FAR 22.1600—Scope of subpart.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 22.1600 is a scope provision that tells readers what Subpart 22.16 is for: it sets out the policies and procedures used to implement Executive Order 13496, the federal contractor notice requirement related to employee rights under federal labor law. In practical terms, this section does not itself impose the detailed notice, posting, or contract clause requirements; instead, it identifies the legal authority and signals that the rest of the subpart contains the operative rules. For contractors and contracting officers, the significance is that any compliance obligations in this area come from the subpart’s implementing provisions, which are tied to Executive Order 13496 and its implementing regulations. This scope statement helps users understand that the subpart is focused on labor-relations notice requirements for federal contractors and subcontractors, not on general labor standards or wage-and-hour rules. It also frames the subpart as a procedural and policy implementation mechanism, meaning agencies must apply the later sections consistently with the Executive Order and the Department of Labor’s implementing framework. In short, this section tells you what the subpart covers, why it exists, and that the detailed duties appear elsewhere in Subpart 22.16.
Key Rules
Subpart implements EO 13496
This subpart exists to carry out Executive Order 13496. The section is a scope statement, so it identifies the governing authority but does not itself spell out the full compliance requirements.
Policies and procedures only
The section says the subpart prescribes policies and procedures, meaning it is the gateway to the operational rules that agencies and contractors must follow. The actual notice and clause requirements are found in the later sections of the subpart.
Applies to contractor notice obligations
The subject matter of the subpart is the contractor notice requirement associated with employee rights under federal labor law. Readers should understand that the subpart is aimed at informing employees of those rights through required notices and related contract administration steps.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Use the subpart as the governing framework when applying the EO 13496 notice requirements in solicitations and contracts. Ensure the later implementing provisions of the subpart are included and administered as required.
Contractor
Recognize that this subpart may impose notice-related obligations tied to federal labor law rights. Review the implementing sections of the subpart and comply with any required posting, flowdown, or contract clause duties.
Agency
Apply the policies and procedures in this subpart consistently with Executive Order 13496. Ensure acquisition personnel use the correct implementing requirements when drafting and administering covered contracts.
Practical Implications
This section is a roadmap, not the full compliance rule, so users should not stop here; they must read the rest of Subpart 22.16 for the actual obligations.
A common pitfall is assuming the scope statement itself creates the posting requirement. The real duties come from the implementing clauses and procedures referenced by the subpart.
Contracting officers should treat this as a signal to check whether the acquisition is subject to EO 13496-related notice requirements before award and during administration.
Contractors should use this section to identify the topic area and then verify whether their contract includes the applicable labor-law notice clause and any flowdown requirements.
Because the section ties the subpart to an Executive Order, compliance analysis should always be read together with the EO and any Department of Labor guidance or implementing regulations.
Official Regulatory Text
This subpart prescribes policies and procedures to implement Executive Order 13496, dated January 30, 2009 (74 FR 6107, February 4, 2009).