SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE FOR PROJECT LABOR AGGREEMENTS (PLAs) TO COASTAL STORM RISK MANAGEMENT (CSRM) FOR BETHANY BEACH AND SOUTH BETHANY BEACH, DE (CSRM - BEACHFILL), FENWICK ISLAND, DE (CSRM – BEACHFILL), REHOBOTH BEACH & DEWEY BEACH, DE (CSRM – BEACHFILL)

The US Army Corps of Engineers, Enterprise Dredge Delivery Center (EDDC), 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) within the Bethany Beach and South Bethany Beach, DE (CSRM - Beachfill), Fenwick Island, DE (CSRM – Beachfill), and Rehoboth Beach & Dewey Beach, DE (CSRM – Beachfill): areas. This procurement is for Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM).

Bethany Beach and South Bethany Beach, DE (CSRM - Beachfill): The work for the Bethany Beach and South Bethany Beach, CRSM projects will include periodic renourishment of the beach berm and dune to the original design template.  It is estimated that approximately 532,000 cubic yards of sand would be required to restore Bethany Beach and South Bethany Beach to the original design template and approximately 165,000 CY of optional sand could be provided for advanced nourishment for the project.  The base bid work would also include repair/replacement of dune grass, fencing and crossovers.  Borrow Area E will be the source used for sand to restore this beach area and will require the use of a hopper or hydraulic cutterhead since Borrow Area E is located approximately two to three miles offshore of the Town of South Bethany.

Fenwick Island, DE (CSRM – Beachfill): The work for the Fenwick Island, CRSM project will include periodic renourishment of the beach berm and dune to the original design template. It is estimated that approximately 207,000 cubic yards of sand would be required to restore Fenwick Island to the original design template and approximately 60,000 CY of optional sand could be provided for advanced nourishment for the project. The base bid work would also include repair/replacement of dune grass, fencing and crossovers. The Fenwick Island borrow area will be the source used for sand to restore this beach area and will require the use of a hopper or hydraulic cutterhead since the Fenwick Borrow Area is located approximately one to three miles offshore of the Town of Fenwick Island. 

Rehoboth Beach & Dewey Beach, DE (CSRM – Beachfill): The work for the Rehoboth Beach to Dewey Beach, CRSM projects will include periodic renourishment of the beach berm and dune to the original design template.  It is estimated that approximately 390,000 cubic yards of sand would be required to restore Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach to the design template and approximately 120,000 CY of optional sand could be provided for advanced nourishment for the project.  The base bid work would also include repair/replacement of dune grass, fencing and crossovers.  Borrow Area B will be the source used for sand to restore this beach area and will require the use of a hopper dredge due to the four to six mile transit distance that must be made in the Atlantic Ocean to travel to and from the sand borrow area.

The solicitation is expected to be available in FY2027.
 

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 14063, 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 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; 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.

(i) Requested are responses to the following:

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 Government’s interest in achieving economy and efficiency in Federal procurement.

5) Identify specific reasons why you do not believe a PLA would advance the Federal Government’s interest in achieving economy and efficiency in Federal procurement.

6) Identify any additional information you believe the Government should take into consideration regarding the use of a PLA on the referenced project.

7) Does your company intend to bid/propose on this project if a PLA requirement is included in the solicitation? Does your company intend to bid/propose on this project if a PLA requirement is not included in the solicitation?

8) What are the likely cost impacts, if any, to your bid/proposal price if a PLA requirement is included in the solicitation?  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.

 (ii) The information gathered in this exercise should include the following information on projects completed in the last 2-5 years (or other timeframe, as appropriate):

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?

Responses shall be submitted via email to Melissa Vaughn at melissa.a.vaughn@usace.army.mil and Ros Shoemaker at rosalind.m.shoemaker@usace.army.mil no later than 3:00 PM EDT on 15 September 2026.

The email should be titled: Delaware CSRM PLA Response

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 survey.