Letter of Interest - Scranton Downtown Streetscapes Open Telecommunication Conduit Space

The City of Scranton, Pennsylvania, Office of Business Administration is issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking qualified telecommunications companies to utilize available conduit space within downtown streetscape improvement projects. The procurement involves shared underground duct bank infrastructure being installed throughout the downtown area along Biden Street, Penn Avenue, Adams Avenue, Linden Street, and North Washington Avenue as part of streetscape projects extending through 2026 and into 2027. Deliverables include the provision of telecommunications services utilizing the newly constructed conduit infrastructure, with all overhead communication wires to be placed underground within the project footprint. Respondents must demonstrate a minimum of 15 years of experience under their current business name, provide at least two professional references with contact information, and possess professional liability insurance with minimum coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate. Evaluation criteria include completeness and quality of response (10% weight), responsiveness to requirements (25% weight), professional qualifications and experience (25% weight), proposed work plan (25% weight), and project fees and hourly rates (15% weight). Sealed Qualification Statements must be submitted electronically through the City's e-Procurement Portal at https://secure.procurentonow.com/portal/scrantonpa by 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, with questions due by 11:59 a.m. on Thursday, February 12, 2026. The bid opening will occur in City Council Chambers on the 2nd Floor of City Hall, with a video recording made available on the City's YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/electriccitytv570.

All submissions must include affirmative action certification, certificates of non-segregated facilities, non-collusion affidavits, disclosure forms, proof of required registrations and licenses, and a certificate of insurance naming the City of Scranton as an additional insured. The RFQ does not specify set-asides for disadvantaged enterprises or restrictions on organization types, allowing qualified telecommunications providers from the private sector to respond. The City of Scranton reserves the right to reject any or all responses, conduct interviews with selected firms, request additional information, and award the contract based on factors beyond lowest cost. A significant financial advantage exists for providers participating at the current construction stage, as the shared underground duct bank construction is funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) with available conduit space limited and construction currently underway or beginning imminently. The project has a completion and payment deadline of September 30, 2026, creating immediate cost savings for participants who avoid substantially higher construction costs associated with installing conduit after streetscape projects are completed. No specific project fees, contract term length, or award value is detailed in the RFQ; interested parties should contact Tom Rable, City of Scranton Project Manager, at Trable@scrantonpa.gov or (570) 348-4224 for additional information.