August 18, 2026

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

TAX EXEMPT EQUIPMENT LEASE FINANCING

Deadline for submission of the Proposal is no later than 4:00 PM, Friday, September 4, 2026

The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is for the selection of a vendor to provide a Tax-Exempt Equipment Lease Financing for the State of New Hampshire, Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (Department). This RFP does not obligate the Department to complete this financing, and the Department reserves the right to cancel solicitation if it is considered to be in its best interest.

I. INTRODUCTION

The Department, acting by and through the Commissioner, seeks to lease on a 4-year annual payment schedule, a certain piece of equipment. This financing has been requested by the Commissioner to provide for the equipment needs of Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway and Ski Area (Cannon Mountain) at Franconia Notch State Park located in Franconia, New Hampshire. However, options to seek leasing within the department for other pieces of equipment of similar pricing and recreational stewardship use may also be considered in the future. Pursuant to New Hampshire Statutes Section 6:35 and Section 21-I:81 (Attachment 1), the Department is seeking proposals from qualified firms (see Section VIII, B) to provide lease financing for a certain piece of equipment. This proposal includes the option by the department at its discretion, to seek yearly lease financing with the selected lessor for any additional subsequent equipment lease schedules for the next 4 years following the approval of the first-year lease financing agreement with lessor, subject to approval by the Governor and Executive Council.

II. THE EQUIPMENT

The Commissioner is seeking lease financing for certain pieces of equipment for use at Cannon Mountain and other similar pieces of equipment as may be needed of similar pricing and recreational stewardship use. As an example, an exact description and pricing of a piece of equipment for leasing is provided in Attachment 3. Prior equipment lease programs have provided Cannon Mountain lease financing for, but not limited to, the following types of equipment:

Prinoth Bison X Snow Groomer Prinoth Trooper Prinoth BR350 Sherpa TW Snow Groomer

III. SCOPE OF SERVICES

The Department has acquired, from time to time, various items of equipment through the use of lease transactions. In the administration of lease programs, the Department has recognized that projections relating to the timing and cost of anticipated equipment leases are often based on best estimates. This, in turn, may result in payment schedules commencing prior to the delivery of delayed equipment. Since 1999, in order to avoid this type of situation, the Department’s lease program has funded equipment leases at the time of delivery. It is our intent to enter into a similar agreement under this Tax-Exempt Equipment Lease Financing RFP.

The Department will with a responder, enter into a Tax-Exempt Equipment Lease Financing Agreement (Lease Agreement) that specifies the terms and conditions of the transaction and will essentially be a net lease, except that lease payments will be subject to annual appropriations. The Department is seeking a lease structure that provides for equal annual payments over a 4-year term schedule. Because all annual payments will have a common due date which is assumed to be in December of each year for the purposes of this RFP, the Department intends to pay an initial payment of principal only at closing with the first annual payment of interest commencing on the subsequent payment date. The Department expects that each Responder will quote a rate of interest that will be fixed at the time of the first payment. The rate quoted may be either firm or expressed as a percentage of, or adjustment to, any clearly identifiable published index (e.g., Municipal Market Data (MMD) Yield Curve, Prime Rate, similar term Treasury securities, etc.). The rate thus established will then be fixed for the remaining term of the Lease Agreement.

IV. TERMS AND CONDITIONS

A. Assignment: Neither the Lease Agreement nor the obligations of Lessee to make payments may be assigned without the written consent of the Lessee.

B. Term: 4-year schedule, with an option to extend financing with the selected lessor for 4 additional equipment lease schedules at the discretion of the Department and subject to approval by the Governor and Executive Council.

C. Interest Calculation: For the purposes of this RFP, it is assumed that the Department will make annual lease payments in December of each year commencing December 1, 2026. Interest is to be calculated on a simple interest basis and included in the first subsequent annual payments. The first payment at closing will be principal only.

D. Interest Rate: The rate quoted may be either firm or expressed as a percentage of, or adjustment to, any clearly identifiable published index (e.g., Municipal Market Data (MMD) Yield Curve, Prime Rate, similar term Treasury securities, etc.). The rate thus established will then be fixed for the remaining term of each Lease Agreement.

E. Lessee: The State of New Hampshire, Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, acting by and through the Commissioner.

F. Lessor: The provider of the Tax-Exempt Equipment Lease Financing.

G. Lease to own: At the end of the lease, the equipment will be owned by the Lessee

V. SECURITY

The Lease Agreement will be secured by the Department's obligation to make payment that is expressly subject to annual appropriations. The State has no continuing legal or moral obligation to appropriate monies for the lease payments. The obligation of the State to pay lease payments shall not in any way be construed to be a debt of the State, and the Lease Agreement does not constitute a pledge of the full faith and credit or of the general funds or monies of the State.

