[Federal Register: October 1, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 191)]
[Notices]
[Page 57153]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01oc08-116]
[[Page 57153]]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment Standards Administration
Proposed Extension of the Approval of Information Collection
Requirements
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to
ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format,
reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized,
collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of
collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed.
Currently, the Employment Standards Administration is soliciting
comments concerning the proposal to extend OMB approval of the
information collection: Certified Payrolls Under The Davis-Bacon and
Related Acts (WH-347). A copy of the proposed information collection
request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the
addresses section of this Notice.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the
addresses section below on or before December 1, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Ms. Hazel M. Bell, U.S. Department of Labor, 200
Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone
(202) 693-0418, fax (202) 693-1451, E-mail bell.hazel@dol.gov. Please
use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or e-
mail).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background: The Copeland Act requires contractors and
subcontractors performing work on federally financed or assisted
construction contracts to furnish weekly a statement with respect to
the wages paid each employee during the preceding week. See 29 U.S.C.
3145 and 29 CFR 3.3(b). Regulations 29 CFR 5.5(a)(3)(ii)(A) requires
contractors to submit weekly a copy of all payrolls to the Federal
agency contracting for or financing the construction project. A signed
``Statement of Compliance'' indicating the payrolls are correct and
complete and that each laborer or mechanic has been paid not less than
the proper Davis-Bacon Act (DBA) prevailing wage rate for the work
performed must accompany the payroll. See id. 5.5(a)(3)(ii)(B).
Regulations 29 CFR 3.3(b) requires each contractor to furnish such
weekly ``Statements of Compliance.'' See also 29 CFR 5.5(a)(3)(ii)(B).
Regulations 29 CFR 3.4(b) and 5.5(a)(3)(i) require contractors to
maintain these records for three years after completion of the work.
Regulation 29 CFR 5.5(a)(3)(i) requires contractors performing work on
projects subject to the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA) to retain
the name, address, social security number, correct classifications,
hourly rates of wages paid including rates of contributions or costs
anticipated for bona fide fringe benefits or cash equivalents thereof
of the types described in DBA section 1(b)(2)(B), daily and weekly
number of hours worked, and deductions made and actual wages paid of
each worker on the contract. The DOL has developed the optional use
Form WH-347, Payroll Form, which contractors may use to meet the
payroll reporting requirements. The form contains the basic payroll
information that contractors must furnish each week they perform any
work subject to the DBRA. This information collection is currently
approved for use through April 30, 2009.
II. Review Focus: The Department of Labor is particularly
interested in comments which:
Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency,
including whether the information will have practical utility;
Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the
information to be collected; and
Minimize the burden of the collection of information on
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting
electronic submissions of responses.
III. Current Actions: The DOL seeks approval for the extension of
this currently approved information collection in order to carry out
its responsibility to determine a contractor's compliance with
provisions of the DBRA and the Copeland Act.
Type of Review: Extension.
Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
Titles: Optional Use Payroll Form under the Davis-Bacon Act.
OMB Number: 1215-0149
Agency Numbers: WH-347.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
Total Respondents: 78,218.
Total Annual Responses: 7,196,056.
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 6,716,319.
Estimated Time per Response: 56 minutes.
Frequency: Weekly.
Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $899,507.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget
approval of the information collection request; they will also become a
matter of public record.
Dated: September 25, 2008.
Hazel Bell,
Acting Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control,
Division of Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration
and Planning, Employment Standards Administration.
[FR Doc. E8-22936 Filed 9-30-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-27-P