Project Information

Bid Title

Ohiopyle State Park Shuttlebus Services

Issuing Agency

State Government of Pennsylvania

Location

Pennsylvania

Published Date

Apr 1, 2026

Closing Date

Apr 10, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Ref. #

6100065745

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

General Information
Department for this solicitation:	Procurement
Date Prepared:	03/31/26	Types:	IFB
Advertisement Type:	Service Materials Service & Materials PW Construction Agency Construction Real Estate
Solicitation/Project#:	6100065745	Solicitation/Project Title:	Ohiopyle State Park Shuttlebus Services
Description:	The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Department), Ohiopyle State Park in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, requires the services of a shuttlebus operator (Operator) to safely transport whitewater boaters from the Bruner Run Take-out Area to the parking lot at Old Mitchell Place.  Please refer to the Statement of Work and Attachments for further details.

Department Information
Department/Agency:	Department of Conservation and Natural Resources	Delivery Location:	Ohiopyle State Park  124 Main Street  Ohiopyle  Pa 15470
County:	Fayette	Duration:	Upon execution of Purchase Order through December 31, 2026

Contact Information
First Name:	Casey	Last Name:	Smith
Phone Number: (XXX-XXX-XXXX)	717-783-1896	Email:	caseysmith@pa.gov

Solicitation Information
Bids must be received by the purchasing agency on the Solicitation Due Date no later than the Solicitation Due Time as set forth in the solicitation. Any conflict between the dates and/or times contained in the solicitation itself or its attachments and this advertisement shall be resolved in favor of the solicitation.
Solicitation Start Date:	03/31/26
Solicitation Due Date:	04/10/26	Solicitation Due Time:	2:00 PM
Solicitation Opening Date:	04/10/26	Solicitation Opening Time:	2:01 PM
Opening Location:	Virtual
No. of Addendums:	0
Amended Date:	03/31/26

Related Solicitation Files

Original Files 01. Terms and Conditions.pdf 02. Statement of Work.pdf 03. Attachment A_Park and Surrounding Area Map.pdf 04. Attachment B_Map of Pick-up and Drop-off Loop.pdf 05. Attachment C History of Pasenger Count 2024_2025 Exhibit D.pdf Worker Protection and Investment Form_2-7-2022.docx Sm Bus Procurement Initiative Ltr_Signed on Ltrhd_1-05-2024.pdf

Attachment Preview

STATEMENT OF WORK

PRIVATE BOATER SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Ohiopyle State Park

(Fayette County)

I. SCOPE OF WORK:

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Department), Ohiopyle State Park in

Fayette County, Pennsylvania, requires the services of a shuttlebus operator (Operator) to safely

transport whitewater boaters from the Bruner Run Take-out Area to the parking lot at Old

Mitchell Place.

The Youghiogheny River that flows through the State Park is a popular whitewater boating

destination and attracts many whitewater boaters each year. Bruner Run Road, which provides

access to a take-out location on the river, is narrow and single lane with infrequent pull-offs. Due

to these physical constraints, the Department has determined that it is critical to the safety of the

public and in the best interests of the Commonwealth, the natural resources, and the boating

public to control the flow of traffic and to limit the number of vehicles using the access road.

Recent public whitewater boating trends at Ohiopyle continue a need for shuttle bus services on

weekends and holidays, when visitation is at its highest. The past few seasons have seen

manageable visitation on weekdays and less need for shuttle bus services during these times.

Through this contract, we intend to continue the weekend shuttle bus services with the option to

institute weekdays if demand exists through increased visitation.

Questions regarding the technical aspects of this bid should be directed to Christopher Houck,

Park Operations Manager or Patrick Martin, Assistant Park Manager. Both can be reached at

724.329.8591 or via email at chhouck@pa.gov or pfmartin@pa.gov. Questions regarding the

bidding or contracting procedures should be directed to Casey Smith at 717-783-1896 or

caseysmith@pa.gov.

II. CONTRACT TASKS:

This contract period will cover shuttle bus services upon the execution of a purchase order

through December 31, 2026, with four (4) possible contract renewals starting each January of

the subsequent calendar years. Shuttle bus services will be needed in renewal years from May

of each year through October.

A. The Operator will operate the shuttle bus services on weekends (Saturday and Sunday)

starting the Saturday preceding Memorial Day weekend through the Sunday before

Columbus Day. Additionally, the operator will operate the shuttle bus on Memorial Day,

Juneteenth, 4th of July, and Labor Day regardless of which day the holidays fall upon.

