SPECIAL NOTICE
Y -- PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENT (PLA) SURVEY - large Scale Construction Projects, Kellogg, ID and surrounding area
- Notice Date
- 10/10/2014
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 237110
— Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction
- Contracting Office
- USACE District, Seattle, ATTN: CENWS-CT, PO Box 3755, Seattle, WA 98124-3755
- ZIP Code
- 98124-3755
- Solicitation Number
- W912DW15R0001
- Archive Date
- 10/10/2015
- Point of Contact
- BOBBIE WEITZEL, 206-764-6692
- E-Mail Address
-
USACE District, Seattle
(barbara.a.weitzel@nws02.usace.army.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- THIS IS A PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENT (PLA) 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. This is a SPECIAL NOTICE. No proposals are being requested or accepted with this notice. The Corps of Engineers Seattle District is soliciting comments from the construction community addressing the potential use of Project Labor Agreements (PLA) for large scale construction projects (exceeding $25 million) within the Kellogg, ID and surrounding area. This market survey is being posted for the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Description of Work: Upgrade and expansion of the existing Central Treatment Plant (CTP) and the Groundwater Collection System at Bunker Hill, Kellogg, Idaho. The project consists of upgrading and expanding the CTP that will treat influent flows using a lime precipitation, high-density sludge (HDS) process with filtration supporting the HDS process. The expanded treatment system will be designed to treat peak flows from 5,000 to 8,000 gallons per minute (gpm). The GWCS is anticipated to consist of a series of groundwater extraction wells located along the northern edge of the CIA, with an estimated combined pumping rate ranging from 1,500 to 2,500 gpm, a new below-grade slurry cutoff wall located down-gradient from the extraction wells, and appurtenant components to control, maintain, and monitor the system performance. Approximate dimensions of the below-grade cutoff wall are anticipated to be 8,000 feet in length and 20-40 feet in depth to interface with the confining layer of the aquifer. Some of the factors that may be considered regarding PLA use are: a. The involvement of multiple contractors and/or subcontractors working in multiple crafts or trades. b. The complexity of the project. c. Shortage of skilled labor in the region. d. Completion of the project will require an extended period of time. e. The use of PLA's on other comparable projects in this geographic area. f. The promotion of the Governments long term programs interests such as training of skilled workforce for future projects. g. The possibility of labor disputes that threaten timely completion. h. Additional costs from use of PLAs may be cost prohibitive. 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) 22.503 - 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. Accordingly, the construction community is invited to comment on the use of PLAs. Of particular interest to the Government are responses to the following questions: (1) Should PLAs be executed on selected large dollar contracts in Kellogg, ID and surrounding area? (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? (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 due to a PLA? (7) What other factors should the Corps consider before deciding to include PLA provisions in the Seattle District contract? (8) Please provide a list of recent (2-5 years) construction projects in the local labor market of the project under consideration. Include the following items: *Project Name/Location *Project Description *Initial Cost Est./Actual Final Cost *Was the project completed on time *Number of craft trades present on the project *PLA (Y/N) *Were there any challenges experienced during the project? 1. 2. (9) Which trades are expected to be employed on a project based on the description above? Are you likely to need some union skilled trades for at least part of this project? (10) What market share does union labor have in the geographic area for this project or type of construction? (11) Does the local market contain the sufficient number of available skilled workers for this project? Are there other projects in the vicinity going to limit the pool of skill labor available for your project? (12) Has a project like this been done before in the local market? (13) What investments have been made to support registered apprenticeship programs? (14) Have PLAs been used on comparable projects undertaken by the public sector in this geographic region? Have PLAs been used on this type of project in other regions? (15) Which CBAs are likely to expire during the course of the project under consideration that might cause delays? (16) How do open shop and union wage rates influence prevailing wage rates in the local market and compare to Davis Bacon rates? What impact does unionization in the local market have on wages? (17) Could a PLA contribute to cost savings in any of the following ways? -Harmonization of shifts and holidays between the trades to reduce labor costs? -Minimize disruptions that may arise due to expiration of CBA? -Availability of trained, registered apprentices, to promote efficiency for highly skilled workforce? -Allowing for changes in apprentice to journeyman ration. -Serving as management tool that ensure highly skilled workers from multiple trades are coordinated in the most efficient way. -Other reasons? (18) Could a PLA minimize risk and contribute to greater efficiency in any of the following ways? -Mechanisms to avoid delays -Complying with Davis Bacon and other labor standards, safety rules and EEO and OFCP laws. -Ensuring a steady supply of skilled labor in markets with low supply or high competition for workers. (19) Are there ways in which a PLA might increase costs on this particular project? THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION FOR PROPOSALS AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ANY COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. Responses to this labor market survey will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. All interested sources must respond to future solicitations announcements separately from responses to this market survey. Interested firms shall respond to this Special Notice no later than 2:00 pm (Pacific Time) on 20 October 2014. The responses should be forwarded to Adam Birkland, Contract Specialist, by email: Adam.M.Birkland@usace.army.mil, or fax to 206-764-6817, or mail to: Seattle District Corps of Engineers, Attn: CECT-NWS-A, Attn: Adam Birkland, 4735 East Marginal Way South, Seattle, WA 98134-2329.
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