U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District Soliciting Comments on the Potential Use of Project Labor Agreements (PLA) at Dobbins Air Reserve Base (ARB) for the Construction of a U. S. Army Reserve Center (ARC)

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Louisville District Soliciting Comments on the Use of Project Labor Agreements (PLA) at Dobbins Air Reserve Base (ARB), GA 

Solicitation Number:  W912QR25R0001 

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

Design/Bid/Build (D/B/B) construction of a new 800-member Army Reserve Center (ARC) on Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Atlanta (Marietta), Georgia (GA).  Primary facilities include construction of an 81,323 square feet (SF) ARC Training building, an 8,921 SF Vehicle Maintenance Shop (VMS), a 3,796 SF Unheated Storage Building (USB), 5,525 square Yard (SY) Military Equipment Park (MEP), a 6,405 SY Privately Owned Vehicle (POV), and two (2) vehicle wash racks.  The ARC training facility shall be comprised of administrative, educational, assembly, arms vault, weapons simulator, physical fitness area, and storage areas for 14 Army Reserve units.  The maintenance shop shall be constructed to the standards consisting of a drive-thru work bay (comprised of six 16’x32’ work areas per bay), work bay safety aisle, equipment alcove, storage areas, restrooms, maintenance, administrative support, and SATS trailer canopy.  Building design(s) will comply with Unified Facilities Criteria, UFC 4-171-05, Army Reserve Facilities.  Supporting facilities include land clearing, paving, concrete aprons, vehicle wash rack/platform(s), fencing, general site improvements and utility connections.  Accessibility for the disabled will be provided.  Antiterrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP) and physical security measures will be incorporated into the design including maximum standoff distances from roads, parking areas and vehicle unloading areas.  Cyber Security measures will be provided. Sustainability/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), Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Policy:

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

(a)  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.

(b)  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.

(c)  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.

(d)  Identify specific reasons why or how you believe a PLA would advance the Federal Government's interest in achieving economy and efficiency in federal procurement.

(e)  Identify specific reasons why you do not believe a PLA would advance the Federal Government's interest in achieving economy and efficiency in federal procurement.

(f)  Identify any additional information you believe should be considered on the use of a PLA on the referenced project.

(g)  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 Bonny.C.Dylewski@usace.army.mil no later than 12:00 PM  Eastern Standard Time (EDT) on 18 November 2024.