FAR 26.500—Scope of subpart.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 26.500 is a scope provision that tells readers what Subpart 26.5 is for: it implements the Drug-Free Workplace requirements in 41 U.S.C. chapter 81. In practical terms, this means the subpart is the FAR’s bridge between the statute and federal procurement, establishing that the rules in this subpart are not standalone policy but the contracting-system implementation of a governmentwide drug-free workplace mandate. The section itself does not create detailed contractor obligations or procedures; instead, it signals that the subpart governs how the statutory drug-free workplace requirements are applied in federal contracting. For contracting officers and contractors, the significance is that any requirements, certifications, clauses, or compliance actions found later in the subpart are grounded in this statutory authority and must be read as part of that broader legal framework. This section therefore serves as the entry point for understanding when and why drug-free workplace requirements appear in federal contracts and related procurement actions.
Key Rules
Subpart implements statute
This subpart exists to implement 41 U.S.C. chapter 81, which is the Drug-Free Workplace statute. The FAR section is a scope statement, so its main function is to identify the legal authority behind the subpart rather than to prescribe detailed compliance steps.
Drug-free workplace focus
The subject matter of the subpart is the federal government’s drug-free workplace policy as applied in procurement. Readers should expect the later sections of the subpart to address contractor workplace conduct, compliance requirements, and related contract administration matters tied to that policy.
Scope only, not detailed requirements
FAR 26.500 does not itself impose operational duties, define covered contracts, or set out procedures. Those specifics are found in the remaining sections of the subpart, which should be read in light of this statutory implementation purpose.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Recognize that the subpart is the FAR implementation of the Drug-Free Workplace statute and apply the later provisions of Subpart 26.5 as required in solicitations, awards, and administration.
Contractor
Understand that any drug-free workplace obligations appearing later in the subpart are grounded in federal statute and may affect contract performance, workplace policies, and compliance expectations.
Agency
Use the subpart as the regulatory framework for carrying out the government’s drug-free workplace policy in procurement and ensure internal acquisition practices align with the statutory implementation.
Practical Implications
This section is mainly a roadmap: it tells you the subpart’s legal source and subject matter, but not the operational details.
A common mistake is treating FAR 26.500 as if it contains the full compliance rule set; it does not, so users must read the rest of Subpart 26.5 for actual requirements.
Contracting personnel should use this section to confirm that later clauses or certifications in the subpart are tied to statutory authority, which matters for interpretation and enforcement.
Contractors should view this as notice that drug-free workplace obligations in federal contracting are statutory in nature, not optional policy preferences.
Because this is a scope provision, its practical value is in framing compliance research and contract review rather than in providing step-by-step instructions.
Official Regulatory Text
This subpart implements 41 U.S.C. chapter 81 , Drug-Free Workplace.