Recaptiilization of utilities (recap 3)

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This Sources Sought Notice is hereby amended to provide an attached response to the request for information (RFI) questions submitted in writting through email.  Please see attached document for RFI responses. 

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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 construction project with a magnitude between $250,000,000 and $500,000,000 and located on Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado.

Project Description: 

Construction of a holistic solution to recapitalize the existing medium voltage power generation and distribution system serving the Mission Support Group, Facilities, Logistics & Services Division (MSG/FLSD) located on Buckley Air Force Base, CO.  This includes expanding the Power Plant to provide the generation capacity necessary to meet the future load requirements of the installation and demolishing the existing central power plant that is approaching the end of its useful life.

The project will include the replacement of the existing medium voltage electrical power distribution systems, which serves four buildings, from the existing central power plant.  This will be executed via new underground duct banks. Additionally, a SCADA controls system capable of controlling all power generation and distribution systems will be developed and will serve as the backbone for the future Facility Infrastructure Control System (FICS).  This project is known as Recap 3.

 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 Erica Eaton at Erica.A.Eaton@usace.army.mil no later than 12:00 PM (Eastern Time) on 12 March 2020.  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.