rfq-des-2026-02--1-.pdf

Halfmoon Lake Association Alton/Barnstead, NH

Request For Qualifications for stormwater control designs

Halfmoon Lake Watershed-Based Management Plan Implementation – Phase 1

February, 2026

Nina Kelly HMLA 319 Project Manager 118 North Barnstead Road

Center Barnstead NH 03225 Tel: 603-370-1050

HMLAPresident@outlook.com mailto:HMLAPresident@outlook.com?subject=RFQ

I. Background

Halfmoon Lake is a 288-acre lake with a 3,829-acre watershed located within the towns of Alton and Barnstead in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. Development is scattered throughout the watershed, with most of the development along the shores or just to the east of Halfmoon Lake. Halfmoon Lake is fed by tributaries such as the Route 28 inlet, the Public Beach inlet, Fern Hill Inlet, Horse Farm inlet, and Dugan’s inlet. From the outlet of Halfmoon Lake, water flows south into Locke Lake, then continues down Webster Stream to the Suncook River. The Suncook River discharges into the Merrimack River on the border of Pembroke and Allenstown, NH.

According to the 2022 Data Summary of the New Hampshire Volunteer Lake Assessment Program (VLAP) Individual Lake Report for Halfmoon Lake, the lake has total phosphorus and chlorophyll-a levels higher than the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) threshold for oligotrophic lakes, though concentrations of each parameter appear to be improving. NHDES designated Halfmoon Lake as a Class B water, impaired for Aquatic Life Integrity due to elevated total phosphorus and chlorophyll-a, low pH, and low dissolved oxygen saturation. Halfmoon Lake is also listed as impaired for Primary Contact Recreation due to the presence of cyanobacteria hepatotoxic microcystins. Multiple inlets, including the Fern Hill Inlet, Dugan’s Inlet, and an unnamed brook north of Crescent Beach (Route 28 Inlet) are identified as impaired for Aquatic Life Integrity due to low pH. The 1978 NHDES Lake Trophic Survey Report assessed the lake as oligotrophic, noting aquatic weeds were common along the shoreline. By the next assessment in 1992, the lake was reclassified as mesotrophic due to depleted dissolved oxygen in bottom waters. It was noted that aquatic plants were less abundant, though reports of nuisance filamentous algae in bottom waters were more frequent.

Three cyanobacteria blooms have been reported in the past 15 years at Halfmoon Lake, leading to warnings issued by NHDES for a cumulative 30 days. The first advisory was issued in 2011 (9 days), followed by 2018 (14 days) and 2019 (7 days). The deep spot of Halfmoon Lake is known to experience anoxia, which can trigger the release of phosphorus from bottom sediments which are then mixed up into the water column and taken up by phytoplankton such as cyanobacteria. This phenomenon known as internal loading is already evident in Halfmoon Lake, though the greatest source of phosphorus to the lake system is from the watershed load.

Enhanced loading of phosphorus to surface waters, whether from internal or external sources, particularly when compounded by the impacts from climate change, can stimulate excessive plant, algae, and cyanobacteria growth and degrade water quality.

The watershed survey, conducted in 2024 as part of the 2025 Watershed-based Management Plan (WBMP) for Halfmoon Lake, identified 19 sites impacting the lake.

Remediating these sites could prevent up to 23.4 kg/yr of phosphorus from entering Halfmoon Lake. Treating shoreline sites could reduce the phosphorus load to Halfmoon Lake by 1.16 kg/yr4 for the two high impact sites (disturbance score 11+), 5.78 kg/yr5 for the 20 medium impact sites (disturbance score between 9-10), and 4.92 kg/yr6 for the 34 low impact sites (disturbance score between 7-8) identified from the shoreline survey. Since 2024, community volunteers have stepped forward to address some of these as well as assisting individual landowners to reduce runoff by raising awareness of the importance of regular septic maintenance and NH Lake Association’s Lake Smart Program.

Of the 19 sites identified in the watershed survey, three were identified as major contributors to external phosphorus loading and prioritized by the WBMP’s Steering Committee. While there remain additional projects in the future for the Team, these three sites require expertise beyond the abilities of local volunteers.

