Increasing the Minimum Wage for Federal Contractors

This document finalizes regulations to implement an Executive order titled "Increasing the Minimum Wage for Federal Contractors," which was signed by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. on April 27, 2021. The Executive order states the Federal Government's procurement interests in economy and efficiency are promoted when the Federal Government contracts with sources that adequately compensate their workers. The Executive order therefore seeks to raise the hourly minimum wage paid by those contractors to workers performing work on or in connection with covered Federal contracts to $15.00 per hour, beginning January 30, 2022; and beginning January 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, an amount determined by the Secretary of Labor (Secretary). The Executive order directs the Secretary to issue regulations by November 24, 2021, consistent with applicable law, to implement the order's requirements. This final rule therefore establishes standards and procedures for implementing and enforcing the minimum wage protections of the Executive order. As required by the order, the final rule incorporates to the extent practicable existing definitions, principles, procedures, remedies, and enforcement processes under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, the Service Contract Act, the Davis- Bacon Act, and the Executive order of February 12, 2014, entitled "Establishing a Minimum Wage for Contractors," as well as the regulations issued to implement that order.