What does construction compliance require after award?

What changes once the contract is signed?

At bid time, compliance is about reading the solicitation: wage determinations, DBE goals, bonds and FAR clauses. That is covered in prevailing wage, DBE goals and FAR clauses in bid packages. After award, the same requirements turn into deadlines, forms and records that someone on the project team has to produce every week.

What is due, how often, and under which rule?

Federal rules checked on ecfr.gov and acquisition.gov on 21 October 2026. Your contract and state law can add to these.

Certified payroll (WH-347): what is due each week?

• Weekly, for every week covered work is performed. The prime contractor is responsible for submitting all subcontractors' certified payrolls (29 CFR 5.5(a)(3)(ii)(A)).
• WH-347 is optional. Any format that carries the required information and the signed statement of compliance is acceptable. Weekly transmittals use an identifying number such as the last four digits of the SSN, not the full number.
• Keep records for 3 years after all work on the prime contract is completed. False certification can lead to civil or criminal prosecution.
• State and local public work can carry its own wage rule. In Texas, Government Code chapter 2258 requires the prevailing wage on public works for the state and political subdivisions (Gov't Code 2258).

OSHA recordkeeping: what must a contractor keep and report?

Employers with 10 or fewer employees all year are partially exempt from keeping the logs, but must still report severe injuries (1904.1). On a multi-employer site, each sub keeps its own records; the GC usually requires copies by subcontract.

Permits and inspections: what has to happen before work is covered?

• Call inspections in sequence. Under IBC Section 110.3, required inspections start with footings and foundations and run through slab, framing and final. The permit holder notifies the building official when work is ready.
• Do not cover uninspected work. A missed inspection means opening finished work later.
• No occupancy without a certificate. IBC Section 111.1 bars use or occupancy until the building official issues a certificate of occupancy.
• Check the local code. Cities and counties, including those around Travis County, TX, adopt the IBC with their own amendments. The permit card and the authority having jurisdiction set the actual list.

IBC section references are to the 2021 edition, as summarized in ICC permit technician training material.

Buy America at submittal: what proof do you collect?

• Know which rule applies. BABA covers infrastructure projects funded with federal financial assistance (grants, many state and local projects). FAR Buy American covers direct federal construction contracts. They have different tests.
• BABA tests by category. Iron and steel: all manufacturing from initial melting through coatings in the US. Manufactured products: made in the US with more than 55 percent of component cost domestic. Construction materials: all manufacturing processes in the US. Cement, aggregates and binding agents are excluded from the construction materials category.
• Collect it with the submittal. Ask for the manufacturer's domestic content certification with each product submittal, before the purchase order. A reorder after rejection costs schedule.
• Waivers come from the funding agency, not the contractor. If a product cannot comply, raise it early.

Insurance certificates: why a COI is not coverage

The standard certificate of liability insurance (ACORD 25) states that it is issued as a matter of information only and confers no rights on the certificate holder. Additional insured status comes from an endorsement to the policy, not from a line on the certificate.

• Collect the certificate and the endorsements your subcontract requires before the sub mobilizes.
• Check limits, additional insured wording and waiver of subrogation against the subcontract exhibit.
• Track expiration dates; a lapsed policy mid-project is a payment hold and an audit finding.

What does BAU AI do here today?

Some of it, and we would rather be exact. After award, Lex keeps the safety log and daily reports and sends alerts before safety documents expire, and Fina tracks pay applications and retention. BAU AI does not file certified payroll or submit compliance reports to agencies; that stays with your team.

At bid time, Clara reads the solicitation and lists the wage, DBE, bond, insurance and Buy America requirements with page cites, so they are known before you commit. Dora flags insurance and flow-down clauses in the contract and subcontract.