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Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis
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Wages

Government Contracts

Prevailing wage requirements of various laws applicable to government contracts are enforced by the Wage & Hour Division.

The Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA) require payment of prevailing wages to laborers and mechanics employed on federal and federally-assisted construction projects.

The McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act requires payment of prevailing wage rates and fringe benefits to service employees employed on contracts to provide services to the federal government.

The Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (CWHSSA) requires contractors and subcontractors on federal contracts to pay laborers and mechanics at least one and one-half times their basic rate of pay for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek. This Act also prohibits unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous working conditions in the construction industry on federal and federally financed and assisted projects.

The Copeland “Anti-Kickback” Act prohibits a contractor or subcontractor from inducing an employee to give up any part of his/her compensation to which he/she is entitled under his/her contract of employment. The Act's implementing regulations requires a contractor and subcontractor to submit a weekly statement of the wages paid each employee performing covered work during the preceding payroll period.

The Walsh-Healey Public Contracts Act requires payment of minimum wage rates and overtime pay on federal contracts to manufacture or furnish materials, supplies, or equipment.

DOL Web Pages on This Topic

Compliance Assistance: Wages in Government Contracts

Davis-Bacon Wage Determinations
Current Davis-Bacon wage determinations that will apply to future contracts are available at this site.

Wage and Hour Division Home Page
This site includes direct links for accessing Wage and Hour District Office address and phone numbers, the Davis-Bacon poster (WH-1321), optional payroll form WH-347 (PDF) (with instructions), and Davis-Bacon survey data collection form WD-10, "Report of Construction Contractor's Wage Rates."

All Agency Memo Nos. 130 and 131 (PDF)
These memoranda provide guidance on determining the type of construction (building, residential, highway, or heavy).

Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA) Web Information Service
Provides public access to Davis-Bacon information and supports the user in filling out the Report of Construction Contractor's Wage Rates (WD-10) Form. Includes information about the Schedule of Surveys being conducted to make wage determinations and regional office information.

DBRA Site Map
A site map particularly useful in accessing Wage and Hour Regional Office contacts and information concerning the status of Davis-Bacon surveys and the survey process.

McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act
Covers contracts entered into by federal and District of Columbia agencies where the principal purpose of the contract is to furnish services through the use of "service employees."

Service Contract Act Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
These FAQs pertain to the issuance of wage determinations under the Service Contract Act.

Service Contract Act Directory of Occupations
Provides definitions of occupations subject to the Service Contract Act.

Service Contract Act Compliance Assistance Memo 196
Service Contract Act Health and Welfare Fringe Benefit Changes (Memo 196).

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Laws & Regulations on This Topic

Regulations
29 CFR Part 1
Procedures for Predetermination of Davis-Bacon Wage Rates

29 CFR Part 3
Contractors and Subcontractors on Public Building or Public Work Financed In Whole or In Part by Loans or Grants

29 CFR Part 4
Labor Standards for Federal Service Contracts

29 CFR Part 5
Davis-Bacon and Related Acts Provisions and Procedures

29 CFR Part 6
Rules of Practice for Administrative Proceedings Enforcing Labor Standards In Federal and Federally Assisted Construction Contracts and Federal Service Contracts

29 CFR Part 7
Practice Before the Administrative Review Board With Regard to Federal and Federally Assisted Construction Contracts

29 CFR Part 8
Practice Before the Administrative Review Board With Regard to Federal Service Contracts