In September 2024, Halfmoon Lake Association (HMLA) received a Clean Water Act Section 319 Grant from NHDES and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for funding projects to reduce phosphorus loading and stormwater runoff on three separate sites on the lake.

II. Introduction :

HMLA has prepared this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) in cooperation with NHDES to solicit submittals from qualified contractors to provide the deliverables requested in the Scope of Work. The overall goal of this project is to significantly reduce the sources of phosphorus discharge and stormwater runoff into Halfmoon Lake from selected sites.

III. Locations:

Priority Site #1. 1-02: Boat Ramp and Road Shoulder – Barnstead

Location (latitude, longitude): 43.3873, -71.2400.

Impact: High. Estimated Pollutant Load: 1.5 kg P/yr.

The surface of the privately owned and steeply sloping boat ramp on North Barnstead Road contains a large amount of loose sediment which has been eroding directly into Halfmoon Lake.

Looking uphill, the road shoulder of Crescent Road is eroding on both sides of the road, which directs stormwater runoff to the boat ramp. According to watershed residents, gullies form in the road shoulders on each side of North Barnstead Road during every large storm event.

Watershed residents mentioned that these gullies are frequently repaired though the southern road shoulder gully continues to overtop the road and contributes stormwater flow to the boat ramp. The southern road shoulder is designed so that runoff from the road and nearby agricultural field flows down the road shoulder and into the stream that connects Halfmoon Lake to Locke Lake. However, an undersized culvert prevents water from moving downhill to the stream, so stormwater flows across the road and down the boat ramp into Halfmoon Lake.

Attachment 1 reflects the shoulders of North Barnstead Road near the boat ramp

Priority Site #2. 1-11: Public Boat Launch on Route 28 – Alton

Location (latitude, longitude): 43.3958, -71.2367.

Impact: High. Estimated Pollutant Load: 0.7 kg P/yr.

A gap in the shoreline buffer along Route 28 was observed at a site used as a boat launch. The sandy substrate showed evidence of erosion into Halfmoon Lake from the boat launch to mile marker 59. According to the Town of Alton tax forms, the property is town-owned and is used by Marine Patrol for boat access. Watershed residents specify that Marine Patrol does not often use this access point, and typically use the other boat ramp on North Barnstead Road in Barnstead. However, this site is frequently used by local fishermen.

Priority Site #3. 1-06: Dalton Drive Beach Ramp – Barnstead

Location (latitude, longitude): 43.3882, -71.2248.

Impact: High. Estimated Pollutant Load: 0.5 kg P/yr.

Stormwater runoff begins on the very steep and unpaved/residential Dalton Road before leading down a steeply sloped paved parking lot and down to the beach area on Halfmoon Lake. On the east side of the road, there is a large gully leading through a slightly crushed culvert, under a driveway, and continuing down the road shoulder. Large gullies serve as a signal that erosion is occurring at the site as sediment has moved downslope along with stormwater. Under low flow, stormwater travels through this gully and continues through a culvert with a possibly buried outlet. Under high flow conditions, the stormwater flows within the ditch and across the road surface before continuing across the beach surface. On the beach, there are many signs of shoreline erosion, including small gullies and rills.

Scope of Work

1. Develop a Site Specific Project Plan (SSPP) that will include all aspects of data collection and modeling for each of the above-referenced three (3) site locations as identified in the HMLA WBMP. This will include, but not be limited to, watershed Best Management Practice (BMP) phosphorus load reduction modeling.

2. Develop conceptual BMP designs, estimated cost of materials, and implementation costs for each of the three (3) sites. These conceptual designs will be reviewed with NHDES Watershed Assistance Section (WAS), landowners, HMLA, and NHDES for comment. After review, address comments to prepare the final BMP designs to be issued to landowners, HMLA, NHDES, and WAS.

3. Meet all procedural requirements to provide the legal authority to implement BMPs on each of the three (3) sites. Obtain all necessary town, state, and federal permits for the Site.

Prepare Operation and Maintenance (O&M) plans with landowners for the site to ensure long-term success of implemented BMP designs.

4. Provide assistance with developing construction bid documents, and then supervise construction of the designed and permitted BMPs to mitigate stormwater runoff from each of the three (3) sites into Halfmoon Lake.

5. Develop final measurements to calculate pollutant reductions. Prepare Non-Point Source (NPS) pollution site reports and Pollutants Controlled Reports (PCRs) for the Site.

