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Frequently Asked Questions
Contract Administration Division
That’s the average rate of pay most commonly paid for a particular construction trade in the area.
Contractors in the area are surveyed to determine how much they pay workers in a construction trade. Most often, the US Department of Labor conducts the survey; however, the City can also conduct its own wage surveys, if needed.
For a specific project, a copy of the prevailing wage rates can be found in Section 00830 of the Project Contract. A copy should always be accessible to the workers on site, to whom the rates apply.
For a copy of the latest prevailing wage rates (not specific to a City project), you can visit this website: http://www.wdol.gov/wdol/scafiles/davisbacon/tx.html. The City of Austin uses Travis County rates.
The City of Austin is required by State law (Statute 2258) to enforce payment of prevailing wages and retention of required documents on municipal construction contracts for all publicly funded construction projects. In 2003, City Council passed Ordinance 030508-031, adopting the general prevailing rate of per diem wages established by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). In addition, all City of Austin construction projects receiving Federal funds must strictly follow the Davis-Bacon Act. For more information on the Davis-Bacon Act.
For all non-federal projects, the following posters must be displayed:
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Texas Workers Compensation posters showing employee coverage (English and Spanish versions)
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Equal Employment Opportunity posters (English and Spanish versions)
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City of Austin Contact and Wage Dispute Notice (English and Spanish versions)
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a copy of all applicable Prevailing Wage Rates for the project
Any City projects receiving federal funds are required to display additional posters, subject to the requirements of the funding source.
All required wage-related posters are provided to the Contractor by City staff prior to the start of work.
If the work is being performed by City employees, there is no requirement for wage posters. It is also possible that the wage posters were displayed in an area not visible to the public, but to the workers only. However, if you have cause for concern, you may contact the City staff listed in this FAQ and they will follow up on the matter (please be prepared to notify staff of the project’s specific location or the project name).
If you suspect that a wage violation has occurred on a City project, please contact the City staff listed in this FAQ, with the following information:
- The name(s) of the affected worker(s) and the type of apparent wage violation
- The name of the worker’s employer (company name)
- The name or specific location of the City project
Be prepared to leave your own contact information if you would like the City staff to follow up with you regarding their findings.
Yes. In July of 2010, the City Council passed Ordinance No. 20100729-047, amending Title 4 of the City Code to include a section regarding Working Conditions at Construction Sites. This Ordinance applies not only to City construction sites, but to any construction at “a site or structure for which a building permit or site plan has been issued under Title 25 (Land Development Code) for an existing or proposed use.” Signs for the ordinance must also be displayed at the work site(s).
-For more information on the Rest Break Ordinance and its requirements, click here.
-For copies of the Rest Break signs, click here.
If you wish to file a formal complaint regarding a violation of the Rest Break Ordinance, please call 3-1-1.
Russell Kyle (512) 974-1404 --or-- Andrea Pimentel (512) 974-9377
Contract Development Workgroup
Only one (1) copy is required. Please provide one (1) copy the Corporate Authorization Resolution (CAR), Certificates of Insurances, and Non-Discrimination policy with your packet.
Please provide three (3) copies of the Professional Service Agreement (PSA) Documents: Original signature page, General Terms and Conditions, Supplemental Terms and Conditions, and Attachments 1 -5.
While you do not have to include the City’s non-discrimination policy, it is preferred that you print out the Form B on your company letterhead, check the appropriate box; have an authorized individual (from the Corporate Authorization Resolution) sign the document and include it in your packet. In the past, a majority of the consultant non-discrimination policies have not contained all of the requirements outlined in the City Code Section 5-4-2-B. Submitting Form B with the PSA ensures that all requirements are addressed, eliminating the possibility of having to resubmit the document.
You can not simply state you will follow the code of the City of Austin’s Section 5-4-2. You must print out the statement from Form B, which includes all requirements listed in Section 4-2, on your company letterhead. You must also have it signed by a company official. This ensures everyone is aware of the requirements at the time the contract is executed and provides a baseline for future changes.
