PLA St. Georges Bridge Deck Replacement and Repairs

Labor Market Survey: In addressing projects within the scope of Executive Order (EO) 13502, USACE districts will need to undertake a labor market survey as part of their PLA evaluation process. USACE district PDTs should consider the following: 1. Issuing a Sources Sought Notice: The Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District is soliciting comments from the construction community addressing the potential use of Project Labor Agreements (PLA) for the following large scale (exceeding $25 million) construction project: St. Georges Bridge Deck Replacement and Repairs Project Description: Construction contract work consists of repair of severely advanced deteriorated concrete substructure piers with large spalls, delaminated concrete, and exposed rebar. Repairs will also include the removal and replacement of these significantly deteriorated areas of concrete. The total repair area for all of the piers is expected to be approximately 10,000 sf. Work includes complete bridge deck replacement (including replacement of concrete approach slabs) to restore the concrete riding surface and provide necessary traffic safety upgrades, concrete repairs to restore the structural integrity of the deteriorated abutments and numerous piers, as well as repainting of all steel superstructure components to halt existing paint deterioration and prevent further steel corrosion. The estimated cost range of the project is $25,000,000 to $100,000,000. 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) 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 a PLA be executed on the above described St. Georges Bridge Deck Replacement and Repairs? What benefits do you believe a PLA could achieve? What other factors should the Corps consider before deciding to include PLA provisions for the St. Georges Bridge Deck Replacement and Repairs? b. Will the use of a PLA be effective in achieving economy and efficiency? If so, how? What is the estimated relative cost impact, or any other economies or efficiencies derived by the Federal Government, if using a PLA? Will a PLA impact the cost of submitting an offer? c. Are there any concerns regarding labor-management stability related to this project? Will the use of a PLA produce labor-management stability on this project? Have labor disputes or other labor issues contributed to project delays in the local area? Are you aware of examples of labor-management conflicts in the area which could impact the efficiency of this project, which a PLA could positively impact/resolve? d. Will use of a PLA be conducive to ensuring compliance with laws and regulations governing safety and health, equal employment opportunity, labor and employment standards, and other relevant matters on this project? 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. This project will require construction contractors and/or subcontractors employing workers in multiple crafts or trades. Do you foresee any work on this project 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? Are there large scale construction projects in the area which could impact availability of skilled labor for this project? What is the anticipated volatility in the labor market for the trades required for the execution of the project? g. How will a PLA impact the completion time? 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? 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. Please provide your comments via email to Susan Li, Contract Specialist, at susan.li@usace.army.mil no later than 26 May 2022, 3:00PM EST.