CSPDC Issues Intent to Award Contract for On-Call Consultant Program

Posted on September 11, 2026September 11, 2026 by Kimberly Miller

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD CONTRACT

DATE ISSUED:	September 11, 2026
RFP No.	2026-001
PROJECT NAME:	On-Call Consultant Program: Planning, Engineering, and Architectural Services
INTENT TO AWARD TO:	Nine firms, listed below by service category
SOLICITATION TYPE:	Competitive/Request for Proposals

This is a notice of the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission’s (CSPDC’s) intent to award contracts under the On-Call Consultant Program (RFP #2026-001). Fifty-two (52) proposals were received for this solicitation. This notice indicates the intent to award and should not be considered an official award of the contract.

The CSPDC intends to enter into contract negotiations with the following firms, in the service categories indicated:

FIRM	SERVICE CATEGORIES
Michael Baker International	Transportation Planning; Transportation Engineering; GIS; General Planning
A. Morton Thomas (AMT)	Transportation Planning; Transportation Engineering; Paving; Stormwater; GIS; Grant Writing; Environmental & Sustainability
Whitman, Requardt & Associates (WRA)	Transportation Planning; Transportation Engineering; Architectural; Water & Sewer; Grant Writing; Environmental & Sustainability; Surveying; Structural; General Planning
Timmons Group	Transportation Planning; Transportation Engineering; Paving; Landscape Architecture; Water & Sewer; Grant Writing; Environmental & Sustainability; Surveying; Structural; General Planning
Kittelson & Associates	Transportation Planning; Transportation Engineering; Grant Writing (transportation-specific only)
VHB	Transportation Planning; Transportation Engineering; Stormwater; Grant Writing
Wetland Studies & Solutions (WSSI)	Stormwater & Stream Restoration
Community Resilience Consulting (CRC)	Stormwater; GIS; Architectural; Water & Sewer; Environmental & Sustainability; General Planning
Thompson & Litton	Architectural; Water & Sewer; Surveying; Structural; General Planning

Contracts are jointly procured under Virginia Code § 2.2-4304(B) on behalf of the CSPDC, its member jurisdictions, the Harrisonburg-Rockingham and Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Metropolitan Planning Organizations, and other participating public bodies. Award of any contract is contingent on successful negotiation of terms satisfactory and advantageous to the CSPDC at a price it considers fair and reasonable and, for firms performing transportation services, on completion of a VDOT pre-award evaluation.

In accordance with CSPDC Procurement Policy, time must be allotted for participating firms to comment on or protest the award decision. Protest procedures allow that written protests must be submitted no later than ten (10) days after the announcement of the decision to award. Any offeror who wishes to protest this Notice of Intent must file the protest within ten (10) days from the posting of this notice in accordance with the CSPDC’s protest procedures.

Written protests shall be submitted to:

Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission
Attn: Ann Cundy
112 MacTanly Place
Staunton, VA 24401

The CSPDC ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you have questions or concerns about your civil rights in regards to this program, or require special assistance for persons with disabilities or language access, please contact the Title VI Coordinator at (540) 885-5174. Sign language or non-English language interpreters and accessible formats for the visually impaired will be provided if needed and requested from the CSPDC no later than seven working days prior to any meetings or deadlines to submit public comment.

A .pdf of this notice is available by clicking HERE.

In Memoriam: Frank Friedman

Posted on July 27, 2026July 27, 2026 by Kayla Dixon

With deep sadness, we share the news that Frank Friedman, our Commission Chair and Mayor of the City of Lexington, passed away on July 2nd.

Frank served as CSPDC’s Commission Chair for almost ten consecutive years. He championed a succession plan that ensured a smooth transition between Executive Directors in 2024, and he represented our region on the GO Virginia Region 8 Council and the Improve I-81 Advisory Committee. He ran lively Commission meetings, brought thoughtfulness to every discussion, and was deeply committed to his life as a public servant. We will miss him and his steadfast support of the PDC.

Frank’s family has established the Frank Wilson Friedman Memorial Fund, administered by the Community Foundation for Rockbridge, Bath, and Alleghany, as a lasting tribute to his life. For more information visit cfra.fcsuite.com.

CSPDC Receives Virginia Housing Grant for Regional Data Dashboard

Posted on July 27, 2026July 27, 2026 by Kayla Dixon

The CSPDC has received a $50,000 Capacity Building Implementation Grant from Virginia Housing to develop an interactive regional data dashboard. The grant program supports organizations in enhancing their operations, processes, and resources to better serve their communities.

Developed in partnership with the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service, the dashboard will build on findings from the Central Shenandoah Regional Housing Study to provide local governments, housing organizations, developers, and other regional partners with timely, accessible demographic, economic, and housing data. Key housing indicators will include housing age and type, occupancy, home values, tenure, and cost burden among renters and homeowners.

Through interactive visualizations, users will be able to compare data across localities and explore connections among income, age, housing tenure, affordability, and other factors.

By putting current, locally relevant information within easy reach, the dashboard will help regional partners better understand housing needs, prioritize investments, and build stronger applications for state and federal funding.

Data collection and analysis are expected to continue through fall 2026, with the dashboard scheduled for completion by early 2027. We look forward to sharing updates as the dashboard takes shape.

Kayla Dixon Joins CSPDC as Outreach and Engagement Planner

Posted on July 27, 2026July 27, 2026 by Kayla Dixon

Kayla Dixon officially joined the CSPDC as our Outreach and Engagement Planner on July 1. Kayla began working at the CSPDC in the summer of 2025 as a summer intern and then continued her work with us through the 2025-26 academic year as a graduate assistant. During her time in those roles, she developed and implemented a “Value of Transit” campaign in support of the BRITE Transit system.

In May, Kayla graduated from James Madison University with her master’s in public administration. During her time at JMU, she worked as a Research Assistant in the American Political Reform & Innovation Lab, held an internship with the City of Harrisonburg, and traveled to the Netherlands to explore urban planning and sustainability. Originally from Northern Virginia, Kayla is excited to stay in the Valley and continue her work supporting engagement initiatives throughout the CSPDC region. Outside of work she enjoys crocheting, reading, and getting active by weightlifting and hiking with her dog Callie.

VDOT Completes Public Engagement for Shenandoah Valley Rail-with-Trail Assessment

Posted on July 27, 2026July 27, 2026 by Kayla Dixon

With publication of the Phase 3 Public Engagement Summary, VDOT has concluded the Shenandoah Valley Rail-with-Trail Assessment — a study that began in March 2024 to evaluate options for the 49-mile rail corridor running through Warren, Shenandoah, and Rockingham counties.

Phase 3 public engagement took place in the Spring of 2026 with in-person meetings in the towns of Woodstock, Front Royal, and Timberville, and an online survey that was open from April 8 through May 13, 2026.

VDOT received 8,150 survey responses. Among the 2,552 respondents from Warren, Shenandoah, and Rockingham Counties, 69.9% named converting the corridor to a trail as the best investment for the Commonwealth, compared with 6.7% who favored keeping rail service alongside a parallel trail. 18.4% of these respondents along the corridor said they had no preference, and 5.0% said they liked neither option.

Support for rail-to-trail was similarly strong statewide, at 57.8% of the 6,160 respondents identifiable by Virginia zip code.

In February 2026, the Secretary of Transportation’s office indicated to the Commonwealth Transportation Board that it would begin negotiations with Norfolk Southern to acquire the corridor. The final configuration — rail-to-trail or rail-with-trail — will be decided later, informed in part by this engagement data.

Full engagement summary and project materials are available on VDOT’s project page.

CSPDC to Map Child Care Gaps Across the Blue Ridge Region

Posted on July 27, 2026July 27, 2026 by Kayla Dixon

Where are the child care deserts in the Blue Ridge region — and what would it take to close them? CSPDC will help answer that question as part of a new statewide effort to strengthen child care access, in partnership with the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation.

Over the coming months, we will analyze regional child care supply and demand data, working alongside Ready Region Blue Ridge leadership to turn the findings into an action plan. The data and methodology come from a partnership between VECF, PlanRVA, and the Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions — giving every region in the state a common starting point.

The results will feed directly into the region’s economic development strategy, tying child care access to workforce growth — recognizing that families can’t go to work if there’s nowhere for their kids to go.

Findings are due by the end of September.

Floodplain Management Workshop for Locality Staff

Posted on July 27, 2026July 27, 2026 by Kayla Dixon

On Thursday, August 27, 2026, the CSPDC will host a Regional Floodplain Management Workshop in partnership with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).

The free, half-day workshop will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the BRITE Transit Facility in Fishersville. Participants will hear about five key aspects of floodplain management — floodplain mapping, regulations, substantial improvement and substantial damage requirements, permitting, and flood insurance — with time reserved for questions and discussion.

CSPDC organized the workshop in response to a need identified during the early stages of the CSPDC’s Flood and Stormwater Resilience Plan, when localities expressed interest in additional training and resources to strengthen floodplain management and National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) compliance.

The workshop is intended for local floodplain administrators, plan review staff, code officials, and anyone involved in—or interested in learning more about—floodplain management and NFIP requirements. Whether you are new to floodplain administration or simply looking for a refresher, this workshop is a chance to strengthen your knowledge, ask questions, and connect with regional peers.

For more information, please contact the CSPDC office. To inquire about registering, please email cspdc@cspdc.org.

BRITE Transit Begins New Chapter with Resource Management Systems

Posted on July 27, 2026July 27, 2026 by Kayla Dixon

BRITE riders can expect the same dependable service, now with a fleet of new vehicles on the road. On July 1, Resource Management Systems (RMS) took over as BRITE’s turnkey operations and maintenance contractor, a transition CSPDC marked with fare-free rides for the entire week of June 29.

RMS was selected through an open and competitive procurement process, required of CSPDC as a recipient of federal and state funding. The Georgia-based provider brings more than 30 years of experience in public transportation, paratransit, and non-emergency medical transportation — including service to numerous rural counties and regional commissions across the Southeast — and will operate BRITE under a five-year base contract, with options to extend to nine years.

Visit www.britebus.org to learn more about BRITE.

Afton Express and UVA Recognized for Sustainability and Transit Partnership

Posted on June 1, 2026June 1, 2026 by Paula Melester

This spring, the Afton Express and its partner, the University of Virginia (UVA), received two awards recognizing the route’s environmental impact and the strength of the regional partnership behind it.

On May 1, UVA honored the Afton Express at its annual Sustainability Leadership Awards luncheon. Paula Melester, Devon Thompson, and Danielle Gannon received the award on behalf of BRITE Transit and CSPDC alongside Kendall Howell and Patrick Clark of UVA Parking and Transportation.

The award recognizes the Afton Express and Wahoo Commute partnership, under which UVA faculty, staff and students ride free, which supported 23,725 passenger trips in 2025. Those passenger trips eliminated an estimated 733,103 vehicle miles traveled and 260 metric tons of tailpipe emissions as compared to people driving alone, and the average rider saved approximately $5,500 in commuting costs including gas, vehicle wear and tear, and parking.

On May 20, the Virginia Transit Association (VTA) presented UVA’s Department of Parking and Transportation with its Outstanding Contribution by a Partner Award at the 2026 Annual Conference for its sustained role in advancing the Afton Express. The award, selected from nearly three dozen submissions by transit colleagues across the Commonwealth, cited UVA’s sustained financial investment, technical engagement during the recent service procurement process, and its Wahoo Commute incentive program, which rewards employees who choose transit and other alternatives to single-occupancy vehicles. In 2025, the Afton Express recorded nearly 24,000 total passenger boardings, with approximately 80 percent of riders affiliated with UVA, generating an estimated $872,751 in avoided commuting costs for UVA riders.

CSPDC and UVA will continue working together to grow ridership, strengthen service, and expand sustainable commuting options for travelers between Augusta County, Waynesboro, and Charlottesville.

Watershed Wellness Stormwater Projects Complete in Lexington and Staunton

Posted on June 1, 2026June 1, 2026 by Paula Melester

Two area nonprofit organizations recently completed projects under the CSPDC Watershed Wellness Program. Watershed Wellness provides 100% no-match funding for the planning, design, and implementation of nature-based stormwater projects that address water quality and flooding, supported by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

Boxerwood Education Foundation in Lexington installed a rainwater catchment system on its 1,200 square foot barn to support education and garden programs at its 15-acre facility. The system includes gutters and collection infrastructure to harvest approximately 28,000 gallons annually, addressing rainwater saturation that has caused soil erosion and structural damage around the barn. The collected rainwater will irrigate plantings in areas without water access.

Shenandoah Green worked with the Staunton Augusta YMCA (SAYMCA)00to improve a 0.35-mile segment of Lewis Creek at SAYMCA’s new facility on New Hope Road in Staunton. The improvements included planting 180 native riparian trees and vegetation along the stream. Shenandoah Green worked with a landscape engineer to design the site to improve its ecological function and make the stream publicly accessible.

The two-year program will award nearly $100,000 for stormwater planning and implementation projects across the region and is accepting applications on a rolling basis until funds are expended. Learn more at: https://www.cspdc.org/programs-services/wip-iii/