rfp-des-2026-22-updated.pdf

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

The New Hampshire Coastal Watershed Flood Hazard Assessment & Resilience Plan Project

RFP 2026-22

July 22, 2026

New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services

Watershed Management Bureau, Coastal Program 222 International Drive, Suite 175, Portsmouth, NH 03801

Table of Contents Section 1 – Introduction

Section 2 – Budget, ADA Compliance and GenAI policy, and proposed Scope of Work

Section 3 – Schedule of Events, Proposal Inquiries and Submission Instructions

Section 4 – Required Proposal Components

Section 5 – Selection Criteria and Process

Section 6 – Disclaimer

Section 7 – Appendix

Section 1 – Introduction

a. Overview The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) Coastal Program (NHCP) is the recipient of a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF) FY2025 grant entitled “Coastal Watershed Resilience Plan” (CWRP). The CWRP seeks to mitigate coastal and freshwater flood risk to assets across sectors, including transportation, critical infrastructure, natural resources, economy, and community within New Hampshire’s Coastal Watershed (CW) (see Appendix B for map) via a Phase I: Flood Hazards Assessment (FHA) and Phase II: Coastal Watershed Resilience Plan (CWRP). As part of the non-federal match, NHCP has received additional funding through the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation Great Bay 2030 program (Great Bay 2030) to support engagement tasks in this project.

NHCP is seeking a qualified consultant or team of consultants to submit a project proposal for the FHA and CWRP project. The selected consultant or team of consultants will join a collaborative team of partners and will support the development of the FHA, lead the creation of Resilience Opportunity Area (ROA) Action Plans for 10-19 prioritized ROAs, create a transferrable framework for ROA Action Plan development, develop CWRP final products, and support robust community engagement for the aforementioned activities.

The FHA will identify Resilience Opportunity Areas (ROAs - where a density of assets share flood risk and/or a single important asset is vulnerable to flood risk) across the 48 CW communities based on criteria established by the Core Project Team and Advisory Team (see Glossary for definitions). The FHA will be informed by local knowledge and multiple new hazard data sources, including the New Hampshire Coastal Flood Risk Model (NHCFRM), which dynamically maps inundation from tides, storms, and waves, as well as groundwater rise maps and FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (available on the New Hampshire Coastal Viewer Coastal Flood Risk Theme). Criteria will include indicators of flood exposure, sensitivity, ecological significance (e.g., habitat presence, migration corridors), and local and regional criticality. The final FHA, led and published by NHCP, will provide a comprehensive understanding of flood exposure, vulnerability, and risk across the CW and identify 40-60 priority ROAs in the CW.

The CWRP will build on the FHA to advance 40-60 prioritized ROAs through an extensive stakeholder-guided alternatives analysis and conceptual design process that will ultimately result in between 10 and 19 ROA Action Plans, focused on physical, nature-based strategies for increased flood and erosion resilience. This project will span approximately 1,684 square miles encompassed by the 48 municipalities within the CW which drains to the Atlantic Ocean via the Piscataqua River and Hampton-Seabrook https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/466840bb23404bc7b69e632984ffa320/page/Coastal-Flood-Risk?views=Themes%2CThemes-small-screen

Estuary. The project will be the CW’s first comprehensive roadmap to prioritize nature-based flood mitigation investments through the near-term (2050) and long-term (2100).

The consultant will work as a member of the Core Project Team (see Figure 1) to complete the scope of work (see Section 2 – Scope of Work) in collaboration with the Technical Team, Engagement Team, Nature-based Solutions (NbS) experts, and Advisory Team.

The completion date for the proposed scope of work set forth in Section 2 is June 30, 2029.

a. The CWRP Project Teams (Figure 1) are comprised of:

● Advisory Team: Federal, state, regional, and local government representatives; nonprofit organizations; academic institutions; and community representatives.

● Core Project Team: NHDES Coastal Program, Rockingham Planning Commission (RPC), Strafford Regional Planning Commission (SRPC), Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission (SNHPC), New Hampshire Dept. of Natural and Cultural Resources State Parks (DNCR), Pease Development Authority Division of Ports and Harbors (PDA-DPH), and a TBD Consultant (selection planned for summer/fall 2026).

● Engagement Team: UNH Cooperative Extension/New Hampshire Sea Grant; Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership (PREP); New Hampshire Fish & Game / Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (GBNERR); Great Bay Stewards (GBS); Seabrook-Hamptons Estuary Alliance (SHEA); Rockingham County Conservation District (RCCD); Strafford County Conservation District (SCCD)

● Technical Support Team: Woods Hole Group, Inc. (NHCFRM data manager), New Hampshire Geological Survey

b. Glossary:

● CW: Coastal Watershed

● CWRP: Coastal Watershed Resilience Plan

● DNCR: New Hampshire Department of Natural & Cultural Resources

● FHA: Flood Hazards Assessment

NbS: Nature-based solutions

● NHCFRM: New Hampshire Coastal Flood Risk Model, managed by Woods Hole Group, Inc.

● NHCP: New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Coastal Program

● PDA-DPH: Pease Development Authority Division of Ports and Harbors

● Phase 1 Flood Hazards Assessment: Based on newly available flood exposure data and an inventory of community and ecosystem assets, Phase I will develop a spatial FHA that identifies ROAs across the CW communities.

