Market Research for Use of Project Labor Agreements for Coastal Erosion Protection at Utqiagvik, Alaska - W911KB22R0015

The U.S Army Corps of Engineers, (USACE) Alaska District is soliciting comments from the construction community to determine the potential use of Project Labor Agreements (PLA) on W911KB22R0015, Coastal Erosion Protection at Utqiagvik, 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).  Per the FAR Part 22.5, a 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 valued at $25M or greater. 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 a PLA(s) will (a) Advance the Federal Governments interest in achieving economy and efficiency in Federal procurement; (b) Produce labor-management stability; (c) Ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing safety and health, equal employment opportunity, labor and employment standards, and other matters; and (d) Be consistent with the law.  The FAR applicable Provision and Clause are 52.222-33 Notice of Requirement for Project Labor Agreement and 52.222-34 Project Labor Agreement, respectively (provided for reference).

This market research is being conducted solely to assist in the determination on whether the use of a PLA is appropriate or not for the W911KB22R0015, Coastal Erosion Protection at Utqiagvik, Alaska, Location of Project, Alaska.  Therefore, the USACE Alaska District is soliciting information on historical use of PLAs in the location of this project.  Any interested party (contractors, project owners, contractor associations, labor unions, construction management firms, etc.) may respond to this PLA Market Research.  LETTERS SIMPLY INDICATING SUPPORT FOR OR OPPOSITION TO LABOR UNIONS AND/OR PLAs DO NOT OFFER ANY USEFUL INFORMATION AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.  Responses must include responses to any or all of the following questions: 

1.  Do you have knowledge that a PLA has been used in the local area on projects of this kind? If so, please provide supporting documentation.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Identify specific reasons why or how you believe a PLA would advance the Federal Governments interest in achieving economy and efficiency in federal procurement.
5.  Identify specific reasons why you do not believe a PLA would advance the Federal Governments interest in achieving economy and efficiency in federal procurement.
6. Identify any additional information you believe should be considered on the use of a PLA on the referenced project.
7. Identify any additional information you believe should be considered on the non-use of a PLA on the referenced project.
8. Please provide the following in response to this Project Labor Agreement (PLA) Market Research for larger ($25M or greater) construction projects completed in the last 2-5 years:

Project Name and Location

Detailed Project Description

Initial Cost Estimate vs. Actual Final Cost

Was the project completed on time?

Number of craft trades present on the project

Was a PLA used?

Were there any challenges experienced during the project?

Please limit your responses to no more than two (2) to three (3) pages in length.  Please provide your comments via email to Ms. Michelle Shoshone, Contract Specialist, at michelle.shoshone@usace.army.mil, no later than 05 January 2022.