27-4-405. Duty of public authority to ascertain wage rate for public works; requirement as to call for bids.

(a) Before any public body awards a contract for public works, it shall obtain from the department the prevailing hourly rate of wages in the locality in which the work is to be performed, for each craft or type of workman needed to execute the contract or project. The public body shall specify in the resolution or ordinance and in the call for bids for the contract, what the prevailing hourly rate of wages in the locality is for each craft or type of workman needed to execute the contract, and it shall be mandatory upon the contractor to whom the contract is awarded and upon any subcontractor under him, to pay not less than the specified rates to all workmen employed by them in the execution of the contract. The public body awarding the contract shall cause to be inserted in the contract a stipulation to the effect that not less than the prevailing hourly rate of wages as determined by the department pursuant to W.S. 27-4-406, or determined by the court on review, shall be paid to all workmen performing work under the contract. It shall also require in all the contractor's bonds that the contractor include such provision as will guarantee the faithful performance of the prevailing hourly wage clause as provided by the contract. The finding of the department specifying the prevailing hourly rate of wages in accordance with this subsection, shall be final for all purposes of the contract then being considered, unless reviewed under the provisions of this act. A public body doing public works directly shall comply with the prevailing hourly rate of wages portion of this subsection for each craft or type of workman so employed. In reviewing bids for public works contracts, the public body shall only award a bid preference in the percentage specified in W.S. 16-6-102(a) to any prospective contractor who participated, as certified by the department, in the department's wage survey for the period applicable to the contract being awarded.

(b) In determining prevailing hourly wage rates, the department shall ascertain and consider the applicable hourly wage rates established by collective bargaining agreements, if any, such hourly wage rates as are paid generally within the locality and the most current department hourly wage survey as adjusted in W.S. 27-4-406.