This looks like a good guide from the Department of Labor (pdf file):
http://www.dol.gov/owcp/dlhwc/DBAWorkshopJAC2-22-06.pdfLooks like you should get it, if you're doing work on a contract for the USG. But one of the untold stories is how the insurance carriers have screwed contractors out of their due DBA benefits. Especially Iraqis and Third Country Nationals. I suppose Afghans, too.
Way to make friends - "you fucked up - you trusted us to take care of your family if you got killed by an IED as a 'terp on a mission with us, or by a rocket in your trailer with three other of your homies from India working in our DFAC!"
From the pdf:
The Six Gates to Cover
1. Any defense base acquired from any foreign
government
2. Lands occupied or used by the US for military
purposes outside the continental US
3. Public work in any Territory or possession under a
contract with the US
4. Public work outside the US not covered under (3)
5. Contract outside the US approved and financed by
the US.
6. Welfare or similar services outside the US for troops
authorized by DOD.
The Defense Base Act
1. Is not limited to defense or bases
2. Applies to employees not just US nationals
3. Applies subcontractors at any level or degree of
separation
4. Applies to foreign companies hiring third county
nationals
5. Applies regardless of the employment contract
6. Applies regardless of length of employment
7. Applies to corporate officers
8. Applies to contracts administered by foreign
governments
. Applies to contracts if the prime contractor, the
administrator and employees are all foreign
nationals
10. Cannot be waived by agencies on grounds of cost
11. Cannot be waived if there is no local workers’
compensation act
12. Cannot be waived on grounds of country of origin of
worker
13. Does not include the Longshore Act minimum
compensation rate
14. Applies to injuries occurring within the US
15. Is the employer’s exclusive liability and the
employee’s exclusive remedy
16. Applies to injuries during employment not just on
the job
17. Has constant unanswered questions. These
include
1. Independent contractors
2. Grants v. contracts
3. Supply contracts
4. Religious workers