We have reviewed your questions, comments and concerns regarding the New Intents & Affidavits Online Filing System. Here are the answers to some of the most common questions. This resource will be available to all users of the PWIA system as the system is released.  The Department will use feedback provided by customers and periodically update these FAQ’s as necessary.  The format as seen below will be in a Question and Answer format.

• Q Will the new system provide an easier process to make corrections if an error is discovered after the form is approved?

  The process for correcting an approved form that contains an error will not change.  Once an Intent or Affidavit has been approved it becomes a legal document available to the public for download or printing.  Once this occurs the document cannot be modified. To permit modification would generate different versions of the same form with no way to determine from the face of the form which is correct. The new system will have a feature allowing contractors to view their forms even when the form has been submitted and is awaiting approval from Prevailing Wage.  Contractors will have one more opportunity to double check their work and catch mistakes before a form is approved.

• Q How do you think the new process will initially affect the approval time line?

  It is anticipated that the initial release may minimally slow approvals time due to time spent with users helping them through the new system.  However we believe the new systems’ design is intuitive and the learning curve will be minimal for current users of the system.  After the initial release, within a week or two, we anticipate no negative impact on approval times.

• Q Will the new system confirm that the Workers' Comp account is current at the time an Intent is approved? Not everyone realizes that an approved Intent does not necessarily mean that the Worker's Compensation account is in good standing.

  The new PWIA system will not verify that a Worker's Compensation number is current.

• Q Why has the Department changed how apprentice data is reported, from selecting a step to selecting the hours associated with that step?

  The appropriate rate of pay for an apprentice is based on the hours that an apprentice has accumulated through their program.  Depending on the specific program an apprentice belongs to, it may or may not be appropriate to associate the rate by step.  An example is provided below:
  
  An apprentice from Program B works upon a public work.  However, the published rate for apprentices on this public work is the Program A standard.  When a Program B apprentice achieves 1,001 hrs in the program he/she can no longer be paid as a Step 1 apprentice at $15.00.  On a public work, for this example, when an apprentice reaches 1,001 hours he/she is due a rate of $20.00 per hour and is recorded as a Step 2 apprentice when filing an Affidavit of Wages Paid, even though they are not a Step 2 apprentice in their program.

  Program A				Program B
  Step 1	0 - 1000 hrs	$15.00 per hour		Step 1	0 – 2000 hours	$15.00 per hour
  Step 2	1001 – 2000 hrs	$20.00 per hour		Step 2	2001 – 4000 hrs	$25.00 per hour
  Step 3	2001 – 3000 hrs	$25.00 per hour		Step 3	4001 – 6000 hrs	$35.00 per hour
  Step 4	3001 – 4000 hrs	$30.00 per hour		Step 4	6001 – 8000 hrs	$45.00 per hour
  Step 5	4001 – 5000 hrs	$35.00 per hour
  Step 6	5001 – 6000 hrs	$40.00 per hour
  Step 7	6001 – 7000 hrs	$45.00 per hour
  Step 8	7001 – 8000 hrs	$50.00 per hour

  
  Steps between programs are rarely equivalent.  However hours are equivalent.  Hour 1,001 can be used to identify a wage without respect to the step that hour is associated with in any one program.  On a public works project you must identify the correct hours for your apprentice to determine the correct rate of wage due to your apprentice.  This understanding of determining what an apprentice is required to be paid upon a public is the reason for the change.
• Q What will happen if the Prime Contractor does not file their Intent in a timely manner? This could cause a delay if sub-contractors have to wait for a Prime to file first.

  Prime Contractor’s will need to file their Intent to Pay Prevailing Wage before sub-contractors can file their Intent.  We realize there will be a transition period when companies adjust to this change.  During this time prevailing wage staff will work with employers to be as helpful with the transition as possible. 

• Q Contractors often have multiple projects with similar names and same customer name. How can we keep various projects separate? Can there be a place for contractors to record their own contract or job number, to aid clear matching of Intents and Affidavits with a project?

  The new system contains an area for a Project Name and a Contract Number that the Prime Contractors must provide.  However, the new system will also have an easy to use “notes section” where you may enter a brief note or message.  The notes section was designed as a method for contractors to write messages to Prevailing Wage staff when necessary to explain complex issues and answer specific questions.   Contractors may also use the notes section for internal information, including recording their own contract or job number.  The information included in the notes will be available on the printed form and also viewable by the public.

• Q Will there be a way to look up an approved Intent, even if you aren't in the process of filing an Intent?

  Labor & Industries currently has a website available where all approved Intent and Affidavit forms are posted for the public.  We will continue to use this webpage to post approved Intents and Affidavits.  Here is a link to this page:  http://www.lni.wa.gov/TradesLicensing/PrevWage/IntentAffidavits/View/default.asp

• Q Will the queries be case sensitive when we are looking for an Awarding Agency or Prime Contractor?

  No, searching for an Awarding Agency or Prime Contractor will not be case sensitive.   In the new system “less is more” when conducting a search.  For example, if you are looking for "King County Construction & Facilities Management" as the Awarding Agency, simply typing in: king will produce greater results, including the item you are looking for.

For more information regarding the new PWIA online filing system, see New PWIA Filing System.