Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) board of directors approved the award of two service contract offers at its meeting today, one for lead testing in schools and child care facilities and the other for the development of the Center for Water Quality Excellence. Both programs were competitively bid through the Request for Proposals (RFP) process through the Commonwealth’s eMarketplace solicitation site.
The board of directors approved the award of a contract offer to Terraphase Engineering, Inc. for lead testing in schools and child care facilities. Terraphase, which is based in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, will perform comprehensive statewide sampling in enrolled schools and child care facilities for the presence of lead contaminant in drinking water facilities. Funding for the program will be provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act and oversight for the services will be administered by PENNVEST in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Health, and Department of Human Services.
The board of directors also approved the award of a contract offer to Keystone Safety Services, Inc. for the development of the Center for Water Quality Excellence (CWQE). Keystone Safety Services is based in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania and will develop a one-stop shop for public and private entities interested in seeking funding for water quality projects. The Center will not only focus on PENNVEST funding, but will evaluate individual projects and compile appropriate funding sources, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and the Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR).
“These contracts each represent the multi-million dollar investment in Pennsylvania’s citizens and environmental resources,” said Eric Menzer, chairman of the PENNVEST board of directors. “Ensuring that our future generations have safe, reliable access to clean drinking water is vital to the success and growth of our communities. And the development of a one-stop shop for water quality resources will enable Pennsylvania’s government to better assist partners in their efforts to maintain a clean, healthy environment.”
Since its inception in 1988, PENNVEST has funding more than 3,000 clean water projects throughout Pennsylvania, providing nearly $10 billion in grant and low-interest loan funding.
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