Two Unsolicited P3 Transportation Proposals will be Submitted for P3 Board Approval

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 19, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania's Office of Public Private Partnerships (P3) today announced that due to legislation signed by Governor Tom Corbett in 2012, it has received six unsolicited proposals for transportation projects, two of which will be considered by the P3 board this fall.

"Governor Corbett wisely insisted that P3 projects play a vital role in helping to meet or expand transportation services, and today we are happy to announce that two projects will be delivered to the P3 board this fall for their concurrence," PennDOT Secretary and P3 Board Chairman Barry J. Schoch said.

In early May, PennDOT announced that it was accepting proposals from the private sector on innovative ways to deliver transportation projects across a variety of modes including roads, bridges, rail, aviation and ports.

While six proposals were received, the department recommended that two projects be considered by the P3 board at their meeting in September. These projects offered innovative solutions and opportunities for PennDOT to partner with the private sector.

One of the proposals that will be sent to the P3 board was submitted by Paoli-based Site Acquisition Services, Inc. Their proposal calls for working with PennDOT to identify and market PennDOT-controlled structures such as bridges, signs, buildings and maintenance facilities where wireless antennas and related equipment can be attached. The company would then market those opportunities to wireless service providers that may find those locations desirable to improve signals in the surrounding areas. PennDOT would receive a "rental fee" for the use of its facilities.

The other proposal being sent to the P3 board is from Bentley Systems, Inc., in Exton. Their proposal calls for PennDOT to replace its aging Automated Permit Routing Analysis System (APRAS), used to issue special hauling permits, with the company's commercially available turn-key system already deployed in neighboring states.

Board approval would allow the department to proceed with advertising a Request for Proposals (RFP) based on the concepts in the unsolicited proposal. The RFP process will ensure any products or services are competitively purchased and achieve maximum value for the state and its taxpayers.

In addition to the two proposals moving for board consideration, PennDOT has recommended conducting more detailed studies on two other proposals. One proposal calls for the installation of a secure, high-speed wireless network along 200 miles of navigable waterways in western Pennsylvania. PennDOT also recommended a more detailed study on a proposal to construct a new Capital Area Transit maintenance facility. 

Two proposals were not selected for action because they lacked necessary research to demonstrate their feasibility or because details were not specific.

In September 2012, 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 or project would be more cost-effectively administered or delivered by a private company, the department or appropriate transportation agency can advertise a competitive RFP and enter into a contract with a company to completely or partially deliver the transportation-related service or project.

To learn more about P3 in Pennsylvania, visit www.P3forPA.pa.gov.  

Media contact: Steve Chizmar or Erin Waters-Trasatt, 717-783-8800

Editor's Note: Following are descriptions of the P3 proposals that PennDOT is forwarding for consideration by the P3 Board:

Project: Wireless Telecom Partnership         

• Proposed By: Site Acquisition Services, Inc., Paoli.
• Description: SASI will identify and market all existing structures (bridges, signs, buildings, maintenance facilities, etc.) controlled by PennDOT where wireless antennas and related equipment can be attached and market those opportunities to wireless services providers that may find those locations desirable to improve signals in the surrounding areas.
• P3 Steering Committee Recommendation: Recommended for P3 Transportation Board Consideration.
• P3 Transportation Board Action: Scheduled for consideration in September.

Project: Replacement of PennDOT APRAS System with Bentley SUPERLOAD   

• Proposed By: Bentley Systems, Inc., Exton.              
• Description: Replace PennDOT's Automated Permit Routing / Analysis System (APRAS) with a fully functional special hauling analysis, routing and permitting solution, with a proven solution that seamlessly enables multi-state permitting for haulers.
• P3 Steering Committee Recommendation: Recommended for P3 Transportation Board Consideration.
• P3 Transportation Board Action: Scheduled for consideration in September.

SOURCE PennDOT