IV. Davis-Bacon Wage Surveys
When is data from federal projects included in Davis-Bacon wage
surveys?
The purpose of a Davis-Bacon wage survey is to collect information on
wage and fringe
benefits rates paid to mechanics and laborers working on construction
projects of a similar character in a predetermined geographic area and
during a specified calendar period. Established criteria are used to
ensure surveys properly observe established time frames, construction
types, geographic areas, classifications, area practices, and accepted
procedures for data computation and survey notification. In addition, the
criteria cover adequacy of the survey data. Survey data adequacy is
examined through use of the overall usable response rate and employment
criteria for individual classes. In general, only private
construction wage data are used wherever possible on building and
residential
construction wage surveys. Federal wage data are always included in
heavy and
highway
wage surveys.
However, whenever the private construction survey response rate for a
county is less than 25 percent, or the private construction data are
insufficient to determine prevailing wage rates for one half of the key
classes expected to be required for the construction covered, Federal
construction wage data will be used pursuant to the Wage Appeals Board
(WAB) ruling in Appeal of
General Wage Determination Nos. ID85-5013 and ID86-0004, State of Idaho,
WAB Case Number 86-22. If
there is still insufficient data to develop a wage determination, private
construction wage data from an adjoining similar county will be combined
with the private data from the first county. If this procedure still
does not yield sufficient private construction wage data, Federal
construction data will be considered. The review described above
will continue until a wage determination is developed.
Because there is no method to accurately forecast the amount of wage
data which will be voluntarily submitted by interested parties, all wage
data whether federal or private is requested. As stated above, the
wage data from Federal construction are not commingled until it is
determined that the private wage data are insufficient.
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