I know there is a lot going on about this but I'm a bit confused when reading the rate schedules.
When I look at an NYS wage schedule...I go down, find the operating engineers list and there are rates for surveyors. Nice and easy.
What are we covered under on federal projects? Where on the list would I find our rates? Is there a category for Surveyors because I've never seen one on a federal rate sheet? Do we classify as laborers? Do PC and IP make the same rate then? If we're not on the schedule, do we have to pay PW on this?
To determine if you have to pay state or federal prevailing wages, you need to read the prime contractor's contract language.
The agency managing the contract should have a labor compliance officer, who's job is to review your certified payroll records to make sure you are paying the correct wages. That is who I would ask. It's better to get it right up front at the beginning of the job. Be sure to also pay attention to pre-determined increases.
Davis Bacon has a occupation called "Miscellaneous Occupations". The surveying positions are found under that. I have no idea why they are not classified under "Technical Occupations" like the Engineers are.
What is always confusing is deciding of you have to pay the latest determination or the one that was in affect at the time of bid opening. Federal wage rates get locked in.
You may have to pay the higher of either state or federal.