What is FAR 52.222-21?

FAR 52.222-21 (Prohibition of segregated facilities.) is a federal acquisition regulation clause that may be included in government contracts. It falls under the labor category.

When is FAR 52.222-21 required?

FAR 52.222-21 is typically required when the contracting officer determines it's applicable to the specific procurement. Check the solicitation's Section I for included clauses.

Does FAR 52.222-21 flow down to subcontractors?

Whether FAR 52.222-21 flows down depends on the specific clause language and contract type. Review the clause text for flow-down provisions.

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52.222-21 — Prohibition of segregated facilities.

Last updated: 2026-04

Researched by the BidStride Research Team

What This Clause Requires

FAR 52.222-21 — Prohibition of segregated facilities.. This clause is part of the Federal Acquisition Regulation and may be included in government contracts as a solicitation provision or contract clause.

Official Regulation Text

52.222-21 Prohibition of segregated facilities. As prescribed in 22.810(a)(1), insert the following clause: Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (APR 2015) (a) Definitions. As used in this clause— Gender identity has the meaning given by the Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, and is found at www.dol.gov/ofccp/LGBT/LGBT_FAQs.html. Segregated facilities means any waiting rooms, work areas, rest rooms and wash rooms, restaurants and other eating areas, time clocks, locker rooms and other storage or dressing areas, parking lots, drinking fountains, recreation or entertainment areas, transportation, and housing facilities provided for employees, that are segregated by explicit directive or are in fact segregated on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin because of written or oral policies or employee custom. The term does not include separate or single-user rest rooms or necessary dressing or sleeping areas provided to assure privacy between the sexes. Sexual orientation has the meaning given by the Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, and is found at www.dol.gov/ofccp/LGBT/LGBT_FAQs.html. (b) The Contractor agrees that it does not and will not maintain or provide for its employees any segregated facilities at any of its establishments, and that it does not and will not permit its employees to perform their services at any location under its control where segregated facilities are maintained. The Contractor agrees that a breach of this clause is a violation of the Equal Opportunity clause in this contract. (c) The Contractor shall include this clause in every subcontract and purchase order that is subject to the Equal Opportunity clause of this contract. (End of clause) [53 FR 70285, Dec. 18, 1998, as amended at 80 FR 19507, Apr. 10, 2015]
Source: eCFR, 48 CFR 52.222-21 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-48/section-52.222-21)

Compliance Checklist

(c) The Contractor shall include this clause in every subcontract and purchase order that is subject to the Equal Opportunity clause of this contract.

Flow-Down to Subcontractors

Flow-down required

This clause must be included in subcontracts with no subcontractors where the subcontractor will perform work covered by this clause. Typically appears in contract Section Section I.

Frequently Asked Questions

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This summary is for informational purposes only and reflects the BidStride Research Team's plain-English interpretation of the regulation. It is not legal advice and does not constitute an attorney-client relationship. Always consult the official Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) or Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) text and qualified legal counsel for compliance decisions.