rfp-des-2026-23.pdf

NH Water Infrastructure Funding Dashboard RFP 8/3/2026

The State of New Hampshire

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

Robert R. Scott, Commissioner

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

New Hampshire Water Infrastructure Funding Dashboard

I. Introduction and Background

This Request for Proposals (RFP) is being issued by the New Hampshire Department of

Environmental Services (NHDES) to select a firm to develop a user-friendly interactive dashboard that tells the story of the importance of investment in water infrastructure through interactive narratives, graphics and mapping. The intended audience is government officials, stakeholders, funding recipients and New Hampshire residents interested in understanding how and where NHDES invests grant and loan funding to improve water infrastructure across the state.

NHDES has provided significant funding to water infrastructure improvements in drinking water, wastewater, stormwater and dams through various funding sources and programs including the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and

Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds (DWSRF and CWSRF, respectively).

These improvements include construction projects and work related to water infrastructure sustainability including asset management, strategic planning, cybersecurity and energy audit measures.

NHDES would like an interactive dashboard to present data on infrastructure projects including funding amounts, project descriptions, photos, videos and project locations. NHDES has this data available to provide to the Firm selected to perform the work. The dashboard will also have a high-level funding overview display with the total dollar amount of grants and loans provided to NH water infrastructure projects displayed with text, bar graphs, pie charts or other visualization. An interactive map would display all projects and allow users to click on data points for a pop up with the project details and story. The dashboard should also be searchable so users can filter specific projects or projects that meet certain criteria (e.g. town, project type, etc.).

Submitted proposals should identify platforms/applications that the Firm will use to carry out the scope of work. Proposals should include examples including links to example dashboards, screenshots or similar. Firms should also be prepared to present a demo or example of the platform/application if requested.

II. Scope of Work

The Firm will develop an online interactive dashboard to present water infrastructure funding projects and the dollar amounts of investments made. The dashboard should also tell the story of infrastructure funding through a story map or other communication tool.

The Firm will perform the following tasks. Additional tasks may be identified during the contract development process between NHDES and the selected Firm.

A. Interactive Dashboard Development

a. Produce an interactive dashboard that shows the importance of investment in water infrastructure through interactive narratives, graphics, widgets and maps.

The dashboard should include, but is not limited to, the following:

i. The summary of projects funded and the total dollars invested.

ii. A section focused on ARPA funding to highlight all infrastructure/planning efforts including those not typically funded such as the Disadvantaged category.

iii. Photos, videos or other visuals for projects.

iv. A narrative for each project.

v. An interactive map of the state of New Hampshire to geographically identify the selected water infrastructure funded project on the map.

vi. A story map or other communication tool.

b. The dashboard will initially be developed to include current projects and the prior five years of project data (2021 - current). After the initial deployment, historic project data may be added to the dashboard. NHDES has data for approximately 35 years of funded projects.

c. Design the interactive dashboard and any publicly available content prepared as part of this contract to meet State of NH accessibility requirements and NHDES

Vendor Public Information Guidelines.

B. Dashboard Maintenance

a. Perform updates and modifications to the dashboard as needed after the initial deployment through the contract period, not to exceed twice a year.

b. The selected Firm may be contracted to host the dashboard with the option for

NHDES to take over the platform at the end of the contract period.

C. Outreach Materials

a. Develop outreach materials to assist users and for the potential promotion of the dashboard, including but not limited to:

i. User guide for use of the interactive dashboard.

https://www.nh.gov/policies/accessibility-policy https://www.des.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt341/files/documents/nhdes-vendor-pub-guide.pdf https://www.des.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt341/files/documents/nhdes-vendor-pub-guide.pdf

D. Coordination with NHDES

a. Meet with NHDES at regular intervals throughout the development of the interactive dashboard.

E. Timeline

a. NHDES intends to award a five-year contract to the selected Firm, with approximate milestones as described below.

i. Year 1: Development of the dashboard with current projects and last five years of project data. Development of user guide and presentation.

ii. Years 2-5: Ongoing dashboard maintenance, potential incorporation of historic data and development/update of outreach materials upon request.

