Project Labor Agreement (PLA) Survey for the Veterinary Treatment Facility Replacement at Fort Belvoir, VA

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, is soliciting comments from the construction community addressing the potential use of a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) for a large-scale construction project (exceeding $25 million) located at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

Project Description: 

This project is to construct a replacement Veterinary Treatment Facility and Food Inspection Facility supporting Military Working Dogs (MWD) and Government Owned Animals (GOAs), and covered exercise area. Supporting facilities include utilities, site improvements, parking, signage, antiterrorism/force protection measures, and environmental protection measures. The existing veterinary facility will be demolished. The project will be designed in accordance with American Animal Hospital Association Guidelines, Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) 4-510-01 Design: Military Medical Facilities, UFC 1-200-01 General Building Requirements, UFC 1- 200-02 High Performance and Sustainable Building Requirements, UFC 4-010-01 DoD Minimum Antiterrorism Standards for Buildings, UFC 4-010-06 Cybersecurity of Facility-Related Control Systems, barrier free design in accordance with Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) Accessibility Standard and DEPSECDEF Memorandum “Access for People with Disabilities” dated 10/31/2008, and MHS World Class principles per World Class Checklist Requirements. Operations and Maintenance Manuals, Comprehensive Interior Design, Design During Construction, and Enhanced Commissioning will be provided.

PLA Background Information:

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).

Federal Acquisitions Regulation (FAR) 22.503, Policy states: 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.  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 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 52.222-33 Notice of Requirement for Project Labor Agreement, Clause: FAR 52.222-34 Project Labor Agreement.

The construction community is invited to comment on the use of PLA’s by responding to the following questions:

1. Do you have knowledge that a PLA has been used in the local areas on projects of this kind?  If so, please provide supporting documentation.
2. Are you aware of skilled labor shortage in the areas 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 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?

Responses are to be sent via email to Aisha Boykin at aisha.r.boykin@usace.army.mil no later than 11:00 AM (EST) on 19 November 2021.  Responses are limited to seven (7) pages

This is NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL and does not constitute any commitment by the Government.  Reponses 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 survey.