Procurement update: Charlottesville seeks an Advanced Traffic Management System

A municipal budget lays out what a local government is going to spend money on. A full review of the process includes taking a look at what localities are seeking to buy. Virginia law requires transparency when it comes to procurement and many jurisdictions have elaborate websites that can provide lots of details.

For instance, Charlottesville is seeking proposals from a firm to provide software to help manage traffic on city streets. 

“The City of Charlottesville has a total area of 10.4 square miles and currently has 75 signalized intersections,” reads the background for a request for an Advanced Traffic Management System. “Currently not all of the City’s intersections are connected and communicating, however, the City continues to expand the communications system with the goal of eventually being connected to all of the traffic control devices.” 

Charlottesville wants one device to be able to control all of those devices in order to manage congestion. 

There are six functional requirements for the software including direct monitoring of all connected intersections and allow parameters to be adjusted from a central location. The system must also allow for transit vehicles to be able to get to a priority green light. 

“ATMS video management system must allow full Pan, Tilt, Zoom control for each CCTV camera and allow the configuration of various camera preset views and a home setting,” reads the request for proposals. 

Proposals are due on October 8 but firms have until October 2 to ask questions. 

Some other procurement information:

• Fortiline has been awarded a contact to replace several pieces of infrastructure that carry drinking water throughout the city. Their bid was $38,258 compared to $40,655.11 from Ferguson Enterprises. 
• DIGS Inc has won the award to construct a section of sidewalk on Azalea Drive. Their bid of $31,845 was the lowest of three bids. (learn more)
• Albemarle County is seeking a firm to remove litter and debris from roadways. The cost of this is covered by proceeds from the plastic bag tax. Bids are due on October 16. (learn more)
• Albemarle County has awarded the firm n2y a sole source contract to provide News2You Subscriptions. This is software for people with special needs if you want to take a look at their website. (learn more)

Before you go: The time to write and research of this article is covered by paid subscribers to Charlottesville Community Engagement. In fact, this particular installment is from the September 21, 2024 edition of the newsletter. To ensure this research can be sustained, please consider becoming a paid subscriber or contributing monthly through Patreon.