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Project Labor Survey – Railroad Bridge Modifications and Improvements in Support of the Kansas Citys Levees Program

The Corps of Engineers Kansas City District is soliciting comments from the construction community addressing the potential use of Project Labor Agreements (PLA) for a large scale construction project (between $25,000,000 and $100,000,000) within the Kansas City Metropolitan area.

This project is anticipated to include modifications and improvements to two (2) railroad bridges (owned and operated by Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) and referenced as UPRR #3 and Missouri Pacific (MoPAC)) to accommodate increased Kansas River flows in Kansas City, KS. The bridges were originally constructed in the early 1900s, carry two main line tracks each, and generally consist of four through truss spans and substructures supported on timber piles.

Modifications to the UPRR #3 bridge generally consist of new lift screws, nuts, and guides to an existing electromechanical lifting mechanism. The original lifting mechanism was construction in the 1950s and includes a lift screw mechanism mounted to eight (8) towers along the bridge. The new lift screws will allow the bridge to be raised approximately two (2) feet higher than current conditions allow.

Improvements to the MoPAC bridge include installation of a new lifting mechanism that will allow the static bridge to be raised approximately five (5) feet. Improvements will require superstructure modifications including truss end modifications, bottom chord retrofits, additional lateral bracing, and anchor bolt replacements. The new lifting mechanism is anticipated to be similar to the UPRR #3 electro-mechanical system with lifting screws to allow each span to be lifting independently of the others. Modifications to the substructure may also be required.

A project labor agreement is defined as a pre-hire collective bargaining agreement with one or more labor organization 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 provides the following guidance:

(a) Project Labor Agreements are 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. (Refer also to FAR 52.222-33 Notice of Requirement for Project Labor Agreement and FAR 52.222-34 Project Labor Agreement).

The Kansas City District requests 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 impact 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. Please identify any additional information you believe should be considered on the use of a PLA for the referenced project.


7. Please identify any additional information you believe should be considered on the non-use of a PLA for the referenced project.


8. How would the use of a PLA impact project costs?


9. How would the use of a PLA impact the small business participation as subcontractors?


10. How would a PLA impact small business prime contractors concurrently working small business set-asides on the same project site.

Please send your Sources Sought responses via email to jay.b.denker@usace.army.mil and angelique.m.oldsen@usace.army.mil.

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