PLA Special Notice for VAAL Ph2B New Bldg. 201 Outpatient Medical Facility, Tacoma, WA

THIS IS A PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENT (PLA) SURVEY ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL, REQUEST FOR QUOTE, OR INVITATION FOR BID. THERE WILL NOT BE A SOLICITATION, SPECIFICATIONS OR DRAWINGS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.

This is a SPECIAL NOTICE. No proposals are being requested or accepted with this notice. The Corps of Engineers Seattle District is soliciting comments from the construction community addressing the required use of PLA for large scale construction projects as defined by FAR 22.502 (Total estimated costs of the construction contract to the Federal Government is $35 million or more) within Tacoma, Washington.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK:

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Seattle District has a requirement for the design and construction of a new Phase 2B, B201 which includes 74,500 square feet (sf), earthwork, site utilities, communication service, stormwater best management practices (BMPs), site circulations (walkways, and portions of roadway), traffic, wayfinding, landscaping, site furnishings, temporary facilities, and incidental demolition. The work also includes procurement and installation of some equipment, systems, and furnishings.

The site infrastructure, excluding flexible payments, shall have at least a 50-year life expectancy with industry-accepted preventive maintenance and repair cycles.

The objective of this project is to design and construct a new facility to support growing ambulatory care functions at the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) American Lake Veterans Hospital (ALVH) campus. This new outpatient facility will provide several medical functions including:

• Cardiology Service (210)

• Gastrointestinal/Endoscopy Service (287)

• Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (240)

• Pharmacy Service (268)

• Infusion Services

• Sterile Processing Service (285)

• Surgical/Endovascular Services (286)

• Environmental Management Services (EMS) Lockers, Lounges, Toilets, and Showers (410)

• Office of Information and Technology (OIT) (232)

American Lake campus is located south of Tacoma, Washington and provides primary care and specialty health services, including mental health services, surgical services, medical specialties, rehabilitation care, geriatrics, and more.

The Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) Office of Construction and Facilities Management team (DVA-CFM) and the Seattle District (NWS) US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) team (i.e. the Government) are partnering to provide life and health safety upgrades and facilities improvements to the Puget Sound Health Care System (PSHCS) medical center Puget Sound Health Care System (PSHCS) in Tacoma, Washington. The DVA-CFM managed the development of a Project Book which includes preliminary planning information, codes and standards, existing site-specific conditions, and other relevant data and project performance goals to be used as Government Furnished Information (GFI).

MAGNITUDE:

In accordance with DFARS 236.204, the magnitude of the estimated cost of construction (ECC) range for this project is between $100,000,000 and $250,000,000.

FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED:

Some of the factors that may be considered regarding PLA use for this project are:

FAR 22.504(d), Exceptions to project labor agreement requirements:

(i): Requiring a project labor agreement on the project would not advance the Federal Government's interests in achieving economy and efficiency in Federal procurement. The exception shall be based on one or more of the following factors:

(a) The project is of short duration and lacks operational complexity.

(b) The project will involve only one craft or trade.

(c) The project will involve specialized construction work that is available from only a limited number of contractors or subcontractors.

(d) The agency's need for the project is of such an unusual and compelling urgency that a project labor agreement would be impracticable.

(ii) Market research indicates requiring a PLA on this project 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. (See FAR 10.002(b)(1) and FAR 36.104).

(iii) Requiring a PLA on this project would otherwise be inconsistent with Federal statues, regulations, Executive Orders, or Presidential memoranda.

FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATIONS (FAR):

PLAs are required for all construction projects estimated at $35 Million or greater (using appropriated funds), unless an exception applies, as provided at FAR 22.504(d).

INDUSTRY COMMENTS:

The construction community is invited to comment on the use of PLAs using 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 Government’s interest in achieving economy and efficiency in Federal procurement.

5) 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.

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 a list of recent (2-5 years) construction projects in the local labor market of the project under consideration. The information gathered in this exercise should include the following information:

a) Project Name and Location.

b) Detailed Project Description.

c) Initial Cost Estimate vs. Actual Final Cost.

d) Was the project completed on time?

e) Number of craft trades present on the project.

f) Was a PLA used?

g) Were there any challenges experienced during the project?

THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION FOR PROPOSALS AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ANY COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. Responses to this PLA market survey will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. All interested sources must respond to future solicitations announcements separately from responses to this market survey.