C33 Public Works 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: On a federally funded California public works project, which federal law may ALSO require payment of prevailing wages in addition to California's prevailing wage law?
- The Sherman Act
- The Davis-Bacon Act (Correct answer)
- The National Labor Relations Act
- The Fair Labor Standards Act
Correct answer: The Davis-Bacon Act
The Davis-Bacon Act requires federal prevailing wage rates on federally funded or assisted construction projects, which may run alongside California's state requirements.
Question 2: A painting contractor is awarded a public works contract. Before beginning work, they must provide the awarding body with all of the following EXCEPT:
- Proof of workers' compensation insurance
- DIR registration number
- A complete list of all employees' home addresses (Correct answer)
- Performance and payment bonds (if required by contract)
Correct answer: A complete list of all employees' home addresses
Employee home addresses are not a standard pre-work submittal; insurance, registration, and bonds are typical requirements.
Question 3: Under California law, a public works awarding body may withhold payment to a prime contractor if the contractor fails to:
- Complete the work ahead of schedule
- Submit certified payroll records as required (Correct answer)
- Use only union labor on the project
- Obtain a building permit before painting begins
Correct answer: Submit certified payroll records as required
Awarding bodies may withhold contract payments when a contractor fails to submit required certified payroll records under Labor Code Section 1776.
Question 4: A C-33 contractor completes a public works job and submits a final invoice. The awarding body has how many days to make the final payment once all conditions are met, under California's Prompt Payment Act?
- 10 days
- 30 days (Correct answer)
- 45 days
- 60 days
Correct answer: 30 days
Under the California Prompt Payment Act (Public Contract Code Section 7107), awarding bodies must make final payment within 60 days after acceptance, though invoices are generally due within 30 days.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes a 'stop notice' in the context of a California public works painting project?
- A Cal/OSHA order to halt unsafe work
- A written demand to the public owner to withhold funds owed to a contractor who failed to pay a sub or supplier (Correct answer)
- A notice from the awarding body to stop the project due to budget overruns
- A notice from the prime contractor to pause work pending an RFI response
Correct answer: A written demand to the public owner to withhold funds owed to a contractor who failed to pay a sub or supplier
A stop notice is a statutory remedy allowing unpaid subcontractors or suppliers to demand that the public owner withhold undispersed contract funds.
Question 6: On a public works project, an apprentice painter may work at a lower wage rate only if they are:
- Related to the prime contractor
- Enrolled in a state-approved apprenticeship program (Correct answer)
- Working fewer than 20 hours per week
- Working on a project under $500,000 in value
Correct answer: Enrolled in a state-approved apprenticeship program
Apprentices must be enrolled in a California DAS-approved apprenticeship program to lawfully receive the apprentice prevailing wage rate.
Question 7: A public entity awards a painting contract to the lowest responsible bidder. 'Responsible' in this context means the contractor:
- Has the lowest overhead costs
- Meets financial, technical, and legal qualifications to perform the contract (Correct answer)
- Is responsible for all jobsite accidents
- Has the most years in business
Correct answer: Meets financial, technical, and legal qualifications to perform the contract
'Responsible' means the bidder is qualified—financially solvent, technically capable, and legally compliant—not simply the one with the lowest price.
C33 Public Works 4
On a federally funded California public works project, which federal law may ALSO require payment of prevailing wages in addition to California's prevailing wage law?