● Phase 2 Coastal Watershed Resilience Plan: Phase II will develop a CWRP that builds on the FHA results to identify top-priority ROAs and create detailed ROA Action Plans for selected sites.

● Resilience Opportunity Areas, or ROAs: locations where a density of assets share flood risk and/or a single important asset is vulnerable to flood risk

● ROA Action Plan: A plan for an ROA that identifies and prioritizes NbS that address projected coastal and inland flood risks, focusing on both near-term (through 2050) and longer-term (2100) adaptation needs. The plan will include the benefits, feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and potential funding for each proposed project, as well as a timeline for phased implementation.

● rpcs: Regional Planning Commissions, including Rockingham, Strafford, and Southern New Hampshire

Figure 1. Flow chart of partners and project team, with organizations included for each team.

c. Description of Agency or Program issuing the Request for Proposal

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Coastal Program (NHCP) is a program located within the Watershed Management Bureau in the Water Division of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) and is supported by 10 full-time staff members. One of 34 federally approved coastal programs authorized under the Coastal Zone Management Act, NHCP protects clean water, restores coastal habitats, and helps make communities more resilient to flooding and other natural hazards by providing staff assistance and funding primarily to New Hampshire’s 17 coastal zone communities, as well as other local and regional organizations. NHCP programmatic focus areas include Coastal Resilience (technical and financial assistance), Habitat Restoration (technical and financial assistance), Federal Consistency, Ocean Planning, Shellfish, and Talent Management (i.e., recruitment and retention of employees, NOAA fellows, and volunteers).

Section 2 – Budget, ADA Compliance and GenAI policy, and proposed Scope of Work

a. Budget and Funding Source

The budget for the proposal may not exceed $377,000, inclusive of labor, subcontract, and all project expenses related to the scope of work, with a suggested 10% cap on indirect expenses.

Funding for this effort is provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Federation (NFWF) National Coastal Resilience Fund FY25 grant in conjunction with NHCP. Standard Terms and Conditions of the State of New Hampshire; Department of Commerce Financial Assistance Standard Terms and Conditions, including applicable provisions of the OMB Uniform Guidance (2 C.F.R. Part 200), and all associated Terms and Conditions Dated October 1, 2024 (www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/2024- 09/Department%20of%20Commerce%20Federal%20Financial%20Assistance%20Manual%202024-vF.pdf). See 2 C.F.R. 200.101(b)(1) (Applicability), which described the applicability of 2 C.F.R. Part 200 to various types of Federal awards and 200.331-333 (Subrecipient monitoring and management).

https://www.des.nh.gov/water/coastal-waters https://www.des.nh.gov/ https://www.des.nh.gov/ about:blank http://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/2024-09/Department%20of%20Commerce%20Federal%20Financial%20Assistance%20Manual%202024-vF.pdf http://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/2024-09/Department%20of%20Commerce%20Federal%20Financial%20Assistance%20Manual%202024-vF.pdf http://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/2024-09/Department%20of%20Commerce%20Federal%20Financial%20Assistance%20Manual%202024-vF.pdf http://www.commerce.gov/sites/default/files/2024-09/Department%20of%20Commerce%20Federal%20Financial%20Assistance%20Manual%202024-vF.pdf

Additional NFWF grant funds combined with non-federal match from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation Great Bay 2030 program will be held by project partner Great Bay Stewards (GBS) to support engagement efforts. These supplemental funds will be for participant incentives, food, venue costs, childcare, transportation, meeting supplies, and other engagement incentive best practices. They will not be available for consultant or other direct project partner staff time. These engagement funds are allocated across project activities, as noted on scope activities in Section 2. Different project partners share responsibility for their expenditure. The consultant will be responsible for expending approximately $15,500 engagement funds through GBS.

b. ADA Compliance and Generative AI Policy

All final work products must meet the applicable Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II Regulations to the extent practicable and shall be guided by best practices outlined in the Revised Section 508 Standards of the Rehabilitation Act and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

At minimum, final work products shall include sans-serif fonts, underlined and descriptive text links, color best practices, captions for audio and video content, headers in tables, images with alt text, gender-neutral text, and consideration of the Plain Writing Act. Examples of final work products and outreach materials include, but are not limited to, project reports, press releases, newsletter articles, websites, videos and signage.

Generative AI (GenAI), or artificial intelligence systems use is acceptable for notetaking, transcripts and editing. For other uses not defined here, such as a creative process to add value to the project, please seek approval from NHCP for use. Draft and final products (including responses to this RFP) that are clearly GenAI and/or don’t meet the standards and quality of expected work will not be accepted.

c. Proposed Scope of Work

The following is a summary of the project’s tasks and deliverables. The activity numbers have been set to align with the overall project narrative and scopes of other project partners. Activities that appear missing are not part of the consultant team responsibilities. NHCP encourages consultant responses to maintain the task alignment in responses to this RFP (see Appendix A for the Full Project Overview).

Based on expertise or prior experience with similar projects, consultants may suggest changes or alternatives to components of the proposed work plan in their response to this RFP.

Phase I – Flood Hazards Assessment: Based on newly available flood exposure data and an inventory of community and ecosystem assets, Phase I will develop a spatial FHA that identifies ROAs across the CW communities.

