FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 22: Application of Labor Laws to Government Acquisitions › Subpart 22.5
FAR 22.503 Policy.
The codified text (eCFR, as of 2026-10-02). Under the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul ↗, agencies follow class deviations with new text for many parts while the formal rules go through the Federal Register: check the solicitation and your contract's clauses, which rule.
In plain English
This section implements Executive Order 14063, requiring agencies to use project labor agreements for large-scale federal construction projects to promote economy and efficiency. For contractors, it means that on such projects, they and their subcontractors must generally use a project labor agreement unless an exception applies. It also allows agencies to require project labor agreements on smaller projects if appropriate, and for IDIQ contracts, on an order-by-order basis.
Applies to: Contractors and subcontractors engaged in construction on federal construction projects
What it requires
- On large-scale construction projects, use a project labor agreement unless an exception at 22.504(d) applies.
- For IDIQ contracts, an order at or above $35 million requires a project labor agreement unless an exception applies.
Key terms: project labor agreement · large-scale construction project · Executive Order (E.O.) 14063 · indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts · labor organizations
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
(a) Executive Order (E.O.) 14063, Use of Project Labor Agreements for Federal Construction Projects, requires agencies to use project labor agreements in large-scale construction projects to promote economy and efficiency in the administration and completion of Federal construction projects.
(b) When awarding a contract in connection with a large-scale construction project (see 22.502), agencies shall require use of project labor agreements for contractors and subcontractors engaged in construction on the project, unless an exception at 22.504(d) applies.
(c) An agency may require the use of a project labor agreement on projects where the total cost to the Federal Government is less than that for a large-scale construction project, if appropriate.
(1) An agency may, if appropriate, require that every contractor and subcontractor engaged in construction on the project agree, for that project, to negotiate or become a party to a project labor agreement with one or more labor organizations if the agency decides that the use of project labor agreements will—
(i) Advance the Federal Government's interest in achieving economy and efficiency in Federal procurement, producing labor-management stability, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations governing safety and health, equal employment opportunity, labor and employment standards, and other matters; and
(ii) Be consistent with law.
(2) Agencies may consider the following factors in deciding whether the use of a project labor agreement is appropriate for a construction project where the total cost to the Federal Government is less than that for a large-scale construction project:
(i) The project will require multiple construction contractors and/or subcontractors employing workers in multiple crafts or trades.
(ii) There is a shortage of skilled labor in the region in which the construction project will be sited.
(iii) Completion of the project will require an extended period of time.
(iv) Project labor agreements have been used on comparable projects undertaken by Federal, State, municipal, or private entities in the geographic area of the project.
(v) A project labor agreement will promote the agency's long term program interests, such as facilitating the training of a skilled workforce to meet the agency's future construction needs.
(vi) Any other factors that the agency decides are appropriate.
(d) For indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts the use of a project labor agreement may be required on an order-by-order basis rather than for the entire contract. For an order at or above $35 million an agency shall require the use of a project labor agreement unless an exception applies. See 22.504(d)(3) and 22.505(b)(3).
Sections it refers to
Sections that refer to it
- 22.504 General requirements for project labor agreements.
← 22.502 Definitions. · 22.504 General requirements for project labor agreements. →
Rule changes for FAR Part 22
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Trade Agreements Thresholds ↗ · final rule 2026-03-13 · effective 2026-03-13
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Inflation Adjustment of Acquisition-Related Thresholds ↗ · final rule 2025-08-27 · effective 2025-10-01
- Office of Federal Procurement Policy; Federal Acquisition Regulation: Pay Equity and Transparency in Federal Contracting ↗ · proposed 2025-01-08
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Improving Consistency Between Procurement and Nonprocurement Procedures on Suspension and Debarment ↗ · final rule 2025-01-03 · effective 2025-01-17
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Training To Prevent Human Trafficking for Certain Air Carriers; Correction ↗ · final rule 2024-12-30 · effective 2025-01-03
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Training To Prevent Human Trafficking for Certain Air Carriers ↗ · final rule 2024-12-16 · effective 2025-01-03
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Inflation Adjustment of Acquisition-Related Thresholds ↗ · proposed 2024-11-29 · comments due 2025-01-28
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Combating Trafficking in Persons-Definition and Agency Responsibilities ↗ · proposed 2024-07-18 · comments due 2024-09-16
Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.