Nottoway County supervisors accepted an unsolicited proposal from English Construction under Virginia's public-private partnership rules and directed staff to begin an initial review and the required public notice period.
The board's action begins a 45-day period in which one portion of English Construction's submission will be available for public inspection and other contractors may examine the materials to determine whether they wish to submit competing proposals.
Supervisor (motion maker) moved that the county accept English Construction's unsolicited proposal “for the construction of a new courthouse in Nottoway County” and that the county conduct an initial review, publication and conceptual-stage consideration of the proposal. The motion was approved by roll call.
The decision did not select a preferred design option, authorize construction, or approve a contract. County staff said two volumes were submitted: one book will be publicly releasable during the 45-day period and the other will remain confidential until the period closes so that other firms are not disadvantaged if they decide to prepare competing proposals. County administration said copies would be made available for on-site review and that scanned copies would be preferred for distribution if possible.
County officials and counsel emphasized that the board's action only authorizes the procedural steps required under the Virginia Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act process. “I move that the county accept English Construction unsolicited proposal for the construction of said courthouse and for the county to conduct an initial review, publication, and conceptual stage consideration of such proposal,” the motion maker said.
Staff said a fee would apply for taking a physical copy off site, but the submission will be available for free on site during business hours. The board did not set a timeline beyond the statutorily required review and notice periods. No award or contract was made at the meeting.
Next steps: the county will publish the public volume and accept inquiries from other contractors during the 45-day window; at the end of that period staff and counsel will return to the board with recommendations about how to proceed.