Activity 1.1: Project Management, Reporting, and Core Project Team

Timeframe: Contract Start Date – June 2029

The consultant will participate in monthly virtual Core Project Team check-ins and other check-ins with key partners as needed (Engagement Team, Technical Team). Finally, the consultant will prepare and submit three (3) annual Interim Reports (template to be provided by NHCP) and one (1) Final Report by the due dates listed below that summarize the work performed under all activities during the following periods:

● Interim Report 1: G&C approval – February 2027 (Due date: February 22, 2027)

● Interim Report 2: March 2027 – February 2028 (Due date: February 21, 2028)

● Interim Report 3: March 2028 – February 2029 (Due date: February 19, 2029)

● Final cumulative report: G&C approval – June 2029 (Due date: June 30, 2029)

All work must be completed prior to the completion date of June 30, 2029. The final cumulative report will be due by the contract end date of June 30, 2029 (template provided by NHCP) and will include all deliverables and descriptions of work done throughout the project.

Suggested % of budget: 3% Activity 1.1 anticipated deliverables:

● Three interim reports; one final report; monthly project meetings and associated follow-up

Activity 1.2 Advisory Team Coordination Timeframe: Contract Start Date – June 2029 The consultant will attend up to five hybrid/virtual Advisory Team meetings, and support NHCP with facilitating, presenting, notetaking, and developing meeting summaries, as needed. Presentations to the Advisory Team include deliverables from Activities 2.3 and 2.4. Throughout the project, the Advisory Team will meet at least biannually to review products and offer guidance. The project teams will call on individual Advisory Team members as needed regarding data, local knowledge, and advice.

Suggested % of budget: 2% Activity 1.2 anticipated deliverables:

● Attendance, presentations and meeting support at up to five Advisory team meetings

Activity 1.3a and 1.3b Floodprone Asset Inventory and DNCR and PDA-DPH Subset Timeframe: January – June 2027 As a member of the project’s Core Project Team and in conjunction with the Technical Team, the consultant will provide feedback on a proposed framework and structure for the geospatial Floodprone Asset Inventory (1.3a). Once the framework and structure is finalized, the consultant will coordinate with DNCR and PDA-DPH to inventory eleven DNCR coastal properties (Odiorne Point State Park, Wallis Sands State Park, Rye Harbor State Park, Jenness State Beach, Hampton Beach State Park, North Hampton State Beach, South Beach Hampton, Urban Forestry Center) and three PDA-DPH harbors and ports (Portsmouth, Rye, Hampton) (1.3b). Inventories should include review of existing site documents and available asset data and as well as field visits to collect data such as critical elevations, photos, condition information, etc. The consultant will integrate the DNCR and PDA-DPH into the Floodprone Asset Inventory.

Suggested % of budget: Activity 1.3a—0.5%; Activity 1.3b – 20% Activity 1.3a anticipated deliverables:

● Feedback on proposed framework and structure of geospatial Floodprone Asset Inventory to ensure applicability to DNCR and PDA assets and utility for Phase 2

Activity 1.3b anticipated deliverables:

● Eleven DNCR coastal properties and three PDA-DPH harbors and ports inventoried

● Data from the eleven DNCR and three PDA-DPH sites integrated into Floodprone Asset Inventory

Activity 1.4 Draft Flood Hazards Assessment Model Timeframe: March – September 2027 As part of the Core Project Team, the consultant will provide feedback to NHCP and the Rockingham Planning Commission (RPC) in the development of the FHA Model. The Consultant will offer insights related to DNCR and PDA-DPH properties and assets to ensure FHA Model methods are useful for highlighting highest flood risk assets.

Suggested % of budget: 0.5% Activity 1.4 anticipated deliverables:

● Feedback on model, as requested by NHCP and RPC, as part of Core Project Team participation

Activity 1.5 Final Flood Hazards Assessment Timeframe: June – December 2027 In coordination with the Core Project Team, the consultant will lead solicitation of community input on the draft Flood Hazards Assessment via survey and other web-based methods. The rpcs will share input opportunities with the Community Champions network established early in Phase I. In coordination with NHCP, the consultant will organize and facilitate two in-person FHA feedback events – one for tidal and one for non-tidal communities. NHCP and the rest of the Core Project Team will assist with inviting communities, presenting results, and consolidating feedback. The consultant will be responsible for expending engagement funds held by GBS to support Activity 1.5 feedback events, survey distribution, and other incentives for input (approx. $6000).

Suggested % of budget: 4% + $6000 GBS engagement funds Activity 1.5 anticipated deliverables:

● Solicitation of community feedback on FHA via survey and other web-based methods, reaching a broad base of community stakeholders

● Organization and facilitation of two in-person FHA feedback events (one tidal, one non-tidal)

● Feedback event summaries

Phase II: Coastal Watershed Resilience Plan | Phase II will develop a CWRP that builds on the FHA results to identify top-priority ROAs and create detailed ROA Action Plans for selected sites.

Activity 2.1 Priority Resilience Opportunity Areas (ROAs) Timeframe: November 2027 – January 2028 The Core Project Team, led by NHCP, will prioritize 40-60 ROAs with at least 3 ROAs in the SNHPC region, at least 16 in the SRPC region, and at least 21 in the RPC region, based on geographic area distribution.

