Project Labor Agreement (PLA) Market Survey – Army Reserve Center in Birmingham, Alabama

THIS IS A PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENT (PLA) SURVEY ONLY.

This is a SPECIAL NOTICE. No proposals are being requested or accepted with this PLA notice. The Solicitation No. for this project is W912QR25R0020. The PLA Market Survey is conducted prior to release of the solicitation.

This is a SPECIAL NOTICE only. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District is soliciting comments from the construction community addressing use of a PLA for this construction project at the Army Reserve Center in Birmingham, Alabama.

Description:  The Corps of Engineers Louisville District is soliciting comments from the construction community addressing the requirement of Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) for a large-scale construction project (exceeding $35 million) for the following:

Project scope: Design/Bid/Build (DBB) construction project of a 600-member in Birmingham, Alabama. Primary facilities include land acquisition and construction of an Army Reserve Center (53,000 sf), collocated Vehicle Maintenance Shop (19,300 sf) and an Unheated Storage Building (3,400 sf).  Supporting facilities include site development, utilities and connections, Military Equipment Park (MEP), non-organizational parking, vehicle wash rack/platforms, bi-level equipment loading ramp, circulation pavements, storm drainage, paving, walks, curbs and gutters, fencing, gates, lighting, information systems, landscaping, and signage.  Accessibility for the disabled will be provided. Anti-terrorism Force Protection (ATFP) and physical security measures will be incorporated into the design including maximum standoff distances from roads, parking areas and vehicle unloading areas. Sustainability and Energy measures will be provided. Facilities will be designed to a minimum life of 40 years in accordance with DoD's Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC 1-200-02) including energy efficiencies, building envelope and integrated building systems performance.

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).  For further awareness on PLAs, please visit  https://www.dol.gov/general/good-jobs/project-labor-agreement-resource-guide.

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Policy:

1. 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.
2. 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:

(1)  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

(2)  Be consistent with law.

References:

Provision: 52.222-33 Notice of Requirement for Project Labor Agreement

Clause: 52.222-34 Project Labor Agreement.

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?  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.

*The Louisville District has seen a decrease in competition for solicited projects.  In addition to affirmative responses, we are seeking negative responses to identify any potential actions we may take to improve the competitive environment. Please provide a response with feedback including rationale for not wanting to submit a proposal and any recommendations that could promote interest. *

Please provide your comments via e-mail to Laura.Phillips-Payne@usace.army.mil no later than 2:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on 18 November 2024.