blog
The contents of the following blog come from our YouTube video.
When working on a public works project, contractors will encounter a variety of terms and concepts related to prevailing wage. One of these terms is the “awarding body.” Understanding what an awarding body is and what role it plays on a project can help contractors better understand the requirements they are working under.
An awarding body is the public agency that contracts for and oversees a public works project. It is the entity that awards the contract to a contractor and typically holds responsibility for ensuring prevailing wage requirements are followed throughout the life of the project.
Awarding bodies can look different depending on the project. An awarding body may be a city or county government, a school district, a state agency, a transit authority, or a federal agency. In general, it is the public entity that is funding or contracting for the work.
Understanding who the awarding body is matters for several reasons.
First, the awarding body is often a contractor’s point of contact for project-specific requirements. These requirements can include which wage determination applies, reporting procedures, and local or program-specific rules that are layered on top of standard prevailing wage requirements.
Understanding the applicable wage determination is particularly important because it identifies the classifications and wage rates that apply to the project.
Second, awarding bodies frequently have compliance monitoring responsibilities. This can include reviewing certified payroll records, responding to complaints, and, in some cases, referring violations to the appropriate labor agency for enforcement.
Because certified payroll records are an important part of prevailing wage compliance, contractors should make sure their payroll information accurately reflects the work performed and wages paid.
The awarding body is not always the same entity as the funding source.
A project can be funded through a state or federal program but administered locally. In these situations, it is important to understand who is actually awarding and overseeing the contract versus who is providing the funding.
This distinction between the funding source and awarding body comes up frequently on state- and federally funded projects. Contractors should identify the awarding body early in the project rather than assuming that the organization providing the funding is also the entity responsible for awarding and overseeing the contract.
Knowing who the awarding body is can help contractors understand exactly whose rules and requirements they are working under.
The awarding body may provide information about project-specific wage requirements, reporting procedures, and other compliance obligations. It may also be involved in monitoring compliance throughout the life of the project.
For contractors working on public works projects, identifying the awarding body early can provide a clearer understanding of where project requirements come from and who is responsible for overseeing them.
An awarding body is the public agency that contracts for and oversees a public works project. It is the entity that awards the contract to the contractor and typically oversees prevailing wage compliance throughout the project.
Awarding bodies can include cities, counties, school districts, state agencies, transit authorities, and federal agencies. They may also have responsibilities related to project-specific requirements and compliance monitoring.
It is also important to distinguish the awarding body from the project's funding source, since the entity providing the funding is not necessarily the entity awarding or administering the contract.
Understanding who the awarding body is early in a project can help contractors identify the rules, reporting procedures, and prevailing wage requirements they are expected to follow.
Have questions about prevailing wage requirements? Let’s get in touch.
blog
blog
blog
blog
blog
blog