Procurement update: Albemarle seeking firms to upgrade school restrooms

There are a lot of data points when it comes to the review of government at all levels. At the local level in Virginia, jurisdictions often have online portals where anyone can take a look at what local government is going to spend money on.

This week, Albemarle County put out a request for bids for a firm to upgrade the bathrooms at Murray Elementary, Stony Point Elementary, and Burley Middle School.

• View the project manual
• View the project drawings

“The estimated construction cost range for this project is $100K-$500K,” reads page 6 of the 341-page project manual.

Bids are due on February 26, 2025 and will be opened at 2:30 p.m. on that day.

Last year, the University of Virginia Foundation issued a request for qualifications for a firm to building housing at the North Fork Discovery Park. This closed on January 23, but the foundation responded to 27 questions in a January 14 posting.

One question was whether there would be any issue with financing such a project due to proximity to the Charlottesville Regional Airport.

“To date, there have been no noise complaints by existing North Fork tenants nor are we aware of concerns relative to noise,” reads the response. “Each developer should confirm with its lending sources regarding any associated financing challenges.”

The document also states that 35 percent of tenants at North Fork are federal contractors. UVA and UVA Health occupy nearly 50 percent of the park.

Other projects in the area:

• Six firms responded to a request to provide winter coats for Charlottesville Area Transit personnel. An award has not yet been made, but the lowest bid is from the Fastenal Company who offer to provide each coat for $78.60 with no charge for embroidering. Their total bid is $11,868.60. (learn more)
• Bids are due tomorrow for interior renovations at the Meadowcreek Golf Clubhouse including “replacing existing carpet/flooring, bathroom partitions, fixtures, lighting and painting throughout. (learn more)
• DMA Floors of Richmond has been awarded a contract to refinish the floor of Washington Park Pool. They submitted a bid of $28,905.97. Another vendor bid $34,800. (learn more)
• Louisa County is seeking bids to provide a firefighting truck designed for brush fires. (learn more)
• Louisa County is also seeking a veterinarian to provide services for the county-run animal shelter. (learn more)
• There are currently no open bids in Fluvanna County. (go look)
• There are also currently no open bids in Greene County. (go see)

Before you go: This article was originally sent out as part of the Charlottesville Community Engagement newsletter in the January 29, 2025 edition. Both are functions of Town Crier Productions. You can support the work by purchasing a paid subscription or contributing monthly through Patreon. You can also send in a check or send an email, but drop me a line first.