III. Proposal Format

The Request for Proposal submittal shall provide the required information below. One electronic copy of the proposal must be submitted in PDF format.

A. Table of Contents

B. Basic Firm Information: Provide one page maximum related to the services, background and contact information of the Firm. If the Firm has multiple offices, identify the office of the Firm from which the project will be managed and provide information about the parent company and the branch offices separately.

C. Contact Information: Provide the name, phone number and email address of the primary contact for questions and updates related to the submittal.

D. Personnel and Qualifications: Include qualifications for the project manager and key personnel as well as a description of the expertise of the firm.

E. Subcontractors: If a subcontractor will be used to complete a portion of the work, include subcontractor contact information and qualifications. Please also identify the tasks they will assist with.

F. Previous Work: Describe the Firm’s experience with creating interactive informational dashboards. Please provide links to website(s), screen captures or some mechanism where the review team can view examples of previous dashboards.

G. Project Vision: Describe your vision for executing the scope of work. Accompanying visuals are encouraged. If applicable, provide any lessons learned from the creation of interactive dashboards for other projects or any special additions or functions you would suggest for this effort.

H. Cost: Provide the total cost to perform the scope of work outlined in Section II. Include all costs associated with the scope including, but not limited to, staff time, equipment purchases, supplies, subcontractors required to complete the work and administrative expenses. The cost should include a breakdown of specific costs for each task in the scope of work. A table of hourly billing rates for personnel (project manager, environmental technician, etc.) that will be working on the tasks is required for the final contract.

I. Timeline: Provide a timeline for completing the scope of work.

IV. Evaluation Criteria

A. Criteria for Evaluation and Scoring

The Evaluation Team, consisting of NHDES representatives, will evaluate each proposal carefully and award points to each section of the Firm’s response according to the Scoring

Criteria described in this section. The Firm will receive a total score at the conclusion of the evaluation of the response.

The Evaluation Team will evaluate Proposals using the following weighted criteria:

40% Factor Project understanding, vision, methodology and innovations.

25% Factor Firm’s relevant experience and qualifications.

25% Factor Cost information.

10% Factor Proposed schedule to perform the scope of work in a timely manner.

NHDES will select a Firm based upon an evaluation of the proposal per the criteria and standards contained in this RFP and from applying the weighting in this section. Oral interviews and reference checks, to the extent they are utilized by NHDES, may be used to refine and finalize scores.

If NHDES decides to make an award based on these evaluations, NHDES will notify the selected Firm. Should NHDES be unable to reach agreement with the selected Firm during

Contract discussions, NHDES may then undertake Contract discussions with the next preferred Firm and so on, or NHDES may reject all proposals, cancel this RFP, or solicit new

Proposals under a new acquisition process.

B. Planned Evaluation Steps

NHDES plans to use the following process:

• Initial screening to ensure that the Proposals are in compliance with submission requirements.

• Preliminary evaluation of the Proposals.

• Oral interviews, product demonstrations and reference checks (if necessary).

• Final evaluation of Proposals and scoring.

• Select the highest scoring Firm(s) and begin contract negotiation.

C. Initial Screening

NHDES will conduct an initial screening step to verify Firm compliance with the submission requirements set forth in the RFP and the minimum content set forth in Section III of this

RFP. NHDES may waive or offer a limited opportunity to cure immaterial deviations from the RFP requirements if it is determined to be in the best interest of the State.

D. Preliminary Evaluation of the Proposals

NHDES will establish an evaluation team to initially score the Proposals. The evaluation team will review the Proposals and give a preliminary score to the Proposals under the guidelines of this section.

E. Oral Interviews, Product Demonstrations and Reference Checks

If NHDES determines that it is appropriate, Firms may be invited to an interview. NHDES retains the sole discretion to determine whether to conduct interviews, with which Firms, and the number of interviews. Firms are advised that NHDES may decide to conduct interviews with less than all responsive Firms.

