Davis-Bacon in Oregon

Who and what this applies to

Federal construction, alteration, and repair contracts for public buildings or public works, including painting and decorating, where the United States or the District of Columbia is a contracting party. Separate Related Acts can extend Davis-Bacon labor standards to covered federally assisted construction.

Thresholds and scope

The Davis-Bacon Act applies to covered prime contracts exceeding $2,000. Related Act coverage depends on the statute authorizing the assistance and the project.

The rules

• Under 40 U.S.C. section 3142, covered contracts require payment to laborers and mechanics employed directly on the site of the work at least weekly, at rates no lower than the applicable prevailing wage determination. The required compensation includes the basic hourly rate and required fringe benefits, which may be provided through qualifying benefits or cash as the statute permits. Source
• Qualifying apprentices may receive a lower registered-program rate only when the applicable registration and program conditions are met. The Department of Labor’s apprenticeship rules govern those exceptions. Source
• The Department of Labor determines the prevailing rates for the work classifications and locality. Contractors and subcontractors must use the wage determination applicable to their covered contract. Source
• Federal assistance alone does not establish coverage: many, but not all, construction-assistance statutes include Davis-Bacon requirements. Identify the funding program and its governing Related Act. Source
• SAM.gov publishes Davis-Bacon wage determinations. Search by the wage-determination number or the Davis-Bacon public-buildings-or-works category, and match the decision to the contract, locality, and work classification. Source

Deadlines

Covered site laborers and mechanics must be paid at least weekly under 40 U.S.C. section 3142(c)(1).

Primary sources

• 40 U.S.C. § 3142(a)–(d), Office of the Law Revision Counsel
• U.S. Department of Labor, Fact Sheet 66: Davis-Bacon and Related Acts
• U.S. Department of Labor, Davis-Bacon and Related Acts training, January 30, 2026
• SAM.gov, Wage Determinations

Sources reviewed 2026-09-30. This guide covers the projects and rules stated above.

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