SPEED Act - Permit Type: Mining Gen 103

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is conducting an Invitation for Bid (IFB 6100065145) under the Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion & Development (SPEED) Program, established by Act No. 54 of 2024, to engage Qualified Professionals to conduct expedited third-party reviews of permit applications. The procurement seeks individual professionals or business entities with one or more employees to review applications for coverage under the BMP General Permit for Short-Term Construction Projects (BMP GP-103) under 25 Pa. Code § 77.801. Qualified Professionals must possess a minimum of five years of relevant permitting experience in Pennsylvania, advanced working knowledge of federal NPDES permit programs and the Clean Water Act, Pennsylvania's Noncoal Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act, Clean Streams Law, Stormwater Management Act, and related regulatory codes, and advanced knowledge of DEP publications, forms, and the Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Index process. Key deliverables include identifying permit application deficiencies within established timeframes, communicating with applicants and DEP, providing draft deficiency letters with detailed regulatory citations, and submitting final Recommendation Reports documenting the review and recommended action. Initial reviews must be completed within 20 percent of the total review timeframe specified in the Project Work Order, with additional reviews allowed within 10 percent of the timeframe, with a maximum of two tolling periods permitted. Bidders must respond within two business days to indicate willingness to provide quotes and submit quotes within five business days of receiving permit applications; contracts will be awarded for an initial two-year term with potential renewal for three additional one-year terms at DEP's discretion. Bids must be submitted electronically to RA-EPSPEED@pa.gov with required documentation including qualifications of assigned Qualified Professionals, a completed Cost Sheet with fully burdened hourly rates, and a properly signed Bid Sheet; the due date for bid submissions is September 30, 2026, and bidders may submit questions to Brian Franklin at 717.787.2471 or brfranklin@pa.gov.

The solicitation encourages bidders to pursue Small Business (SB), Small Diverse Business (SDB), or Veteran Business Enterprise (VBE) certification with the Commonwealth's Bureau of Diversity, Inclusion, and Small Business Opportunities, though such certification is not required for bid eligibility. Bidders must be registered as vendors in the Pennsylvania Supplier Portal and must certify non-conflict of interest for each assigned Qualified Professional; bidders cannot have been convicted of environmental crimes or fraud-related offenses, had professional licenses revoked within ten years, or performed services for the permit applicant within three years prior to permit application submission. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the solicitation materials, and no existing technology integration requirements are specified. Compensation is entirely applicant-funded through fees deposited with DEP based on the Contractor's quoted hourly rates, with funds held in escrow until DEP approves the final Recommendation Report; the Commonwealth provides no direct payment to the Contractor, and no reimbursement is available for travel, per diem, or administrative expenses. Cost is not a factor in determining bid awards but may be considered when determining which Qualified Professionals receive Project Work Orders. Contractors must maintain professional liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence, and all documentation and work products become the property of DEP, with the Contractor assuming responsibility for indemnifying the Commonwealth against third-party claims arising from its negligent or intentional acts.