Knowing the Contract Act

Identifying the “Contract Act”

When legal professionals or members of the wider public come across references to the “Contract Act,” and specifically for cases where this is generally in the context of U.S. contract law, the contract act being referred to may be identified in terms of being the Congressional legislative package passed into effect as binding law for the legal jurisdiction of the U.S. as the McNamara-O’Hara Service Contract Act (SCA). This legislation was enacted by the American Congress in 1965.

People with a pressing need or the strong possibility to understand the provisions of the McNamara-O’Hara Service Contract Act should refer to the “Compliance Assistance By Law” webpage maintained on this particular subject by the overall authority of the United States Department of Labor. 

Effect of the Contract Act

The McNamara-O’Hara Service Contract Act was put into effect by the 1965 Congress as applying to every contract entered into in the U.S. Rates for the payment of wages and obligations for the provision of additional services were established for service contracts entered into specifically for Federal or District of Columbia functions. Concerns for employees’ health and safety are also covered by the Contract Act. 

Enforcement of Contract Act

As implied by the agency’s part in making information about the McNamara-O’Hara Service Contract Act free and publicly accessible, the U.S. Department of Labor exercises authority over the compensation obligations enacted by this legislation, specifically through the department’s Employment Standards Administration’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD).