PLA-Ft. Riley Microgrid

Description: The Corps of Engineers Louisville 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).

Background/Scope Summary:

This market survey is being posted for the Construction of the Fort Riley. This project will involve the construction of a blackstart 7.5MW microgrid with controls and automatic switching for isolating and powering up to 35% of the installation's critical load. It includes three 2.5MW natural gas centralized generators located at substation #7 to perform peak shaving. The Microgrid will power up to 46 critical facilities. Additional works includes the installation of a 6 inch natural gas line to service the new generation plant and the installation of 12.47kV circuit breakers and conductors as well as transfer switches, interface relays, controllers, SCADA system.

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 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.

Please provide your comments via e-mail to kurt.m.egner@usace.army.mil no later than 12:00 PM ET on 20 Novemer 2023.