Today, governments at all levels are grappling with serious public infrastructure needs, including the need to repair or replace aging infrastructure, and the need to construct new infrastructure.  As a result, the use of public-private partnerships (or "P3s") is increasing as governments look for creative ways to meet citizen needs.  

 The Virginia Public-Private Transportation Act of 1995 (Title 33.2, Chapter 18 of the Code of Virginia) ("PPTA") provides a framework for transportation P3s, enabling public entities in Virginia to enter into agreements with private entities to develop and/or operate qualifying transportation facilities. The PPTA's purpose is to encourage investment by private entities by providing more flexible and efficient approaches to finance and operate transportation facilities, to improve safety, reduce congestion, and increase capacity. 

 The PPTA supports procurement methods for Albemarle County not available under the Virginia Public Procurement Act allowing advantages similar to P3s for economic development projects, including alternative financing structures and expedited project execution. The PPTA permits the County to consider solicited or unsolicited proposals from private entities to acquire, construct, improve, maintain, develop, or operate qualifying transportation facilities.  

 PPTA proposals may be solicited by the County via the issuance of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) or Requests for Information (RFIs). Private entities may also submit unsolicited proposals for consideration by the County, which, if accepted, results in the County issuing an RFP to allow other vendors to compete for the same work.   

 Prior to issuing an RFP or RFI, the County Executive must find that doing so is in the public interest and issue an analysis of the public contribution necessary to support the project, as well as the responsibilities, risks, and liabilities to be assumed by the private entity through the development of the proposed facility. 

 The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors adopted the Guidelines for the Implementation of the Public-Private Transportation Act at its meeting on March 20, 2024.  The major steps involved in receiving, evaluating, selecting, and implementing projects are similar for both solicited and unsolicited proposals. These Guidelines govern all County PPTA projects.  For more information contact the Facilities & Environmental Services Department.