The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued Davis-Bacon wage surveys for seven states and ABC is encouraging contractors and subcontractors who have performed work in those states during the appropriate timeframe to participate. 

The Davis-Bacon Act requires payment of locally “prevailing” wage rates and fringe benefits to employees of contractors and subcontractors performing work on federally financed or assisted construction projects. DOL’s Wage & Hour Division is responsible for conducting surveys to establish the wage rates applicable to such projects.

Surveys are being conducted in the following states (respondents do not need to reside in the state listed in order to participate):

Arkansas – for federal and non-federal highway projects that are active or ongoing between Aug. 1 through July 31. Deadline: July 31.

Florida – for federal and non-federal highway projects that were active or ongoing between Jan. 1, 2009 through Dec. 31, 2009. Deadline: March 29.

Iowa – for federal and non-federal building projects that were active or ongoing between July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012. Deadline: June 29.

Kentucky – for federal and non-federal highway projects that were active or ongoing between July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012. Deadline: Feb. 28. For federal and non-federal building projects that were active or ongoing between May1, 2011 through April 30, 2012. Deadline: Feb. 28.

Louisiana – for federal and non-federal building projects were active or ongoing between Jan. 1, 2011 through Feb. 29, 2012. Deadline: March 29.

North Dakota – for federal and non-federal building projects that were active or ongoing between Oct. 1, 2010 through March 31, 2012. Surveys must be submitted by Feb. 15.

South Dakota – for federal and non-federal building projects were active or ongoing between Oct. 1, 2010 through March 31, 2012. Deadline: Feb. 15.

Surveys can be accessed and submitted electronically, at http://www.dol.gov/whd/programs/dbra/wd10/index.htm. 

Participation in these surveys is crucial. Low turnout in DOL’s surveys can often result in wage rates that are not representative of the true “prevailing” rates in a given area. This is due in large part to inherent flaws in the unscientific survey/calculation methodology used by DOL, which ABC National has been actively trying to reform for years. Nevertheless, DOL continues to calculate wages in this manner. Once a survey has been conducted, collected, and calculated, it is difficult to appeal and change the rates until the area is surveyed again. The best way to fight for accurate wages is to complete the surveys.