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The Revolutionary FAR Overhaul has published a revised version of this clause. The RFO version supersedes the eCFR text below for contracts using the RFO model; see the RFO deviation for applicability.
This clause is modified by 1 active class deviation
2023-O0008 — Class Deviation 2023-O0008 – Commercial Products and Commercial Services Omnibus Clause for Acquisitions Using the Procurement Desktop-Defense System
52.222-53 Exemption From Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services—Requirements.
As prescribed in 22.1006(e)(4), insert the following clause:
Exemption From Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services—Requirements (MAY 2014)
(a) The services under this contract are offered and sold regularly to non-Governmental customers, and are provided by the Contractor to the general public in substantial quantities in the course of normal business operations.
(b) The contract services are furnished at prices that are, or are based on, established catalog or market prices. An "established catalog price" is a price included in a catalog, price list, schedule, or other form that is regularly maintained by the manufacturer or the Contractor, is either published or otherwise available for inspection by customers, and states prices at which sales currently, or were last, made to a significant number of buyers constituting the general public. An "established market price" is a current price, established in the usual course of ordinary and usual trade between buyers and sellers free to bargain, which can be substantiated from sources independent of the manufacturer or Contractor.
(c) Each service employee who will perform the services under the contract will spend only a small portion of his or her time (a monthly average of less than 20 percent of the available hours on an annualized basis, or less than 20 percent of available hours during the contract period if the contract period is less than a month) servicing the Government contract.
(d) The Contractor uses the same compensation (wage and fringe benefits) plan for all service employees performing work under the contract as the Contractor uses for these employees and for equivalent employees servicing commercial customers.
(e)(1) Except for services identified in FAR 22.1003-4(d)(1)(iv), the subcontractor for exempt services shall be selected for award based on other factors in addition to price or cost with the combination of other factors at least as important as price or cost; or
(2) A subcontract for exempt services shall be awarded on a sole source basis.
(f) The Contractor is responsible for compliance with all the conditions of this exemption by its subcontractors. The Contractor shall determine in advance, based on the nature of the subcontract requirements and knowledge of the practices of likely subcontractors, that all or nearly all likely subcontractors will meet the conditions in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this clause. If the services are currently being performed under a subcontract, the Contractor shall consider the practices of the existing subcontractor in making a determination regarding the conditions in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this clause. If the Contractor has reason to doubt the validity of the certification, the requirements of the Service Contract Labor Standards statute shall be included in the subcontract.
(g) If the Department of Labor determines that any conditions for exemption at paragraphs (a) through (e) of this clause have not been met, the exemption shall be deemed inapplicable, and the contract shall become subject to the Service Contract Labor Standards statute. In such case, the procedures in at 29 CFR 4.123(e)(2)(iii) and 29 CFR 4.5(c) will be followed.
(h) The Contractor shall include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (h), in subcontracts for exempt services under this contract.
(End of clause)
[72 FR 63082, Nov. 7, 2007, as amended at 74 FR 2731, Jan. 15, 2009; 79 FR 24220, Apr. 29, 2014]
22.1006(e)
(e) (1) The contracting officer shall insert the provision at 52.222-48, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment-Certification, in solicitations that-
(i) Include the clause at 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards; and
(ii) The contract may be exempt from the Service Contract Labor Standards statute in accordance with 22.1003-4(c).
(2) The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment-Requirements-
(i) In solicitations that include the provision at 52.222-48, or the comparable provision is checked as applicable in the clause at 52.204-8(c)(2)(iii) or 52.212-3(k)(1); and
(ii) In resulting contracts in which the contracting officer has determined, in accordance with 22.1003-4(c)(3), that the Service Contract Labor Standards statute does not apply.
(3) (i) Except as provided in paragraph (e)(3)(ii) of this section, the contracting officer shall insert the provision at 52.222-52, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services--Certification, in solicitations that-
(A) Include the clause at 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards, and
(B) The contract may be exempt from the Service Contract Labor Standards statute in accordance with 22.1003-4(d).
(ii) When resoliciting in accordance with 22.1003-4(d)(3)(iii), amend the solicitation by removing the provision at 52.222-52 from the solicitation.
(4) The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services-Requirements-
(i) In solicitations that include the provision at 52.222-52, or the comparable provision is checked as applicable in 52.204-8(c)(2) or 52.212-3(k)(2); and
(ii) In resulting contracts in which the contracting officer has determined, in accordance with 22.1003-4(d)(3), that the Service Contract Labor Standards statute does not apply.
Prescription data sourced from eCFR as of 2026-06-10 03:16 UTC.
Cross-references within the prescription are not resolved automatically.
Regulatory Stack
The layers of regulation that govern this clause, from the FAR prescription through agency-specific supplements and any active deviations.
RFORFO VersionOverhauled clause text
The Revolutionary FAR Overhaul publishes a revised version of this clause. See the RFO Version tab for the controlling authority under the RFO model.
(e) (1) The contracting officer shall insert the provision at 52.222-48, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment-Certification, in solicitations that-
(i) Include the clause at 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards; and
(ii) The contract may be exempt from the Service Contract Labor Standards statute in accordance with 22.1003-4(c).
(2) The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment-Requirements-
(i) In solicitations that include the provision at 52.222-48, or the comparable provision is checked as applicable in the clause at 52.204-8(c)(2)(iii) or 52.212-3(k)(1); and
(ii) In resulting contracts in which the contracting officer has determined, in accordance with 22.1003-4(c)(3), that the Service Contract Labor Standards statute does not apply.
(3) (i) Except as provided in paragraph (e)(3)(ii) of this section, the contracting officer shall insert the provision at 52.222-52, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services--Certification, in solicitations that-
(A) Include the clause at 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards, and
(B) The contract may be exempt from the Service Contract Labor Standards statute in accordance with 22.1003-4(d).
(ii) When resoliciting in accordance with 22.1003-4(d)(3)(iii), amend the solicitation by removing the provision at 52.222-52 from the solicitation.
(4) The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services-Requirements-
(i) In solicitations that include the provision at 52.222-52, or the comparable provision is checked as applicable in 52.204-8(c)(2) or 52.212-3(k)(2); and
(ii) In resulting contracts in which the contracting officer has determined, in accordance with 22.1003-4(d)(3), that the Service Contract Labor Standards statute does not apply.
2023-O0008: Class Deviation 2023-O0008 – Commercial Products and Commercial Services Omnibus Clause for Acquisitions Using the Procurement Desktop-Defense System
Version History
Version history is sourced from the codified eCFR. Changes published only as class deviations or by the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul do not appear here until they are incorporated into the eCFR. For RFO-driven changes see the RFO Version tab and any active deviations cited above.
No version history available from eCFR.
RFO Version
Comparison of the codified eCFR text against the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul revision. Highlights show additions (green) and deletions (red, struck through).
Clause Text
Substantive changes. The RFO version differs materially from the eCFR text.
eCFR (codified)
RFO (implemented)
Unchanged
52.222-53 Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services-Requirements.
eCFR (codified)
RFO (implemented)
1 added, 1 removed
As prescribed in 22.1006(e)(4), insert the following clause:
As prescribed in 22.1002-2(e)(4), insert the following clause:
3 added, 3 removed
Exemption From Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services—Requirements (MAY 2014)
Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services-Requirements (Deviation DATE)
(a)
(a) The services under this contract are offered and sold regularly to non-Governmental customers, and are provided by the Contractor to the general public in substantial quantities in the course of normal business operations.
(a)
(a) The services under this contract are offered and sold regularly to non-Governmental customers, and are provided by the Contractor to the general public in substantial quantities in the course of normal business operations.
(b)
(b) The contract services are furnished at prices that are, or are based on, established catalog or market prices. An "established catalog price" is a price included in a catalog, price list, schedule, or other form that is regularly maintained by the manufacturer or the Contractor, is either published or otherwise available for inspection by customers, and states prices at which sales currently, or were last, made to a significant number of buyers constituting the general public. An "established market price" is a current price, established in the usual course of ordinary and usual trade between buyers and sellers free to bargain, which can be substantiated from sources independent of the manufacturer or Contractor.
(b)
(b) The contract services are furnished at prices that are, or are based on, established catalog or market prices. An "established catalog price" is a price included in a catalog, price list, schedule, or other form that is regularly maintained by the manufacturer or the Contractor, is either published or otherwise available for inspection by customers, and states prices at which sales currently, or were last, made to a significant number of buyers constituting the general public. An "established market price" is a current price, established in the usual course of ordinary and usual trade between buyers and sellers free to bargain, which can be substantiated from sources independent of the manufacturer or Contractor.
(c)
(c) Each service employee who will perform the services under the contract will spend only a small portion of his or her time (a monthly average of less than 20 percent of the available hours on an annualized basis, or less than 20 percent of available hours during the contract period if the contract period is less than a month) servicing the Government contract.
(c)
(c) Each service employee who will perform the services under the contract will spend only a small portion of his or her time (a monthly average of less than 20 percent of the available hours on an annualized basis, or less than 20 percent of available hours during the contract period if the contract period is less than a month) servicing the Government contract.
(d)
(d) The Contractor uses the same compensation (wage and fringe benefits) plan for all service employees performing work under the contract as the Contractor uses for these employees and for equivalent employees servicing commercial customers.
(d)
(d) The Contractor uses the same compensation (wage and fringe benefits) plan for all service employees performing work under the contract as the Contractor uses for these employees and for equivalent employees servicing commercial customers.
1 added, 43 removed
(e)(1)
(e)(1) Except for services identified in FAR 22.1003-4(d)(1)(iv), the subcontractor for exempt services shall be selected for award based on other factors in addition to price or cost with the combination of other factors at least as important as price or cost; or
(e)(1)
(e)
38 added, 9 removed
(2)
(2) A subcontract for exempt services shall be awarded on a sole source basis.
