Procurement update: CAT seeking firms to install chargers for battery electric buses

In early 2024, Charlottesville City Council agreed to pilot two different types of alternative fuel sources for Charlottesville Area Transit buses. The idea is to experiment with both hydrogen fuel cells as well as a more commonly used mechanism.

Plans are now underway for the latter to begin running later this year.

“Charlottesville Area Transit will operate Battery Electric Buses (BEBs) for Transit operations commencing in the summer of 2026,” reads an invitation for bids to install chargers for those units on the city’s procurement website.

The buses will be stored at the transit parking lot at 1545 Avon Street Extended and the chargers need to be installed before they arrive. The firms do not have to supply the chargers but must remove two light poles on the site.

“CAT has purchased ChargePoint Express Plus charging power blocks and dispensers to support this effort,” the bid notice continues.

Bids are due on March 17. The invitation states that all of the necessary permits have been received by Albemarle County.

• Bids are being evaluated for firms to provide curbside refuse service and there is no further information about how many there were in the city’s procurement portal. (learn more)
• The City of Charlottesville is seeking firms to hold an annual contract for “waterline replacement and rehabilitation service” and multiple firms may receive the award. Bids are due on March 24, 2026. (learn more)
• An award has not yet been granted for professional fleet cleaning services for Charlottesville Area Transit, but six firms responded with a wide array of prices. (learn more)
• One firm bid on a request to replace an incline platform lift that is used to “ensure access to classrooms for students, staff and visitors with mobility challenges.” Romar Elevator of Danville can do the work for $106,105. They got the award on March 5. (learn more)
• Three bids were made for a proposal to replace the two Downtown Mall Crossings. The lowest of $845,221 is from Oak Valley Landscaping of Mechanicsville and the highest is $1,744,605 from Sagres Construction. In the middle is $1,364,015 from F.H. Paschen. Oak Valley Landscaping got the award on March 4. (learn more)
• Six firms bid on a proposal to provide mowing services for Charlottesville City Schools ranging from $7,900 to $31,500. The contract was awarded to the lowest bidder, Southard’s Lawn LLC of Orange. (learn more)

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