess subcontractor and teaming agreement exposure — Review all teaming agreements where partners provide DEI-specific services; prepare contingency plans for scope modifications
- [ ] Map affected NAICS codes to alternative service lines — For NAICS 611430 (Professional and Management Development Training) and 541612 (Human Resources Consulting), identify adjacent capabilities that remain viable regardless of legislation outcome
- [ ] Conduct client outreach campaign — Proactively contact CORs and program managers on active contracts to discuss potential scope adjustments and demonstrate flexibility
Long-Term Actions (90+ Days)
- [ ] Restructure service delivery model — Transition from DEI-branded service lines to integrated "organizational effectiveness" or "workforce optimization" practices that deliver similar outcomes through different framing
- [ ] Retool past performance database — Update past performance narratives to emphasize measurable outcomes (retention rates, productivity gains, leadership pipeline development) rather than DEI process compliance
- [ ] Develop OFCCP compliance alternative strategy — If OFCCP regulations are modified or eliminated, prepare new compliance frameworks that satisfy remaining EEO requirements under Title VII and other statutes
- [ ] Invest in merit-based assessment tools — Build or acquire capabilities in skills-based hiring, competency modeling, and performance analytics that align with likely post-legislation evaluation priorities
- [ ] Reposition for emerging priorities — Monitor committee hearings for signals about replacement priorities (e.g., "American competitiveness," "skills gap closure," "STEM workforce development") and align capability development accordingly
- [ ] Prepare for contract vehicle recompetes — Anticipate that vehicles like OASIS+, HCaTS, and VETS 2 may be re-evaluated or recompeted with modified evaluation criteria; begin positioning for next-generation vehicles
Compliance Checklist
Current Compliance Posture (Subject to Change):
- [ ] FAR 52.222-26 (Equal Opportunity) — Verify all contracts still include this clause and maintain compliant AAPs until/unless regulations change
- [ ] Executive Order 11246 compliance — Continue OFCCP reporting obligations (EEO-1, VETS-4212) until Executive Order is formally modified or rescinded
- [ ] FAR Part 22 Subpart 22.8 — Monitor for amendments to Davis-Bacon Act and related labor standards that may be bundled with DEI elimination
- [ ] Contract-specific DEI deliverables — Document all active task orders requiring DEI training, assessments, or reporting; prepare modification requests if legislation passes
- [ ] Small business subcontracting plans — Ensure socioeconomic subcontracting goals (8(a), WOSB, VOSB, HUBZone) remain compliant; these are distinct from DEI and likely unaffected
- [ ] State and local contract implications — If you hold state/local government contracts with DEI requirements, assess whether federal legislation creates conflict or preemption issues
Post-Legislation Compliance (If Enacted):
- [ ] Remove prohibited DEI terminology — Eliminate any language in proposals, contracts, or deliverables that explicitly references "diversity, equity, and inclusion" if legislation prohibits such programs
- [ ] Maintain EEO baseline compliance — Continue adherence to Title VII, ADA, ADEA, and other civil rights statutes that remain in effect regardless of DEI-specific legislation
- [ ] Document good-faith compliance efforts — Maintain audit trail showing proactive adjustment to new legal framework to mitigate False Claims Act or contract fraud risk
Resources
- Legislative Text: Congress.gov - Dismantle DEI Act of 2025 (https://www.congress.gov) (search by bill name once assigned number)
- Committee Jurisdictions: House Oversight and Government Reform (https://oversight.house.gov), House Armed Services (https://armedservices.house.gov), House Education and Workforce (https://edworkforce.house.gov)
- OFCCP Guidance: U.S. Department of Labor OFCCP (https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp) — Monitor for directive changes
- FAR Updates: Acquisition.gov FAR Part 22 (https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-22) — Watch for interim or final rules implementing legislation
- Agency-Specific Guidance: Monitor DOD, DHS, GSA acquisition policy memos for implementation timelines if legislation passes
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