FAR 52.228-12, Prospective Subcontractor Requests for Bonds, requires prime contractors to promptly provide a copy of a payment bond upon request of a prospective subcontractor or supplier offering to furnish labor or material under a construction contract for which a payment bond has been furnished to the Government pursuant to 40 U.S.C. chapter 31. Payment bonds (in conjunction with performance bonds) are used to secure the contractor's obligations thereby assuring that payments are made to subcontractors and vendors under the contract. Contracting officers will use information on payment bonds to determine whether to engage in business with the prime contractor.