The weekends following Labor Day through the Sunday before Columbus Day are

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designated as non-peak weekend days, as visitation declines.

B. Weekday operation (Monday through Friday) between Memorial Day and Labor Day, may

be requested or canceled at the Park Manager’s discretion based on parks need dictated

by visitation and demand. Changes will be requested by the Park Manager no sooner than

two-weeks prior or no later than 48-hours in advance of this need.

C. The Operator will have appropriate equipment to transport visitors and their boats safely

and efficiently from the Bruner Run Take-out Area approximately 2 miles up the mountain

to Old Mitchell Parking Area. Refer to Exhibit A & B for shuttle bus route and overview of

the area.

D. The Operator understands that transport is intended for private boaters exiting from the

river. Four whitewater concessionaires are also operating on the river and are responsible

for transporting their own customers.

E. The Operator will not collect fees from visitors; the Department will collect all fees.

F. The Operator understands that the narrow and winding roadway will be shared by four

Whitewater Concessionaires operating buses to transport their customers. Pull-off areas

are provided, and on busy days, the Operator may have to coordinate road use with

Whitewater Concessionaires to maximize safety on the roadway.

G. Equipment used, as described in the Section IV. Equipment and Drivers will be of

appropriate size and capacity to minimize the number of trips being made each day or

during each scheduled time and to ensure that boaters wait no more than ½ hour for a

shuttle service.

H. The Department may require the Operator to use larger buses if the Department

determines that an excessive number of trips are being made by the use of smaller

vehicles or if boaters are waiting too long for the shuttle service.

III. OPERATIONAL SCHEDULE

A. Weekends and Holidays:

1. On weekends and holidays (as defined Section II. A), the Operator’s shuttlebus

service will be from noon to the sunset posted time at the Visitors Center launch

area or until all private boaters are off the river. The Department’s representative

may, at the request of the Operator, adjust the hours of operation by letter.

2. The Operator will operate the shuttlebus service so that boaters do not wait for

more than ½ hour for transport.

B. Weekdays:

1. Weekday operation (Monday through Friday) between Memorial Day and Labor Day,

may be requested or canceled at the Park Manager’s discretion based on parks need

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dictated by visitation and demand. Changes will be requested by the Park Manager no

sooner than two-weeks prior or no later than 48-hours in advance of this need.

2. The Operator will operate the shuttlebus service so that boaters do not wait for

more than ½ hour for transport.

IV. EQUIPMENT AND DRIVERS:

A. At a minimum, the Operator will have the following equipment available for use:

1. Two large (standard) buses (that can safely transport up to 48 passengers) for

hauling boaters and equipment.

2. The operator will have the option to use two smaller buses (that can safely transport up

to 32 passengers) or large vans (that can safely transport up to 15 passengers) for

hauling boaters and equipment during slower operating periods. Approval to utilize

smaller vehicles is dependent on operator’s ability to meet requirements of section

III.A.2 and III.B.2.

3. Two trailers for hauling canoes, kayaks, and inflatable crafts. Trailers will have separate

sections, one for deflated rafts and one to keep kayaks and canoes secured during

travel. Trailers will be large enough to haul the boats for the passenger capacity of the

bus being used.

4. The Operator consents to the jurisdiction and administration of the shuttlebus service

by the Pennsylvania Utility Commission (PUC), provided that the PUC agrees to accept

jurisdiction and administration thereof. The Operator will have and maintain a

Certificate of Public Conveyance from the PUC for the operation of the shuttlebuses. In

the event that the PUC does not agree to accept such jurisdiction, the Operator will

abide by all PUC rules and regulations that normally would have applied to the service

and to operate the shuttlebuses according to the standards of the PUC and the

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

5. The Operator will maintain all buses and trailers at a high standard to assure the safety

of all users. The Operator will inspect every bus and trailer used by the Operator on a

daily basis and will correct any serious safety problems involving buses and trailers as

soon as identified, with the bus or trailer being removed from service until repairs are

made. The Operator will clean and sanitize the buses and trailers daily or more often

as necessary to maintain them in a clean, sanitary, and presentable condition at all

times. The buses will not produce excessive or offensive amounts of smoke, odor, or

noise.

6. All operators (contractors and employees) must have a current and valid applicable

class driver’s license to operate the vehicles for the entirety of this contract including

all subsequent renewals.

7. All operators must provide a copy of their driver’s license to the park contact before

operating any vehicle for shuttle services.

