PLA Survey - FY26 EAFB - 80 Row EPS, Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota (SD)

PLA Survey Identification Number: W9128F25SM004

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 thomas.g.mcfall@usace.army.mil and courtesy copy brittany.c.gull@usace.army.mil no later than 2:00 p.m. CDT, 07 January 2025.  Ensure your response is limited to 5 pages and the Subject Line of your response includes “PLA Survey – FY26 EAFB 80 Row EPS” and the PLA ID Number: W9128F25SM004. 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) 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 project labor agreements in connection with large-scale construction projects.(b) An agency may, if appropriate, require that every contractor and subcontractor, or certain subcontractors, 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 Governments 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. Reference: FAR 52.222-33 Notice of Requirement for Project Labor Agreement; FAR 52.222-34 Project Labor Agreement.

Request responses to 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 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.

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 project will provide six (6) new pre-engineered metal Environmental Protection Shelters (EPS), approximately 20,000 SF each.  EPS’s 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 three (3) maintenance kiosks, approximately 160 SF each, providing electrical and communication infrastructure to the EPS’s.  This project will include a space or spaces constructed to AFI 16-1404 requirements. Additionally, this project will full demolition of existing facilities and partial demotion of Dock 83 and reconstruction of the exterior metal wall of Dock 83.

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. 

Special construction and functional requirements: The project will be constructed near Row 80 of flightline facilities 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.

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:

800 calendar days from construction NTP.

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

PLA survey responses are to be sent via email to thomas.g.mcfall@usace.army.mil and courtesy copy brittany.c.gull@usace.army.mil no later than 2:00 p.m. CDT, 07 January 2025.