USDA – National Grapes Improvement Center (NGIC) at Cornell University

THIS IS A PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENT (PLA) SURVEY ONLY.

This is a SPECIAL NOTICE. No proposals are being requested or accepted with this PLA notice.

The PLA Market Survey is conducted prior to release of the solicitation. This is a SPECIAL NOTICE only. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District is soliciting comments from the construction community addressing use of a PLA for the Construction of the National Grapes Improvement Center located in Geneva, New York.

Acquisition Background: This is a new requirement being procured by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on behalf of the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS). The anticipated procurement method is a Request for Proposal (RFP) under FAR Part 15. 

Description: The NGIC project consists of the construction of a laboratory/office building, and specialty research greenhouses with associated headhouse facilities. The project also requires the demolition of several existing on-site facilities. The completed facility will be utilized by the partnership between USDA and Cornell University.

The laboratory/office building (LOB) consists of a four-story steel-framed building measuring approximately 57,900 GSF. The building is generally rectangular and oriented east-west along Collier Drive. The first floor includes conferencing amenities, offices, shipping and receiving areas, and specialty support facilities for the research programs. The second and third floors consist of community labs, collaboration areas, and private and shared office amenities The fourth floor includes the enclosed mechanical and support spaces. There is no basement in the facility.

A separate,up to 10,600 GSF Greenhouse, for the NGIC is a single story, stainless steel or aluminum framed, translucent structure for regulated plant growth. The Greenhouse will be slab on grade with an enclosed connection to the LOB through a centralized corridor flanked with green house bays on either side.

As part of the overall site organization and approach, it is anticipated that the existing Clonal Building and Cousins Headhouse will be demolished to allow for the new construction.

PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENT (PLA): 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 14063, agencies are required to include 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.

FAR 22.502 requires agencies to use Project Labor Agreement (PLA) in large-scale construction projects to promote economy and efficiency in the administration and completion of Federal construction projects.

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

    1) 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.

    2) 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.

    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.

    8) How likely are you to submit a proposal on this project if a PLA is required (choose a response):

                1 – My company will not submit a proposal if PLA is required.

                2 – My company plans to submit a proposal whether PLA is required or not.

                3 – My company only plans to submit a proposal if PLA is required.

NOTE: 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 Frank D’Andrea at [email protected], and Nathaniel M. Dent at [email protected], no later than 1:00 PM Eastern Time (ET) on 10 July 2025.