PLA Survey Ellsworth AFB B-21 60 Rows South EPSs

PLA Survey Identification Number: W9128F25SM015

The Corps of Engineers Omaha District is soliciting comments from the construction community addressing the potential use of Project Labor Agreements (PLA) for large scale construction projects (exceeding $35 million) within Ellsworth Air Force Base (Rapid City), South Dakota area.

PLA survey responses are to be sent via email to james.r.willett@usace.army.mil and courtesy copy brittany.c.gull@usace.army.mil no later than 2:00 p.m. CST, 28 January 2025.  Ensure your response is limited to 5 pages and the Subject Line of your response includes “PLA Survey – FY26 EAFB B-21 60 Rows South EPSs” and the PLA ID Number: W9128F25SM015. Please provide your contact information in the body of the email.

A PLA is defined as a pre-hire collective bargaining agreement between a Prime contractor and 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 22.503) Policy provides that:

(a) Executive Order (E.O.) 14063, Use of Project Labor Agreements 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.

(b) When awarding a contract in connection with a large-scale construction project (see 22.502), agencies shall require use of project labor agreements for contractors and subcontractors engaged in construction on the project, unless an exception at 22.504(d) applies.

(c) An agency may require the use of a project labor agreement on projects where the total cost to the Federal Government is less than that for a large-scale construction project, if appropriate.

(1) 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—

(i) 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

(ii) Be consistent with law.

(2) Agencies may consider the following factors in deciding whether the use of a project labor agreement is appropriate for a construction project where the total cost to the Federal Government is less than that for a large-scale construction project:

(i) The project will require multiple construction contractors and/or subcontractors employing workers in multiple crafts or trades.

(ii) There is a shortage of skilled labor in the region in which the construction project will be sited.

(iii) Completion of the project will require an extended period of time.

(iv) Project labor agreements have been used on comparable projects undertaken by Federal, State, municipal, or private entities in the geographic area of the project.

(v) A project labor agreement will 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.

(vi) Any other factors that the agency decides are appropriate[LBPCUC(1] 

Please incorporate responses to the following questions within your submission:

(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 reference 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) Will the inclusion of the PLA requirement affect industry proposal submission timeliness? Please provide anticipated time required to draft and include a PLA with a proposal package.

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9) How would a PLA on this project impact small business participation? Include any relevant information regarding small business prime and/or subcontractors who may or may not be non-signatory to a PLA concurrently working a separate contract on the same project site.

10) How would a PLA impact costs, schedule, and overall execution of the contract?

The information gathered in this survey should include the following information on projects completed in the last 2 – 5 years:

1. Project Name and Location

2. Detailed Project Description

3. Initial Cost Estimate vs. Actual Final Cost

4. Was the project completed on time?

5. Number of craft trades present on the project

6. Was a PLA used?

7. Were there any challenges experienced during the project?

Project Location and Description: Ellsworth AFB, SD

This upcoming solicitation will be executed using a design-bid-build (DBB) project delivery method, which will require the contractor to provide the Government with a complete facility and warranty based on the Request for Proposal (RFP).

This project will provide five (5) new pre-engineered metal Environmental Protection Shelters (EPSs), approximately 20,000 SF each. This project is located directly adjacent to and required to coordinate with a variety of other B-21 construction projects.

EPSs are sized to fit the B-2A “Spirit” aircraft with space to perform general aircraft maintenance.  The project also includes associated airfield and ground support equipment (GSE) paving.  Supporting facilities include two (3) maintenance kiosks, approximately 160 SF each, providing electrical and communication infrastructure to the EPSs.    This project will include a space, or spaces constructed to AFI 16-1404 requirements.

Facilities will be designed as permanent construction in accordance with the DoD Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) 1-200-01, General Building Requirements and UFC 1-200-02, High Performance and Sustainable Building Requirements. Each facility must be compatible with applicable DoD, Air Force, aircraft, and base design standards.  In addition, sustainable (green) construction materials and techniques shall be used where cost effective and/or where specified.  This project will comply with DoD antiterrorism/force protection requirements per unified facilities criteria.

Special construction and functional requirements: The project will be constructed on / near the existing 60 Row at EAFB. As such, the project will be constructed adjacent to – and may be required to integrate with active airfield operations. It will also be constructed adjacent to other active B-21 facility construction sites. Demolition of existing utilities, and infrastructure – to include hazardous materials contaminated apron and soils may be required. New airfield apron will be designed in compliance with UFC 3-260-02 and will be constructed in compliance with UFGS 32 13 14.13.

Small Businesses are reminded under FAR 52.219-14© (1), Limitations on Subcontracting Services. At least 50 percent of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel shall be expended for employees of the concern.  Prior Government contract work is not required for submitting a response to this Sources Sought synopsis.

Magnitude of Construction:

Disclosure of the magnitude of construction, as prescribed in FAR 36.204 and DFARS 236.204, is between $25M and $100M. This project will be primarily funded with MILCON-appropriated dollars.

Project Period of Performance:

730 calendar days from construction NTP.

Estimated construction contract award will be second quarter of Fiscal Year 2026.

PLA survey responses are to be sent via email to james.r.willett@usace.army.mil and courtesy copy brittany.c.gull@usace.army.mil no later than 2:00 p.m. CDT, 28 January 2025. 

 [LBPCUC(1]All of this has been updated to the current version of FAR 22.503.