Reading Room Document

Application of the Davis-Bacon Act to Urban Development Projects That Receive Partial Federal Funding

Section 110 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 requires that those engaged in construction work that is financed with federal funds (whether in whole or in part) receive wages at rates prevailing in the locality as determined by the Secretary of Labor under the Davis-Bacon Act. However, if the construction work is not financed with federal funds, the Davis-Bacon Act wage rates need not be paid, even if other aspects of the construction project, such as land, fixtures, or services, receive federal funds pursuant to the Act. This question arose pursuant to a dispute between the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in the course of exercising their respective authorities under the Act. The Office of Legal Counsel has jurisdiction to resolve the dispute pursuant to Executive Order No. 12146. The OLC does not provide release dates for its opinions, so the release date listed is the date on which the opinion was authored. The original opinion is available at www.justice.gov/file/23976/download.

August 6, 1987