Reports, Publications, RFP/RFQ

Request for Proposals: AI Driven Road and Asset Management Tool for the Northwest Hills Council of Governments

Purpose / Background:

The Northwest Hills Council of Governments (NHCOG) invites qualified vendors to submit proposals for an AI-driven road and asset management tool designed to help member municipalities save resources, optimize operations, and make data-driven decisions about roadway and infrastructure management.

The goal of this initiative is to deploy a unified digital platform that provides objective, up-to-date condition data for roads and municipal assets, while offering intuitive tools for planning, maintenance, and budgeting.

The project seeks to:

· Enhance decision-making through accurate, real-time road condition data.

· Improve resource allocation and maintenance scheduling.

· Enable long-term capital planning and budgeting.

· Foster collaboration among public works teams across NHCOG towns.

· Reduce costs through automation and proactive asset management.

Please view the full RFP here.

RFP Addendum #1 (01/05/2026)

Proposals are due by 11:00 AM on January 20th, 2026 and should be submitted electronically to Erik Shortell, Director of Transportation - EShortell@nhcogct.gov

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) / Request For Qualifications (RFQ)
Bus Stop Placement and Amenities Study

Purpose / Background:

The Northwest Hills Council of Governments (NHCOG) is seeking proposals from qualified firms to conduct a Bus Stop Placement & Amenities Study for the Northwest Connecticut Transit District (NWCTD) fixed routes. NWCTD currently has 4 fixed routes that traverse between the City of Torrington and the Town of Winsted.

The selected consultant will assess existing bus stops, identify opportunities for improvements and new stop locations, and recommend strategies to enhance accessibility, visibility, and rider comfort.

This project builds upon NHCOG’s recently completed Transit Analysis Study, which identified the need for improved bus stop infrastructure as a top regional transit priority.

Objectives:
The Bus Stop Placement & Amenities Study will -

Create an inventory of all existing bus stops and their amenities that can be used by both riders and as a planning tool for the District.
Evaluate the condition and visibility of current stops and shelters.
Identify opportunities for upgrades, relocations, or new stop locations.
Recommend appropriate infrastructure improvements, including shelters, benches, paved waiting areas, and signage.
Gather input from riders, service providers, and community partners.

Please view the full RFP here.

Proposals are due no later than 11:00 AM January 20, 2026.

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS AND PROPOSALS (RFQ/RFP)

Northwest Hills Council of Governments (NHCOG)

Brownfield Area Revitalization (BAR) Planning Grant

Revitalization Along the Mad River – Winsted, Connecticut

Purpose / Background:

The Northwest Hills Council of Governments (NHCOG) is soliciting Qualifications and Proposals (RFQ/RFP) from experienced and multidisciplinary consulting teams to prepare the Revitalization Along the Mad River Study in Winsted, Connecticut.

This project is funded through a Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) Brownfield Area Revitalization (BAR) Planning Grant and will develop a comprehensive redevelopment strategy for the designated project area, as delineated in Appendix A: BAR Program Planning Area Map.

The purpose of this study is to create an actionable, long-term revitalization and investment framework that guides both public and private redevelopment efforts. The plan should identify opportunities to stimulate new economic growth, encourage private investment, support environmental restoration and remediation, and align redevelopment activities with the Town of Winchester’s long-term vision while protecting environmentally sensitive areas.

The NHCOG seeks a qualified, multidisciplinary consultant team with demonstrated experience and capacity in the following areas: Planning and Urban Design, Civil and Structural Engineering, Environmental Assessment and Analysis, and Market and Economic Research

The selected consultant or consulting team will be responsible for preparing a feasible, phased, and implementable redevelopment plan that achieves the objectives outlined in Section IV – Scope of Work.

Please view the full RFP here.

RFP Addendum #1 (1/15/2026)

Pin Factory Lofts, Progress Report

Proposals are due by 11:00 AM on January 23, 2026.

Request for Qualifications and Proposals
Northwest Hills Council of Governments
Naugatuck River Greenway – Bogue Road (Harwinton) to Thomaston Road Park & Ride (Litchfield)

Purpose / Background:

The Northwest Hills Council of Governments (NHCOG) is seeking a firm or team of consultants to perform planning and design activities related to the Harwinton section of the Naugatuck River Greenway (NRG) from Bogue Road (Harwinton) toThomaston Road Park & Ride (Litchfield). This trail section in this study stretches along approximately one mile of the Naugatuck River from Bogue Road north to the park and ride lot on Thomaston Road just north of Route 118. The trail in this section will pick up where the Torrington NRG is currently planned to terminate at Bogue Road between the driveway to the Torrington WPCA and the Naugatuck River.

The firm or team of consultants must demonstrate they have the capability and capacity to work closely with the NHCOG to determine the most cost effective and feasible route for the Harwinton section NRG, update the routing study, and prepare design plans for updates to the trail. The scope of work in this document is intended to provide NHCOG, or Municipalities, with the ability to be prepared to make viable applications for future funding opportunities for construction for this section of the NRG.

Please view the full RFP here.

Proposals are due no later than 11:00 AM February 27, 2026.

2025 Transit Analysis Study

This Market Analysis of Need and Proposed Transit Options Memorandum, undertaken by the Northwest Hills Council of Governments (NHCOG), is the second part of the agency’s broader effort to undertake a Transit Analysis Study (“the Study”). The Study will offer recommendations to improve transit service in the region to better meet the needs of residents, workers, and visitors.

This Memorandum identifies:

• Transportation providers as well as the routes and services they operate;
• Ridership trends;
• Operational deficiencies;
• Existing operational funding sources; and
• Recommendations to improve transit service that will accommodate a growing older adult population and workforce travel demands in the region.

The long-term goal of the Study is to inform and support NHCOG in the development of a coordinated and centralized transportation network. This Memorandum summarizes a market analysis of the communities in the NHCOG service area, focusing on older adults, people with disabilities, and people living below the poverty level. The resulting trends in regional demographics are compared to travel patterns, the locations of major activity centers, and existing transportation services to identify gaps and applicable service options. Further, the Memorandum includes a performance analysis for the two main providers in the region, Northwest Connecticut Transit District (NWCTD) and CTtransit. The Memorandum culminates in a menu of transit options for consideration by regional stakeholders.