Why Part 22 Matters

Labor compliance is a major cost driver and compliance risk area. Service Contract Act wage determinations directly impact pricing for service contracts, and Davis-Bacon prevailing wage rates affect construction contract costs. Non-compliance can result in withholding of contract payments, contractor debarment, and Department of Labor enforcement actions. Contractors must accurately apply applicable wage determinations and fringe benefit requirements.

Key Topics in Part 22

FAR Part 22 addresses several critical areas of the federal acquisition process. Understanding these topics is essential for both contracting officers and contractors working within this regulatory framework.

• Service Contract Labor Standards (Subpart 22.10)
• Construction Wage Rate Requirements / Davis-Bacon (Subpart 22.4)
• Equal Employment Opportunity (Subpart 22.8)
• Minimum wage requirements for contractor workers
• Prohibition on forced/child labor (Subpart 22.15)
• Labor surplus area concerns (Subpart 22.2)
• Paid sick leave for federal contractors (Subpart 22.21)
• Nondisplacement of qualified workers (Subpart 22.12)

How FAR Part 22 Applies

The Federal Acquisition Regulation is organized into 53 parts, each covering a distinct area of the procurement process. Part 22 (Application of Labor Laws to Government Acquisitions) is part of this framework and works in conjunction with other FAR parts to create a comprehensive regulatory structure. Contracting officers must comply with all applicable parts when executing procurement actions, and contractors must understand the requirements that flow from these regulations into their contracts.

The requirements in Part 22 may be implemented through specific contract clauses prescribed in FAR Part 52. When a clause references Part 22, the substantive requirements originate here, while Part 52 provides the actual clause language incorporated into contracts and solicitations.

Subparts

FAR Part 22 is divided into 21 subparts, each addressing a specific aspect of application of labor laws to government acquisitions.

• 22.1 — Basic Labor Policies
• 22.2 — Convict Labor
• 22.3 — Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act
• 22.4 — Labor Standards for Contracts Involving Construction
• 22.5 — Use of Project Labor Agreements for Federal Construction Projects
• 22.6 — Contracts for Materials, Supplies, Articles, and Equipment
• 22.7 — Subpart 22.7 [Reserved]
• 22.8 — Equal Employment Opportunity
• 22.9 — Nondiscrimination Because of Age
• 22.10 — Service Contract Labor Standards
• 22.11 — Professional Employee Compensation
• 22.12 — Subpart 22.12 [Reserved]
• 22.13 — Equal Opportunity for Veterans
• 22.14 — Employment of Workers with Disabilities
• 22.15 — Prohibition of Acquisition of Products Produced by Forced or Indentured Child Labor
• 22.16 — Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act
• 22.17 — Combating Trafficking in Persons
• 22.18 — Employment Eligibility Verification
• 22.19 — Increasing the Minimum Wage for Contractors
• 22.20 — Subpart 22.20 [Reserved]
• 22.21 — Establishing Paid Sick Leave for Federal Contractors

Reading FAR Part 22

The full text of FAR Part 22 is available on the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The eCFR provides the most current version of the regulation, including any recent amendments published through Federal Acquisition Circulars (FACs). For historical versions, use the eCFR's point-in-time search feature.

• What does FAR Part 22 cover?

  FAR Part 22 covers application of labor laws to government acquisitions within the federal acquisition process. FAR Part 22 applies labor laws to government acquisitions, covering the Service Contract Labor Standards (formerly Service Contract Act) in Subpart 22.10, the Construction Wage Rate Requirements (formerly Davis-Bacon Act) in Subpart 22.4, labor surplus area concerns, equal employment opportunity, and affirmative action requirements. It also addresses the prohibition on acquiring products produced by forced or indentured child labor (Subpart 22.15) and paid sick leave requirements (Subpart 22.21).

• Who must comply with FAR Part 22?

  FAR Part 22 applies to all executive branch agencies conducting acquisitions, unless a specific exemption exists. Contractors must comply with the requirements that are incorporated into their contracts through prescribed clauses from FAR Part 52. Agency-specific supplements (DFARS, GSAM, etc.) may add additional requirements beyond the base FAR.

• Where can I read the full text of FAR Part 22?

  The full text is available on the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). You can also access it through acquisition.gov, which is maintained by the General Services Administration. Both sources reflect the most current version of the regulation.

• How does FAR Part 22 relate to contract clauses?

  FAR Part 22 establishes the substantive policies and procedures. The actual clause language that gets incorporated into contracts is found in FAR Part 52. Each clause in Part 52 includes a "prescription" that references the relevant policy part, creating a direct link between the requirement and its implementation in the contract.