Special Notice for Market Research for Use of a Project Labor Agreement on Alaska District Corps of Engineers Project Kenai Bluffs Bank Stabilization, Kenai, Alaska.

Classification Code:  Y1PZ – Construction of Other Non-Building Facilities

NAICS Code:  237990 – Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction

Synopsis:

The Corps of Engineers, Alaska District is soliciting comments from the construction community addressing the potential use of a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) on FY23 Design Build project, Kenai Bluffs Bank Stabilization, Kenai, Alaska.  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 PLAs 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 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 the law.  Reference: FAR Provision 52.222-33, Notice of Requirement for Project Labor Agreement and Clause 52.222-34, Project Labor Agreement.

In order to assist in the evaluation as to whether the use of a PLA is appropriate for project Kenai Bluffs Bank Stabilization, Kenai, Alaska, the Alaska District is soliciting information on historical use of PLAs in Alaska.  Any interested party (contractors, project owners, contractor associations, labor unions, construction management firms, etc.) may respond. 

LETTERS SIMPLY INDICATING SUPPORT FOR OR OPPOSITION TO LABOR UNIONS AND/OR PLAs DO NOT OFFER ANY USEFUL INFORMATION AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.  Please provide responses to any or all of the following questions:

1. Would incorporation of a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) into this contract prevent your firm from participating in this particular acquisition.
2. What market share does union labor have in the Kenai, Alaska geographical area?
3. Are any Collective Bargaining Agreements expected to expire between January 2023 and January 2024?
4. Could a PLA minimize risk to the Government on the Kenai Bluffs Bank Stabilization, Kenai, Alaska project?  How?
5. Are you aware of skilled labor shortages in the area for those crafts that will be needed to complete the Kenai Bluffs Bank Stabilization, Kenai, Alaska project?  If so, please elaborate and provide supporting documentation where possible.
6. Are you aware of time sensitive issues/scheduling requirements that would affect the rate at which the Kenai Bluffs Bank Stabilization, Kenai, Alaska project should be completed?  If so, please elaborate and provide supporting documentation where possible.
7. Identify specific reasons why or how you believe a PLA would advance the Federal Governments interest in achieving economy and efficiency in federal procurement.
8. Identify specific reasons why you do not believe a PLA would advance the Federal Governments interest in achieving economy and efficiency in federal procurement.
9. Identify any additional information you believe should be considered on the use of a PLA on the Kenai Bluffs Bank Stabilization, Kenai, Alaska project.
10. Identify any additional information you believe should be considered on the non-use of a PLA on the Kenai Bluffs Bank Stabilization, Kenai, Alaska project.
11. 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:
    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? (delays, investigations, safety issues, labor shortages, management/organizational issues, etc.)?

Please reference solicitation number W911KB23R0004 and limit your responses to NO MORE THAN TWO (2) PAGES IN LENGTH.

Provide your comments via email to Jennifer Gosh, Contract Specialist, at [email protected], NO LATER THAN 15 November 2022 2:00PM AKST.

Contracting Office Address:
ATTN:  CEPOA-CT
P.O. Box 6898
JBER, Alaska 99506-6898
United States

Place of Performance:
Kenai, Alaska

Primary Point of Contact:
Jennifer Gosh
[email protected]
Fax:  907-753-2541