FAR 52.222-11—Subcontracts (Labor Standards).

Broad construction definition

The clause defines “construction, alteration or repair” broadly to include not only traditional building work, but also on-site installation of off-site fabricated items, painting, decorating, on-site manufacturing or furnishing, and certain transportation activities connected to the site of work. This definition matters because it determines when the clause’s flowdown and compliance obligations apply.

Mandatory labor clause flowdown

For any subcontract for construction, alterations, or repairs within the United States, the prime contractor must insert the listed labor clauses. These include wage requirements, overtime if applicable, apprentices and trainees, payroll and records, Copeland Act compliance, withholding, subcontract labor standards, debarment/termination, labor standards disputes, compliance with wage regulations, and certification of eligibility.

Prime contractor accountability

The prime contractor remains responsible for ensuring that any subcontractor or lower-tier subcontractor performing covered construction work complies with the cited labor clauses. This makes the prime contractor the main compliance gatekeeper, even though the actual work may be performed by lower tiers.

SF 1413 submission requirement

Within 14 days after award of the prime contract, the contractor must provide the Contracting Officer a completed SF 1413 for each covered subcontract, including the subcontractor’s signed and dated acknowledgment that the required clauses were included. The contractor must also submit an updated SF 1413 within 14 days after any later-awarded covered subcontract.

Substance flowdown to lower tiers

The contractor must insert the substance of the clause, including paragraph (e), in all subcontracts for construction within the United States. This means the subcontract language must preserve the flowdown obligation so the requirement continues through the subcontracting chain.

U.S.-only coverage

The clause applies to subcontracts for construction, alterations, and repairs within the United States. Work outside the United States is not covered by this clause’s flowdown requirements, though other contract terms or statutes may still apply.

Contracting Officer

Ensure the clause is included when prescribed, receive and review SF 1413 submissions, and use the subcontract acknowledgments and flowdown documentation to monitor labor-standard compliance on the project.

Prime Contractor

Insert all required labor clauses into covered subcontracts, ensure the clause’s substance is flowed down to all lower tiers, remain responsible for subcontractor and lower-tier compliance, and submit completed SF 1413 forms within the required 14-day deadlines for each covered subcontract.

Subcontractor

Accept and comply with the flowed-down labor clauses, sign and date the SF 1413 acknowledgment confirming the clauses were included, and ensure its own lower-tier subcontracts carry the required labor-standard obligations.

Lower-Tier Subcontractor

Comply with the applicable flowed-down labor clauses for covered construction work and carry the obligations further down the chain when it subcontracts covered work.

Agency

Oversee administration of labor-standard requirements on covered construction contracts, support enforcement actions when noncompliance occurs, and maintain records needed to verify subcontract flowdown and acknowledgments.