PennDOT accepting public private partnership proposals

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The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced that it is accepting unsolicited public private partnership proposals for transportation projects from the private sector through July 31.

Although the PennDOT usually accepts the proposals in April and October every year, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the department to push back its April submission period to July.

“We appreciate the industry’s understanding our decision to postpone the April solicitation period and are looking forward to reviewing the solicitations we receive this month,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian.

PennDOT said it would be accepting public private partnership (P3)proposals for PennDOT-owned projects and infrastructure that offer innovative ways to deliver transportation projects over a variety of modes, including roads, bridges, rail, aviation, and ports. Projects can also include more efficient models to manage existing transportation-related services and programs.

State law allows PennDOT to enter into a partnership with private companies. As part of the P3 law, the seven-member Public Private Transportation Partnership Board examines and approves potential P3 transportation projects. If the board determines a state operation could be run more cost-effectively by a private company, the company would be allowed to submit a proposal and enter into contract with the states to take over the project either partially or completely.

Proposals will be accepted through 11:59 p.m., July 31. Instructions on how to submit a proposal are located on the state’s P3 website.