Arlington national cemetery phase III cemetery expansion

This is a Sources Sought Notice only; it is not a request for competitive proposals. US Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District is currently re-evaluating the potential use of Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) on the Southern Expansion Phase III – Cemetery Expansion project. This re-evaluation is informed by, and takes into consideration, the recent Class Deviation 2025-O0002, Revision 1 “Waiver of Project Labor Agreement Requirements”.

This source sought notice is designed to gather valuable insights from industry experts surrounding Project Labor Agreements. Your feedback will be instrumental in assisting the Government to make an informed decision about whether and how to implement PLAs. 

The Government will not reimburse respondents for any cost incurred in preparation of a response to this notice. The Government intends to use responses to this Sources Sought to make appropriate acquisition decisions for the project. NO AWARD will be made from this Sources Sought Notice.

INDEX

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

PLA QUESTIONS FOR INDUSTRY

RESPONSE

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) is a U.S. military cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, that is now the burial ground for more than 400,000 service members and their eligible dependents. Arlington National Cemetery, our nation’s most hallowed shrine, represents the American people for past, present and future generations by laying to rest those few who have served our nation with dignity and honor, while immersing guests in the cemetery's living history.

As initiated through the FY 2000 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) the ANCSE add approximate 80,000 burial spaces to the cemetery. The purpose of this project is to enable an existing National Cemetery to continue to provide burial services for eligible veterans. ANC will run out of space without changes to eligibility by 2041 (16 years from now) and, with the Southern Expansion Project, by 2060 (35 years). With the revised eligibility criteria and the expansion, the cemetery will remain active well into the future, defined as 150-years.

ANCSE Phase III Cemetery Expansion is a third phase of a three phased expansion of Arlington National Cemetery. Phase I is the construction of the tunnel and retaining walls around the South Parcel; Phase II is the construction of the operations complex on the South Parcel, south of Columbia Pike; and Phase III is the construction of the cemetery parcel north of Columbia Pike. A separate contract, through Federal Highway Administration, is currently under construction for the Columbia Pike roadway and utility realignment project which included Phase I of Southern Expansion project. Phase II, construction of the new operations complex at Arlington National Cemetery in the South Parcel has also begun.

Phase III will include construction of approximately 50 acres of cemetery space with a roadway network connecting to the existing cemetery; 80,000 interment spaces – mix of inground and above ground in a columbarium; a security building and other smaller support facilities; extensive grading, sitework, boundary wall/fence, and horticulture; demolition of the existing operations complex. A network of roadways, sidewalks, and pedestrian walkways will be constructed and tied into the existing system at ANC. To maintain the ANC character and status as a level III arboretum, extensive landscaping and horticulture plantings are included. The new operations complex will need to be complete and operational prior to the future cemetery contractor demolishing the existing operations complex. Construction will need to be phased strategically.

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

The work to be completed under this contract consist of:

The cemetery Expansion is primarily horizontal construction to increase burial space at ANC along the extending the south side of the grounds by nearly 50 acres.

Arlington National Cemetery Southern Expansion (ANCSE) will create approximately 80,000 additional interments, including above ground cremated, in ground cremated, in-ground traditional casketed, and in-ground crypts.

A network of roadways, sidewalks, and pedestrian walkways will be constructed and ties into the existing system at ANC.

The Construction of a new building to include a Visitor Screening facility, public bathroom, and an open-air committal shelter.

Demolition of some components of the Air Force Memorial to merge the western and a portion of the northern memorial boundary with the cemetery expansion.

Provide extensive landscaping and horticulture planting.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

In accordance with DFARS 236.204, the Magnitude of Construction for this project is between $100,000,000.00 and $250,000,000.00.

The anticipated construction duration is 1141 calendar days from the Notice to Proceed (NTP).

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) policy states: Executive Order (E.O.) 14063, Use of Project Labor Agreement (PLA) 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.

When awarding a contract in connection with a large-scale construction project (see FAR 22.502), agencies shall require use of Project Labor Agreements 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 organization if the agency decides that the use of Project Labor Agreements will:

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

Be consistent with law.

* Reference: FAR Provision 52.222-33 Notice of Requirement for Project Labor Agreement and FAR Clause 52.222-34 Project Labor Agreement.

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 a PLA for this construction project.

PLA QUESTIONS TO INDUSTRY

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 PLA on this project. Of particular interest to the Government are responses to the following questions:

Skilled Laborer:

1.     Are you aware of skilled labor shortages in the area for those crafts that will be needed to complete the referenced project?

a. Are there large-scale construction projects in the area (over $35M, within 50 miles of Arlington, VA), which could impact availability of skilled labor for this project?

b. What is the anticipated volatility in the labor market for the trades required for execution of the project?

c.  Will the use of PLA extend the project’s construction completion date?

2. Are you aware of PLAs being used on comparable projects undertaken by Federal, State, municipal, or private entities in the geographic area of the project?

3. Will a PLA 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?

4.  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.

All responses to this announcement shall be sent electronically to Synease McArthur and Adeline Fuata at Synease.S.McArthur@usace.army.mil, Adeline Fuata at adeline.f.fuata@usace.army.mil and a copy furnished to Candace Lotomau at candace.c.lotomau@usace.army.mil no later than 10:00 a.m. Eastern Day Time (EDT) on 10 June 2025. LATE RESPONSES MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED.