Charlottesville seeks firms to inspect bridges, replace traffic signals, and more

Not all work in local government is done by government employees. Public institutions often seek assistance from the private sector and the process by which they seek products and services is required to be transparent.

For instance, on September 10, the City of Charlottesville put out a request for proposals for firms to conduct safety inspections on bridges across the city.

“The proposed work consists of conducting a structural inspection of approximately 28 [Virginia Department of Transportation] mandated, and 20-25 non mandated bridge structures,” reads the statement of needs. “Inspections shall be conducted and recorded in accordance with the VDOT state requirements for bridge inspections, Federal requirements, and the Standard National Bridge Inventory (SNBI).”

If any bridges are measured as deficient, the contract will also provide a list of ways to fix the structures as well as a cost estimate for that work. (learn more about this opportunity)

Proposals are due on October 14 at 2 p.m.

Another opportunity is for a firm to conduct drug and alcohol tests for city employees with a Commercial Driver’s License. This is required by the United States Department of Transportation. (learn more)

“The City has approximately 250 safety-sensitive employees subject to DOT drug and alcohol testing, but this number may vary,” reads the background for this RFP. “While the City cannot guarantee any specific number of tests, it is estimated that the annual number of drug tests may approach 200, and the annual number of alcohol tests may approach 50 in the first year of the contract and is anticipated to grow.”

Bids are due on October 20, 2025 at 2 p.m.

• Charlottesville has asked firms to submit qualifications for a project to upgrade the sidewalk at 12th Street NE and Grove Avenue to make it compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Proposals are due on October 3 at 2 p.m. (learn more)
• Another ADA project is at 15th Street NW and those proposals are due on October 2, 2025. (learn more)
• Yet another ADA project is at Sheridan Avenue and St. George Avenue and bids are due on September 25 at 2 p.m. (learn more)
• Charlottesville Area Transit seeks a firm to replace all of the sealant at its headquarters on Avon Street Extended in Albemarle County. This RFQ is due on October 17, 2025 at 2 p.m. but questions are due on October 10 at 4 p.m. (learn more)
• Charlottesville seeks a firm to replace all of its exterior doors at City Hall. Those bids are due on October 2 at 2 p.m. (learn more)
• Another opportunity is for a contact to rehabilitate the city’s network of sanitary and stormwater laterals. These are also due on October 2. (learn more)
• The Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court building on High Street needs some masonry work and there’s a request for qualifications for firms to do so. This work “includes cleaning and repointing the existing stone stairs to restore their appearance and integrity, as well as repairing and repointing deteriorated areas of the brickwork to ensure long-term stability and durability.” These proposals are due on September 29, 2025. (learn more)
• Albemarle is seeking firms to provide snow removal services at 16 locations throughout the county. Bids are due October 2. (view the RFP)
• Albemarle is seeking firms to conduct invasive vegetation control and to provide containment strategies on county-owned land. These bids are due by October 14. (view the RFP)

Other projects have been through the procurement process but contracts have not yet been awarded.

For instance, the city is preparing for a multiple phase project to replace traffic signals across the city.

“The City intends to use only one Contractor to fulfill the needs of all phases and will order each phase’s requirements before the work begins,” reads a request for proposals for the first phase. “The City estimates that the first phase will cover six out of approximately 21 intersections.”

These are:

• Barracks Road & Rugby Road
• Rugby Road & Rugby Avenue
• Rugby Road & Preston Avenue
• E. Water Street & 2nd Street SE
• Cherry Avenue & 9th Street SW
• Route 250 & Charlottesville Fire Department Station 1

Proposals were due on September 9 and a contract has not been awarded. A second RFP was issued on September 11 and those bids are due on September 30 at 2 p.m.

Before you go: The time to write and conduct research for this article is covered by paid subscribers to Charlottesville Community Engagement. In fact, this particular installment comes from the September 22, 2025 edition of the program. To ensure this research can be sustained, please consider becoming a paid subscriber or contributing monthly through Patreon.