Ethics & Anti-Trafficking (Parts 3 / 22)

FAR 52.222-50

Combating Trafficking in Persons

Implements the Trafficking Victims Protection Act and EO 13627. Prohibits the contractor and its employees / subs from engaging in trafficking-in-persons activities (severe forms of trafficking, sex acts during performance, forced labor, etc.). Adds an enhanced compliance plan and certification for any contract > $500K performed outside the United States.

FAR / DFARS Part
FAR Part 22 — Application of Labor Laws to Government Acquisitions
Prescribed By
FAR 22.1705(a) — Required in all solicitations and contracts.
Flow-down to Subcontracts

Yes — flow down to all subcontracts and subawards at all tiers (52.222-50(g)).

What this clause requires

  • 1Prohibition on contractor / employee / subcontractor engagement in trafficking-related activities.
  • 2Notice and remedies — contractors must notify the CO of any credible information regarding violations.
  • 3For contracts > $500K performed outside the US (other than commercial items at COTS): a written Compliance Plan and annual certification (52.222-50(h)).
  • 4Compliance Plan must include: awareness program, reporting mechanism, recruitment/wage practices, housing standards, and victim-protection provisions.
  • 5Flow down to all subcontracts and subawards.

When this clause applies

Every Federal contract. The enhanced plan/certification applies only to contracts > $500K performed outside the US (non-commercial COTS exempt).

Common pitfalls

!Missing the enhanced plan requirement for international contracts > $500K — many primes overlook the threshold.
!Failing to flow down — paragraph (g) requires all-tier flow-down.
!Recruitment fees paid by foreign workers to third-party recruiters is a per-se violation; document recruitment practices.
!Confiscating employee passports or restricting movement = per-se violation.

Proposal-team checklist

  • ☐If international contract > $500K, draft Compliance Plan and certification template before award.
  • ☐Brief recruitment partners — no recruitment fees from workers, no passport confiscation, written contracts in worker's language.
  • ☐Maintain a confidential reporting mechanism (anonymous hotline).
  • ☐Annual compliance training for all employees on contract.

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FAQ

Does this clause apply to purely domestic work?

Yes — the basic prohibition applies always. The enhanced Compliance Plan / annual certification applies only to non-COTS contracts > $500K performed outside the US.

What counts as a 'reportable' incident?

Any credible information regarding a violation. The standard is low — when in doubt, report. Reporting does not necessarily lead to termination, but failure to report does.

Related clauses

FAR 52.222-26
Equal Opportunity

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Reference content based on the Federal Acquisition Regulation and DFARS as of June 2026. Always verify the current clause text at acquisition.gov before relying on it for an actual submission. Educational reference; not legal advice.