The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has issued an invitation for bids to award 50 expired restaurant licenses in the second license auction since Act 39 became effective earlier this year.

The auction includes 50 licenses across 48 counties. PLCB officials said one license will be available in each of the following counties as part of the auction: McKean, Elk and Potter.

Bids for the 50 licenses offered in this second restaurant license auction are due by noon on Friday, March 3. Bids will be opened and auction winners will be determined the week of March 6.

The minimum bid for each license is $25,000, and each bid must be accompanied by a $5,000 bid surety intended to avoid frivolous and underfunded bids.

PLCB officials said the highest responsive bidder for each license will win the right to submit an application for the license to the PLCB within six months of auction award. If bid payment is not received within two weeks of auction award, the second-highest bidder will have opportunity to apply for the license. Bids will be held in escrow by the PLCB, pending approval of the license application.

Bidders with questions regarding the invitation for bid must submit inquiries via email to RA-LBLicenseAuction@pa.gov by noon on Wednesday, Jan. 25. Questions and answers will be posted to the Department of General Services e-marketplace website by noon on Monday, Jan. 30.