🗞️ Know Before You Build: Labor Department Opens Free Prevailing Wage Training for Federal Contractors

The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division is offering federal contractors, unions, and workers two rounds of free online training this year on the wage rules governing federally funded projects, continuing a compliance outreach program the division has run on a recurring basis for many years.

The seminars, set for May 20-21 and September 23-24, will walk participants through compliance obligations under two cornerstone federal labor laws: the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts, which dates to 1931 and requires contractors on federally funded construction projects exceeding $2,000 to pay locally prevailing wages and fringe benefits, and the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act, enacted in 1965, which extends similar wage-floor protections to federal service contracts above $2,500. Attendees may participate in either or both days.

The training comes after the Labor Department's 2023 overhaul of Davis-Bacon regulations, the law's first comprehensive revision in roughly four decades. The update changed how prevailing wage rates are calculated, broadened the definition of covered workers, and strengthened enforcement mechanisms. Together, the Davis-Bacon and Service Contract Acts govern an estimated $217 billion in annual federal spending across construction and service contracts, affecting an estimated 1.2 million workers nationwide.

Registration is free but required through Eventbrite; session access details are sent after sign-up. Contractors with questions can also reach the division's helpline at 1-866-4US-WAGE (487-9243).

Key Points

• The Labor Department's Wage and Hour Division will host free, two-day virtual seminars on federal prevailing wage compliance
• Sessions are scheduled for May 20-21 and September 23-24, 2026; participants may attend one or both days
• Coverage includes the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (federally funded construction) and the Service Contract Act (federal service contracts)
• Open to contractors, contracting agencies, unions, workers, and other stakeholders
• Free to attend; registration via Eventbrite is required
• The Davis-Bacon Act, dating to 1931, applies to federally funded construction contracts over $2,000; the Service Contract Act, enacted in 1965, covers federal service contracts over $2,500
• The 2023 Davis-Bacon regulatory overhaul, the first comprehensive revision in roughly 40 years, expanded coverage and revised how prevailing wage rates are determined
• The two laws collectively cover an estimated $217 billion in annual federal contract spending affecting an estimated 1.2 million workers

Primary Source Author: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division

Primary Source: U.S. Department of Labor Announces 2026 Virtual Seminars for Federal Contractors on Prevailing Wage Requirements

Supplemental Links

• WHD Prevailing Wage Seminars page (registration and updates)
• Davis-Bacon and Related Acts, WHD overview
• Service Contract Act, WHD overview
• Prevailing wages on federal contracts, Worker.gov
• DOL Employment Law Guide, Prevailing Wages in Service Contracts
• JD Supra: 2023 Davis-Bacon Act rule changes explained