FAR 22.1003-5—Some examples of contracts covered.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 22.1003-5 gives contracting personnel and contractors a practical list of service categories that have been found to be covered by the Service Contract Labor Standards (SCLS) statute. It does not create an exclusive test or a complete catalog; instead, it provides examples to help identify when a contract is likely a covered service contract rather than a supply, construction, or other noncovered arrangement. The section specifically points to motor pool operation, parking, taxicab, and ambulance services; packing, crating, and storage; custodial, janitorial, housekeeping, and guard services; food service and lodging; laundry, dry-cleaning, linen-supply, and clothing alteration and repair; snow, trash, and garbage removal; aerial spraying and aerial reconnaissance for fire detection; certain installation support services such as grounds maintenance and landscaping; specialized services like drafting, illustrating, graphic arts, stenographic reporting, and mortuary services; electronic equipment maintenance and operation and engineering support services; maintenance and repair of equipment including aircraft, engines, electrical motors, vehicles, and electronic, office, and related business and construction equipment; operation, maintenance, or logistics support of a Federal facility; and data collection, processing, and analysis services. In practice, this section helps agencies screen acquisitions for SCLS coverage, determine whether wage determinations and labor standards clauses may apply, and avoid misclassifying service work as something else. Because the list is illustrative rather than exhaustive, contracting officers must still analyze the actual statement of work, the principal purpose of the contract, and any applicable exclusions or special rules in adjacent FAR provisions.
Key Rules
Illustrative, not exhaustive
The listed services are examples only. A contract may still be covered by the SCLS statute even if its exact service is not named here, and the presence of one listed activity strongly suggests the need for further SCLS analysis.
Service categories commonly covered
The section identifies recurring service types that have been found covered, including transportation support, storage, custodial and security services, food and lodging, laundry and alteration, removal services, aerial services, installation support, specialized professional support, equipment maintenance, facility support, and data services.
Look to the actual work
Coverage depends on the substance of the contract work, not the label used by the agency or contractor. The statement of work, performance requirements, and how the labor is organized matter more than the contract title.
Maintenance and repair are often covered
Maintenance and repair of many kinds of equipment are specifically listed, including aircraft, engines, vehicles, motors, and office or construction equipment. However, related FAR provisions may exclude or treat certain work differently, so the contract must be checked against the broader coverage rules.
Facility support can trigger coverage
Operation, maintenance, and logistics support of a Federal facility are included as examples of covered services. This means integrated base or facility support contracts often require close SCLS review even when they include multiple tasks.
Specialized skills do not avoid coverage
Services requiring specialized skills, such as drafting, graphic arts, stenographic reporting, or mortuary services, can still be covered. The fact that a service is technical or professional does not by itself remove it from SCLS coverage.
Cross-check with DOL guidance
The section expressly references 29 CFR 4.130 for additional examples. Contracting officers should use both FAR and Department of Labor guidance when deciding whether a service contract falls under SCLS.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Review the statement of work and identify whether the acquisition fits one or more of the listed service categories. If it does, determine whether SCLS applies, include the proper labor standards clauses and wage determination when required, and coordinate with labor advisors or legal counsel when coverage is uncertain.
Agency
Structure requirements and acquisition planning so service work is correctly classified and screened for SCLS coverage. Ensure procurement personnel understand that the list is illustrative and that covered service contracts must be handled consistently across the agency.
Contractor
Assess solicitations and contracts for possible SCLS applicability, price proposals accordingly, and comply with any required wage, fringe benefit, recordkeeping, and subcontract flowdown obligations if the contract is covered.
Labor Advisor / Legal Counsel
Assist in close cases by interpreting the scope of the work, comparing it with FAR and Department of Labor examples, and advising whether the contract is likely subject to the Service Contract Labor Standards statute.
Practical Implications
This section is a screening tool: if the work looks like one of these examples, assume SCLS analysis is needed rather than treating the contract as noncovered by default.
Mixed contracts are a common pitfall. A contract may include both covered and noncovered work, so the contracting officer must determine the principal purpose and whether wage determinations or partial coverage rules apply.
Do not rely on the contract title. A contract called 'support services' or 'maintenance' may still be covered, while a contract with a technical-sounding label may still fall squarely within SCLS.
Facility support, custodial, food service, logistics, and equipment maintenance contracts are especially likely to trigger SCLS requirements, so they deserve early acquisition planning review.
Because the list is not exclusive, absence from the list does not mean the work is exempt. When in doubt, compare the requirement to 29 CFR 4.130 and the broader FAR coverage provisions before award.
Official Regulatory Text
The following examples, while not definitive or exclusive, illustrate some of the types of services that have been found to be covered by the Service Contract Labor Standards statute (see 29 CFR4.130 for additional examples): (a) Motor pool operation, parking, taxicab, and ambulance services. (b) Packing, crating, and storage. (c) Custodial, janitorial, housekeeping, and guard services. (d) Food service and lodging. (e) Laundry, dry-cleaning, linen-supply, and clothing alteration and repair services. (f) Snow, trash, and garbage removal. (g) Aerial spraying and aerial reconnaissance for fire detection. (h) Some support services at installations, including grounds maintenance and landscaping. (i) Certain specialized services requiring specific skills, such as drafting, illustrating, graphic arts, stenographic reporting, or mortuary services. (j) Electronic equipment maintenance and operation and engineering support services. (k) Maintenance and repair of all types of equipment, for example, aircraft, engines, electrical motors, vehicles, and electronic, office and related business and construction equipment. (But see 22.1003-4 (c)(1) and (d)(1)(iv).) (l) Operation, maintenance, or logistics support of a Federal facility. (m) Data collection, processing and analysis services.