The Miller Act states that
bonds (Performance & Payment) will protect subcontractors and suppliers working for GC's on federal projects as well as their subs and suppliers.
The Miller Act states that the federal government will only accept
bonds from sureties listed on the Treasury Departments list of acceptable sureties - called "Circular 570." This document, issued by the Treasury Department every July, is commonly known as "the T-list."
The only instance in which you wouldn't have the
payment bonds, is generally if it was not required! Otherwise, the
performance and payment bonds come hand in hand.