Corps Solicits Proposals For Public-Private Partnership Pilot Program

The Corps of Engineers announced February 1 in the Federal Register that a 60-day comment period for the submission of information on conceptual Public-Private Partnership (P3) delivery of specific Corps Civil Works projects was commencing.

In support of President Donald Trump’s initiative on building U.S. infrastructure and the direction provided by Congress in the Fiscal 2018 Appropriations Act Conference Report, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works R.D. James directed the Corps Civil Works directorate to establish a Public-Private Partnership (P3) pilot program.

The goal of the pilot program is to demonstrate the viability of new delivery methods that can significantly reduce the cost and time of project delivery. The Corps is to identify up to 10 P3 pilot projects based on specific screening and selection criteria.

The program is part of the Revolutionize Civil Works initiative, which “is transforming how the Corps delivers infrastructure for the nation through authorized civil works projects and permitting of infrastructure projects,” according to a Corps press release.

“The public-private partnership pilot program is an opportunity for the Corps of Engineers to take a different approach to the delivery of certain infrastructure projects,” said James Dalton, director of civil works.  “P3 is one of the tools that we are working to implement that will enable the Corps to potentially accelerate project delivery and lower project costs.”

Information must be submitted to Corps Headquarters by midnight April 2 to be eligible for consideration.

Additional information about the request for P3 project proposals, including information requirements for proposals, how to submit proposals, and screening and selection criteria, is on the Federal Register website.

Submitters are encouraged, but not required, to coordinate with their local engineer district prior to providing information for this request.

The guidance and other relevant information can be obtained on the Corps’ Civil Works P3 website.

The Corps has also scheduled two webinars to answer questions about the Federal Register notice and pilot program.  The first webinar is Thursday, February 7, from 3-4:30 p.m. (Eastern). The second webinar is Wednesday, February 13, from 2-3:30 p.m. (Eastern). Both webinar links can be accessed from the Corps website.

To dial in to either of the webinars, call 888, 273-3658.  Enter the access code 8350039 and security code 0039 when prompted.