DOL Audit Archives - GSA National

SOLUTIONS FOR GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS

Joe — Wed, 02 Nov 2022 14:47:10 +0000

No other employee benefits firm supports more benefits, more carriers, or provides more solutions to government contractors.

GSA National provides unique solutions to government contractors facing the challenges posed by hourly fringe benefit requirements. We specialize in the setup, management and support of hourly fringe benefit programs for government contractors, both domestically and internationally, helping leading contractors balance cost, compliance and quality to help win and retain both contracts and employees.

Put our team of ERISA, CBA, trust service, benefits administration, and compliance experts in your corner today! Call us at 1-800-250-2741 or email us at solutions@gsanational.com.

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The Importance of SCA and DBRA Compliance and Review of Recent DOL Violations

Joe — Fri, 02 Jul 2021 17:17:58 +0000

With the Department of Labor wage and hour investigations on the rise under the Biden Administration, now is an important time to review your company’s SCA and DBRA compliance practices.

GSA offers customized, in-house training on SCA and DBRA compliance. While regulations may be satisfied in a number of ways, our technical experts will educate your staff on practical applications that will show you how to remain compliant while keeping an eye on what matters most, your bottom line.

Recent DOL violation findings:

US Department of Labor recovers $1.5M in back wages for 242 home healthcare workers in Pennsylvania, Missouri
US Department of Labor recovers $98K for 39 construction workers denied overtime wages by Jamul employer
St. Louis metal finishing company pays $45K in back wages, benefits to employee terminated illegally while on protected leave
Court orders two Minnesota restaurants to pay $435k in back wages following US Department of Labor investigation
US Department of Labor recovers more than $1M for 362 gas pipeline workers in five states after federal court affirms investigation’s findings

To learn how GSA training could help you on your path to SCA compliance or how to be prepared for a DOL audit, visit our SCA Compliance area or contact us at 1.800.250.2741 or solutions@gsanational.com.

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President Biden’s Nomination For WHD Signals Classification, Enforcement Push

Joe — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 20:31:24 +0000

President Biden’s recent nomination of David Weil to head the U.S. Department of Labor‘s Wage and Hour Division clearly mark his administration’s plans to restore worker classification rules and increase wage and hour enforcement efforts.

Weil is expected to pick up where he left off under the Obama administration and make a bold move to reverse priorities from the employer-friendly policies of the previous administration.

What Might Change?

Weil is well-known for his views on worker classification under federal law and is expected to promote a broader definition of who qualifies for protections and benefits like minimum wage and overtime pay, paid sick time and family leave.

Weil’s confirmation puts him at the head of a Wage and Hour Division that the White House is clearly looking to adapt an aggressive approach toward enforcement. This is evidenced by President Biden’s recent budget requests for increased funding for the DOL’s efforts to combat violations of federal wage, safety and other work-related laws and regulations.

What Does This Mean for Federal Contractors?

This stresses the importance of the need for federal contractors to continually review their Service Contract Act (SCA) and Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA) compliance measures.

GSA National offers customized training on SCA and DBRA compliance. While regulations may be satisfied in several ways, our technical experts will educate your staff on practical applications that will show you how to remain compliant while keeping an eye on what matters most, your bottom line.

To learn more about training or our other compliance solutions, contact us at 1.800.250.2741 or solutions@gsanational.com.

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2015 Rate Increase Announced for SCA Health and Welfare Fringe Benefits

wpengine — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 21:38:14 +0000

The U.S. Department of Labor has released its annual memorandum noting a rate increase for Service Contract Act (SCA) Health and Welfare Fringe Benefits. The new rate is $4.27 per hour (up from $4.02 per hour last year) and is required in all government contract bids, or other service contracts awarded on or after June 30, 2015.
SCA benefit change notices are not sent directly to contractors or subcontractors, so we wanted to make sure our SCA contractor clients were aware of this rate increase.
We recommend that you do not make the change until your Contracting Officer modifies it in your contract; usually at the new option date.
If you have questions regarding this fee as it pertains to your contract, call us at 1.800.250.2741 or email us at solutions@gsanational.com.

