Overview
This section establishes the Secretary of Labor’s statutory authority to implement, interpret, and enforce the Service Contract Labor Standards (SCLS) statute. It identifies the specific parts of Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) that govern wage determinations, labor standards, and enforcement proceedings.
Key Rules
- Enforcement Authority: The Secretary of Labor is authorized to make rules, issue orders, hold hearings, and make final decisions regarding service contract labor compliance.
- Regulatory Framework: The Department of Labor (DOL) implements the statute through several key regulations, including:
- 29 CFR Part 4: Covers the primary labor standards, wage determination procedures, and compensation requirements.
- 29 CFR Part 1925: Establishes standards for safe and sanitary working conditions.
- 29 CFR Parts 6 and 8: Define the rules of practice for administrative hearings and appeals before the Administrative Review Board.
- Interpretive Guidance: Subpart C of 29 CFR Part 4 provides the official rulings and interpretations that clarify how the statute applies to specific contracting scenarios.
Practical Implications
- Final Authority: In disputes regarding labor classifications or wage rates, the Department of Labor—rather than the contracting agency—has the ultimate authority to issue binding rulings.
- Compliance Beyond the FAR: Government contractors must look to Title 29 of the CFR for the granular details of labor compliance, as the FAR merely points to these DOL regulations as the governing requirements.