PRIA, Government Policy, Made Personal

Summary

Applies federal labor rules to contracts that may hire laborers or mechanics for public work for the federal government, U.S. territories, or the District of Columbia. It also covers other contracts where the government is a party, the contract is made for the government, or the work is partly paid for or backed by federal loans or grants that set wage standards. "Federal Government" means the same thing as "United States" in the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act. Covers all laborers and mechanics hired by a contractor or subcontractor on those jobs, including watchmen, guards, and workers on dredging or rock excavation, but not seamen. The rules do not apply to contracts for transportation, transmission of intelligence, buying ordinary market supplies, work covered by chapter 65 of title 41, or contracts of $100,000 or less. The part called section 3702 does not apply when the only federal help is a loan guarantee or insurance.

Title 40, §3701

Public Buildings, Property, and Works, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Definition.—

In this chapter, the term “Federal Government” has the same meaning that the term “United States” had in the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (Public Law 87–581, 76 Stat. 357).

(b)Application.—

(1)Contracts.—

This chapter applies to—

(A)any contract that may require or involve the employment of laborers or mechanics on a public work of the Federal Government, a territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia; and

(B)any other contract that may require or involve the employment of laborers or mechanics if the contract is one—

(i)to which the Government, an agency or instrumentality of the Government, a territory, or the District of Columbia is a party;

(ii)which is made for or on behalf of the Government, an agency or instrumentality, a territory, or the District of Columbia; or

(iii)which is a contract for work financed at least in part by loans or grants from, or loans insured or guaranteed by, the Government or an agency or instrumentality under any federal law providing wage standards for the work.

(2)Laborers and mechanics.—

This chapter applies to all laborers and mechanics employed by a contractor or subcontractor in the performance of any part of the work under the contract—

(A)including watchmen, guards, and workers performing services in connection with dredging or rock excavation in any river or harbor of the United States, a territory, or the District of Columbia; but

(B)not including an employee employed as a seaman.

(3)Exceptions.—

(A)This chapter.—

This chapter does not apply to—

(i)a contract for—

(I)transportation by land, air, or water;

(II)the transmission of intelligence; or

(III)the purchase of supplies or materials or articles ordinarily available in the open market;

(ii)any work required to be done in accordance with the provisions of chapter 65 of title 41; and

(iii)a contract in an amount that is not greater than $100,000.

(B)section 3702.—

section 3702 of this title does not apply to work where the assistance described in paragraph (1)(B)(iii) from the Government or an agency or instrumentality is only a loan guarantee or insurance.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 3701(a)(no source). 3701(b)(1)40:329(a) (1st sentence less proviso).Pub. L. 87–581, title I, § 103(a), (b), Aug. 13, 1962, 76 Stat. 358. 3701(b)(2)40:329(a) (last sentence). 3701(b)(3) (A)(i), (ii)40:329(b). 3701(b)(3) (A)(iii)40:329(c).Pub. L. 87–581, title I, § 103(c), as added Pub. L. 103–355, title IV, § 4104(c)(1), Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3342. 3701(b)(3)(B)40:329(a) (1st sentence proviso). Subsection (a) is added for clarity. In subsection (b)(1), before clause (A), the words “except as otherwise provided” are omitted as unnecessary. In subsection (b)(2), before clause (A), the words “Except as otherwise expressly provided” are omitted as unnecessary. In subsection (b)(3)(A)(ii), the words “Walsh-Healey Act” are substituted for [“]Walsh-Healey Public Contracts Act” to use the correct

Short Title

of the Act.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act, referred to in subsec. (a), is title I of Pub. L. 87–581, Aug. 13, 1962, 76 Stat. 357, which was classified generally to subchapter II (§ 327 et seq.) of chapter 5 of former Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works, prior to repeal and reenactment as this chapter by Pub. L. 107–217, §§ 1, 6(b), Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1062, 1304. section 101 of title I of Pub. L. 87–581 was classified to section 327 of former Title 40 and was repealed and not reenacted by Pub. L. 107–217. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

Amendments

2011—Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 111–350 substituted “chapter 65 of title 41” for “the Walsh-Healey Act (41 U.S.C. 35 et seq.)”. 2006—Subsec. (b)(3)(B). Pub. L. 109–284 substituted “3702” for “3902” in heading and text and “paragraph (1)(B)(iii)” for “subsection (a)(2)(C)” in text.

§3701 Definition and Application