VOLAR Barracks Renovations Buildings 2387 & 2389

PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENTS (PLAs)
W9126G19R0038

Title: W9126G19R0038, VOLAR Barracks Renovations Buildings 2387 & 2389 at Fort Polk, Louisiana.

Fort Worth District Corps of Engineers Soliciting Comments on the Potential Use of Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) at

U.S. Army Engineer District, Fort Worth
ATTN: CESWF-CT (Eugene A. Gibbs) Eugene.A.Gibbs@usace.army.mil
Post Office Box 17300 or 819 Taylor Street (2a17) (if using express mail)
Fort Worth, TX 76102-0300

The Corps of Engineers Fort Worth District is soliciting comments from the construction community addressing the potential use of Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) for this large scale construction project (exceeding $25 million). This market survey is being posted for Project: VOLAR Barracks Renovation Buildings 2387 & 2389 at Fort Polk, Louisiana. This will result in a solicitation for a Construction contract for a single C- Type awarded contract for Fiscal Year 19.

THIS IS A PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENT SURVEY ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL, REQUEST FOR QUOTE, OR INVITATION FOR BID. THERE WILL NOT BE A SOLICITATION, SPECIFICATIONS, OR DRAWINGS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.

Background:

The Government plans to renovate 2 VOLAR Barracks Buildings 2387 & 2389 at Fort Polk, Louisiana.

Scope Summary:

This project shall include the design and construction renovations for Barracks buildings 2387 & 2389, including site and drainage improvements. The site work shall include but not be limited to site grading, drainage improvements, utility improvements, asphalt and concrete construction. Both barracks shall be designed and constructed to house one soldier per room. This project also requires providing for 30% domestic hot water with solar for the barracks.

Magnitude: $25,000,000 - $100,000,000

Period of Performance: 600 Days from Notice to Proceed

Project Labor Agreement:
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: 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:

a. Should PLAs be executed on selected large dollar contracts within the above referenced location by the Fort Worth District? What other factors should the Corps consider before deciding to include PLA provisions in a Fort Worth District contract? What type of project should or should not be considered for PLA?

b. Is the use of PLAs effective in achieving economy and efficiency in Federal procurement?
What is the estimated relative cost impact, or any other economies or efficiencies derived by the
Federal Government, if using PLAs? Will a PLA impact the cost of submitting an offer?

c. Is the use of PLAs effective in producing labor-management stability? Have labor disputes or other labor issues contributed to project delays in the local area?

d. Is the use of PLAs conducive to ensuring compliance with laws and regulations governing safety and health, equal employment opportunity, labor and employment standards, and other relevant matters? Are there instances where these standards have not been met on Federal contracts in the local area? Were PLAs used for those specific contracts?

e. Projects will require multiple construction contractors and/or subcontractors employing workers in multiple crafts or trades. Do you foresee any work on projects that may result in both the prime contractor and at least one subcontractor, or two or more subcontractors, employing the same trade?

f. Are there concerns by prime contractors on the availability of skilled construction labor? Information may reference current apprenticeship statistics and workforce age demographics.

g. Completion of anticipated projects will require extensive performance periods. Will a PLA impact the completion time? What is the anticipated volatility in the labor market for the trades required for the execution of the project? Would a PLA benefit a project which contains a unique and compelling mission-critical schedule?

h. Where have PLAs been used on comparable projects undertaken by Federal, State, municipal, or private entities in the geographic area of this project?

i. Will the use of PLAs impact the ability of potential Offerors and subcontractors to meet small-business utilization goals?

Please provide your comments via e-mail to the Contract Specialist, Eugene A. Gibbs, at Eugene.A.Gibbs@usace.army.mil and courtesy copy (cc) the Contracting Officer, Mr. John H. Rodgers, at John.H.Rodgers@usace.army.mil no later than 2:00 p.m., 5 February 2019.

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