The Office of Environmental Services (OEMS) has identified a need for program management services. This contract will provide the necessary services required to assist the School District with the planning, design, and execution of a management system that will be a modern solution to AHERA compliance, and that will aim to increase transparency for key stakeholders. 

The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) regulations require public school districts or other entities that own any nonpublic, nonprofit elementary, or secondary school building to: (1) Inspect their schools for asbestos-containing building materials; (2) Prepare management plans for how these materials will be managed; and (3) Take actions to prevent or reduce the risk of airborne asbestos. Currently, the AHERA program is managed within the Office of Environmental Management & Services (OEMS).  The management of AHERA has been challenged by limited available staffing, which is tasked with managing the scope of the program across the District’s more than 300 facilities, as well as the other environmental programs OEMS is tasked with managing.  Management of AHERA has also historically been limited by technological systems available to OEMS. Additionally, available AHERA and local program inspectors, who must be appropriately licensed to perform critical asbestos management tasks, are limited in the Philadelphia area. The proposed contract provides the opportunity to expand the pool of available resources necessary to meet AHERA compliance through a new contract. 

This contract will be measured through the implementation of AHERA elements for all School District owned eligible properties.   It is anticipated that, over the three-year period of the contract, the selected contractor will build and implement a management system designed to facilitate 6-month periodic surveillances, 3-year inspections, related abatement actions, and necessary record keeping for eligible School District owned properties.  Success will be measured by on-time execution of 3-year inspections and 6-month periodic surveillance events, as well as up-to-date AHERA management plans.  Success will also be measured through improved relationships with city stakeholders, as well as improved transparency of communications. 

An external management firm will offer a larger pool of people, experts, and field staff necessary to maintain AHERA compliance for the over 300 School District owned properties.   The use of a third-party management firm has already been successful for the School District’s Capital program, which uses an engineering firm to assist with oversight and execution of Capital projects.  This model is also used by other school districts that do not have the internal resources to create an efficient management system. 

By creating an improved AHERA management system, there is the opportunity to generate the documentation needed to support the District’s external communications with stakeholders and rebuild community trust.

How is this work connected to the District’s plan to

Guardrail 1: Every school will be a safe, welcoming, and healthy place where our students, staff and community want to be and learn each day.

Our schools will be: 1) environmentally safe and clean; and 2) spaces with inclusive climates that provide students with access to robust social, emotional, and mental health supports. 

*WITHDRAWN 11.8.21 - NO ACTION TAKEN