County Adopts Guidelines, Allowing Alternative Method to Deliver and Finance Transportation Projects
- Allows an alternative option for soliciting proposals on transportation projects, including receipt of unsolicited proposals
- Provides current protections for bidding process and enhances transparency
- Provides the opportunity to consider private financing options for transportation projects through public private partnerships
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Arlington County Board today adopted guidelines that will permit the County to use the Virginia Public-Private Transportation Act of 1995 (PPTA). The PPTA, in place in many other Virginia jurisdictions, allows receipt of unsolicited proposals and an option for private financing of transportation projects included in the recently adopted 10-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
The County can leverage the flexibility offered by the PPTA if the County determines that:
- the proposed facility serves the public purpose of the PPTA and meets the PPTA guidelines
- there is a need for the proposed facility, and
- the proposal will result in cost effective, timely and/or efficient facility development and operation.
The PPTA will be one more of the many methods available to the County for the design, construction and operation of transportation facilities. The appropriate method will be determined on a project-by-project basis.
“This gives Arlington another method to deliver and finance transportation projects,” said Arlington County Board Chair Mary Hynes. “In its actions today, the Board also ensured that the PPTA process will be transparent to the public.”
The Board voted 4 to 1 to adopt the guidelines.
The Board set April 1, 2013 as the date the guidelines will go into effect. This will allow the County to put in place the necessary processes and resources needed to consider proposals under the PPTA.
The Board also adopted a resolution, that will be attached to the guidelines, requires the County Manager to notify the County Board before deciding to accept an unsolicited proposal and advertise for competing proposals. The resolution also requires that the County Manager use best efforts to ensure robust competition. Additionally, the County Manager shall consult with the County Board prior to requesting detailed proposals from qualified firms. After a review of detailed proposals, the County Manager shall report to the County Board if no contract is recommended for award, or make a recommendation that the County Board enter into an agreement with a private entity. If an agreement is recommended, the County Manager shall include in her recommendation a plan for public review of the proposed project and agreement.
Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the "10 miles square" parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency's highest award for "Smart Growth" in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world - including the Pentagon - Arlington stands out as one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business.