The consultant has a limited role in this activity and will provide feedback in regularly scheduled Core Project Team meetings (Activity 1.1).

Suggested % of budget: 0%, budget covered in Activity 1.1

Activity 2.2 Phase II Engagement Plan and ROAs for Action Plans Timeframe: October 2027 – June 2028 In coordination with the Core Project Team, the consultant and NHCP will co-develop a Phase II engagement plan, and design a collaborative and engagement-based process to select 10-19 priority ROAs for Action Plan development (6-10 community ROAs and 4-9 DNCR and PDA-DPH ROAs). The plan will include a collaborative engagement process for selection of the 10-19 priority ROAs as well as plans for ROA Action Plan workshops. The Phase II engagement plan will build off best practices and lessons learned from Phase I engagement. The 6-10 priority community ROAs will be distributed across the CW, with at least 1 located in the SNHPC region, at least 2 located in the SRPC region, and at least 3 located in the RPC region.

Next, the consultant will support the Engagement Team in the collaborative selection of 10-19 priority ROAs for Action Plan development. Selection of priority ROAs will be based on the opportunity for NbS, community interest, and existing project momentum, among other criteria. The final ROA selection will be reviewed by NHCP and the rpcs and approved by the Advisory Team. The consultant will be responsible for expending engagement funds held by GBS to support collaborative selection of ROAs in Activity 2.2 (approx. $2000).

Suggested % of budget: 7% + $2000 GBS engagement funds

Activity 2.2 anticipated deliverables:

● Phase II engagement plan

● Collaborative and engagement-based selection process designed for ROA prioritization

Selection of 6-10 community ROAs, approved by Advisory Team

● Selection of 4-9 DNCR/PDA-DPH ROAs, approved by Advisory Team

Activity 2.3a Conceptual ROA projects for Action Plan development Timeframe: March – October 2028 In this activity, NHCP will compile a list of conceptual and previously proposed flood risk reduction and NbS projects associated with each priority ROA. The consultant will add to and refine the conceptual options listed for each ROA, resulting in a preliminary collection of project concepts for the 6-10 priority community ROAs. The consultant will review existing plans or projects compiled by NHCP and provide enhanced/new ideas to seed brainstorming at the workshops. The consultant may add visualizations, technical specifications, and identify important questions that would help inform alternatives analysis.

The collection of options will form the foundation of each ROA Action Plan Workshop.

NHCP and the consultant will develop a template for ROA Action Plan Workshops and provide the template to Engagement Team partners. The consultant will support the Engagement Team partners (PREP, SHEA, NHSG/UNHCE, GBNERR) who will be responsible for organizing and facilitating at least 6 stakeholder workshops focused on the prioritized community ROAs. In cases where ROAs are geographically adjacent or have significant similarities, one workshop may encompass multiple ROAs.

The workshops will focus on further refinement of conceptual projects as well as other relevant priorities to inform Action Plan development (please note that workshops focused on DNCR and PDA- DPH sites take place as part of Activity 2.4a). The workshops should include Community Champions and enable robust community participation as well as the CWRP technical team and NbS Experts.

The Engagement Team partners will be responsible for using the GBS engagement funds for this activity (approx. $16,000). The consultant will produce workshop summaries.

Suggested % of budget: 8% Activity 2.3a anticipated deliverables:

● Enhanced/new project concepts for 6-10 prioritized ROAs

● Organization and facilitation support for minimum six workshops

● Minimum six workshop summaries

Activity 2.3b 6-10 Coastal Watershed ROA Action Plans Timeframe: October 2028 – March 2029 The consultant will develop and share an ROA Action Plan template for Core Project Team input and incorporate feedback. The consultant will then draft 6-10 ROA Action Plans for the selected sites. Based on project concepts identified in Activity 2.3a, the consultant will refine conceptual options using data, tools, visualizations, and other techniques, including engaging with the NHCFRM data manager to understand flood risk reduction implications of preferred alternatives under sea level rise and storm conditions. The consultant will share drafts with the Advisory Team, workshop participants, and others who provided input during Activities 2.2 and 2.3a. The consultant will incorporate feedback and present final plans to the Advisory Team and other key stakeholders.

Suggested % of budget: 20% Activity 2.3b anticipated deliverables:

● ROA Action Plan template drafted and feedback incorporated

● 6-10 community ROA Action Plans drafted

● Feedback from Advisory Team incorporated into drafts

● 6-10 community ROA Action Plans

Activity 2.4a Conceptual ROA projects for DNCR and PDA-DPH subset Timeframe: March – October 2028

Supported by NHCP, the consultant will work with DNCR and PDA-DPH to develop and refine a list of conceptual flood risk reduction, nature-based projects identified for each priority ROA. The consultant will review existing plans and projects compiled and produce new ideas. Using the workshop templates created in Activity 2.3a, the consultant, with support from NHCP, DNCR, and PDA-DPH, will host at least two community workshops: one focused on DNCR and PDA-DPH properties in Rye, New Castle, and Portsmouth, and another for properties in Hampton and Seabrook. The workshops will focus on identifying and refining flood hazard reduction project concepts to inform ROA Action Plans. The workshops should include Community Champions and enable robust community participation as well as the CWRP technical team and NbS Experts. Materials and format will be consistent with the best practices set in Activity 2.3a.

