Construction of Energetic Waste Incinerator and Contaminated Waste Processor (EWI/CWP)

PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENTW91236-20-R-4000Construction of Energetic Waste Incinerator and Contaminated Waste Processor (EWI/CWP) at Radford Ammunition Plant, Radford, VAThe Corps of Engineers Norfolk District is soliciting comments from the construction community addressing the potential use of a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) for the following large scale (exceeding $25 Million) construction project:  Construction of Energetic Waste Incinerator and Contaminated Waste Processor (EWI/CWP) at Radford Ammunition Plant, Radford, VAProject Description:  This project consists of the facility described below.  Construction will consist of a fully modernized combined Energetic Waste Incinerator and Contaminated Waste Processor (EWI/CWP), allowing a centralized, air-pollution controlled facility to handle all energetic waste (EW) and energetic contaminated waste (ECW) generated at Radford Ammunition Plant.  This project is located at Radford Ammunition Plant in Radford, VA, as described below. The

Radford Army Ammunition Plant (RFAAP) is a U.S. Army-owned facility that specializes in the production of military grade energetics.  The manufacturing operations at the RFAAP generate Energetic Waste (EW) and Energetic Contaminated Waste (ECW).  Due to the safety hazards associated with over the road transportation to a disposal facility, on-site disposal is preferred. EW generated at RFAAP comes from multiple sources, such as process waste (shavings), rejected material, pit waste, and other direct process sources.  EW typically meets one of several hazardous waste classifications under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).  Currently, all EW generated at the RFAAP is either destroyed in one of two Energetic Waste Incinerators (EWIs) or at the open-burning grounds (OBG).  Both of these facilities are permitted under the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) hazardous waste program. This project will replace the current aged EWI facility, relocate the waste treatment and decontamination activities into one centralized facility, and reduce the amount of open burning conducted at RFAAP with an efficient, emission controlled treatment system.  The new EWI/CWP will process all of the production wastes and a minimum of 95 percent of the wastes currently treated at the OBG, plus an additional 50 percent for future production increases.    Magnitude of construction cost:  Between $100,000,000 and $250,000,000.  The Estimated Award Date for this project is 20 September 2021.  The Estimated completion date is 769 calendar days from notice to proceed.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).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 organization if the agency decides that the use of project labor agreements will:Advance the Federal Government’s 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, andBe 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 RESPONSE TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: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.Are you aware of skilled labor shortages in the area for those crafts that will be needed to complete the referenced project?  Are these large scale construction projects in the area (over $25M, within 50 miles of Radford Ammunition Plant, Radford, VA) which could impact availability of skilled labor for this project?  What is the anticipated volatility in the labor market for the trades required for execution of the project?  Please provide supporting documentation.Are you aware of time sensitive issues/scheduling requirements that would impact the rate at which the referenced project should be completed?  If so, please elaborate and provide supporting documentation where possible.Is the proposed schedule/completion time one which would benefit for a PLA – if so, how?  Will a PLA impact the completion time?  Would a PLA benefit a project which contains a unique and compelling mission-critical schedule?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?Identify specific reasons why or how you believe a PLA would advance the Federal Governments interest in achieving economy and efficiency in federal procurement.Identify any additional information you believe should be considered on the non-use of a PLA on the referenced project.Please identify and additional information you believe should be considered on the use of a PLA on the referenced project.Identify any additional information you believe should be considered on the non-use of a PLA for on the referenced project. The information gathered in this exercise should include the following information on projects completed in the last 2-5 years:1) Project Name and Location2) Detailed Project Description3) Initial Cost Estimate vs. Actual Final Cost4) Was the project completed on time?5) Number of craft trades present on the project6) Was a PLA used?7) Were there any challenges experienced during the project?Please provide your comments via e-mail to Mr. Phil Mathews at email:  philip.d.mathews@usace.army.mil and a copy to Ms. Ekaterina “Katya” Oxley, Contracting Officer at Ekaterina.Oxley@usace.army.mil no later than 10:00 AM EDT on May 28, 2020.This is NOT a Request for Proposal 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 solicitation announcements separately from responses to this market survey.