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V. CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS:

Pursuant to Executive Order 2021-06, Worker Protection and Investment (October 21, 2021),

the Commonwealth is responsible for ensuring that every Pennsylvania worker has a safe and

healthy work environment, and the protections afforded them through labor laws. To that end,

contractors and grantees of the Commonwealth must certify that they are in compliance with

all applicable Pennsylvania state labor and workforce safety laws. Such certification shall be

made through the Worker Protection and Investment Certification Form (BOP-2201) and

submitted with the bid, proposal, or quote. Failure to submit a completed Worker Protection

and Investment Certification Form may render your submission as non-responsive.

VI. MANDATORY PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE:

A mandatory pre-proposal conference will be held on Monday, April 6 , 2026, at 10:00am.

Prospective bidders should meet at The Ohiopyle Visitors Center located at 124 Main Street,

Ohiopyle, PA 15470. Interested bidders may contact Chris Houck, Park Operations Manager at

724-329-8591 or chhouck@pa.gov for directions.

Please note that there will be no accommodations made for additional site visits. All

prospective bidders must attend on the noted date and time to be eligible to bid on this

contract and must sign-in to acknowledge attendance.

VII. BIDDER’S QUOTED COSTS:

Price quoted will include all equipment, fuel, employees, and licenses to provide described

services necessary to fulfill contract requirements.

VIII. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS:

The Operator is required to have in place during the term of the Contract and any renewals or

extensions thereof, the following types of insurance, issued by companies acceptable to the

Commonwealth and authorized to conduct such business under the laws of the

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:

A. Workmen’s Compensation Insurance for all of the Operator’s employees and those of any

subcontractor, engaged in work at the site of the project as required by law.

B. Public Liability and Property Damage Insurance to protect the Commonwealth, the

Operator, and any and all subcontractors from claims for damages for personal injury

(including bodily injury), sickness or disease, accidental death and damage to property

including the loss of use resulting from any property damage, which may arise from the

activities performed under the Contract or the failure to perform under the Contract,

whether such performance or non-performance be by the Operator, by any subcontractor,

or by anyone directly or indirectly employed by either. The minimum amounts of coverage

shall be $250,000 per person and $1,000,000 per occurrence for bodily injury, including death, and

$250,000 per person and $1,000,000 per occurrence for property damage. Such policies shall be

occurrence rather than claims-made policies and shall not contain any endorsements or any other

form designated to limit and restrict and action by the Commonwealth, as an additional insured,

against the insurance coverage in regard to work performed for the Commonwealth.

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C. Automotive Liability Insurance in an amount not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence for

bodily injury and property damage, including owned, hired and non-owned vehicles.

D. Prior to commencement of the work under the Contract and at each insurance renewal

date during the term of the Contract, the Operator shall provide the Commonwealth with

current certificates of insurance. These certificates or policies shall name the “Department

of Conservation and Natural Resources” as an additional insured and shall contain a

provision that the coverage's afforded under the policies will not be cancelled or changed

until at least thirty (30) days written notice has been given to the Commonwealth. The

Commonwealth shall be under no obligation to obtain such certificates from the Operator.

Failure by the Commonwealth to obtain the certificates shall not be deemed a waiver of

the Contractor’s obligation to obtain and furnish certificates. The Commonwealth shall

have the right to inspect the original insurance policies. A copy of the insurance

certificates must be emailed to the Procurement Contact at caseysmith@pa.gov.

IX. CONTRACT TERM:

The contract will commence upon execution and receipt of Purchase Order and terminate

December 31, 2026.

Further, the parties may agree to renew this contract up to four (4) additional, annual terms,

subsequently starting January 1 of each year with a final termination date of December 31,

2030, upon the same terms and conditions set forth in the contract. The Department, based

on past contractor performance, may negotiate an increase in the unit price(s) by a rate not to

exceed 2%.

The Department will reach out to the Contractor no later than August 31 prior to the

termination date to begin renewal discussions.

Once the renewal terms are mutually decided, the Contractor shall provide written notification

of the intent to renew, including the requested price increase if desired, to the Department no

later than September 30 prior to the termination date. The renewal notice should be emailed

to: ohiopylesp@pa.gov, Attn: Chris Houck.

X. BID AWARD:

Bidder must complete and include the following with the bid response:

A. The electronic Invitation for Bid found at www.pasupplierportal.state.pa.us.

B. A properly executed Worker Protection and Insurance Certification Form.

The bid will be awarded based on lowest total sum as indicated on the IFB-Invitation for Bids.

The contract quantities herein are estimated only and may increase or decrease depending on

the needs of the Department. The Contractor will be paid at the unit price bid for actual work

performed.

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Commodity Codes

• NAICS 721211RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Campgrounds

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