New Questions and Answers RE: RFQ for Engineering and Design Services at O’Sullivan’s Island

bike path in derby

Question 1: Will the contract be funded in part by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CTDEEP) and subject to requirements in the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies (RCSA) Section 22a-482-4(h), (i), and (o)? If not, will there be any other Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) or Woman Business Enterprise (WBE) participation goals or requirements for the O’Sullivan Island Recreation Park engineering and design services?

Answer: The grant was awarded by a federal entity. Applicable requirements for Minority Business participation are the following, found here. The requirements do not specify a specific participation goal, instead a process for ensuring an equitable solicitation for contractors and subcontractors:

§200.321 Contracting with small and minority businesses, women’s business enterprises, and labor surplus area firms – 

(a) The non-Federal entity must take all necessary affirmative steps to assure that minority businesses, women’s business enterprises, and labor surplus area firms are used when possible. (b) Affirmative steps must include:

(1) Placing qualified small and minority businesses and women’s business enterprises on solicitation lists;

(2) Assuring that small and minority businesses, and women’s business enterprises are solicited whenever they are potential sources;

(3) Dividing total requirements, when economically feasible, into smaller tasks or quantities to permit maximum participation by small and minority businesses, and women’s business enterprises;

(4) Establishing delivery schedules, where the requirement permits, which encourage participation by small and minority businesses, and women’s business enterprises;

(5) Using the services and assistance, as appropriate, of such organizations as the Small Business Administration and the Minority Business Development Agency of the Department of Commerce; and

(6) Requiring the prime contractor, if subcontracts are to be let, to take the affirmative steps listed in paragraphs (1) through (5) of this section.

 

Question 2: 

Is there a topographic survey available for the site? Is there a recent environmental report or remedial action plan available?

Answer:

NVCOG does not have a topographic survey available for the site at this time. There is a recent remedial action plan available upon request. 

CRCOG Hazard Mitigation Plan Update – public review and comment period ends December 3, 2015

A draft of the Hazard Mitigation Plan Update for the former CCRPA communities (Berlin, Bristol, Burlington, New Britain, Plainville, Plymouth, and Southington) has been posted for public review and comment at http://www.crcog.org/transportation/ccmpo.html. Please forward any comments to Timothy Malone, Principal Planner at CRCOG at tmalone@crcog.org. Comments will be accepted through, at a minimum, December 3, 2015.

New Questions & Answers concerning the RFP for Engineering Services Related to the Design of the Naugatuck River Greenway in Thomaston & Watertown, Connecticut

Question:

The RFP states that “the greenway trail in Watertown is approximately 2.36 miles in length and generally follows an established trail located between Route 8 and the existing railroad on property entirely controlled by the State Department of Transportation.” However, town parcel maps indicate that the trail appears to be located on private property.

Answer:

To clarify, the northern section appear to be owned by Envirite; but the ownership of the southern end will be verified by the Project Team, not the consultant engineer, during the design process.

Click here to review the RFP.

RFQ for Engineering and Planning Services Related to the Route 8 and Waterbury Branch Line Corridor Transit Oriented Development and Alternate Transit Modes Assessment Project

The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG) is seeking professional engineering services to perform a multi-task engineering and planning study to assess the feasibility of implementing alternative transportation modes within the Route 8 and Waterbury branch rail line corridors. This RFQ is being issued to solicit responses from qualified and experienced engineering firms for completing the study. The NVCOG will follow a Qualifications Based Selection (QBS) process for selecting the preferred Consultant(s). Responses to this RFQ are due to the NVCOG no later than 4:00 pm on Monday, November 30, 2015.

Call For Volunteers – Greenway Survey

The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG), in partnership with the Naugatuck River Greenway (NRG) Steering Committee and UConn, is conducting an Economic Impact Study of the NRG.  The study requires the collection of trail user information on open sections of the NRG and other area multiuse trails (the Sue Grossman Trail in Torrington, and the Middlebury Greenway) in order to gain a better understanding of how area trails are being used.  We will be surveying trail users over the next several weeks, and are counting on volunteers to help conduct the surveys…we need your help!  

Groups of volunteers will be asked to oversee the completion of short surveys by trail users during scheduled two-hour collection periods at trailheads.  They will also be directing users to a longer online survey, and handing out postcards with more information.  Please sign up for all times that you are available to help.  Additional dates will be added as needed.

 

Fishing Pier at O’Sullivan’s Island to Move Forward

Fishing Pier at O’Sullivan’s Island in Derby

O’Sullivan’s Island is a peninsula at the confluence of the Housatonic and Naugatuck Rivers, located south of Derby’s downtown commercial district. While vehicles and trains pass nearby, the site offers a welcome moment of quiet among trees along the waterfront. Enveloped by structure, water, and sky, O’Sullivan’s Island is one of the most interesting and naturally beautiful pieces of land in the lower Naugatuck Valley. It is also one of the most challenging brownfield locations NVCOG has had the opportunity to improve. Over the last decade, NVCOG’s Environmental Planner Arthur Bogen and Executive Director Rick Dunne have been significant players in the orchestration of funding contributions and work completed by the City of Derby and the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development. O’Sullivan’s Island Recreation Park opened to the public for the first time in over twenty years in 2009 and in 2013 the City of Derby completed its portion of the Naugatuck River Greenway trail that runs across the site’s northern edge.

Project Status: The fishing pier is in the design and engineering phase. While the grassy portion of the park is closed to the public due to continuing environmental assessment, the Naugatuck River Greenway trail is open as is the nearby boat launch. 

In the coming years, NVCOG, the City of Derby, and our partners will continue making O’Sullivan’s Island safer, cleaner, and more accessible for all who enjoy fishing, walking, biking, boating, and spending time in this singular place at the union of two rivers.