The Department of Environmental Protection Friday launched the first phase of a new electronic bidding process for DEP construction contracts that, when fully implemented, is projected to save the agency $37,000 per year.

Bid opportunities for construction contracts will now be posted and available for download free of charge.

DEP’s electronic bidding process is one of the agency’s initiatives developed through the Governor’s Office of Transformation, Innovation, Management and Efficiency (GO-TIME).

“Moving DEP away from its antiquated reliance on paper documents is a top priority for the agency and the Wolf Administration,” DEP Secretary John Quigley said. “Modernizing our business processes reduces DEP’s costs and improves service to citizens, businesses, and the regulated community.”

DEP regularly issues bids for construction projects for abandoned mine reclamation, acid mine drainage, surface mine reclamation, cleaning and plugging of oil and gas wells, waterways engineering, hazardous site remediation, removal and disposal of underground storage tanks, and wetland restoration.

Previously, DEP staff would prepare paper copies of bid specifications, duplicate them, and mail them to vendors. The new webpage will allow contractors to easily navigate and download information on projects that are currently available for bid.

Project information will be posted in PDF format. Project maps will be available both PDF and Auto-Cad format.

For contractors who lack downloading capability, bid opportunities will still be available by calling DEP’s Construction Contracts Section at 717-787-7820.

DEP plans to further enhance the electronic bidding process by allowing bids and bid bonds to be submitted online when it implements Phase 2 of the project later this year.

3/7/2016