PLA Market Research - USDA Dairy Forage Research Center (DFRC)

Project Labor Agreement Survey: W9128F25R0014

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Omaha District is soliciting comments from the construction community addressing the potential use of Project Labor Agreements (PLA) for a large-scale construction project (exceeding $35 million) for the US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, US Dairy Forage Research Center (DFRC) at Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin.

Submit your responses electronically (via email) no later than (NLT) 2:00 PM Central Daylight Time on 25 June 2025 to nicole.l.parker@usace.army.mil and jeffrey.w.wyant@usace.army.mil. Your response shall be limited to five (5) pages in Times New Roman font of not less than 10 pitch. To ensure proper attention to your submission, please include the following information in your email:

SUBJECT: “PLA Survey W9128F25R0014 – Prairie du Sac replacement Dairy Forage Research Center”. CONTENT: Business name, address, CAGE code, & a point of contact phone number and email.

A PLA is defined as a pre-hire collective bargaining agreement between a Prime contractor and 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 22.503) Policy provides that:

1. 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.


2. An agency may, if appropriate, require that every contractor and subcontractor, or certain subcontractors, 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: FAR 52.222-33 Notice of Requirement for Project Labor Agreement; FAR 52.222-34 Project Labor Agreement.
   
   
   
   

Request 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 reference 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.


8. Is your interest in the project as the primary general contractor for the entire project or as a subcontractor for component(s) of the overall requirement?


9. Is your current intent to compete for the work if a PLA is not required?


10. Is your current intent to complete for the work if a PLA is required?

The information gathered in this survey should include the following information on projects completed in the last 2 – 5 years:

1. 
   
   
   
   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?
   
   
   
   

Project Description:

CENWO intends to acquire construction services for the replacement of the US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, US Dairy Forage Research Center (DFRC) at Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin. The project will be fully designed, and a construction design package has been posted with solicitation W9128F25R0014 on SAM.gov. This project may include, but not be limited to, the construction of a government dairy production and research facility; lactating cow facilities; heifer and calf facilities; breeding areas; intensive animal feeding facility; emission chambers research facility; milking parlor(s); manure management system; feed storage and mixing facilities; data generation and transfer systems; laboratory areas and research rooms; field equipment storage and maintenance facilities; and administration and personnel support facilities.

The estimated magnitude of construction cost of this project is between $25,000,000 and $100,000,000 000 Ref. DFARS

236.204 Disclosure of Magnitude.

The estimated period of performance is ~ 917 calendar days from construction notice to proceed (NTP).