PLA Information Sources Sought Notice.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

WASHINGTON AQUEDUCT

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, BALTIMORE DISTRICT

5900 MACARTHUR BOULEVARD, NW

WASHINGTON, DC 20016-2514

CONTRACT OPPORTUNITY

MCMILLAN NORTH CLEARWELL REPLACEMENT

NOTICE ID

W912DR25X15AK

DEPARTMENT/IND. AGENCY

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

SUBTIER

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

MAJOR COMMAND

US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS

SUB COMMAND

NORTH ATLANTIC DISTRICT

OFFICE

W2SD ENDIST BALTIMORE

CLASSIFICATION

PRODUCT SERVICE CODE: Y1NE – CONSTRUCTION OF WATER SUPPLY FACILITIES

NAICS CODE: 237110 WATER AND SEWER LINE AND RELATED STRUCTURES

CONSTRUCTION

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: WASHINGTON, DC, 20001, USA

DESCRIPTION

TITLE: MCMILLAN NORTH CLEARWELL REPLACEMENT – WASHINGTON AQUEDUCT

DIVISION, WASHINGTON, DC

SOLICITATION NO.: TBD

This Sources Sought is not a Request for Proposal, Request for Quote, or Invitation for Bid.

There is no commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation, make awards, or pay for respondent's expenditures made in response to this notice. Interested vendors are responsible for monitoring this notice for any subsequent amendments. All submissions become government property and will not be returned. Any solicitation issued as a result of this notice will be in a separate announcement. The purpose of this notice is to survey interest and obtain capability statements from industry.

Background: On 02 June 2025, the Principal Director of the Defense Pricing, Contracting, and Acquisition Policy rescinded Class Deviation 2025-O0002 and its Revision 1 which removed the mandatory requirement to include Project Labor Agreements in all large-scale construction projects greater than $35M. By rescinding the class deviation, contracting officers are required to follow the requirements for project labor agreements as implemented at Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 22.5. Accordingly, the Baltimore District is performing market research to assess market conditions to determine if an exception to the PLA requirements should be pursued. Specifically, the Baltimore District is requesting specific information as whether the inclusion of the PLA requirement would ‘substantially reduce the number of potential offerors to such a degree that adequate competition at a fair and reasonable price could not be achieved’ (FAR 22.504(d)(1)(ii))

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: WA maintains and operates the Dalecarlia and McMillan Water Treatment Plants (WTPs). At the McMillan Plant, water is pumped from the McMillan Reservoir via the McMillan Pumping Station to the Filtration Building for treatment. Filtered water then flows through a 14 million gallon (MG) North Clearwell to a 20 million gallon (MG) South Clearwell before being pumped into the distribution system.

The McMillan North Clearwell (NCW) is an approximate 612 LF x 162 LF underground structure that is 25’ deep and was built in 1904. The structure (i.e. roof, walls and floor) was constructed using un-reinforced concrete. The roof structure consists of a grid pattern of un-reinforced concrete arch slabs that bear on reinforced columns at 18 LF center to center. The project consists of replacing the entirety of the existing North Clearwell to provide a structurally sound reservoir with improved water quality and reliable operation within the distribution system. The major features of this project include the following:

a. Construct a replacement for the existing NCW with an underground reinforced concrete, watertight tank (to prevent water seepage and infiltration). The project shall include the partial demolition of the existing NCW. The existing roof of the clearwell has strict loading requirements. The contractor shall adhere to these and establish a sequence that allows for the roof to be demolished safely prior to any interior demolition work.

b. Utilize existing structural walls to establish a support of excavation (SOE) system to facilitate construction of the new walls. Proposed SOE system cannot use any tiebacks or penetrations through existing walls. The SOE system shall consist of struts, lateral bracings, supporting columns with micropile foundations, and connection elements between struts and existing concrete wall. Dewatering is expected to be required In order to reduce hydrostatic pressures on existing walls. A monitoring and contingency plan will be required to allow for measuring lateral and vertical movements along the existing walls. Careful sequencing of existing foundation mat slab and construction of the new foundation mat slab will be required to maintain structural stability of the existing walls.

c. Reconstruct in kind two historic building structures which will sit in their original locations on the above-ground landscape which will rest upon the roof of the newly replaced NCW. Reconstruction will be carried out in accordance with the Secretary of

Interior’s Standards for Reconstruction. The buildings will be clearly identified as contemporary re-creations through the incorporation of corner stones or other means.