The purpose of interviews and product demonstrations is to clarify and expound upon information provided in the written Proposal. Firms are prohibited from altering the basic substance of their Proposal during the interviews. NHDES may ask the Firm to provide written clarifications of elements in their Proposal regardless of whether it intends to conduct Oral Interviews. Information gained from interviews and product demonstrations will be used to refine technical review scores assigned from the initial review of the

Proposals.

F. Final Technical Scoring of Proposals

Following interviews and reference checks (if appropriate) and/or review of written clarifications of Proposals requested by NHDES, the evaluation team will determine a final score for each Proposal.

G. Final Selection

NHDES will conduct a final selection based on the final evaluation of the Proposals and begin contract negotiations with the selected Firm. Firms not selected to move forward with contract negotiations will be notified.

H. Rights of NHDES in Accepting and Evaluating Proposals

NHDES reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to:

• Make independent investigations in evaluating proposals.

• Request additional information to clarify elements of a proposal.

• Waive minor or immaterial deviations from the RFP and contract requirements, if determined to be in the best interest of the State.

• Omit any planned evaluation step if, in NHDES’ view, the step is not needed.

• Reject any and all proposals at any time.

• Open contract discussions with the second highest scoring Firm and so on, if NHDES is unable to reach an agreement on contract terms with the higher scoring Firm(s).

V. Submitting a Proposal

A. Proposal Submission and Deadline Instructions

The Firm’s proposal shall be submitted electronically no later than September 25, 2026, to the contact listed below. Proposal submissions must have the subject line “NH Water

Infrastructure Funding Dashboard RFP Submittal.”

Kaitlin Curtis

NH Department of Environmental Services dwsustainability@des.nh.gov

Proposals received after September 25, 2026, may be disqualified from further consideration at the discretion of NHDES. NHDES accepts no responsibility for damaged, mislabeled or undeliverable emailed proposals. The firm is solely responsible for confirming receipt of their qualifications package prior to the due date.

From the date of release of this RFP until an award is made and announced regarding the selection of a Firm, all communication with personnel employed by or under contract with

NHDES regarding this RFP is prohibited unless first approved by the RFP Sole Point of

Contact. NHDES employees have been directed not to hold conferences and/or discussions concerning this RFP with any potential Firm during the selection process, unless otherwise authorized by the RFP Sole Point of Contact. Firms may be disqualified for violating this restriction on communications.

B. Firm Inquiries

All questions and inquiries related to this RFP should be made in writing via email to mailto:mdwsustainability@des.nh.govailto:, no later than September 4, 2026. Inquiries must have the subject line “NH Water Infrastructure Funding Dashboard RFP Question.”

All inquiries concerning this RFP, including but not limited to, requests for clarifications, questions, any changes to the RFP, and any exceptions to the contract terms, shall be submitted via email to NHDES Point of Contact specified above. Inquiries must be received by the end of the Firm inquiry period (see Schedule of Events herein).

The Firm must identify the RFP name and the number and include the Firm’s name, telephone number and email address.

NHDES will issue responses to properly submitted inquiries which will be published as an

Addendum to the RFP, which will be updated as responses are provided. Responses will be published on or before the date specified in the Schedule of Events; however, this date is subject to change at NHDES’ discretion. NHDES may consolidate and/or paraphrase questions for sufficiency and clarity. NHDES may, at its discretion, amend this RFP on its own initiative or in response to issues raised by inquiries, as it deems appropriate. In response to requested exceptions to the standard contract terms in Form P-37 (Section mailto:dwsustainability@des.nh.gov mailto:mdwsustainability@des.nh.govailto:

VII), NHDES will review requested exceptions and accept, reject or note that it is open to negotiation of the proposed exception at its sole discretion. Questions about or requested exceptions to the RFP, Form P-37 and/or any relevant attachments not raised during the inquiry period are waived. Oral statements, representations, clarifications or modifications concerning the RFP shall not be binding upon NHDES. Official responses by NHDES will be made only in writing by the process described above. Firms shall be responsible for reviewing the most updated information related to this RFP before submitting a proposal.

