Shawnee State Park Water Treatment Plant Services

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of State Parks, is soliciting bids through an Invitation for Bids (IFB) for water treatment plant operation services at Shawnee State Park in Blair County. The procurement requires a licensed operator holding Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection credentials (Class D and E with subclasses 6, 12, and 13) to oversee a membrane filtration water treatment plant permitted for 0.080 million gallons per day and produce potable water in compliance with DEP regulations. The operator must be present at the facility a minimum of two days per week, perform all required testing and reporting duties, write and update standard operating procedures, instruct maintenance staff, and meet weekly with park management. Key deliverables include maintaining compliance with all applicable federal and state water quality regulations, submitting monthly itemized invoices for actual hours worked, and providing emergency response services with compensation capped at 1.5 times the routine unit bid price. The contract commences upon receipt of the fully executed purchase order and terminates April 30, 2027, with options to renew for up to four additional one-year terms through April 30, 2031. Bids must be submitted electronically through the PA Supplier Portal prior to the March 24, 2026 deadline, with award based on lowest total sum. An optional site inspection is available by contacting James McCorkle at 814-733-4218 prior to bid submission. Contractors must provide proof of current PA DEP licensure, complete the Worker Protection and Investment Certification Form (BOP-2201), and maintain Workers' Compensation Insurance and Public Liability and Property Damage Insurance with minimum coverage of $250,000 per person and $1,000,000 per occurrence.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania encourages participation from small businesses and small diverse businesses through its Small Business Procurement Initiative; eligible vendors must be for-profit, independently owned U.S. businesses employing no more than 100 full-time equivalent employees with three-year average gross revenues not exceeding $47 million. There are no incumbent vendors or current contractors identified in the solicitation materials, though the contract duration is uncertain and continues until the Commonwealth hires and certifies an in-house operator with a minimum 90-day termination notice required. The facility utilizes New Veolia Zenon Zee Weed 1000 V4 ultrafiltration membranes with 550 membrane units, which bidders must be capable of operating and maintaining. Compensation is provided on a reimbursement basis for actual hours worked at rates to be established through bid evaluation, with travel reimbursement allowed at or below Commonwealth rates per Management Directive 230.10. Upon renewal, the Department may negotiate unit price increases not exceeding 4 percent based on past performance. All contractors must comply with Pennsylvania labor laws, including enhanced minimum wage requirements of no less than $15.00 per hour adjusted annually for cost-of-living, and provide background checks for all employees prior to facility access.