Project Labor Agreement (PLA) Market Research Notice - Wheeler Sack Army Airfield Lighting Upgrade at Fort Drum, NY

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THIS IS A PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENT (PLA) NOTICE TO BE USED FOR MARKET ANALYSIS ONLY. NO AWARDS WILL BE MADE FROM THE RESPONSES TO THIS SYNOPSIS. NO REIMBURSEMENT WILL BE MADE FOR ANY COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH PROVIDING INFORMATION IN RESPONSE TO THIS SYNOPSIS OR ANY FOLLOW UP INFORMATION REQUESTS. NO SOLICITATION WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME; HOWEVER RESPONSES WILL BE USED TO DETERMINE THE APPROPRIATE ACQUISITION STRATEGY FOR A FUTURE ACQUISITION. NO RESPONSES TO THIS PLA NOTICE WILL BE POSTED TO SAM.GOV.

The purpose of this announcement is to gain knowledge of the use and benefits of Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) for the Wheeler Sack Army Airfield Lighting Upgrade at Fort Drum, NY. The NAICS Code is 237310 (Highway, Street and Bridge Construction Any potential competitive solicitation(s) that may proceed from this notice will be posted to SAM.gov. All interested offerors will have the opportunity to respond to a solicitation announcement at a later time if and when a solicitation is issued.

BACKGROUND AND INFORMATION FOR CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT

The New York District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (District) is preparing for the Wheeler Sack Army Airfield Lighting Upgrade at Fort Drum, NY.

The scope of work involved the installation of a major lighting infrastructure upgrade at the Wheeler Sack Army Airfield and will also repave a section of the main runway. The work includes construction of an airfield lighting vault, runway lighting fixtures, electrical infrastructure, concrete duct bank, utilities, HVAC, airfield paving, runway lighting and controls, site excavation, and restoration. All construction trades required. The project will need to be done in phases as mission operations must continue throughout the construction. A strong site superintendent will be required.

The anticipated Magnitude of Construction is between $25 million and $100 million. Duration of construction will be approximately 852 calendar days after Notice to Proceed.

PLA DEFINITION

A PLA is defined as a pre-hire collective bargaining agreement with one or more labor organizations that establishes the terms and conditions of employment for a specific construction project and is an agreement described in 29 U.S.C. 158(f).

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (FAR) SUBPART 22.503 – POLICY

(a) Executive Order (E.O.) 14063, Use of Project Labor Agreements for Federal Construction Projects, requires agencies to use project labor agreements in large-scale construction projects to promote economy and efficiency in the administration and completion of Federal construction projects.

(b) When awarding a contract in connection with a large-scale construction project (see 22.502), agencies shall require use of project labor agreements for contractors and subcontractors engaged in construction on the project, unless an exception at 22.504(d) applies.

(c) An agency may require the use of a project labor agreement on projects where the total cost to the Federal Government is less than that for a large-scale construction project, if appropriate.

(1) An agency may, if appropriate, require that every contractor and subcontractor engaged in construction on the project agree, for that project, to negotiate or become a party to a project labor agreement with one or more labor organizations if the agency decides that the use of project labor agreements will—

(i) Advance the Federal Government's interest in achieving economy and efficiency in Federal procurement, producing labor-management stability, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations governing safety and health, equal employment opportunity, labor and employment standards, and other matters; and

(ii) Be consistent with law.

(2) Agencies may consider the following factors in deciding whether the use of a project labor agreement is appropriate for a construction project where the total cost to the Federal Government is less than that for a large-scale construction project:

(i) The project will require multiple construction contractors and/or subcontractors employing workers in multiple crafts or trades.

(ii) There is a shortage of skilled labor in the region in which the construction project will be sited.

(iii) Completion of the project will require an extended period of time.

(iv) Project labor agreements have been used on comparable projects undertaken by Federal, State, municipal, or private entities in the geographic area of the project.

(v) A project labor agreement will promote the agency's long term program interests, such as facilitating the training of a skilled workforce to meet the agency's future construction needs.

(vi) Any other factors that the agency decides are appropriate.

