More than $200M in contracting opportunities available through PA police project

Contractors are being sought to build the new Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Academy. 

The announcement was made Thursday by Pennsylvania Department of General Services (DGS) Acting Secretary Reggie McNeil and Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Christopher Paris. 

August 1 is the deadline for contractors to submit proposals for the PSP Academy Project that is estimated at more than $200 million. 

The project will have contracts solicited for general contractor, HVAC, electrical and plumbing. Each contract has goals set for the participation of small diverse and veteran businesses.

McNeil said in a statement the project will ensure that Pennsylvania’s State Police will have the necessary infrastructure and facilities to provide quality training. Construction is aimed at replacing aging, outdated facilities with state-of-the-art, technologically advanced facilities that meet the PSP’s present and future training needs. 

“This project also presents the construction industry with the opportunity to participate in an estimated $200 million-plus project that will deliver value to Pennsylvania,” said McNeil.

The PSP Academy project calls for the construction of a combined 366,000 square feet of new buildings on a 146-acre site that includes the following:

• Gym. 
• Indoor shooting range. 
• Historical vehicle garage. 
• New Bureau of Emergency and Special Operations (BESO) Headquarters. 

• The Marquee Building which will house the administrative/office areas, academic areas, training areas, auditorium, cafeteria, kitchen, and dormitories.

Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal includes $16.4 million for four new trooper cadet classes in 2023-24, which would hire and train 384 new troopers to help fill gaps in staffing and provide added coverage across the state. In addition, Shapiro has proposed creating a Public Safety and Protection Fund, thus reducing PSP’s reliance on the Motor License Fund, and allowing funding for bridge and road projects.

Paris said the new academy will allow the Pennsylvania State Police to train its cadets, current troopers, and federal and local law enforcement partners in a new, state-of-the-art facility.

“The knowledge we will impart here will improve safety and security for all residents of Pennsylvania, creating safer and more secure communities across the Commonwealth,” said Paris.