The $17.75 Contractor Minimum Wage Executive Order is rescinded. But the Obama-era $13.30 Contractor Minimum Wage Executive Order remains in place. That creates some confusion. It is my opinion that the workers formerly covered by the $17.75 an hour minimum wage are now covered by the $13.30 minimum wage, or any higher wage required by the prevailing wage laws or state or local government minimum wages.
Read MoreGSA and DoD recently issued “Class Deviations” to implement President Trump’s Executive Order 14173 that repealed long-standing federal contract equal opportunity requirements. The deviations make significant changes to current and future solicitations and require the modification of existing contracts with more than six months remaining.
Read MoreSomething tells me we are about to get an explosion of termination disputes in our field of government contracts, and that the Boards of Contract Appeals and the Courts are going to have to sort out what is fair in the way of termination costs. So don’t believe the DOGE figures on cost savings. They haven’t any idea how much the termination of government contracts for convenience is going to cost them.
Read MorePresident Biden issued an Executive Order mandating the use of Project Labor Agreements for construction projects costing in excess of $35 million. A recent court decision and newly issued class deviations that waive the PLA requirement have put his EO on life support.
Read MoreGoverning by decree using executive orders is a terrible way of regulating government procurement. Both political parties should call a truce, and stop issuing procurement related executive orders.
Read MorePresident Trump’s DEI Executive Order is an attempt to turn the ship of state on a dime with respect to anti-discrimination and diversity policies. Among other things, the order will require contractors and grantees to certify they don’t operate programs promoting DEI. The consequence of being wrong? — potential False Claims Act liability.
Read MoreThe US Department of Labor has issued its announcement of federal contractor minimum wage rates for 2025. For most nonexempt federal contractor employees, the new rate will be $17.75 per hour. However, contractors must review their wage rates across the board to make sure they're in compliance with the multiple minimum wage rates that could apply.
Read MoreWe’ve posted hundreds of blogs over the last six years. Looking back, three out of the top 10 posts are about Service Contract Act vacation rules. For a benefit that’s all about relaxation, it’s one of the most vexing SCA requirements—so much so that I believe they’re a poster child for the cliche that no good deed goes unpunished.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Labor Wage & Hour Division has only about 720 investigators. Once upon a time it had over 1,000 investigators. This means that those who would cross the lines set for child labor, minimum wage, and overtime pay, along with noncompliance with Government contract wage laws, are less likely to be found or punished.
Read MoreHere’s a gentle reminder. New federal contractor minimum wage rates went into effect on New Year’s Day. Federal contractors should be sure they have revisited their payrolls to verify their wage rates are where they should be. Read on for a refresher about what should be considered.
Read MoreThe Congressional Review Act (“CRA”) gives Congress a shot at nullifying executive branch regulations. Look for the Republicans to try to invoke it as we approach election day and in the next session of Congress thereafter, depending on the election outcome.
Read MoreOn January 1, 2024, if no further injunctions are issued or appeals are decided, a new federal government contractor minimum wage as high as $17.20 will go into effect.
Read MoreLast week a Texas judge rejected President Biden’s Executive Order that requires federal contractors to pay a minimum wage when they are working on or in connection with a covered federal contract. This is the latest installment in the ongoing battle over the President’s use of Executive Orders to direct federal contractors to adopt workplace rules under the federal Procurement Act.
Read MoreWe have two different Contractor Minimum Wage Executive Orders. One requires a $12.15 minimum wage. The other requires a $16.20 an hour minimum wage. But the curious thing is they both use the same FAR section clause number — FAR 52.225-55. Confused.? So am I.
Read MoreThe Wall Street Journal got the minimum wage wrong. But the good news is they issued an errata shortly thereafter correcting the mistake.
Read MoreWith the new year comes new minimum wage rates applicable to employees who work on or in connection with many federal contracts. Consider this a courteous nudge to make sure you’re complying with the correct minimum wage requirements.
Read MoreThe Biden Administration has issued an Executive Order and proposed regulations for project labor agreements which will likely get finalized and become effective in 2023. it is time for construction contractors to get prepared.
Read MoreMany (if not most) of the myriad laws, regulations, and executive orders that apply to federal contractors each come with their own requirements to notify employees of the existence of these laws and their rights under them. For every rule, there’s a poster. News flash: they change - All. The. Time.
Read MoreDOL publishes a Notice on the Federal Register listing the new Federal Contractor Minimum Wage rates starting January 1, 2023.
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