Davis-Bacon Act (Federal)
Federal construction dollars come with Davis-Bacon rules. We manage the wage determinations, weekly payroll reporting, and DOL requirements.
The Davis-Bacon Act and its Related Acts attach prevailing wage requirements to most federally funded or federally assisted construction: highways and bridges, military facilities, housing, water and wastewater treatment, energy projects, and more. Wage rates come from Department of Labor wage determinations published on SAM.gov, certified payroll is submitted every week (usually on form WH-347), and enforcement is shared by the funding agency and the DOL Wage and Hour Division.
The 2023 Davis-Bacon final rule made the contract clauses effective by operation of law even when they are missing from a contract, allowed withholding across a contractor's other federal contracts, and extended coverage to some off-site fabrication locations. It caught many general contractors and subcontractors off guard.
What we cover
Wage Determination Analysis
The correct wage determination for your project type, county, and construction category, whether building, residential, heavy, or highway, locked at award and monitored for modifications.
WH-347 Certified Payroll
Weekly federal certified payroll reports prepared or reviewed for every trade on the job, with compliant statements of compliance.
Conformance Requests
When no classification on the wage determination fits the work your crews perform, we prepare and file additional classification requests with the DOL.
Fringe Benefit Compliance
Cash payments in lieu of benefits, bona fide plans, and annualization handled and documented correctly for auditors.
Related Acts Coverage
HUD, DOT, EPA, DOE, and other funding agency overlays identified and managed alongside the base Davis-Bacon requirements.
DOL Investigation Support
Payroll records production, back wage calculations, and resolution support when the Wage and Hour Division opens a case on your project.
What Federal Davis-Bacon requires.
Enforced by U.S. DOL Wage and Hour, funding agency.
What it costs to miss
Since DOL's 2023 rule, Davis-Bacon terms apply by operation of law even if they were left out of the contract, and funds can be withheld from your other federal contracts.
- Applies to federally funded or assisted construction contracts over $2,000, under Davis-Bacon and about 70 related acts.
- Use the SAM.gov wage determination in the bid documents. It's generally locked in at bid opening if the contract is awarded within 90 days.
- WH-347 certified payroll is submitted weekly, for every week contract work is performed.
- Any craft not on the determination needs an approved conformance before it's paid, not after.
- Overtime after 40 hours under the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act on contracts over $100,000.
- Fringe credits must be annualized, and apprentices must be enrolled in a registered program.
Summary for general information, current as of 2026. Specific projects can add requirements through contracts, PLAs, or funding agreements.
Other industries
Bidding a public works job, or holding a notice?
Send us the contract, the wage determination, or the letter. We'll tell you what applies and what it takes to handle it.
Tell us about your project.
Tell us the job, who's funding it, and what you need help with. You'll hear back within one business day.
- Call the office
- (562) 418-4269
- Office
- 444 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 800
Long Beach, CA 90802 - Hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific