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.
A detailed Request for Qualifications can be found at the RiverCOG website:
https://www.rivercog.org/publicnotices/
The Central Connecticut Loop Trail Study (CCLT Study), completed in 2025, is a feasibility study to link the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail with the Air Line Trail. The study is available at:
https://wwwrivercog.org/plans/cctloopstudy/
As described in the CCLT Study, Phase 1, located in Middletown, encompasses the area from Mile Lane south to LaRosa 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.
The projected construction cost for Phase 1 is expected to be in the range of $2,000,000. Funding for the initial efforts described above will utilize 100% State funding. However, RiverCOG and the City continue to seek funding from any available sources, including federal, that will enable implementation of the CCLT Study goals.
Firms responding to this request should be of adequate size and sufficiently staffed to perform the assignment described above in a timely manner.
The Consulting Engineering firm will be evaluated and selected based on design and technical competence, the capacity and capability to perform the work within the time allotted, past record of performance, and knowledge of Federal, State, and Municipal procedures, appropriately weighted in descending order of importance.
It is anticipated that survey, engineering, and public outreach support services will be negotiated on a Lump Sum basis. Any services performed as Direct Costs shall be subject to procurement in accordance with Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (CT DAS) General Letter 71.
The selected firm must meet all Municipal, State, and Federal affirmative action and equal employment opportunity practices. For any work that is 100% State funded, the Consulting Engineer shall be required to comply with the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) Contract Compliance Program, including any set-aside percentages or allocation goals. Future changes in project funding may necessitate changes in compliance requirements.
A digital submittal, consisting of a letter of interest, together with general information on the firm and proposed subconsultants, the firm’s brochure, current Federal Form SF330, experience of the firms, and resumes of key personnel shall be addressed to:
Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments
Vicki Harris, Office Manager
145 Dennison Road
Essex, CT 06426
Additionally, all interested firms must submit a detailed statement including the organizational structure under which the firm proposes to conduct business. Proposed sub consultants should be clearly identified. The relationship to any “parent” firm or subsidiary firm, with any of the parties concerned, must be clearly defined.
Personnel in responsible charge of the project will be required to possess and maintain a valid Connecticut Professional Engineer’s License. A digital copy of the submittal must be transmitted to
For security reasons, you must enable JavaScript to view this E-mail address.
by no later than 5:00 PM on August 7, 2026. Digital storage media mailed (or hand delivered) to the above-noted address are also acceptable. Responses received or postmarked after this date and time will not be considered.
