INFORMATION MEMORANDUM [See Attachment at the bottom]

TO: Head Start Grantees and Delegate Agencies

SUBJECT: The Davis-Bacon Act and Head Start Programs

A new provision in Section 644(g)(3) of the Head Start Act signed into law by the President on May 18, 1994 requires that all contracts entered into by any Head Start program, on or after October 1, 1994, which are in excess of $2,000 and are for the construction, renovation or repair of buildings used by Head Start programs, are subject to the requirements of the Davis-Bacon Act.

The Davis-Bacon Act requires that any contractor hired to construct, renovate or repair a Head Start facility (if the contract exceeds $2,000) must pay the laborers and mechanics engaged in the construction, renovation or repair "prevailing rate" wages. These "prevailing rate" wages are determined by the Department of Labor for each county in the country and are updated, as necessary. The Davis-Bacon Act also includes provisions about fringe benefits to be paid to laborers and mechanics, limitations on wage withholding, and payroll and record keeping requirements.

Details on the Davis-Bacon Act and how it could affect your program are available from your ACF Regional Office.

/S/
Helen H. Taylor
Associate Commissioner
Head Start Bureau

Attachment:
Davis-Bacon Guidance