RiverCOGMT UAG RFQ.pdf

Request For Qualifications

Central Connecticut Loop Trail (CCLT)

Design

July 2026

Request for Qualifications

Central Connecticut Loop Trail (CCLT) Design

Schedule

RFQ released: July 8, 2026 Questions due: July 22, 2026 Answers to questions posted: July 27, 2026 Proposals due: August 7, 2026 Anticipated contact: August 17, 2026

Questions

All questions regarding this Request For Qualifications should be directed to:

Name: Vicki Harris, Office Manager Email: vharris@rivercog.org

Submission

Responses will be received electronically only until August 7, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

Email an electronic file to: vharris@rivercog.org

RFP advertised at: https://www.rivercog.org/publicnotices/ mailto:vharris@rivercog.org https://www.rivercog.org/publicnotices/

Introduction

The Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments (RiverCOG) is seeking a qualified consulting firm to begin design and engineering of the preferred alternative from the Central Connecticut Loop

Trail (CCLT) Study. The Study, completed in 2025, is a trail feasibility study to link the Farmington Canal

Heritage Trail (FCHT) with the Air Line Trail (ALT). The roughly 23-mile route is a critical gap within the

CCLT, a vision for a 111-mile loop trail running through 22 cities and towns in the center of Connecticut.

The study and support documents can be reviewed at https://www.rivercog.org/plans/cctloopstudy/

Based on the evaluation and scoring of the route alternatives and along with study advisory committee, stakeholders, and public input, the preferred alignment was established to connect from the

Middletown/Meriden line to the west terminus of the Air Line Trail. Incorporated into the recommendations are discrete trail segments intended to provide pedestrian and bicycle connectivity along the CCLT in the short term. Ultimately, the CCLT is expected to be a 10’–12’ wide, paved multi-use trail with a stonedust surface and boardwalks in environmentally sensitive zones and a few short, on-street links.

RiverCOG, along with the City of Middletown, is requesting professional design services and public involvement assistance for Phase 1 from the CCLT study. This encompasses the area from Mile Lane south to La Rosa Lane, Newfield Street, along the Eversource corridor, through the Springside

Middletown site, crossing the Coginchaug River and floodplain, and running along North Main Street to the Arrigoni Bridge in Middletown Connecticut.

Regional Overview

The region consists of the municipalities of Chester, Clinton, Cromwell, Deep River, Durham, East

Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Killingworth, Lyme, Middlefield, Middletown, Old Lyme, Old

Saybrook, Portland, and Westbrook. These seventeen municipalities collectively occupy an area of approximately 443 square miles with a population of 174,225 according to the 2020 U.S. Census. Much of the land area is rural, with Middletown, Cromwell, and Portland comprising the region’s urban core.

RiverCOG is one of nine regional planning organizations in Connecticut. The chief elected officials (CEOs) of the region’s seventeen municipalities sit on the LCRVCOG board. The LCRVCOG board also serves as the region’s Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) policy board along with the regional transit district, chamber of commerce and CTDOT.

Project Description

Central Connecticut Loop Trail (CCLT) Design

Project Background

The recently completed CCLT Study was the first phase of a multi-use trail project that defined purpose and need, collected initial data, analyzed assess feasibility considering factors like land use, environmental constraints, and potential funding sources and engaged stakeholders to gather input and build consensus. The study also provides conceptual designs.

Project Scope https://www.rivercog.org/plans/cctloopstudy/

The Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments (RiverCOG), in collaboration with the City of

Middletown (City) is seeking to engage the services of a Consulting Engineering firm to provide topographic survey, engineering, and public outreach support services for the preparation of preliminary design plans and associated documents for State Project No. 0082-0326, Phase 1 of the Central

Connecticut Loop Trail. At the discretion of RiverCOG and the City, the selected firm may also be requested to perform final design, environmental permitting, and other related services, including construction engineering and inspection.

Schedule

RFQ released: July 8, 2026 Questions due: July 22, 2026 Answers to questions posted: July 27, 2026 Qualifications due: August 7,2026 Interviews: August 2026 Contract negotiations: September 2026 Project Kick off: October 2026 Draft Preliminary Design: October 2027 Final Preliminary Design: April 2028

Response Requirements

The following information must be submitted. Any additional information should be contained in a clearly marked appendix.

1. Qualifications of the firm or individual proposing to conduct the study. Name, team size, and team organizational structure under which the firm(s) and personnel will conduct the study must be included. Relevant experience in transportation design, planning and public engagement should be presented. Any proposed sub-consultants must be clearly identified, along with their roles in the project and relevant experience. The location of the primary office to be used in the project should be included.

2. Qualifications (resumes) of key personnel to be assigned to the project and a description of their responsibilities in conducting project tasks must be included.

3. Description of a minimum of three similar or related experiences completed within the last three to five years with reference and contact information for each.

4. Tasks that will be completed by the lead, subcontractors (if any), RiverCOG, and municipality.

5. A list of current project manager and key staff commitments.

6. Proof of appropriate insurance (general liability, auto, workers compensation, and/or professional liability coverage) for the firm and its subcontractors.

7. Statement of compliance with all federal and state laws and local ordinances.

8. Submittals: An electronic submittal is required and must be received by 5 p.m. on

Friday August 7, 2026. Digital storage media may be mailed to RiverCOG, 145 Dennison Rd., Essex, CT, 06 426, or emailed to Vicki Harris at vharris@rivercog.org Responses received or postmarked after this date and time will not be considered.

After the submittal period has closed, RiverCOG will conduct interviews of select firms, based on a review of qualifications prior to making a final decision.

Title VI Assurances

“RiverCOG, in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d to 2000d-4) and the Regulations, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that for any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full and fair opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.”

Additional information

Addenda - In the event that it becomes necessary to revise any part of these instructions, a supplement will be posted to http://www.rivercog.org/publicnotices. Respondents are free to amend or replace an already-submitted proposal up until the RFP submission deadline.

Rejection rights - RiverCOG retains the right to reject all qualifications and to re-solicit if deemed to be in their best interest to do so.

Cost of qualification preparation - No reimbursement will be made for any costs incurred for the preparation of a response or during the selection process.

Late responses - Responses arriving late or not meeting these minimum requirements may be disqualified.

Inquiries - Questions may only be submitted in writing and sent to Vicki Harris, at vharris@rivercog.org. All questions submitted and responses will be made publicly available at http://rivercog.org/publicnotices. The identity of persons submitting questions will not be posted.

mailto:vharris@rivercog.org http://www.rivercog.org/publicnotices http://rivercog.org/publicnotices