HARRISBURG – The Office of Public Private Partnerships yesterday announced that it is accepting unsolicited proposals for transportation projects from the private sector through Oct. 31.
“The Public Private Partnership board recently approved two projects that the private sector submitted to us this spring, so this program is already yielding results,” PennDOT Secretary and Public, Private Partnership Board Chairman Barry J. Schoch said. “I’m expecting that we will continue to see innovative ways to expand our partnerships with private industry to bring new and more efficient transportation services to Pennsylvanians.”
The submission period applies to PennDOT-owned projects and infrastructure, or transportation project applications that the private sector wants to submit directly to the Public, Private Partnership (P3) Transportation Partnership Board. The Oct. 31deadline does not apply to transportation entities outside of the governor’s jurisdiction, which may establish their own timelines or accept proposals year round.
During this period, the private sector can submit proposals offering innovative ways to deliver transportation projects across a variety of modes including roads, bridges, rail, aviation and ports. Proposals can also include more efficient models to manage existing transportation-related services and programs.
Unsolicited proposals are being accepted through 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 31. Instructions on how to submit a project and information on the unsolicited proposal review process can be found on the state’s P3 website, www.P3forPA.com.
In September 2012, Governor Tom Corbett signed into law the Public and Private Partnerships for Transportation Act, which authorized P3 projects in Pennsylvania. This law allows PennDOT and other transportation authorities and commissions to partner with private companies to participate in delivering, maintaining and financing transportation-related projects.
As part of the P3 law, the seven-member Public Private Transportation Partnership Board was appointed to examine and approve potential public-private transportation projects. If the board determines a state operation would be more cost-effectively administered by a private company, the company will be authorized to submit a proposal and enter into a contract to either completely or partially take over that operation for a defined period of time.
To learn more about P3 in Pennsylvania, visit www.P3forPA.com.