Knowledge Base

Understanding Federal Compliance Requirements for Government Contractors

Navigate the complex landscape of federal compliance standards, from labor laws to cybersecurity requirements.

BidSense AI Team
November 18, 2025

Essential Compliance Areas

Government contractors must comply with numerous federal regulations:

Labor Standards

  • Davis-Bacon Act: Prevailing wage requirements for construction contracts
  • Service Contract Act: Minimum wage and benefits for service contracts
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Minimum wage and overtime requirements

Equal Opportunity

  • Affirmative Action Plans (AAP) for contracts over $50,000
  • EEO-1 reporting requirements
  • Veterans' employment reporting (VETS-4212)

Cybersecurity

  • NIST SP 800-171: For Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)
  • DFARS 252.204-7012: Cybersecurity requirements for defense contracts
  • System Security Plans (SSP) and Plan of Action & Milestones (POA&M)

Compliance Management

Establish a compliance program that includes:

  • Regular training for staff
  • Documented policies and procedures
  • Internal audits and monitoring
  • Quick response to compliance issues

Resources

Stay updated through:

  • Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
  • Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS)
  • Department of Labor compliance resources
  • Your agency's contracting office