The consultant will be responsible for using the GBS engagement funds for this activity (approx. $4,000).

The consultant will produce workshop summaries.

Suggested % of budget: 5% + approx. $4000 GBS engagement funds Activity 2.4a anticipated deliverables:

● Enhanced/new project concepts for 4-9 prioritized ROAs

● Minimum two workshops held

● Minimum two workshop summaries

Activity 2.4b 4-9 DNCR and PDA-DPH ROA Action Plans Timeframe: October 2028 – March 2029 The consultant will draft 4-9 DNCR and PDA-DPH ROA Action Plans, following the template for ROA Action Plans developed in Activity 2.3b. The DNCR and PDA-DPH ROA Action Plans may include conceptual designs. These ROA Action Plans will showcase how state-managed lands can lead by example in implementing forward-looking, ecosystem-based coastal adaptation strategies. Based on alternatives identified in Activity 2.4a, the consultant will refine conceptual options using data, tools, visualizations, and other techniques, including engaging with the NHCFRM data manager to understand flood risk reduction implications of preferred alternatives under sea level rise and storm conditions. The consultant will incorporate feedback from partners and stakeholders engaged in 2.4a and the Advisory Team, and present final drafts to the DNCR and PDA-DPH partners for approval.

Suggested % of budget: 16% Activity 2.4b anticipated deliverables:

● 4-9 DNCR/PDA-DPH ROA Action Plans drafted

● Feedback from stakeholder and Advisory Team incorporated into drafts

● 4-9 DNCR/PDA-DPH ROA Action Plans approved

Activity 2.5 Transferable framework for ROA Action Plan Development Timeframe: December 2028 – June 2029 Consultant will develop a web-based guidance document to support ROAs that were identified but not selected for ROA Action Plan development in Activity 2.1. This document will provide a framework, based on the Phase II planning process, for stakeholders to replicate across the CW and beyond. It will include adaptable templates, recommended community engagement strategies, and best practices for assessing flood risk and identifying NbS. It will also provide links to technical resources, funding opportunities, and permitting information to support implementation. The guidance will help local governments, nonprofits, and landowners independently move additional ROAs toward actionable resilience strategies beyond the grant timeline. Once drafted, the consultant will share a draft with the Advisory Team and Engagement Team for input and incorporate feedback to finalize the guidance document. The consultant will be responsible for using the GBS engagement funds for this activity (approx. $1,000); funds can be used for engagement as well as final product publication and dissemination.

Suggested % of budget: 5% + approx. $1,000 GBS engagement funds Activity 2.5 anticipated deliverables:

● Web-based guidance document that provides a framework for replication, including but not limited to adaptable templates, recommended community engagement strategies, and best practices for assessing flood risk and identifying NbS.

● Feedback from Core Project Team, Engagement Team, and Advisory Team incorporated into the final draft.

Activity 2.6 New HampshireCoastal Watershed Flood Resilience Plan Timeframe: April 2029 – June 2029 The consultant will produce a comprehensive web-based report and interactive tool (e.g., StoryMap) that will describe the FHA and CWRP processes and share final products. The report will include methods, selection criteria, final 10-19 ROA Action Plans, and guidance on updating the models when new datasets are developed. Advisory Team members will share the results with constituents. In a final Advisory Team meeting, members will identify priority next steps to move the ROA Action Plans forward. The consultant will be responsible for using the GBS engagement funds for this activity (approx.

$2,500); funds can be used for engagement as well as final product publication and dissemination.

Suggested % of budget: 9% + $2,500 GBS engagement funds Activity 2.6 anticipated deliverables:

● Comprehensive web-based report and interactive tool to describe Flood Hazards Assessment and Coastal Watershed Resilience Plan. The report will include but not be limited to methods, selection criteria, final 10-19 ROA Action Plans, and guidance on updating the models when new datasets are developed.

Section 3 – Schedule of Events, Proposal Inquiries and Submission Instructions

a. Schedule of Events

The following table provides an estimated Schedule of Events for this RFP through contract finalization and approval. The Agency reserves the right to amend this Schedule at its sole discretion and at any time through a published Addendum.

EVENT DATE LOCAL TIME

RFP Released July 22, 2026 -

Deadline for Consultant Inquiries Aug 10, 2026 4 p.m.

Responses to Consultant Inquiries Published Aug 13, 2026 4 p.m.

Proposal Submission Deadline Aug 31, 2026 4 p.m.

EVENT DATE LOCAL TIME

Estimated Timeframe for Consultant Interviews

Sep 21–23, 2026 -

Estimated Notification of Selection Sep 30, 2026 -

Estimated Timeframe for Contract Negotiations Sep 30–Oct 7, 2026 -

Estimated Contract Start Date (upon Governor & Council approval)

Jan 2027 -

b. Proposal Inquiries All inquiries concerning this RFP (e.g., requests for clarification, questions, etc.) must be submitted via email by 4 p.m. EST on Monday, August 10, 2026, to the following designated RFP Points of Contact:

TO: Kirsten Howard, NHCP Resilience Program Coordinator, kirsten.b.howard@des.nh.gov CC: Becca Katz, NHCP Resilience Grants Specialist, rebecca.a.katz@des.nh.gov

