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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This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.