Construction of Edward Hines Jr. VAMC New Boiler Plant at Hines, IL.

The Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, is soliciting comments for the construction community addressing the potential use of Project Labor Agreements (PLA) for a large scale construction project (exceeding $25 million) in Hines, IL. The proposed project is for the construction of a new physical plant that will house four new boilers, each with a capacity of 35,000 Lbs/Hr Steam; and an emergency diesel engine generator (1 megawatt). The project will also include construction of the underground steam distribution system that services a multiple building campus (including a hospital) that must remain operational during construction. There are three main major tie-ins to the existing steam distribution system that must be accomplished during coordinated outages. The length of the underground steam distribution system is approximately 3,000 LF, contained in a concrete box culvert/conduit constructed in trenches as deep as 25 feet below grade routed through the campus between existing buildings, under roadways and under existing water lines, sewer lines, electrical lines and other underground utilities. The project will involve bringing on the system, commissioning and all associated controls. The building is comprised of approximately 2,500 gross square feet of basement, 18,000 gross square feet of ground floor and 4,500 gross square feet of mezzanine. Site improvements associated with the new physical plant include access drives off of Tripp Avenue and 5th Avenue, visitor and employee parking areas, truck dock(s), new perimeter security fencing, new fuel oil underground storage tanks (USTs), and a new partial underground water reservoir. The contract duration is anticipated at 730 calendar days. 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 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 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, the Government request responses to the following questions: (1) Should PLAs be executed on selected large dollar contracts in the Hines, IL 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 a Louisville District contract? Responses shall be submitted via email to Christina Burchett at Christina.m.burchett@usace.army.mil no later than 10:00 AM EDT 07 April 2016. This is NOT a Request for Proposal 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 solicitation announcements separately from responses to this survey.