VI. Schedule

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

EVENT DATE

RFP Published 8/11/2026

Firm Inquiry Period Ends 9/4/2026

Final NHDES Responses to Inquiries 9/11/2026

Proposals Due 9/25/2026

Estimated Timeframe for Oral Interviews, Product

Demonstrations and Reference Checks (if applicable)

10/5/2026

Estimated Notification of Selection and Begin Contract

Negotiations

11/6/2026

VII. Award and Contract Terms

A. Award

If NHDES decides to award a contract as a result of this RFP process, any award is contingent upon approval of the contract by the Governor and Executive Council of the State of New

Hampshire and upon continued appropriation of funding for the contract.

B. Standard Contract Terms

NHDES will require the selected Firm to execute a contract using the Standard Terms and

Conditions of the State of New Hampshire (Form P-37). In no event is the Firm to submit its own standard contract terms and conditions as a replacement for the State’s terms in response to this solicitation.

The terms of this RFP and the selected Firm’s Proposal will be used to form the terms of any resulting contract. The resulting contract may incorporate some or all of the selected Firm’s

Proposal. References in the P-37 to Exhibits A, B and C are references to the required structure of any resulting contract (Exhibit A – Special Provisions/Amendments to the P-37, Exhibit B – Scope of Services, and Exhibit C – Payment Terms) and are not references to sections of this RFP.

https://www.das.nh.gov/purchasing/docs/info/doj/P-37_Standard_Contract_Form.pdf

To the extent that a Firm believes that exceptions to the contract terms will be necessary for the Firm to enter into the contract, the Firm must note those issues during the Firm

Inquiry Period.

VIII. RFP Terms and Conditions

A. Proposal Preparation Cost

By submitting a proposal, a Firm agrees that in no event shall NHDES be either responsible for or held liable for any costs incurred by a Firm in the preparation of or in connection with the Proposal, or for work performed prior to the Effective Date of a resulting Contract.

B. Validity of Proposal

Proposals must be valid for one hundred and eighty (180) days following the deadline for submission of Proposals in Schedule of Events, or until the Effective Date of any resulting

Contract, whichever is later.

C. RFP Addendum

NHDES reserves the right to amend this RFP at its discretion prior to the Proposal submission deadline. In the event of an addendum to this RFP, NHDES, at its sole discretion, may extend the Proposal submission deadline, as it deems appropriate.

D. Non-Collusion

The Firm’s signature on a Proposal submitted in response to this RFP guarantees that the prices, terms and conditions, and work quoted have been established without collusion with other Firms and without effort to preclude NHDES from obtaining the best possible competitive Proposal.

E. Public Disclosure

By submitting a proposal, Firms acknowledge and agree that:

• The State may disclose any and all portions of the proposal or related materials which are not marked as confidential and/or which have not been specifically explained in the letter to the person identified as the point of contact for this RFP.

• The State is not obligated to comply with a Firm’s designations regarding confidentiality and must conduct an independent analysis to assess the confidentiality of the information submitted in your proposal.

• The State may, unless otherwise prohibited by court order, release the information on the date specified in the notice described above without any liability to a Firm.

F. Non-Commitment

Notwithstanding any other provision of this RFP, this RFP does not commit NHDES to award a contract. NHDES reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to reject any and all proposals, or any portions thereof, at any time; to cancel this RFP; and to solicit new proposals under a new acquisition process.

NHDES reserves the right to cancel, in part or in its entirety, this RFP including, but not limited to selection schedule, submittal date, and submittal requirements. NHDES reserves the right to reject all proposals and terminate the project. If NHDES cancels or revises the

RFP, rejects all proposals or terminates the project, all proposer respondents will be notified in writing by NHDES.

G. Challenges to Identification of Selected Firm

Within 5 business days of NHDES’ posting of the rank or score on its website, Firms may, in accordance with RSA 21-G:37, request that NHDES review its selection process. The request must be in writing and must specify all points on which the Firm believes NHDES erred in its process and shall contain such argument in support of its position as the Firm seeks to present. In its request for review, a Firm shall not submit, and an agency will not accept nor consider, any substantive information that was not included in the original proposal. NHDES will respond to the request within 5 business days of its receipt.