rfq-des-2026-04.pdf

Request for Qualifications (RFQ) Technical Services for Engineering Design Atwell Brook Restoration Project

Newfound Watershed Management Plan – Implementation Phase 5

Contact: Rebecca Hanson, Executive Director

Newfound Lake Region Association rebecca@newfoundlake.org

Date of Issue: July 23, 2026

Submission Deadline: August 24, 2026, 5:00 p.m.

I. Background The Newfound Watershed Management Plan guides efforts to protect and improve water quality throughout the 63,150-acre Newfound Lake watershed in central New Hampshire.

Although Newfound Lake remains one of the cleanest lakes in the state, long-term monitoring has documented declining water clarity and increasing threats from nonpoint source pollution, including stormwater runoff, streambank erosion, and changing precipitation patterns associated with climate change.

Funding for this project is provided under Section 319 of the Federal Clean Water Act through the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES).

The Newfound Lake Region Association (NLRA) is seeking qualifications from engineering firms with experience in stream restoration, fluvial geomorphology, and ecological restoration to develop engineering plans for restoration of Atwell Brook. The project will build upon previous watershed planning efforts and will develop engineering plans and support permitting to address streambank erosion, improve channel stability, reduce sediment and phosphorus loading, and enhance aquatic habitat as presented in the Conceptual Design and Summary

Memorandum. The Conceptual Design and Summary Memorandum is available upon request, please email rebecca@newfoundlake.org to request the document.

II. Scope of Work The selected consultant will assist NLRA in developing engineering plans for restoration of

Atwell Brook. The consultant will work collaboratively with NLRA to complete tasks described in the Grant Agreement between NHDES and NLRA for the Newfound Lake Region Association

Watershed Management Plan Implementation Phase 5, specifically Objective 3, Task 11-12.

mailto:rebecca@newfoundlake.org

Only the relevant portions of the Grant Agreement are included below.

Objective 3: Structural Stormwater Control Measures (SCMs)

Goal: Plan and complete structural SCMs that reduce the input of phosphorus to Newfound

Lake.

Measure of Success: Completion of one large-scale stormwater project, engineering plans for restoration of Atwell Brook, and completion of several private property stormwater retrofit projects.

Task 11: Permitting

Coordinate with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (NHFG) and NLRA to prepare and submit the necessary permits for the Atwell Brook project including Standard Dredge and

Fill Wetlands Permit, Section 401 Water Quality Certification and Section 404 Permit, and

Section 106 Consultation.

Task 12: Project engineering and management

Complete project engineering/design and project management in order to return Atwell Brook to its original channel, stabilize the avulsed streambank, and install material in the avulsed stream bed to prevent future avulsions. Following the SSPP-approved procedures, complete load reduction modeling and pollutants controlled reports (PCRs).

The selected consultant will be expected to:

• Review existing watershed management plan recommendations and available site information, including the Conceptual Design and Summary Memorandum.

• Conduct necessary field investigations to evaluate existing stream conditions.

• Assess stream stability, erosion processes, sediment transport, and contributing stormwater inputs.

• Coordinate with NLRA and project partners throughout plan development.

• Prepare engineering plans suitable for permitting and construction.

• Support wetlands permitting efforts with NLRA and NHFG.

• Develop cost estimates for the preferred alternative.

• Participate in project meetings as requested by NLRA.

• Prepare final deliverables in formats acceptable to NLRA and NHDES.

III. Project Schedule Work is expected to begin in September 2026 and be substantially completed by February

2027, in accordance with the project schedule established by the NHDES grant agreement.

IV. Required Qualifications Submission Qualifications packages shall be submitted electronically in PDF format and shall not exceed 30 pages.

Submissions must be received by 11:00 a.m. on August 24, 2026.

Submit qualifications electronically to:

Rebecca Hanson

Executive Director

Newfound Lake Region Association rebecca@newfoundlake.org

Qualifications packages shall include:

1. Name, address, brief history, and description of the firm.

2. Evidence that the firm is registered to do business in the State of New Hampshire.

3. Description of the proposed project team, including:

o Organization of the team o Resumes of key personnel o Relevant certifications o Anticipated roles and responsibilities

4. Relevant project experience:

o Similar stream restoration, fluvial geomorphology, river restoration, or watershed engineering projects.

o Experience with Section 319-funded projects is desirable.

o References including names, titles, organizations, and contact information.

5. Technical approach:

o Understanding of the project objectives.

o Proposed methodology.

o Anticipated schedule and level of effort.

Responses should clearly demonstrate the firm’s qualifications and experience relevant to stream restoration engineering and watershed protection projects.

V. Selection Criteria Qualifications will be evaluated using the following criteria:

• Firm history and organizational capacity to perform required services (10%)

• Relevant stream restoration and watershed engineering experience (25%)

• Demonstrated experience managing project budgets and schedules (10%)

• Familiarity with New Hampshire streams, permitting requirements, and watershed restoration practices (25%)

• Understanding of project objectives and proposed technical approach (20%)

• References (10%)

NLRA reserves the right to interview selected firms as part of the evaluation process.

Following the qualifications-based selection process, NLRA will request a task-based cost proposal from the highest-ranked consultant and begin contract negotiations. If an agreement cannot be reached, negotiations will proceed with the next highest-ranked consultant.

VI. Questions Questions regarding this RFQ must be submitted by email to Rebecca Hanson at rebecca@newfoundlake.org no later than 5:00 p.m. on July 30, 2026.

Responses to all questions will be compiled into a summary document and distributed via email to all firms that request to be placed on the distribution list.

VII. Timeline Date Milestone

July 23, 2026 RFQ released

July 30, 2026 Deadline for questions (5:00 p.m.)

August 6, 2026 Questions and answers distributed

August 24, 2026 Qualifications due (11:00 a.m.)

August 28, 2026 Anticipated consultant selection and notification