FAR 22.000—Scope of part.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 22.000 explains the scope of FAR Part 22, which is the part of the FAR that addresses labor-related issues in federal contracting. Specifically, it covers three related subjects: general policies on contractor labor relations as they affect the acquisition process, contracting policies and procedures for carrying out applicable labor laws, and the contract clauses that implement each applicable labor law. In practice, this means Part 22 is the government’s roadmap for how contracting officers and agencies should handle labor standards, wage and hour requirements, labor relations considerations, and related clause insertion during acquisition planning, solicitation, award, and contract administration. The section exists to make clear that labor law compliance is not separate from procurement; it is built into the acquisition process and the contract itself. For contractors, this signals that labor requirements may affect pricing, staffing, subcontracting, performance planning, and compliance obligations. For contracting officers, it means labor issues must be identified early and translated into the correct policies, procedures, and clauses.
Key Rules
Covers labor relations policy
Part 22 includes general policies on contractor labor relations as they relate to federal acquisitions. This means labor-related considerations are part of procurement planning and contract administration, not just post-award compliance.
Implements labor laws
The part prescribes contracting policies and procedures for applying relevant labor laws. Contracting officers must follow the FAR’s labor-related procedures when a procurement is subject to those laws.
Uses contract clauses
Part 22 also prescribes the contract clauses associated with each applicable labor law. The required clauses are the mechanism that places labor-law obligations into the contract and makes them enforceable during performance.
Applies across the acquisition process
The scope is not limited to award or administration; it affects the acquisition process generally. Agencies must consider labor issues during planning, solicitation, award, and performance oversight.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Identify when labor-related policies, procedures, and clauses apply; incorporate the correct FAR labor clauses into solicitations and contracts; and ensure the acquisition process reflects applicable labor-law requirements.
Agency
Establish and follow acquisition practices that implement labor laws consistently; support contracting officers with policy, oversight, and clause usage; and ensure labor-related requirements are addressed in procurement planning and administration.
Contractor
Understand that labor-related requirements may be embedded in the contract through FAR Part 22 clauses; plan for compliance with those obligations in staffing, wages, labor relations, and performance management.
Practical Implications
Labor issues must be considered early, because they can affect solicitation terms, pricing, staffing, and schedule before award.
A common pitfall is overlooking required labor clauses or applying the wrong ones, which can create compliance problems and contract administration disputes.
Contractors should review Part 22 clauses carefully during proposal preparation, since labor requirements can materially affect cost and performance risk.
Contracting officers should treat labor compliance as part of acquisition planning, not as an afterthought once performance begins.
Because Part 22 ties labor laws to contract clauses, failure to include or follow the right clause can lead to enforcement, corrective action, or performance complications.
Official Regulatory Text
This part- (a) Deals with general policies regarding contractor labor relations as they pertain to the acquisition process; (b) Prescribes contracting policy and procedures for implementing pertinent labor laws; and (c) Prescribes contract clauses with respect to each pertinent labor law.