FAR 22.406-5—Subcontracts.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 22.406-5 addresses subcontract reporting under the labor standards clause at 52.222-11, Subcontracts (Labor Standards). Its sole focus is the requirement that the contractor and subcontractors at any tier submit a fully executed SF 1413, Statement and Acknowledgment, when each subcontract is awarded. In practice, this section exists to create a formal record of labor standards obligations flowing down through the subcontracting chain and to document that the parties understand and accept those obligations. It matters because labor standards compliance depends not only on the prime contract but also on proper notice and acknowledgment at the subcontract level. For contractors and contracting officers, the section is a procedural checkpoint that supports enforcement, auditability, and clear communication of wage and labor requirements across all tiers.
Key Rules
SF 1413 is required
When the clause at 52.222-11 applies, a fully executed SF 1413, Statement and Acknowledgment, must be submitted for each subcontract. The form is the required written acknowledgment tied to the labor standards obligations in the subcontracting chain.
Applies at every tier
The requirement is not limited to the prime subcontract. The contractor and subcontractors at any tier must submit the SF 1413 upon award of each subcontract, so the obligation follows the work down through all subcontract levels.
Submission occurs at award
The form must be submitted upon award of each subcontract, meaning the acknowledgment is tied to the point when the subcontract is awarded rather than later in performance. This ensures labor standards notice is documented at the outset.
Must be fully executed
The SF 1413 must be fully executed, which means it must be properly completed and signed by the required parties. An incomplete or unsigned form does not satisfy the requirement.
Linked to labor standards clause
This requirement exists specifically in accordance with 52.222-11, Subcontracts (Labor Standards). If that clause is in the contract, the subcontract acknowledgment requirement is part of the labor standards compliance framework.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Ensure the contract includes the applicable labor standards clause and monitor that the contractor provides the required subcontract acknowledgments when applicable. The contracting officer should treat the SF 1413 as a compliance document supporting labor standards administration.
Prime Contractor
Obtain and submit a fully executed SF 1413 for each subcontract awarded under the labor standards clause. The prime must also ensure the requirement is flowed down and that subcontract acknowledgments are collected in a timely manner.
Subcontractors at Any Tier
Upon award of their subcontract, complete and submit a fully executed SF 1413 as required. Each subcontractor must acknowledge the labor standards obligations applicable to its subcontract and, where applicable, to lower-tier subcontracts.
Agency/Labor Standards Administration Officials
Use the SF 1413 submissions to track subcontract awards and support oversight of labor standards compliance. They may review the forms to confirm that the required acknowledgments are in place across the subcontracting chain.
Practical Implications
This is a paperwork requirement with real compliance consequences: missing SF 1413s can signal that labor standards obligations were not properly flowed down or acknowledged.
Contractors should build the SF 1413 into subcontract award checklists so the form is completed at the same time the subcontract is awarded, not after work starts.
A common pitfall is assuming only the prime subcontract needs the form; the rule applies to subcontractors at any tier, so lower-tier awards must also be tracked.
Another frequent issue is submitting an incomplete form or one missing signatures. Because the rule requires a fully executed SF 1413, partial completion does not satisfy the requirement.
Contracting officers and compliance staff should verify that subcontract acknowledgments are retained in the contract file or compliance records so they can be produced during review or audit.
Official Regulatory Text
In accordance with the requirements of the clause at 52.222-11 , Subcontracts (Labor Standards), the contractor and subcontractors at any tier are required to submit a fully executed SF 1413 , Statement and Acknowledgment, upon award of each subcontract.