The Davis-Bacon Act

Abstract

This research provides analysis of the methodology used by the Department of Labor when issuing prevailing wage determinations in accordance with the Davis-Bacon Act. A survey was conducted of the key literature dealing with the economic and social consequences of this legislation. The conclusions based on this research are that the Department of Labor utilizes a methodology which often results in inappropriately high determinations of the prevailing wage and that the Davis-Bacon Act increases the price of Federal construction. The research also analyzed the background and legislative history of the Davis-Bacon Act, the Department of Labor's implementing procedures, and the major controversies surrounding the Davis-Bacon Act.