FAR 22.501—Scope of subpart.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 22.501 is the scope statement for Subpart 22.5, and it tells readers what this subpart is about: implementing Executive Order 14063, Use of Project Labor Agreements for Federal Construction Projects, for covered federal construction acquisitions. In practical terms, it establishes that the subpart contains the policies and procedures agencies and contracting officers must follow when deciding whether and how to use project labor agreements on federal construction projects. The section does not itself set out the detailed PLA requirements; instead, it identifies the legal and policy basis for the subpart and signals that the rules apply to federal construction work covered by the Executive Order. For contractors, this means the subpart is the gateway to understanding when a solicitation or contract may require a PLA, what labor-related terms may be imposed, and how those requirements fit into federal construction procurement. For contracting officers and agencies, it serves as the authority statement that the subpart is intended to operationalize the Executive Order in day-to-day acquisition planning and contract administration.
Key Rules
Implements Executive Order 14063
This subpart exists to carry out Executive Order 14063, which addresses the use of project labor agreements on federal construction projects. The FAR section is therefore tied directly to the Executive Order’s policy objectives and must be read as implementing guidance for covered procurements.
Applies to federal construction projects
The scope is limited to federal construction projects, meaning the subpart is relevant when the government is acquiring construction work rather than supplies or services unrelated to construction. The practical effect is that the PLA policies in this subpart are triggered only in the construction contracting context.
Contains policies and procedures
FAR 22.501 does not itself impose the full substantive requirements; it states that the subpart prescribes the policies and procedures for implementation. Users must look to the rest of Subpart 22.5 for the specific steps, determinations, solicitation clauses, and contract administration requirements.
Guides agency acquisition action
Because the section is a scope provision, it tells agencies and contracting officers that the subpart governs how they plan, solicit, and administer covered construction acquisitions. In practice, it frames the decision-making process for whether a project labor agreement is required or appropriate under the Executive Order.
Responsibilities
Agencies
Follow the policies and procedures in Subpart 22.5 when conducting covered federal construction acquisitions. Ensure acquisition planning and internal procedures align with Executive Order 14063 as implemented by the FAR.
Contracting Officers
Use this subpart as the governing framework for construction procurements that fall within its scope. Apply the detailed PLA rules in the rest of the subpart when preparing solicitations, evaluating requirements, and administering contracts.
Contractors
Recognize that federal construction solicitations may include project labor agreement-related requirements under this subpart. Review the solicitation and contract terms carefully to determine whether a PLA obligation applies and what compliance will be required.
Practical Implications
This section is a roadmap, not the full rule set: it tells you the subpart is about PLAs for federal construction, but the operational requirements are elsewhere in Subpart 22.5.
Contracting officers should treat this as a signal to check whether a construction acquisition is covered by Executive Order 14063 before finalizing the solicitation strategy.
Contractors should watch for PLA language in construction solicitations and not assume labor terms will be standard across all federal projects.
A common pitfall is reading the scope too narrowly or too broadly; the key question is whether the procurement is a federal construction project covered by the Executive Order and the implementing subpart.
Because this section ties the FAR to a specific Executive Order, users should verify they are applying the current version of the Executive Order and the corresponding FAR provisions together.
Official Regulatory Text
This subpart prescribes policies and procedures to implement Executive Order 14063 , Use of Project Labor Agreements for Federal Construction Projects, dated February 4, 2022 ( 3 CFR , 2023 Comp., pp 335–338).