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Recent DOL Violations and the Importance of Compliance

wpengine — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 12:27:38 +0000

Compliance with the Service Contract Act and Davis Bacon and Related Acts is receiving more attention than ever from the Department of Labor (DOL). The DOL Wage and Hour Division’s continued commitment to investigations is underscored by aggressive hiring of new investigators, who now constitute 60% of their workforce.

Southern California contractor to pay more than $92K in back wages, fringe benefits to 27 workers
The DOL’s Wage and Hour Division recently recovered $92,912 in unpaid wages and fringe benefits for 27 workers employed by Christian Brothers Mechanical Services Inc., a Mira Loma-based subcontractor. An investigation found that the heating, ventilation and air conditioning subcontractor violated the prevailing wage and fringe benefits requirements under the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts while servicing two U.S. Army Corp of Engineers’ contracts at the March Air Reserve Base in Riverside between 2011 and 2014.
The DBA requires that all contractors and subcontractors performing work on federal and certain federally funded construction projects pay their laborers and mechanics at least the prevailing wage rates associated with their occupation, as determined by the secretary of labor.
Read the details of this violation here, http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20151115.htm
Dallas contractor to pay more than $288K in fringe benefits, prevailing wages to 58 Dallas workers following DOL investigation
Deval LLC, a federal contractor for loan servicing support, did not pay its employees the prevailing wages or fringe benefits they rightfully earned under the McNamara-O’Hara Service Contract Act. The company has a contract with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The SCA requires contractors and subcontractors performing services on prime contracts in excess of $2,500 to pay service employees in various classes no less than the wage rates and fringe benefits found prevailing in the locality, or the rates, including prospective increases, contained in a predecessor contractor’s collective bargaining agreement.
Read more about this violation here, http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20150845.htm

Will your employee benefit plan stand the test of a DOL audit?

GSA has been partnering with government contractors since 1991 to design compliant fringe benefit solutions. We offer custom tailored products to meet the designated health and welfare fringe rate for any government contract.
We can help! A GSA compliance review is a detailed and thorough analysis of your fringe benefit costs for compliance with DOL requirements. Call us today at 1-800-250-2741, or email us at solutions@gsanational.com with questions or for a free consultation.

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Department of Labor Releases Workplace Wellness Programs Research Report

wpengine — Wed, 06 May 2015 16:31:28 +0000

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently published a report on Workplace Wellness Programs, an analysis of services offered, participation and incentives. Click here for the full report.
The report focuses two sets of data:
Analysis of Employer Survey

Which Employer Characteristics Predict Program Availability and Use of Incentives?
How Are Wellness Programs Configured?
Are Incentives Increasing Program Uptake?

Analysis of Wellness Program

What Employee Characteristics Predict Employee Uptake of Programs?
How Do Incentives Alter an Employee’s Decision to (or Not to) Participate?
Do Health Care Utilization Patterns Change Following Program Participation?
Is There a Differential Effect of Various Programs on Medical Costs?
Is There a Dose-Response Effect on Medical Costs in the Intensity of Program Interventions?
Is There Evidence that Program Participation May Create Long-Term Gains in Health?

If you have questions about this report, please contact us at 1-800-250-2741 or solutions@gsanational.com.

