Project Labor Agreement Survey Notice, Lower Norco Bluffs Improvements, Norco, CA

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District is soliciting comments from the construction community addressing the potential use of Project Labor Agreements (PLA) for large scale construction project (exceeding $25 million) within Riverside County, Norco California. The project consists of an earth fill placed against the existing bluffs, approximately 7,330 feet in length, revetted with riprap slope protection and a launchable stone toe blanket.  The project will tie into existing high ground at the upstream (Station 90+20) and downstream (Station 19+90) project extents.  The embankment fill will raise the grade between 12 and 25 feet above existing grade to provide protection up to a 100-year flow event water surface elevation (WSE).  The proposed embankment slope is 2H:1V and is revetted with riprap slope protection 42 inches thick measured perpendicular to the slope face.  Expected scour is between 5 and 14 feet below the existing thalweg (between 6 and 19 feet below existing grade at the project alignment).  To eliminate the need for dewatering, excavation is planned down to 2 feet above typical groundwater averaging 5 feet below existing grade.  A launchable stone toe is intended to provide some protection from scour.  The launchable stone toe is 9 feet high and varies in width, between 10 and 30 feet, depending on the expected scour depth along the project alignment.

Estimated Construction prince range is $25,000,000 - $100,000,000.

The proposed project duration is 720 calendar days after the contractors receipt of the notice to proceed

Replies to this notice are being sought from firms with the North American industry Classification System (NAICS) 237990.

 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 Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Policy:

(a) 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 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. Reference: Provision: 52.222-33 Notice of Requirement for Project Labor Agreement Clause 52.222-34 Project Labor Agreement.

The construction community is invited to comment on the use of PLA.

Please provide responses to any or all of the following questions:

(1) Should PLAs be executed on selected large dollar, large scale civil works construction contracts in Riverside county, California?

(2) Are there concerns by prime contractors on the availability of skilled construction labor?

(3) Would a PLA benefit a project which contains a unique and compelling mission-critical schedule? How?

(4) What type of project should not be considered for PLA clauses?

(5) What is the time impact to the completion of the contract due to a PLA?

(6) What is the cost impact to the bid/proposal due to a PLA?

(7) What other factors should the Corps consider before deciding to include PLA provisions in a Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District contract?

Please limit your responses to no more than three (3) pages in length. Provide your comments via e-mail transmission to Michael.g.robinson@usace.army.mil not later than 8 January 2021.