MARVIN MANDEL, Governor                         1307

the work is to be performed for the various classifications of work-
men and apprentices required to execute the contemplated contract,
and such determination or schedule of the prevailing hourly rate of
wages shall be attached to and made a part of the specifications and
the contract for the work. If there is not a substantial number of
competent workmen engaged in work of the same or a similar char-
acter within the locality as established by the Commissioner, the
Commissioner shall use the nearest established locality from which
such workmen may be obtained in sufficient numbers to perform the
work to make the determination. The Commissioner shall forthwith
give notice by mail of all determinations of prevailing wage rates
made pursuant to this section to any representative of any classifi-
cation, any employer, or any representative of any group of employ-
ers who in writing requests the Commissioner so to do. The public
body shall specify in the call for bids for the contract what is the
prevailing hourly rate of wages, including the prevailing rate of
wages for overtime work, in the locality for the various classifica-
tions of workmen and apprentices needed to execute the contract.

(b)    It shall be mandatory upon the contractor to whom the con-
tract is awarded, and upon any subcontractor under him, to pay not
less than the specified rates to all workmen and apprentices em-
ployed by them in the execution of the contract. The public body
awarding the contract shall cause to be inserted in the contract a
stipulation to the effect that not less than the prevailing hourly rate
of wages shall be paid to all workmen and apprentices performing
work under the contract. It shall also require in all the contractor's
bonds that the contractor include such provisions as will guarantee
the faithful performance of the prevailing hourly wage clause as
provided by contract. It shall be the duty of such public body award-
ing the contract, and its agents and officers, to take cognizance of all
complaints of all violations of the provisions of this law committed
in the course of the execution of the contract, and, when making
payments to the contractor becoming due under said contract, to
withhold, and retain therefrom, all sums and amounts due and owing
as a result of any violation hereof.

(c)    The provisions of this subtitle shall not apply to public
works if the Federal government or any of its agencies furnishes
by loan or grant all or any part of the funds used in the construction
of such public works, provided the public works require a prevailing
wage determination by the United States Secretary of Labor.

(d)    The Commissioner, from time to time, shall investigate and
determine the prevailing hourly rate of wages in the localities. Pur-
suant to this authority the Commissioner shall divide the State and,
from time to time, redivide the State into various localities or areas
for the purpose of determining and fixing the prevailing rate