PLA COMMENT SOLICITATION

In consideration of the above factors, and any others which may be deemed appropriate, the construction community is invited to comment on the use of PLAs. Of particular interest to the Government are responses to the following questions:

1. Have comparable projects been undertaken by Federal, State, municipal, or private entities in the geographic area of this project? Do you have knowledge that a PLA has been used in the local area on similar projects? If so, please provide supporting documentation? For each project, please indicate if a PLA was used, if available, the initial and final cost, number of trades on the project, if the project was completed on time, and if there were any challenges such as labor shortages, labor related delays, safety issues, etc.

1. Are you aware of skilled labor shortages in the area for those crafts that will be needed to complete the referenced project? This project will require construction contractors and/or subcontractors employing workers in multiple crafts or trades. Do you foresee any work on this project that may result in both the prime contractor and at least one subcontractor, or two or more subcontractors, employing the same trade? Are there concerns by prime contractors on the availability of skilled construction labor? Are there large scale construction projects in the area (over $15M, within 50 miles of Fort Drum, New York) which could impact availability of skilled labor for this project? What is the anticipated volatility in the labor market for the trades required for the execution of the project? Are existing apprentice programs providing sufficient numbers of skilled workers for future requirements? If so please elaborate and provide supporting documentation where possible.

1. Are you aware of time sensitive issues/scheduling requirements that would impact the rate at which the referenced project should be completed? If so, please elaborate and provide supporting documentation where possible. Is the proposed schedule/completion time one which would benefit from a PLA – if so, how? Will a PLA impact the completion time? How would a PLA benefit a project which contains a unique and compelling mission-critical schedule?

1. Identify specific reasons why or how you believe a PLA would advance the Federal Government’s interest in achieving economy and efficiency in federal procurement. Are there any other economies or efficiencies derived by the Federal Government, if using a PLA?

1. Identify specific reasons why you do not believe a PLA would advance the Federal Governments interest in achieving economy and efficiency in federal procurement.

1. Are there any concerns regarding labor-management stability related to this project? Will the use of a PLA produce labor-management stability on this project? Have labor disputes or other labor issues contributed to project delays in the local area? Are you aware of examples of labor-management conflicts in the area which could impact the efficiency of this project, which a PLA could positively impact/resolve? What market share does union labor in construction trades have in the geographic area? Which existing Collective Bargaining Agreements will expire during construction of this project?

1. Will use of a PLA be conducive to ensuring compliance with laws and regulations governing safety and health, equal employment opportunity, labor and employment standards, and other relevant matters on this project? Are there instances where these standards have not been met on Federal contracts in the local area? Were PLAs used for those specific contracts?

1. What is the estimated relative cost impact of using a PLA? Will a PLA impact the cost of submitting an offer?

1. Will the use of PLAs impact the ability of potential offerors and subcontractors to meet small-business utilization goals?

1. Should a PLA be executed on the above referenced project? What benefits do you believe a PLA could achieve? What other factors should the Corps consider before deciding to include PLA provisions for the Wheeler Sack Army Airfield Lighting Upgrade at Fort Drum, NY project?

1. Please identify any additional information you believe should be considered on the use of a PLA on the referenced project.

1. Please identify any additional information you believe should be considered on the non-use of a PLA on the referenced project.

Please note that this notice is not a commitment on the part of the Government to award a contract as a result of this notice or to pay for any information received. This synopsis neither constitutes a Request for Proposal or Invitation for Bid, nor does it restrict the Government to an ultimate acquisition approach. The Government should not construe this PLA Notice as a commitment for any purpose. The Government does not intend to rank submittals or provide any reply to interested firms. Information gathered from this research will be used to determine whether a waiver is warranted.

Please submit written comments by email to:

Mrs. Jordan Moran at Jordan.K.Moran@usace.army.mil and Mr. Nicholas Emanuel at Nicholas.P.Emanuel@usace.army.mil

Survey Questionnaires will not be accepted after 2:00 pm on the response date shown in the advertisement on SAM.gov. If the original response date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or a Federal Holiday, the response date will moved to the next business day.

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