All questions and responses will be posted to the New Hampshire Department of Administrative Services Statewide Bids and Proposals Website by 4 p.m. EST on August 13, 2026.

b. Submission Instructions Consultant proposals must be submitted via email by 4 p.m. EST on Monday, August 31, 2026 to the following designated RFP Points of Contact:

TO: Kirsten Howard, NHCP Resilience Program Coordinator, kirsten.b.howard@des.nh.gov CC: Becca Katz, NHCP Resilience Grants Specialist, rebecca.a.katz@des.nh.gov

Section 4 – Required Proposal Components

Consultant proposals must not exceed 15 pages (not including the cover letter) in PDF format to not exceed page siza 8.5" x 11" with a maximum file size of 10MB and include the following required components:

a. Cover Letter Include a primary contact for the proposal and that person’s title, address, phone number and email address, and provide your general understanding of the project.

b. Project Team Description The proposal will describe the relevant experience and qualifications of all key personnel (staff and subcontractors) assigned by the consultant to manage and implement project tasks. The proposal will also describe the roles and responsibilities and level of effort that each team member will perform as part of the project. A project team description is required as part of the 15-page proposal. Resumes may be included as an appendix that does not count toward the page limit.

c. Summary of Project Tasks The primary tasks and deliverables for this project are provided above in Section 2 for guidance purposes. In their proposal, the consultant should describe their preferred approach for completing the work, clearly describing any changes, alternatives, and anticipated challenges and concerns for the proposed scope of work in their response to this RFP.

d. Project Schedule The consultant will provide a detailed project schedule chart and narrative. The project schedule should show project activities for each task laid out in a Gantt chart that identifies the duration, activity mailto:kirsten.b.howard@des.nh.gov mailto:rebecca.a.katz@des.nh.gov https://apps.das.nh.gov/bidscontracts/ https://apps.das.nh.gov/bidscontracts/ mailto:kirsten.b.howard@des.nh.gov mailto:rebecca.a.katz@des.nh.gov interdependencies, activity start and completion dates, and key project milestones. A schedule narrative should be included and describe the proposed phasing and workflow. Contingent upon successful negotiation and Governor and Executive Council contract approval, the project is expected to start in January 2027. The completion date for the proposed scope of work set forth in Section 2 is June 30, 2029.

e. Project Budget The consultant will provide a detailed proposed project budget and budget narrative, not to exceed $377,000 and an additional $15,500 GBS engagement funds (subject to change slightly) for event costs, participant incentive support, and publication and dissemination costs related to key activities. GBS engagement funds may not be used to support consultant or other paid project team member staff time. The proposed budget should itemize the cost of performing the work at the activity level. This will include providing estimated hours for each activity for each person/role as well as the hourly rates for each person/role. The budget should show sub-contractual fees and any associated markup, as well as stipends/compensation for community participants where there isn’t funding from Great Bay Stewards.

f. References and Examples of Similar Projects The consultant will provide a minimum of three references who can speak to the consultant’s relevant experience. The consultant will provide examples of similar projects completed, particularly those that demonstrate experience with policy and program assessment, flood mitigation and adaptation, state government, non-profit organizations, coastal management and stewardship, and equitable community engagement.

g. Confidentiality Statement Each proposal will include a confidentiality statement covering all firms and individuals involved in this project. The confidentiality statement will prohibit the use, distribution or discussion of collected information for any purpose other than development and documentation of the FHA and CWRP.

Consultants must also identify any aspects of their proposed work and deliverables that will be proprietary.

Section 5 – Selection Criteria and Process

a. Scoring of Proposals Consultants will be ranked based on: (1) Responsiveness to Proposal Requirements; (2) Relevant Experience and Qualifications; (3) Previous Related Work and References; (4) Strength of Proposed Scope of Work; and (5) Project Schedule and Budget, for a maximum total of 100 points. Rankings will be based on the following evaluation criteria and weightings:

1) Responsiveness to Proposal Requirements (10 Points) The review team will rate the responsiveness of the applicant’s proposal, evaluating whether all required components of the proposal are included and whether the proposal is easy to review.

2) Relevant Experience and Qualifications (25 Points) The review team will rate the applicant, or team of applicants, on their relevant experience and knowledge. Consultants should demonstrate an outstanding ability to collaborate with diverse partners, synthesize and present information in an accessible and inclusive manner, and build collaborative relationships.

3) Previous Related Work and References (15 Points) The review team will evaluate references who can speak to the applicant’s previous experience, as well as examples of similar projects completed by the applicant, particularly those that demonstrate experience with state government, non-profit organizations, coastal management and stewardship, equitable community engagement, flooding and coastal hazards, and nature-based solutions.

4) Strength of Proposed Scope of Work (35 Points) The review team will rate the applicant on their descriptions of the activities required to complete the project tasks and their understanding of how the components of the tasks fit within a larger scope to complete the FHA and CWRP.

5) Project Schedule and Budget (15 Points) The review team will rate the applicant’s project schedule and budget. Selection will not be determined by lowest cost; instead the review team will evaluate if the project schedule and budget are both realistic and appropriate. A detailed schedule and budget which propose discrete segments of work will be favored.

b. Interviews and Final Selection After scoring the proposals, the review team will choose consultants to participate in interviews.