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New Summary of Benefits and Coverage Template Delayed

wpengine — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 16:33:10 +0000

March 30, 2015 – In a recent response by the Department of Labor (DOL) in their Affordable Care Act (ACA) FAQ, we learned that the new Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) template and related documents are now being delayed until 2016. However, some changes to the regulation will remain as scheduled for 2015.
So, which regulations are delayed until 2016?
The DOL anticipates that the SBC template, which will go through consumer testing, will be finalized in January 2016, and will apply to 2017 coverage. Its use is expected to begin during fall 2016 open enrollment for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2017. Expected changes to the template include, but are not limited to:

An additional cost example for a foot fracture treated in an ER
Updated claims/pricing data for the coverage example calculator
New minimum essential coverage (MEC) and minimum value information
Issuer website for specific policy or group certificate of coverage information
Uniform glossary revisions
Removal of annual limits for essential health benefits (EHBs) information

What is still required for 2015?
The following are proposed regulations that are still expected to take effect on September 1, 2015 for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2016:

Applicability to health reimbursement accounts (HRAs) and health savings accounts (HSAs), excepted benefits, expatriate coverage and Medicare Advantage plans
Responsible entities and their role in monitoring for compliance when designating to a 3rd party
The SBC must be provided at enrollment or re-enrollment

Additional information regarding the ACA SBC is available here.
If you have questions about this delay, please contact us at 1-800-250-2741 or solutions@gsanational.com.

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The Importance of SCA Compliance and Recent DOL Violations

wpengine — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 16:37:04 +0000

Department of Labor (DOL) wage and hour investigations continue to be on the rise in 2014. This trend serves our industry with an important reminder that now is the time to review your company’s Service Contract Act (SCA) and Davis-Bacon Act (DBA) compliance.

A recent wage and hour investigation found a federal prison subcontractor in violation of the Service Contract Act by failing to pay proper prevailing wages, health and welfare benefits, overtime and holiday pay. As a result, the subcontractor must pay more than $8 million in back wages and fringe benefits to 362 current and former prison guards, maintenance workers and administrative personnel employed at California City Correctional Center. http://www.dol.gov/whd/media/press/whdpressVB3.asp?pressdoc=Western/20140819.xml

Are you Compliant?

Industry experts estimate that at least 50% of Contractors are currently out of compliance. Did you know that Contractors are also subject to fines and penalties, both civil and criminal, if their subcontractors are out of compliance with the DOL requirements?
Not knowing your duties is not a defense against compliance deficiencies! With penalties and sanctions becoming more frequent and often substantial, now is the time to put a strategic partner to work for you and your bottom line.
GSA understands the bid implications of SCA compliance and can help you navigate the ever changing and complex compliance landscape. Let our team of compliance experts be the asset that increases your ability to submit winning proposals.
To learn how GSA training could help you on your path to SCA and DBA compliance, or how to be prepared for a DOL audit, contact us at 1.800.250.2741 or sca@gsanational.com.

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The Importance of SCA & DBA Compliance and Recent DOL Violations

wpengine — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 16:39:37 +0000

Recent years have seen a marked rise in Department of Labor (DOL) wage and hour investigations. With those efforts continuing, now is an important time to review your company’s Service Contract Act (SCA) and Davis-Bacon Act (DBA) compliance.
Recently, wage and hour investigators found a California-based subcontractor and its Hawaii-based subcontractor failed to pay proper prevailing wages and overtime to 48 electricians. As a result of the Davis-Bacon Act and overtime pay violations, the contractors must pay $319,939 in back wages.http://www.dol.gov/_sec/newsletter/2014/20140626.htm

To learn how GSA training could help you on your path to SCA and DBA compliance, or how to be prepared for a DOL audit, contact us at 1.800.250.2741 or solutions@gsanational.com.

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The Importance of SCA Compliance and Recent DOL Violations

wpengine — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 17:00:10 +0000

Recent years have seen a marked rise in Department of Labor (DOL) wage and hour investigations. With those efforts carrying into the new year, now is an important time to review your company’s SCA compliance.
On January 14, 2014, wage and hour investigators found a California-based trucking company failed to fully fund their drivers’ 401(k) plan – an SCA violation resulting in a $1,979,779 penalty and a 3 Year government contract disbarment. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20132341.htm

To learn how GSA training could help you on your path to SCA compliance or how to be prepared for a DOL audit, contact us at 1.800.250.2741 or solutions@gsanational.com.

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