Project Labor Agreement Notice, Construction of Training Support Squadron Facility (TRSS-F) at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Hampton, VA

The Corps of Engineers Norfolk District is soliciting comments from the construction community addressing the potential use of a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) for the following large scale (exceeding $25 Million) construction project: Construction of Training Support Squadron Facility (TRSS-F) at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Hampton, VA.

NOTE: This is NOT a Request for Proposal and does not constitute any commitment by the Government.  Responses to this labor market survey will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. All interested sources must respond to future solicitation announcements separately from responses to this market survey.

A. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Norfolk District, Corps of Engineers is contemplating a Firm-Fixed-Price Contract for the construction of an eight-bay Training Support Squadron Facility (TRSS-F) to support additional F- 22A flight crews relocating to Langley Air Force Base.

B. PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

The work to be completed under this contract consists of:

1. Construction includes compacted fill above the 100-year flood plain, reinforced concrete foundations, concrete floor slab, structural steel frame with concrete masonry unit facade, and a standing seam metal roof.
2. The facility will provide all necessary spaces to house academic (classroom) and equipment (simulator) instruction, equipment/computer support, staff space, restrooms, briefing rooms, and building systems support.
3. The project includes all utilities, site improvements, detection/protection features, security enhancements and other supporting work necessary to make a complete and useable facility.
4. The facility must be able to withstand seismic and wind effects as prescribed in applicable codes and design guides.
5. Utilities to include the development and support to long-run outside plant communications.
6. The project shall provide Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) space and Special Access Program Facility (SAPF) space to include simulator bays and majority of classroom and training functions. SCIF space shall be designed in accordance with DoD Unified Facility Criteria (UFC) 4-01-05, Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility Planning, Design, and Construction and ICD-705.

C. SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

In accordance with DFARS 236.204, the Magnitude of Construction for this project is between $25,000,000.00 and $100,000,000.00.

The anticipated construction duration is 700 calendar days from the Notice to Proceed (NTP).

1. Project Labor Agreement (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).
2. In accordance with FAR 22.503, 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 organization 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 law. *

* Reference: FAR Provision 52.222-33 Notice of Requirement for Project Labor Agreement and FAR Clause 52.222-34 Project Labor Agreement.

D. PLA QUESTIONS TO INDUSTRY

In consideration of the above factors, and any others which may be deemed appropriate, the construction community is invited to comment on the use of PLAs.  Of particular interest to the Government are 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 referenced project?  Are there large-scale construction projects in the area (over $25M, within 50 miles of Arlington, VA), which could impact availability of skilled labor for this project?  What is the anticipated volatility in the labor market for the trades required for execution of the project?  Please provide supporting documentation.
3. Are you aware of time sensitive issues/scheduling requirements that would impact the rate at which the referenced project should be completed?  If so, please elaborate and provide supporting documentation where possible.
4. Is the proposed schedule/completion time one which would benefit for a PLA – if so, how?  Will a PLA impact the completion time?  Would a PLA benefit a project which contains a unique and compelling mission-critical schedule?
5. Are there any concerns regarding labor-management stability related to this project?  Will the use of a PLA produce labor-management stability on this project?  Have labor disputes or other labor issues contributed to project delays in the local area?  Are you aware of examples of labor-management conflicts in the area which could impact the efficiency of this project, which a PLA could positively impact/resolve?
6. Identify specific reasons why you don’t believe a PLA would advance the Federal Governments interest in achieving economy and efficiency in federal procurement.
7. Please identify any additional information you believe should be considered on the use of a PLA on the referenced project.
8. Identify any additional information you believe should be considered on the non-use of a PLA for the referenced project.
9. The information gathered in this exercise 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?

Please provide your comments via e-mail to Michael Hagerty, Contract Specialist, at Michael.Hagerty@usace.arm.mil and copy to Nicholas Lizotte, Contracting Officer, at Nicholas.Lizotte@us.army.mil no later than the Response Date and Time listed above.