As far as I know, the Internet Applicant Rule applies regardless of the position, the time the job is posted, or whether the position is ultimately filled internally. The Internet Applicant Rule applies as long as the contractor considers expressions of interest from the "Internet and/or
related technologies."
An Internet Applicant is defined as an individual who satisfies the following
four criteria:
- The individual submits an expression of interest in employment through the
Internet or related electronic data technologies;
- The contractor considers the individual for employment in a particular
position;
- The individual's expression of interest indicates the individual possesses
the basic qualifications for the position; and,
- The individual at no point in the contractor's selection process prior to
receiving an offer of employment from the contractor, removes himself or herself
from further consideration or otherwise indicates that he or she is no longer
interested in the position.
http://www.dol.gov/esa/ofccp/regs/compliance/faqs/iappfaqs.htm