ADA mentor protege pilot program

The City of Philadelphia, through its Managing Director's Office, Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems, in collaboration with the Department of Streets and the Mayor's Office of Business Impact & Economic Advancement, is seeking an experienced mentor firm to develop and deliver a comprehensive mentor-protege program focused on building capacity among small and local contractors in public works construction. The primary objective is to establish a pilot program centered on the construction of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant curb ramps, with the selected mentor firm providing both classroom instruction on public contracting fundamentals and hands-on construction experience to participating small and local protege firms. Qualified respondents must demonstrate extensive experience in construction and financial sectors, proven successful project delivery track records, and preferably risk management capabilities. The program will deliver comprehensive curriculum on public contracting best practices alongside on-the-job training through active construction work addressing the City's critical need to install or remediate at least 10,000 ADA-compliant curb ramps by 2038. Key dates include a non-mandatory pre-proposal meeting on Monday, June 8, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. via Microsoft Teams; questions must be submitted by Friday, June 12, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.; electronic proposals are due by Thursday, July 2, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.; respondent interviews and presentations are scheduled for the week of August 3, 2026; respondent selection will occur the week of August 17, 2026; and contract execution is anticipated for August or September 2026, with work commencement in September 2026. The contract term is one year with additional one-year renewal options at the City's sole discretion.

This procurement prioritizes local and small business participation, as the City emphasizes that small and local businesses represent 78 percent of all Philadelphia firms but received only 27 percent of the $1.2 billion in City contract funding awarded in 2024 across public works and other categories. The program specifically targets capacity-building for disadvantaged business enterprises through mentor-protege relationships and supports organizations that can commit to employing City residents or performing work within the City limits. Applicants may claim positive consideration as a Local Business Entity or demonstrate Local Impact commitment in accordance with Mayoral Executive Order No. 04-12 and Section 17-109(3)(b) of The Philadelphia Code by meeting specified employment and business operation requirements within Philadelphia. The program is partially funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Innovative Finance and Asset Concession Grant Program under the Build America Bureau, established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. The engineer's estimate for this contract ranges from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000, with a non-refundable bid processing fee of $200 required and a bid bond equal to ten percent of the gross proposal amount required to accompany all submissions. Successful respondents will also be required to pay a contract preparation fee ranging from $50 to $1,500 for for-profit entities, and all proposals remain binding for 180 calendar days following submission.