6. Prepare conceptual stormwater BMP designs, estimated cost of materials, and implementation costs to mitigate stormwater runoff at several additional BMP sites as selected by HMLA. Calculate pollution load reductions on these sites after BMP implementation by HMLA, private contractors, and/or community volunteers.

IV. Required Qualifications Submissions

Applicants are required to submit an electronic copy as a PDF document of their qualification package. PDF documents shall be emailed to Nina Kelly at HMLAPresident@outlook.com.

Qualification packages shall include the following components:

1. A cover letter indicating the primary contact person for the qualification package, title, address, email address, and phone number.

2. Company name, address, brief history, and a description of the firm’s capabilities.

3. Provide a description of the project team, including project team organization, team member resumes, special qualifications or certifications, and their anticipated level of involvement in each phase of the project work.

4. Provide a description of the firm’s capabilities and experience to provide SSPPs, O&M plans, BMP load reduction modeling, PCRs, NPS reports, and to design and implement stormwater BMPs.

5. Provide a description of the firm’s approach to completing the scope of work as well as an estimated project timeline. Comment on the potential effect of snow cover on the project timeline.

6. Provide examples of recent projects that are similar in nature to this one. Provide references (names, titles, and contact information) for these related projects.

V. RFQ Inquiries

HMLA will not respond to telephone inquiries. Questions concerning the RFQ must be submitted via email to HMLAPresident@outlook.com. Individuals who do not have a question but would like to receive the summary digest of questions may also submit an email request to HMLAPresident@outlook.com.

Questions, or requests to be included in the response list, must be submitted via email by 5:00 PM February 27, 2026 and include the subject line HMLA 319 RFQ Question. Sending multiple questions during the RFQ process is recommended so that timely answers can be provided.

An anonymous digest version of all questions and answers will be emailed on March 6, 2026, to all parties who have emailed to submit a question or to request the summary digest of responses.

mailto:HMLAPresident@outlook.com?subject=RFQ

VI. Selection Procedure

Selection will be based on the assessment of the qualifications package to meet the following criteria:

1. Overall project team experience related to the successful completion of similar watershed improvement projects.

2. Experience with development of SSPPs, O&M plans, BMP load reduction modeling, PCRs, and NPS reports.

3. Experience with the design and implementation of stormwater BMPs similar to those in the scope of work.

4. Familiarity and/or experience with the Halfmoon Lake Watershed.

5. Knowledge of local, state, and federal permitting and authorization requirements for stormwater BMPs in New Hampshire.

HMLA reserves the right to request interviews with any or all applicants. Scope, schedule, and fee negotiations will start with the highest-ranked qualified firm. If an agreement cannot be mutually arrived at, negotiations shall proceed with the next highest ranked firm and so on until an agreement is reached.

VII. Schedule

February 13, 2026 Publication of the RFQ February 27 @ 5:00 PM Deadline for submission of questions and to be added to the list to receive the Summary Digest March 6 Publish question and answer Summary Digest March 20 @ 5:00 PM Deadline for submission of Qualification Packages

VIII. Disclaimer

This RFQ does not commit HMLA to award a contract or pay any costs incurred during the preparation of any submittal. HMLA reserves the right to reject any or all submittals for any reason allowable by law. HMLA also reserves the right to eliminate the need for the selected firm to complete one or more tasks, pending the outcome of preceding related tasks or other issues that may arise including, but not limited to, grant funding termination.

To participate in the project and receive payment, the selected firm will be required to enter into a contract which stipulates that the contractor is eligible to receive federal funding and certifies compliance with State and Federal rules related to grant funded projects.

IX. Additional References

HLMA 319 Grant Proposal

Attachment 1

North Barnstead Road

The eroding road shoulder leading to the North Barnstead Road boat ramp.

Attachment 2

(Left)View of unpaved lot that serves as public access to Halfmoon Lake. (Right) View of the access point from the water as seen during the Shoreline Survey.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/12EewQznpgJxgSK4hBj-Bg4z2y7xT50-k/view?usp=drive_link

Attachment 3

Unpaved parking lot and steeply sloping paved access way adjacent to Dalton Drive Beach and Halfmoon Lake.