The City of Austin Quality Control Plan Requirements (Attachment 4) will be included in the contract. The QCP submitted after execution will be reviewed using the requirements in Attachment 4.
Yes, the printed name and Title on the CAR form must match all documents submitted with your contract. For example, if “Charles D. Smith, PhD, PE” is written on the CAR form, the signature on the Contract Signature Page will not be accepted if written as “Charles Smith” or any other variation of the name written on the CAR.
If the Certificate of Insurance will expire within two months of contract execution, please ask your Insurance Agent to provide a Certificate confirming renewal for the following year.
Please deliver your completed packet to:
Contract Management Department
505 Barton Springs Rd, Suite 1045
Austin, Texas 78704
Contract Management Division
The Rotation List Manager will send a template of the pay application cover sheet and Subk form with the Notice to Proceed (NTP). Complete these two forms, and submit your firm's invoice on company letterhead, along with the updated attachment 1, Resource Allocation Plan.
If the method of payment selected on the attachment 2, NTP, is "lump sum," then the invoice should reflect a percent complete of the tasks indicated on the attachment 1 (RAP). The RAP should also be submitted to show percent complete. Time sheet back-up is not required for lump sum method of payment.
If loaded hourly method of payment is selected on the attachment 2, NTP, then back-up of employee labor charges shall be provided with each invoice.
Send pay application to the address indicated on the pay application cover sheet. It will be reviewed by central invoicing, then sent to the Project Manager for approval and further processing. It should take no more than 30 days to receive payment, from the date the City receives an acceptable consultant pay application.
- No later than 2 weeks after the consultant's Professional Service Agreement (PSA) is executed, a corporate (generic for the entire rotation list) QCP shall be submitted to Jay Ulary (jay.ulary@austintexas.gov) for review.
- No later than 14 calendar days after an assignment Notice to Proceed (NTP) is issued, the QCP shall be submitted to Jay Ulary (jay.ulary@austintexas.gov) for review.
- Attachment 4 of the Professional Services Agreement provides an outline of QCP required content.
The following items are required:
- A proposal with a scope and fee that is acceptable to the Project Manager and sponsoring department.
- Attachment 2 - Filled out by the Rotation List Manager, sent to the prime consultant for signature, then signed by the Rotation List Manager.
- Attachment 1 - Resource Allocation Plan (RAP). This needs to be submitted along with the proposal and approved by the Project Manager. An example (Sample Attach 1) is included in the spreadsheet.
- Proposals from all subs to be used. Please ensure all loaded hourly rates are in compliance with the approved PSA rates listed on attachment 3 of the executed PSA.
- Completed Subconsultant Utilization Form signed by your firm and the Project Manager. Please meet all MBE/WBE Compliance Plan goals for each rotation list assignment, and remember to follow the approved compliance plan and to use subs for the commodities and specialties that they were originally brought on your team to perform. The intent is to use the subs every time the scope listed on the compliance plan arises.
Because the City of Austin requires similar types of consultant services on a regular basis, rotation lists (RLs) have been created to provide a group of consultants for expedited selection and work assignment. Firms are selected through the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process. When a Project Manager (PM) needs a particular type of consultant, the PM contacts the rotation list manager (RLM) of the appropriate Rotaton List for assignment of the next firm in rotation. Using a Rotation List consultant allows a PM to move forward without spending 5-6 months to hire a consultant through the RFQ process.
Visit the Rotation List page and click on 'Rotation List Contact Sheet'.
You can find SMBR forms at their MBE/WBE Contract Compliance page, available here.
The Sponsor or Public Works Project Manager (PM) requests an assignment; the Rotation List Manager sends an assignment letter to the next firm on rotation (subs will also be notified); firm accepts assignment within 5 days; PM and firm negotiate an acceptable proposal to include approved subconsultant utilization form and RAP; Rotation List Manager issues Notice to Proceed.
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Contact Info
Phone: 512-974-7141
Fax: 512-469-1719
Physical Address:
105 W. Riverside Drive, Suite 205
Austin, TX 78704
Key Contact : April Shaw
Position : Executive Assistant