(2)
(1) Except for services identified in FAR 22.1002-1(f)(1)(iv), the subcontractor for exempt services must be selected for award based on other factors in addition to price or cost with the combination of other factors at least as important as price or cost; or
11 added, 117 removed
(f)
(f) The Contractor is responsible for compliance with all the conditions of this exemption by its subcontractors. The Contractor shall determine in advance, based on the nature of the subcontract requirements and knowledge of the practices of likely subcontractors, that all or nearly all likely subcontractors will meet the conditions in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this clause. If the services are currently being performed under a subcontract, the Contractor shall consider the practices of the existing subcontractor in making a determination regarding the conditions in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this clause. If the Contractor has reason to doubt the validity of the certification, the requirements of the Service Contract Labor Standards statute shall be included in the subcontract.
(f)
(2) A subcontract for exempt services must be awarded on a sole source basis.
101 added, 41 removed
(g)
(g) If the Department of Labor determines that any conditions for exemption at paragraphs (a) through (e) of this clause have not been met, the exemption shall be deemed inapplicable, and the contract shall become subject to the Service Contract Labor Standards statute. In such case, the procedures in at 29 CFR 4.123(e)(2)(iii) and 29 CFR 4.5(c) will be followed.
(g)
(f) The Contractor is responsible for compliance with all the conditions of this exemption by its subcontractors. The Contractor must determine in advance, based on the nature of the subcontract requirements and knowledge of the practices of likely subcontractors, that all or nearly all likely subcontractors will meet the conditions in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this clause. If the services are currently being performed under a subcontract, the Contractor must consider the practices of the existing subcontractor in making a determination regarding the conditions in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this clause. If the Contractor has reason to doubt the validity of the certification, the requirements of the Service Contract Labor Standards statute must be included in the subcontract.
57 added, 18 removed
(h)
(h) The Contractor shall include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (h), in subcontracts for exempt services under this contract.
(h)
(g) If the Department of Labor determines that any conditions for exemption at paragraphs (a) through (e) of this clause have not been met, the exemption must be deemed inapplicable, and the contract must become subject to the Service Contract Labor Standards statute. In such case, the procedures in at 29 CFR 4.123(e)(2) (iii) and 29 CFR 4.5(c) will be followed.
22 added
(h)
(h)
(h) The Contractor must include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (h), in subcontracts for exempt services under this contract.
Substantive changes. The RFO prescription differs materially from the eCFR prescription.
eCFR (codified)
RFO (implemented)
Unchanged
52.222-53 Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services-Requirements.: Prescription
eCFR (codified)
RFO (implemented)
65 added, 8 removed
(e)
(e) (1) The contracting officer shall insert the provision at 52.222-48, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment-Certification, in solicitations that-
(e)
(ii) The contracting officer has made the determination, in accordance with paragraphs (e)(3) or (f)(3) of subsection 22.1002-1, that the Service Contract Labor Standards statute does not apply to the contract. (In such case, insert the clause at 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment—Requirements, or 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services—Requirements, in the contract, in accordance with the prescription at paragraph (e)(2)(ii) or (e)(4)(ii) of this subsection).
11 removed
(i)
(i) Include the clause at 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards; and
(i)
17 removed
(ii)
(ii) The contract may be exempt from the Service Contract Labor Standards statute in accordance with 22.1003-4(c).
(ii)
29 removed
(2)
(2) The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.222-51, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment-Requirements-
(2)
25 removed
(i)
(i) In solicitations that include the provision at 52.222-48, or the comparable provision is checked as applicable in the clause at 52.204-8(c)(2)(iii) or 52.212-3(k)(1); and
(i)
25 removed
(ii)
(ii) In resulting contracts in which the contracting officer has determined, in accordance with 22.1003-4(c)(3), that the Service Contract Labor Standards statute does not apply.
(ii)
37 removed
(3)
(3) (i) Except as provided in paragraph (e)(3)(ii) of this section, the contracting officer shall insert the provision at 52.222-52, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services--Certification, in solicitations that-
(3)
11 removed
(A)
(A) Include the clause at 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards, and
(A)
17 removed
(B)
(B) The contract may be exempt from the Service Contract Labor Standards statute in accordance with 22.1003-4(d).
(B)
19 removed
(ii)
(ii) When resoliciting in accordance with 22.1003-4(d)(3)(iii), amend the solicitation by removing the provision at 52.222-52 from the solicitation.
(ii)
24 removed
(4)
(4) The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.222-53, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services-Requirements-
(4)
22 removed
(i)
(i) In solicitations that include the provision at 52.222-52, or the comparable provision is checked as applicable in 52.204-8(c)(2) or 52.212-3(k)(2); and
(i)
25 removed
(ii)
(ii) In resulting contracts in which the contracting officer has determined, in accordance with 22.1003-4(d)(3), that the Service Contract Labor Standards statute does not apply.
Class Deviation 2023-O0008 – Commercial Products and Commercial Services Omnibus Clause for Acquisitions Using the Procurement Desktop-Defense System
Modify clause 52.222-53