GCAP_Prevailing_Wage_Determination_-_DOES_NOT_FALL_UNDER_PREVAILING_WAGE.pdf

This is a prevailing wage determination memorandum from GCAP Services, Inc., addressing a classification inquiry from the City of Santa Monica regarding work related to the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project (SWIP) and Advanced Water Treatment Facility (AWTF) local discharge limits evaluation. The City of Santa Monica requested a determination on whether the scope of work for evaluating water treatment facilities and preparing a Local Limits Study falls under prevailing wage requirements. Kim Morales, Senior Labor Compliance Analyst at GCAP Services, Inc., provided the determination on January 15, 2026, concluding that the work would be classified as a professional service and therefore does not fall under prevailing wage requirements. This classification carries significant implications for project budgeting and labor cost considerations for the City's procurement process.

The determination confirms that contractors responding to the City of Santa Monica's request for proposals for the Local Limits Study evaluation will not be subject to prevailing wage obligations, allowing for potentially lower labor cost proposals. This classification as professional services rather than construction or skilled trade work simplifies compliance requirements for prospective bidders and reduces administrative burden on the selected contractor. The determination applies specifically to the scope of work reviewed and provides clarity on labor cost expectations for the project execution timeline extending through 2028, including any potential contract extensions.