PLA Survey - ERCIP Lake City Army Ammunition Plant Microgrid and Backup Power

THIS IS A PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENT (PLA) SURVEY ONLY.

This is a SPECIAL NOTICE. No proposals are being requested or accepted with this PLA notice.

The PLA Market Survey is conducted prior to release of the solicitation. This is a SPECIAL NOTICE only. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District is soliciting comments from the construction community addressing use of a PLA for this construction project at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, Missouri.

Description:

The Corps of Engineers Louisville District is soliciting comments from the construction community addressing the potential use of Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) for a large-scale construction project (exceeding $35 million) for the following:

Project scope: Design-Bid-Build (D-B-B) construction of a microgrid system powered by two 7.5 MW combined heat and power (CHP) combustion turbines with dual-fuel capable natural gas and propane fuel systems that make a 15 MW CHP power/heat production plant. The CHP will include heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs) and supplemental exhaust duct firing along with a black start diesel generator. The project will include all electrical distribution equipment and underground duct bank needed to connect to the existing electrical infrastructure. Microgrid controls will be installed to manage various modes of operation to include parallel mode with existing utility, island mode, and black start mode. The microgrid control system will be state of the art and will be integrated with two existing substations at four points of common coupling for seamless operation and load shed capability with the ability to island during a utility grid outage and leverage load shedding to balance microgrid supply and demand during islanded operation, and resynchronization with the grid upon grid restoration. The project will include both electricity microgrid features and simultaneous heat production and steam distribution features. The project will also include installation of two 500-gallon waste water/oil underground storage tanks with double wall interstitial leak monitoring and overfill alarms.

The project will involve installing all piping and equipment needed to connect the CHP to the installation’s existing natural gas, steam, condensate, and water infrastructure and operate in tandem with the installation’s existing central heating plant. The microgrid will have industrial grade controls with a new control room located in the central heating plant. Environmental controls will be through the use of low NOx turbines and duct burners. The project also includes site improvements, demolition, full air permitting, communications, and full commissioning.

All systems will be designed in in accordance with UFC 4-010-06, Cyber Security of Facility-Related Control Systems, and UFGS 25 05 11, Cybersecurity for Facility-Related Control Systems. This project involves the use of Software Defined Networking (SDN). The use of SDN capable industrial grade equipment throughout the control system will provide a deny by default security posture and will fulfill most if not all network related security controls.

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:

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 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.

References:
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:

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.
8. What cost impact do you expect if PLA requirements are included? Please provide as much detail as possible regarding any anticipated cost impacts (positive or negative) of the inclusion of a PLA requirement, including any information you can provide about the magnitude of the anticipated impact.
9. Do you have any previous or current experience as a prime contractor with a PLA?
10. Have you prepared or submitted proposals that included a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) component?
11. Please select one of the following:
    1. My company will not submit a proposal if PLA is required but is interested in proposing if PLA is not a requirement.
    2. My company plans to submit a proposal whether PLA is required or not.
    3. My company only plans to submit a proposal if PLA is required.

In addition to affirmative responses, we are seeking negative responses to identify any potential actions we may take to improve the competitive environment. Please provide a response with feedback including rationale for not wanting to submit a proposal and any recommendations that could promote interest.

* Please provide your comments via e-mail to alexa.l.dukes@usace.army.mil no later than 2:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on 24 February 2026.