Project Labor Agreement (PLA) Market Survey - Rock Island Arsenal Microgrid
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District is conducting a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) Market Survey for a large-scale microgrid construction project at Rock Island Arsenal (RIA), Illinois. This is a Special Notice to gather industry feedback on the potential use of PLAs, not a request for proposals. Comments are due by February 12, 2026.
Scope of Work
The project involves the Design-Bid-Build (DBB) construction of a microgrid system at RIA, exceeding $35 million. Key components include:
- Power Generation: 14 Megawatts (MW) natural gas-fired Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engine (RICE) generators, 3 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels.
- Energy Storage: A 400-kilowatt (kW)/1.6 Megawatt-hour (MWh) Energy Storage System (ESS).
- Integration: The system will integrate with the existing 2.8 MW hydroelectric power plant.
- Functionality: Designed to provide sustained power to the entire RIA electrical distribution system (supporting 12 MW critical and 4 MW non-critical load) when islanded from the grid.
- Supporting Facilities: Site development, utilities, lighting, paving, parking, walkways, storm drainage, landscaping, and signage, along with building information, fire detection, and security systems.
- Sustainability: The design will incorporate life-cycle cost-effective practices and adhere to Army Sustainable Design and Development Policy.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Special Notice / Project Labor Agreement (PLA) Survey
- Set-Aside: Not applicable (Market Survey)
- Response Due: February 12, 2026, 1:00 PM Eastern Time
- Published: January 28, 2026
Key Questions for Industry
The Government is seeking comments on the use of PLAs, specifically addressing:
- Knowledge of local PLA use on similar projects.
- Awareness of skilled labor shortages.
- Time-sensitive issues affecting project completion.
- Specific reasons why a PLA would or would not advance economy and efficiency in Federal procurement.
- Additional information to consider regarding PLA use or non-use.
- Likely cost impacts (positive or negative) of a PLA requirement on bid/proposal prices.
- Previous experience as a prime contractor with a PLA or preparing proposals with a PLA component.
- Intent to submit a proposal if a PLA is required or not required.
Additional Notes
Responses should include rationale for not wanting to submit a proposal and recommendations to promote interest. Comments are to be submitted via email to Jacob Pridemore at Jacob.S.Pridemore@usace.army.mil.