U.S. Department of Labor 
Employment Standards Administration
Wage and Hour Division
Washington, D,C. 20210
SEP 22 1993
MEMORANDUM NO. 173
MEMORANDUM FOR ALL CONTRACTING AGENCIES OF THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
FROM: MARIA ECHAVESTE
Administrator
SUBJECT: Adjustment of McNamara-O'Hara
Service Contract Act SCA Wage Rates
This is to inform you that the U.S. Department of Labor has
I published an administrative variance in today's Federal Register,
September 22, 4943, which announces that a one-time 2.8 percent
increase in wage-rates is being made to all SCA wage determina-
tions not previously undated during FY 1993. Individual and
blanket wage determinations are being revised to reflect the wage
adjustment.
SCA wage determinations are normally updated based on Bureau of
Labor Statistics (BLS) Area Wage Surveys. While this practice
continues, this year's transition to the occupational formats of
the Fourth Edition of the Service contract Act Directory of
Occupations and the inclusion of new State and local data in many
BUS surveys ha e delayed analyses required before many wage
determinations can be revised.
With the approaching fiscal year, this one-time adjustment is
being made, based upon BLS Employment Cost Index data, under
section 4{b) of the SCA. This provision authorizes the Secretary
to allow reasonable variations, tolerances, and exemptions to and
from any or all provisions of the Act in special circumstances
where such action is necessary and proper in the public interest
or to avoid the serious impairment of Government business, and is
in accord with the remedial purpose of the Act to protect
prevailing labor standards.
For those cont acting agencies participating in the blanket wage
determination program, revised blanket wage determinations will
be mailed to the appropriate contracting facility. Upon receipt,
the revised wage determinations should be applied in accordance
with the requirements of section 4.5(a)(2) of Regulations, 29 CFR
Part 4.
We sincerely appreciate your cooperation in assuring that updated
SCA wage determinations are appropriately included in procurement
actions being taken.












GRAPHIC – “49192 FEDERAL REGISTER / VOL. 58; NO. 182”