The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation launched a new pilot program Sept. 14 that aims to increase opportunities for small business enterprises or SBEs, whereby they can compete to work as prime consultants on federally assisted engineering and design agreements on at least six projects.
“We are committed to increasing opportunities for small, disadvantaged, and diverse businesses, and this pilot program is another step forward,” noted PennDOT Secretary Leslie Richards (seen above) in a statement. “This program aims to provide opportunities to expand expertise and the pool of potential firms for future department work.”
This new pilot program currently includes preliminary engineering and final design for three projects, PennDOT noted: a bridge replacement over South Witmer Run on Route 3005 in Irvona Borough, Clearfield County; a bridge replacement over Marshall Run on Route 3007 in Conemaugh Township, Indiana County; and replacing a bridge over Leaf Creek on Route 2057 in Amity and Douglass townships, Berks County.
At least three more projects will be advertised to the private sector this fall, the agency added, noting that it will evaluate how many SBEs submit a statement of interest, whether a contract is awarded to a SBE, and what the work results are.
PennDOT pointed out that it has currently 413 businesses certified as SBEs and that companies interesting in participating in this pilot program must perform at least 50 percent of the contracted work and must be registered as a business partner in the department’s Engineering and Construction Management System.
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