FDOT & Davis-Bacon Ready

Florida Certified Payroll Compliance

Federal WH-347 certified payroll for FDOT federal-aid work, military base construction, and HUD projects — every corner of Florida.

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Florida is a federal-only prevailing wage state

Florida killed its state prevailing wage law in 1979, and Florida Statute 255.0516 blocks local governments from imposing one either. So in Florida you only file certified payroll when you're on a federal or federal-aid job. Here's when Davis-Bacon hits.

Federal buildings

Any U.S. government construction contract over $2,000 in Florida needs Davis-Bacon certified payroll. GSA, VA, DOD, federal courthouses — all in.

Military bases

MacDill, Eglin, NAS Jacksonville, NAS Pensacola, Patrick SFB, Tyndall and other federal installations — WH-347 weekly.

FDOT federal-aid projects

FDOT roadway, bridge, and transit jobs funded with FHWA dollars trigger Davis-Bacon. State-only jobs don't.

HUD housing

Public housing, Section 8 rehab, HOME-funded projects under the U.S. Housing Act — all fall under Davis-Bacon Related Acts.

Army Corps of Engineers work

Everglades restoration, coastal dredging, navigation channels, flood control — all require certified payroll.

No state or local prevailing wage

Tampa, Miami, Orlando, Jacksonville — none of them can impose prevailing wage. Florida Statute 255.0516 preempts local ordinances.

What CertifiedPayrollPro handles for Florida

Federal Davis-Bacon compliance, built for Florida contractors on federal and federal-aid jobs.

WH-347 generation

Official federal WH-347 certified payroll, ready to submit to any federal contracting agency in Florida.

Davis-Bacon wage checks

Worker pay gets matched to the right federal wage determination for each Florida county and craft.

FDOT federal-aid support

Reports for FDOT-managed federal-aid highway and bridge jobs with fringes broken out right.

All 67 counties

Right wage determination from Escambia to Miami-Dade.

Military and HUD compliant

Reports meet the requirements for military base construction, HUD housing, and Army Corps work.

Lydia catches mistakes

Flags underpayments, missing fringes, and classification problems before you submit.

Which Florida projects require certified payroll?

Quick reference for Florida GCs and subs.

Project TypeCertified Payroll?Why
Federal building (GSA, VA)YesDavis-Bacon Act
Military base constructionYesDavis-Bacon Act
FDOT with federal fundsYesDavis-Bacon Related Act
FDOT state-only projectNoFL has no state PW law
HUD public housingYesU.S. Housing Act
County road (state-only)NoPreempted by FL Stat. 255.0516
School district (state-funded)NoNo FL prevailing wage
Private commercialNoNo federal funding

Federal Davis-Bacon penalties for Florida contractors

Florida has no state prevailing wage penalties. But federal Davis-Bacon enforcement is no joke. The DOL Wage and Hour Division audits federal projects and follows up on worker complaints.

Civil penalties

  • • Back wages owed to each worker
  • • Liquidated damages ($33+/day/worker)
  • • Withheld federal contract funds
  • • Required corrective payroll refiling
  • • Contract termination for cause

Debarment & criminal

  • • Up to 3-year federal debarment
  • • SAM.gov exclusion listing
  • • Loss of all federal contracting rights
  • • Criminal prosecution (false certification)
  • • Personal liability for officers

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Florida Certified Payroll FAQ

Does Florida have a state prevailing wage law?

Nope. Florida killed its state prevailing wage law (the 'Little Davis-Bacon' statute) back in 1979, and Florida Statute 255.0516 blocks local governments from imposing one. Florida contractors only deal with prevailing wage on federal or federal-aid projects under the federal Davis-Bacon Act.

When do Florida contractors need certified payroll?

When you're on a federal contract over $2,000, or a federal-aid project (HUD, FDOT federal-aid highway, military base work, VA, Army Corps, etc.). Davis-Bacon requires weekly WH-347 to the contracting agency.

What is FDOT certified payroll?

FDOT requires certified payroll on federal-aid highway and bridge jobs funded (even partially) by FHWA. You submit weekly WH-347 through FDOT's electronic payroll system on any federally funded FDOT project. State-only FDOT jobs don't need certified payroll — Florida has no state prevailing wage law.

Do I need certified payroll for military base construction in Florida?

Yes. MacDill, Eglin, Tyndall, NAS Jacksonville, NAS Pensacola, Patrick SFB, Camp Blanding — all the federal installations in Florida fall under Davis-Bacon. Weekly WH-347 on every worker on site.

What about HUD and federally-assisted housing in Florida?

HUD-funded housing construction and rehab in Florida falls under Davis-Bacon Related Acts (specifically the U.S. Housing Act of 1937 and Section 3). Weekly certified payroll, published Davis-Bacon rates, signed compliance statement. Applies to public housing authority jobs in Miami-Dade, Broward, Tampa, Jacksonville, Orlando.

What are the penalties for Florida federal Davis-Bacon violations?

Back wages, liquidated damages of $33+ per day per worker, federal contract funds held, and up to 3-year federal debarment. The DOL Wage and Hour Division investigates complaints and audits contractors. Willful violations get you criminal prosecution.

Do Florida municipalities have their own certified payroll rules?

No. Florida Statute 255.0516 (enacted 2009, amended 2013) blocks counties, cities, and political subdivisions from requiring wages above federal minimums on public works, or from imposing prevailing wage requirements. If a Florida city's asking for certified payroll, it's because the project has federal funding triggering Davis-Bacon.

How does CertifiedPayrollPro help Florida contractors?

We build federal WH-347 reports in minutes, check wages against the right Davis-Bacon determination for your Florida county and craft, and format everything for weekly submission. Starter plan ($49/mo) covers most Florida federal contractors. Lydia flags problems before you submit.

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Florida Certified Payroll — Davis-Bacon Federal Compliance | CertifiedPayrollPro | CertifiedPayrollPro