(Washington, DC) – The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will address Davis-Bacon and Labor Standard applicability to District of Columbia construction projects by holding a one-day training session.  The training, which will educate District Government agencies on the importance of Davis-Bacon, will be held Thursday, March 27 from 9 am – 4 pm at 801 North Capitol Street, NE.

The theme of the training session is “Making Davis-Bacon Work in the District of Columbia.”  Attendees will learn information on the application of Davis-Bacon and Labor Standards when using Federal and Local funding for construction and service contracts.

The Davis-Bacon Act requires the payment of prevailing wage rates, which are determined by the US Department of Labor, to all laborers and mechanics on Federal government and District of Columbia construction projects in excess of $2,000.  Davis-Bacon applies to construction projects funded with local dollars, even if used with federal funds that are exempt from Davis-Bacon. 

When DHCD makes a loan for a construction project that benefits the District and/or in which the District/DHCD is an integral partner in the construction project (i.e., loan to produce affordable housing), Davis-Bacon is triggered. Davis-Bacon is not triggered if DHCD funds an acquisition-only project, i.e. no construction or rehabilitation is planned or reasonably anticipated.   As such, Site Acquisition Funding Initiative (SAFI) acquisition-only loans and acquisitions under the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act will trigger Davis-Bacon if construction work is reasonably anticipated.  When DHCD provides funding to a homeowner to make repairs to their home under Lead Safe Washington or the Single Family Rehabilitation Program, Davis-Bacon is not triggered because the construction rehabilitation contract is between the homeowner and the contractor.

The March 27 training session will provide an opportunity for all District agencies that are involved with construction and rehabilitation projects to learn how Davis-Bacon may apply.  District Government employees should contact Angela Nottingham at (202) 442-7217 or angela.nottingham@dc.gov to register.

Persons who have further questions regarding Davis-Bacon and how it may apply should contact Michelle Christopher at (202) 442-7241 or michelle.christopher@dc.gov.