Interviews will be held during the week of September 21, 2026, and conducted remotely via an online meeting platform or in-person at NHCP offices in Portsmouth, NH. The review team will then rank the interview candidates based on a structured review of proposals and interviews. NHCP will notify the highest-ranked consultant that NHCP intends to engage in contract negotiation.

NHCP will negotiate with the highest-ranked consultant to determine final project scope and cost based on fair and reasonable compensation for the services required. Negotiations may entail eliminating, amending or adding activities, and therefore a detailed schedule and budget that propose discrete segments of work will be favored. NHCP and the consultant will determine the most effective means of completing the project tasks given the budget, workflow and staffing conditions during final contract negotiations.

If no agreement is reached on scope of services and price, NHCP will terminate negotiations and begin negotiations with the next-highest ranked consultant until a contract has been successfully negotiated.

Section 6 – Disclaimer

This RFP does not commit NHCP to award a contract or pay any costs incurred during the preparation of the proposal. NHDES reserves the right to reject any or all proposals. NHCP reserves the right to reduce the scope of work to meet its budget or to ensure continuity of the overall project. NHCP also reserves the right to eliminate the need for the selected consultant to complete one or more tasks, based on the outcome of preceding activities or tasks.

Section 7 – Appendix Appendix A: Full Project Overview

Appendix B: Planning Commissions Watershed Map

Appendix C: DNCR and PDA-DPH Project Area Map

Appendix D: Key deliverables and responsible partners

Appendix A: Full Project Overview Phase I: Flood Hazard Assessment

Activity # and name Lead Support Anticipated Timeline

Activity 1.1 Project Management and Core Project Team NHCP - Jun 2026 – Apr 2027

Activity 1.2 Advisory Team Coordination NHCP Advisory Team, Consultant Aug 2026 – Jun 2029

Activity 1.3a Coastal Watershed Floodprone Asset Inventory

NHCP Core Project Team (includes consultant), Technical Team, Community Champions

Apr 2026 – Jun 2027

Activity 1.3b DNCR and PDA-DPH Subset of the Floodprone Asset Inventory

Consultant DNCR, PDA-DPH, NHCP Jan – Jun 2027

Activity 1.4 Draft Flood Hazards Assessment Model NHCP Core Project Team, Engagement Team, Advisory Team, Community Champions

Mar – Sep 2027

Activity 1.5 Final Flood Hazards Assessment NHCP and Consultant

Core Project Team, Engagement Team Jun – Dec 2027

Phase II: Flood Resilience Plan development

Activity # and name Lead Support Anticipated Timeline

Activity 2.1 40-60 Priority Resilience Opportunity Areas (ROAs) NHCP Core Project Team Nov 2027 – Jan 2028

Activity 2.2 Phase II Engagement Plan and 6-10 community ROAs for Action Plans

NHCP and Consultant

Core Project Team, Engagement Partners, Advisory Team

Oct 2027 – Jun 2028

Activity 2.3a Conceptual community ROA projects for Action Plan development

NHCP and Consultant

Engagement partners, Core Project Team, Advisory Team, NbS Partners

Mar – Oct 2028

Activity 2.3b 6-10 Coastal Watershed Community ROA Action Plans

Consultant Core Project Team, Engagement Team, Community Champions

Oct 2028 – Mar 2029

Activity 2.4a Conceptual ROA projects for 4-9 DNCR and PDA-DPH ROAs

Consultant Core Project Team, Engagement Team, Advisory Team, Community Champions

Mar – Oct 2028

Activity 2.4b 4-9 DNCR and PDA-DPH ROA Action Plans Consultant DNCR, PDA-DPH, NHCP Nov 2028 – Mar 2029

Activity 2.5 Transferable framework for ROA Action Plan Development

Consultant NHCP, Advisory Team Dec 2028 – Jun 2029

Activity 2.6 NH Coastal Watershed Resilience Plan Consultant Advisory Team, Core Project Team, Engagement Partners

Apr – Jun 2029

Appendix B: Planning Commissions Watershed Map

Durham

Newington

Portsmouth

Newmarket

Greenland

New Castle

Rye Stratham

Newfields

Exeter

North Hampton

Hampton

Hampton Falls

Kensington

Seabrook South

Hampton ¯

Legend

DNCR Properties

PDA-DPH Properties

Town Boundary

Atlantic Ocean

Great Bay

0 1 20.5 Miles

1) Fort Constitution

2) Fort Stark

3) Odiorne Point State Park

4) Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion

5) Urban Forestry Center

6) Wallis Sands State Park

7) Rye Harbor State Park

8) Jenness State Beach

9) North Hampton State Beach

10) North Beach State Park

11) Hampton Beach State Park

A) Portsmouth Harbor B) Rye Harbor C) Hampton Harbor

DNCR Properties

PDA-DPH Properties

11C

B

A

Appendix C: DNCR and PDA-DPH Project Area Map

Appendix D: Key deliverables and responsible partner(s) Phase I: Flood Hazard Assessment

Activity # and name Key Deliverable Responsible Partner

Activity 1.1: Project Management, Reporting, and Core Project Team

Executed partner contracts NHCP

Activity 1.1: Project Management, Reporting, and Core Project Team

Engagement guidelines NHCP, GBNERR, and GBS with rpc feedback

Activity 1.1: Project Management, Reporting, and Core Project Team

Core project team meeting notes Core Project Team facilitator

Activity 1.1: Project Management, Reporting, and Core Project Team

Interim and final reports All partners

Activity 1.2 Advisory Team Finalized workplan NHCP and Advisory Team

Activity 1.3a Coastal Watershed Floodprone Asset Inventory

Community Champions List regional planning commissions

Activity 1.3a Floodprone Asset Inventory Flood exposure data layers NHCP and RPC

Activity 1.3a Floodprone Asset Inventory Floodprone Asset Inventory- Coastal Watershed NHCP and RPC

Activity 1.3b DNCR and PDA-DPH Subset of the Floodprone Asset Inventory

Floodprone Asset Inventory- DNCR/PDA-DPH subset Consultant

Activity 1.4 Draft Flood Hazards Assessment Model Draft FHA model NHCP and RPC

Activity 1.5 Final Flood Hazards Assessment Solicitation of community feedback (survey & other web-based methods)

Consultant

Activity 1.5 Final Flood Hazards Assessment Organization and facilitation of two in-person FHA feedback events (tidal & non-tidal)

Consultant, with NHCP support

Activity 1.5 Final Flood Hazards Assessment Feedback event summaries Consultant

Phase II: Flood Resilience Plan development Activity # and name Key Deliverable Responsible Partner

Activity 2.1 40-60 Priority Resilience Opportunity Areas (ROAs)

40-60 ROAs prioritized NHCP and Core Project Team (limited consultant role)

Activity 2.2 Phase II Engagement Plan and 6-10 community ROAs for Action Plans

Phase II Engagement Plan NHCP and Consultant

Activity 2.2 Phase II Engagement Plan and 6-10 community ROAs for Action Plans

Design process to collaboratively select priority 10-19 ROAs for Action Plan development

Consultant

Activity 2.2 Phase II Engagement Plan and 6-10 community ROAs for Action Plans

Facilitation of process designed by consultant Engagement Team, with consultant support

Activity 2.2 Phase II Engagement Plan and 6-10 community ROAs for Action Plans

Final ROA selection (10-19, including CW and DNCR/PDA-DPH) Advisory team, NHCP, rpcs

Activity 2.3a Conceptual community ROA projects for Action Plan development

List of conceptual/previously proposed flood risk/NbS projects for each priority ROA

NHCP

Activity 2.3a Conceptual community ROA projects for Action Plan development

Enhanced/new project concepts for 6-10 prioritized ROAs Consultant

Activity 2.3a Conceptual community ROA projects for Action Plan development

Template for ROA Action Plan Workshops NHCP and Consultant

Activity 2.3a Conceptual community ROA projects for Action Plan development

Organization and facilitation of six in-person stakeholder workshops

Engagement Team, with consultant support

Activity 2.3a Conceptual community ROA projects for Action Plan development

Workshop summaries (minimum six) Consultant

Activity 2.3b 6-10 Coastal Watershed Community ROA Action Plans

ROA action plan template + feedback incorporated Consultant

Activity 2.3b 6-10 Coastal Watershed Community ROA Action Plans

6-10 Community ROA Action Plans drafted Consultant

Activity # and name Key Deliverable Responsible Partner

Activity 2.3b 6-10 Coastal Watershed Community ROA Action Plans

Share drafts with Advisory Team, workshop participants, and others who provided input

Consultant

Activity 2.3b 6-10 Coastal Watershed Community ROA Action Plans

Present final 6-10 plans to Advisory team & approved Consultant, Advisory Team approve

Activity 2.4a Conceptual ROA projects for 4-9 DNCR and PDA-DPH ROAs

List of conceptual/previously proposed flood risk/NbS projects for each priority ROA

NHCP, DNCR, PDA-DPH, with consultant support

Activity 2.4a Conceptual ROA projects for 4-9 DNCR and PDA-DPH ROAs

Enhanced/new project concepts for 4-9 prioritized ROAs Consultant

Activity 2.4a Conceptual ROA projects for 4-9 DNCR and PDA-DPH ROAs

At least two community workshops (using 2.3a template) Consultant lead, with NHCP, DNCR, and PDA-DPH support

Activity 2.4a Conceptual ROA projects for 4-9 DNCR and PDA-DPH ROAs minimum two workshop summaries Consultant

Activity 2.4b 4-9 DNCR and PDA-DPH ROA Action Plans

Using template developed in 2.3b, 4-9 DNCR/PDA-DPH ROA action plans

Consultant

Activity 2.4b 4-9 DNCR and PDA-DPH ROA Action Plans

Feedback from Advisory Team and stakeholders incorporated Consultant

Activity 2.4b 4-9 DNCR and PDA-DPH ROA Action Plans

Present final 4-9 plans to Advisory team & approved Consultant, Advisory Team approve

Activity 2.5 Transferable framework for ROA Action Plan Development

Web-based guidance framework for replicating process Consultant

Activity 2.5 Transferable framework for ROA Action Plan Development

Feedback from Core Project Team, Engagement Team, and Advisory Team incorporated

Consultant

Activity 2.6 NH Coastal Watershed Resilience Plan Comprehensive web-based report and interactive tool to describe FHA and CWRP

Consultant

CW_DNCR_PDADPH_updated map.pdf