Supporting America's Schools Infrastructure

The Pennsylvania Department of Education is requesting proposals for architectural and engineering services to conduct facility condition assessments for K–12 public school buildings across 128 high-need local education agencies under the federally funded Supporting America's Schools Infrastructure (SASI) grant, with proposals due July 17, 2026, and a preproposal conference on May 27, 2026.

Mandatory participation goals under Executive Order 202318 are 11 percent Small Diverse Business (including Minority Business Enterprises, Women Business Enterprises, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Business Enterprises, and Disadvantaged-Owned Businesses) and 3 percent Veteran Business Enterprise. Failure to meet these goals in full or obtain an approved Good Faith Efforts waiver will result in proposal rejection as nonresponsive. Contractors must perform 60 percent of contract work directly to receive credit for SDB/VBE subcontracting commitments.

Phase 1 scope includes on-site facility assessments covering approximately 15.1 million square feet across 25 identified LEAs, with assessments to be completed by November 15, 2027, and final consolidated statewide reporting due within 90 calendar days thereafter. Work encompasses Uniformat II Level 2 analysis of major building systems, deficiency identification, cost estimation, and development of LEA-level reports within 60 days of assessment completion. An optional technical assistance deliverable for training PDE staff, LEA representatives, and legislators is available. Phase 2 assessments may be authorized with work performed between November 16, 2027, and November 15, 2028, and final reporting due by February 15, 2029. Contractors must demonstrate prior experience as principal architect or engineer on similar facility assessment projects and maintain a team of licensed professionals with submitted resumes.

Pricing follows a cost-per-square-foot structure for Phase 1 facility assessments defined in PDE's Cost Matrix, with fixed prices per LEA for communication and coordination activities and LEA-level reporting, a one-time fixed price for the consolidated state-level report, optional fixed pricing for technical assistance, and a not-to-exceed travel budget compliant with Pennsylvania Management Directive 230.10. Travel and logistical costs are reimbursable separately; contractors are responsible for efficient geographic grouping of assessments. The Commonwealth reserves the right to increase or decrease work quantities based on funding availability and LEA participation. The initial contract term is two years and seven months with no renewal options.

Evaluation weighting is technical merit (65 percent), cost (35 percent), and SDB participation (20 percent bonus points). Questions are due June 5, 2026. All proposals must be submitted electronically through JAGGAER; technical documents must be submitted in hard copy. Federal clauses apply, including Single Audit Act requirements, Pro-Children Act prohibitions on smoking, Gun Free Schools Act compliance, nondiscrimination requirements, debarment and suspension certifications, drug and alcohol abuse prevention program requirements, and lobbying restrictions under 31 U.S.C. 1352.