USACE West Fork San Jacinto River Emergency Debris Removal, Harris County, Texas

Solicit Comments Use of Projects Labor Agreements at San Jacinto River, West Fork, Emergency Dredging Sources Sought W9126G18B0019 for PLAs Regarding future Solicitation No.: W9126G18B0019 Title: Galveston District Corps of Engineers Soliciting Comments on the Potential Use of Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) at West Fork of the San Jacinto River, from Interstate 69 East to the confluence of Lake Houston. Description: The Corps of Engineers Galveston District is soliciting comments from the construction community addressing the potential use of Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) for large scale construction projects (exceeding $25 million) for the following project: San Jacinto River West Fork, Emergency Dredging, Harris County, Texas. Full Description of the Project to Include: 1. This project is an immediate response to in-progress flood emergencies and risks along the West Fork of the San Jacinto River during this high-risk flood and hurricane season. This work is highly sensitive due to safety concerns and enormous consequences that could occur in the event of adverse conditions. For these reasons, this project will demand strict technical capabilities and oversight standards throughout the entire construction period. 2. Dredging operations that the contractor shall satisfactorily perform include: a. Material and debris removal and mobilization / demobilization. The work consists of the removal of approximately 1.6 million cubic yards (CY) of shoal material within the West Fork of the San Jacinto River, from Interstate 69 East to the confluence of Lake Houston. SWG Hydrology and Hydraulics (H&H) modeling was conducted to determine the limits of dredging. b. The shoaling from Hurricane Harvey has now reduced the overall depth of the West Fork waterway and decreased the amount of water that can pass through and into Lake Houston. The epic flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey caused 4,139 structures along the West Fork to flood. Recent heavy rainfall along the West Fork has caused, and may again result in, downstream water levels that present a threat to persons and properties in the Kingwood-Humble-Lake Houston areas due to the inability of the West Fork to carry sufficient water volume. Magnitude of Construction: Between $25,000,000.00 and $100,000,000.00. Period of Performance: 180 calendar days after Notice to Proceed. Some of the factors that may be considered regarding their 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 accelerated period of time. e. The use of PLA's on other comparable projects. 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 PLAs be executed on selected large dollar contracts within the above referenced location by the Galveston District? What other factors should the Corps consider before deciding to include PLA provisions in a Galveston District contract? What type of project should or should not be considered for PLA? b. Is the use of PLAs effective in achieving economy and efficiency in Federal procurement? What is the estimated relative cost impact, or any other economies or efficiencies derived by the Federal Government, if using PLAs? Will a PLA impact the cost of submitting an offer? c. Is the use of PLAs effective in producing labor-management stability? Have labor disputes or other labor issues contributed to project delays in the local area? d. Is the use of PLAs conducive to ensuring compliance with laws and regulations governing safety and health, equal employment opportunity, labor and employment standards, and other relevant matters? 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. Projects will require multiple construction contractors and/or subcontractors employing workers in multiple crafts or trades. Do you foresee any work on projects 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? Information may reference current apprenticeship statistics and workforce age demographics. g. Completion of anticipated projects will require an accelerated performance period. Will a PLA impact the completion time? What is the anticipated volatility in the labor market for the trades required for the execution of the project? 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? Please provide your comments via e-mail to Traci D. Robicheaux, Contract Specialist at contact@example.gov no later than close of business on 15 May 2018. Agency/Contracting Office: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District ATTN: CESWF-CT-G 2000 Fort Point Road Galveston, Texas 77550-1229 Place of Performance: San Jacinto River Houston, Texas Point of Contact: Ms. Traci D. Robicheaux Corps of Engineers contact@example.gov Fort Worth District@Galveston