Their replacement shall meet District of Columbia State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) requirements to match original building historical construction. A responsive bidder will be required to demonstrate qualifications and experience with historic preservation and reconstruction projects that follow these standards.

d. Replace multiple valve actuators. This will require installing and field-testing slide gates and actuators complete with frames, operating stems, stem guides, and all necessary accessories and appurtenances. Cast-Iron slide gates must be constructed and assembled in accordance with AWWA C560. Electric actuators must meet the requirements of AWWA C542.

e. Construct cast in place concrete baffle walls inside the clearwell to assist with process mixing.

f. Construct multiple access hatches and drainage chambers. Drainage chambers shall be protected during construction to prevent infiltration and damage to the overall system.

g. Install and field test chemical dosing and sampling equipment.

h. Install a roof underdrain system to control drainage on top of the NCW.

Major constraints of this project include the following:

a. All work is being performed at an operational water treatment plant that must remain in service at all times. This project will require careful consideration to the electrical utilities surrounding the clearwell. This project will require relocation of electrical feeds prior to construction.

b. Existing structural walls must remain. The proposed support of excavation (SOE) system cannot include significant penetrations of the existing walls nor tiebacks nor systems that will threaten the existing utilities surrounding the clearwell. Careful sequencing of existing foundation mat slab and construction of the new foundation mat slab will be required to maintain structural stability of the existing walls.

c. The NCW roof structure has limited weight restrictions. Work should be sequenced to allow for equipment to demolish the roof without violating the loading requirements and prior to demolition of the interior.

d. There is an influent gate control valve located adjacent to the clearwell. This must be protected throughout construction to prevent infiltration and damage to the overall system.

e. There is an existing drainage chamber sump below the existing control house building.

This must be protected at all times. Existing drainage chamber walls cannot be demolished until the SOE is in place.

f. The worksite is a secure facility with specific access and personnel requirements.

Request for Information: The Baltimore District respectfully requests a clear response (Yes or

No) to the following questions. To appropriately assess the impacts to competition and determine how to best comply with FAR 22.503, clarity in your response is important.

1 – If this project requires the use of a Project Labor Agreement, does your firm anticipate competing for the project?

2 – If this project does not require the use of a Project Labor Agreement, does your firm anticipate competing for the project?

3 – Are you willing to have a follow-up conversation with the Contract Specialist to discuss your answers to the above?

Additionally, the Baltimore District respectfully requests the following information.

4 – Do you have knowledge that a PLA as been used in the local area on projects of this kind? If so, please provide supporting documentation.

5 – Are you aware of skilled labor shortages in the area for those crafts that will be needed to complete the referenced project? If so, please elaborate and provide supporting documentation where possible.

6 – Are you aware of time sensitive issues/scheduling requirements that would affect the rate at which the referenced project should be completed? If so, please elaborate and provide supporting documentation where possible.

7 – 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 8 – Identify specific reasons why you do not believe a PLA would advance the Federal Government’s interest in achieving economy and efficiency in Federal Procurement 9 – Identify any additional information you believe should be considered on the use of a PLA on the referenced project 10 – Identify any additional information you believe should be considered on the non-use of a PLA on the referenced project.

Your partnership in providing clarity in market conditions as it relates to PLA requirements is greatly appreciated.

Please provide your response via email to Clark Miller (clark.b.miller@usace.army.mil), and Sharon Alexander (sharon.l.alexander@usace.army.mil) no later than COB on Friday June 27 2025.

mailto:clark.b.miller@usace.army.mil mailto:sharon.l.alexander@usace.army.mil

Major constraints of this project include the following: