Market Research for Use of a Project Labor Agreement on Alaska District Corps of Engineers Project EAR063, Design-Build Fuel Pier Repair-Long Term, Eareckson Air Station, Shemya, Alaska

The Corps of Engineers, Alaska District is soliciting comments from the construction community addressing the potential use of a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) on FY22 Design Build project EAR063, Design-Build Fuel Pier Repair-Long Term, Earecskon Air Station, Shemya, Alaska.  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) Policy: (a) Project Labor Agreement (PLA) is a tool that agencies may use to promote economy and efficiency in Federal procurement.  Pursuant to Executive Order 13502, agencies are encouraged to consider requiring the use of PLAs in connection with large-scale construction projects; (b) 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 (1) 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 (2) Be consistent with the law.  Reference: FAR Provision 52.222-33, Notice of Requirement for Project Labor Agreement and Clause 52.222-34, Project Labor Agreement.

In order to assist in the evaluation as to whether the use of a PLA is appropriate for project EAR063, Design-Build Fuel Pier Repair-Long Term, Earecskon Air Station , Shemya, Alaska, the Alaska District is soliciting information on historical use of PLAs in Alaska.  Any interested party (contractors, project owners, contractor associations, labor unions, construction management firms, etc.) may respond.  

LETTERS SIMPLY INDICATING SUPPORT FOR OR OPPOSITION TO LABOR UNIONS AND/OR PLAs DO NOT OFFER ANY USEFUL INFORMATION AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.  Please provide responses to any or all of the following questions:

1. What market share does union labor have in the Shemya, Alaska geographical area?
2. Are any Collective Bargaining Agreements expected to expire between January 2021 and January 2022?
3. Could a PLA contribute to cost savings on the EAR063 project?  How?
4. Could a PLA minimize risk to the Government on the EAR063 project?  How?
5. Are there ways a PLA would increase costs on the EAR063 project?  How?
6. Are there concerns by prime contractors on the availability of skilled construction labor in the Shemya labor market?
7. What is the time impact to the completion of the contract due to a PLA?
8. Have PLAs been used on private sector construction projects in the Shemya geographical area?  If so, please provide the following details:

1. Project Name and Location
2. Project Description
3. Project Cost
4. Was the project completed on time?
5. Number of craft trades present on the project?
6. Were there any challenges experienced during the project (delays, investigations, safety issues, labor shortages, management/organizational issues, etc.)?
    
   Please limit your responses to NO MORE THAN TWO (2) PAGES IN LENGTH.
    
   Provide your comments via email to Theresa Afrank, Contract Specialist, at Theresa.m.afrank@usace.army.mil, NO LATER THAN 19 May 2021.