VI. PROPOSALS REQUESTED

Each party responding to this RFP is asked to indicate agreement with this outline or clearly stipulate any desired changes or additions to the terms mentioned herein.

Responders must include in their submission, a form of lease agreement depicting all Terms and Conditions and Schedules as would be normally required by the responder in the course of entering into a contractual agreement.

Each Responder must also indicate an itemized list, all costs associated with the transaction that are expected to be paid by the Department either as a direct (upfront) payment or as an addition to the equipment lease. These costs should include commitment fees, legal counsel, trustee fees, related subsequent equipment sales fees if any and all similar items of cost, if any.

Responders are also permitted to submit alternative proposals reflecting methods of meeting the Department’s goals as generally outlined herein. Any alternative proposal must contain sufficient detail to enable the Department to readily compare such alternatives to the proposal sought by this RFP.

The Department will expect the successful responder to enter into a Lease Agreement. Deviations from and exceptions to terms, conditions, specifications or manner of this RFP shall be described fully on the Responder’s letterhead stationery, signed, and attached to the RFP Attachment 2 submittal. In the absence of such statement the Responder shall be deemed to have accepted all such terms, conditions, specifications and the manner of the RFP. A Responder’s failure to raise an issue related to the terms, conditions, specifications or manner of this RFP prior to the proposal submission deadline in the manner described shall constitute a full and final waiver of the Responder’s rights to raise the issue later in any action or proceeding relating to the RFP.

VII. GENERAL STATE LEASE REQUIREMENTS

A. Lease Agreement Commencement and Length: The Lease Agreement, if accepted by the Department, will commence upon approval of the Governor and Executive Council for a 4-year term schedule, with an option to extend yearly up to 4 years, financing with the selected lessor for 4 additional equipment lease schedules at its discretion, subject to approval by the Governor and Executive Council.

B. Parties to the Contract: Parties to this Lease Agreement shall be the Department and the successful Responder (the “Vendor" or “Contractor” or “Lessor”)

C. Applicable Law: The Lease Agreement entered into as a result of the RFP shall be governed and interpreted under the laws of the State of New Hampshire.

VIII. ADDITIONAL PROPOSAL AND LEASE REQUIREMENTS

A. Duration of Offer: All proposals must indicate that they are valid for a minimum of ninety (90) calendar days from the date of the response opening.

B. Disposition of Responses: All materials submitted in response to this RFP will become public record after the evaluation process is completed. The Department will not consider the prices submitted by the Responder to be proprietary or trade secret materials. If clearly identified by the Responder, confidential commercial or financial information submitted in response to this RFP shall be exempt from disclosure under RSA 91-A:5 (Attachment 1).

C. Organizational Conflicts of Interest: The Responder warrants that, to the best of its knowledge and belief, and except as otherwise disclosed, there are no relevant facts or circumstances that could give rise to organizational conflicts of interest. An organizational conflict of interest exists when, because of existing or planned activities or because of relationships with other persons, a vendor is unable or potentially unable to render impartial assistance or advice to the State, or the Responder’s objectivity in performing the work is or might be otherwise impaired, or the Responder has an unfair competitive advantage. The Responder agrees that, if after award, an organizational conflict of interest is discovered, an immediate and full disclosure in writing must be made to the Commissioner that must include a description of the action which the Responder has taken or proposes to take to avoid or mitigate such conflicts. If an organizational conflict of interest is determined to exist, the State may, at its discretion, cancel the lease. In the event the Responder was aware of an organizational conflict of interest prior to the award of the lease and did not disclose the conflict to the contracting officer, the State may terminate the lease for default.

D. Firm Proposal/Response: Prices quoted in the response of the RFP must be valid for a minimum of ninety (90) calendar days from the date of the response opening, unless extended by the Responder or accepted by the Department. After the Department has accepted the proposal the prices quoted herein are the maximum that can be charged during the life of the Lease Agreement.

IX. THE RFP PROCESS AND EVALUATION

A. Questions and Inquiries: It is the Department's policy to accept questions and inquiries from any and all Responders. Questions regarding this RFP should be directed to the department’s Chief of Administration, to the attention of Christopher S. Marino at the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources at christopher.s.marino@dncr.nh.gov. All questions must be submitted in writing. The vendor inquiry period ends at 4:00 PM on Friday, August 28, 2026.

B. Revisions to the Requests for Proposals: In the event it becomes necessary to revise any part of the RFP, revisions will be posted on the State of New Hampshire’s website at https://das.nh.gov/purchasing/vendorresources.asp.

C. Submission of Proposals: In order to be considered for selection, the Responder must submit a complete response to this RFP. All conditions printed on the RFP form are hereby made a part of the conditions under which the proposal is submitted. To be considered for selection, proposals must arrive at the offices of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources on or before 4:00 PM, Friday, September 4, 2026.

All packets (mailing envelopes or packages) must be clearly identified, as a response to this RFP, on the outside with the Responder’s name and return address and the date and time when proposals are due. Responder’s mailing proposals should allow for normal mail delivery time to ensure timely receipt. Late proposals will be returned unopened to the Responder. Machine facsimile or e-mail proposals will not be considered.

Each copy of the proposal must be signed, in ink, by an authorized member of the firm. The Department reserves the right to negotiate changes to proposed fees and expenses prior to the final selection of a Lessor. The price of the proposal as stated must be valid for the length of any resulting lease.

One complete hard copy of the proposal must be submitted to:

Christopher S. Marino Chief of Administration Department of Natural and Cultural Resources 172 Pembroke Road Concord, New Hampshire 03301

D. Proposal Contents: By submission of a proposal, the Responder warrants that the information provided is true, correct and reliable for purposes of evaluation for potential lease award. The submission of inaccurate or misleading information may be grounds for disqualification from the award as well as subject the Responder to suspension or debarment proceedings as well as other remedies available by law.

E. Responses, Format and Content: In order to be considered for selection, Responders must submit a complete response to this RFP. The following information should be attached and made a part of the RFP Attachment 2. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.

1. A detailed statement outlining the proposal for meeting the State's lease financing needs including a specific discussion of any restrictions on types of equipment Responder will finance under the program and a discussion of procedures for setting interest rates.

2. The name, title, and contact information for Responder’s Authorized Representative.

3. A list of similar master lease or other lease financing programs successfully completed in the past two years.

4. A form of Lease Agreement.

5. Specifically identify any exceptions your firm might have to the Lease Agreement.

6. An indication that the complete proposal and prices quoted in response of the RFP are valid for a minimum of ninety (90) calendar days from the date of the response opening.

7. Proposals should be prepared simply and economically, providing a straightforward, concise description of Responder's capabilities to satisfy the requirements of the RFP. Emphasis should be on completeness and clarity of content.

X. PROPOSAL SELECTION

A. Nature of Procurement: This procurement is undertaken by the State pursuant to the provisions of New Hampshire Statutes Sections 6:35 and 21-I:81. The procurement will be based on best value determination that includes an evaluation of the selection criteria listed in paragraph B of this section of the RFP.

B. Selection Criteria: The Department will select the firm whose proposal demonstrates clear capability to best fulfill the purposes of the RFP, consistent with the conditions stated herein and in a cost effective manner. The State will reject as non-responsive, any proposal that contemplates the issuance, and/or subsequent re-offering of publicly offered certificates of participation.

The selection criterion has been broken into four (4) parts and will be evaluated in accordance with the criteria listed below:

1. Total Cost of Equipment Leasing (50%);

2. Compliance with RFP Requirements (20%);

3. Ability to Perform Obligations (20%)*; and

4. Form of Lease Agreement (10%).

* Preference will be given to Responders willing to allow for the option to extend.

After reviewing the responses to the RFP, an award will be made by the Department. It is anticipated that the successful Responder will be notified by Friday, September 11, 2026, of the Department's decision.

The Department reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.

ATTACHMENTS:

Enabling Legislation………………………………………………………….……………...Attachment 1 Request for Proposals / Submittal Sheet…………………………………………….………Attachment 2 Sample Equipment Sales Quote………………………………………………………...Attachment 3

Attachment 1

TITLE I

THE STATE AND ITS GOVERNMENT

CHAPTER 6

STATE TREASURER AND STATE ACCOUNTS

State Leases

Section 6:35

6:35 State Leases. – The 10-year limitation does not apply to leases for state facility energy cost reduction projects pursuant to RSA 21-I:19-a through RSA 21-I:19-e, which shall be subject to the term limitation applicable to energy performance contracts, as defined therein. The treasurer may establish financing criteria to be met by any state agency or department before entering into leases for equipment. In no instance shall the term of such lease exceed 10 years. For purposes of this section "leases'' shall include lease-purchase, sale and lease back, installment sale, or other similar agreements entered into by various agencies or departments to acquire such equipment from time to time for the agencies or departments; provided that funding for such equipment leases was specifically approved by the legislature in a budget. Payment obligations under any lease entered into under this section shall be subject to annual appropriation and shall not be treated as debt obligations of the state. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the treasurer from entering into financing agreements or executing any related documents, including any document creating or confirming any security interest retained by the seller or lessor of the equipment.

Source. 1996, 1:1. 2000, 276:8. 2008, 120:12, eff. Aug. 2, 2008.

TITLE I

THE STATE AND ITS GOVERNMENT

CHAPTER 21-I

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

Public Works Design and Construction

Section 21-I:81

21-I:81 Competitive Bidding. – No project subject to the competitive bidding requirements of RSA 21-I:80 shall be awarded to any independent contractor except:

I. If the commissioner decides that the bid of the lowest bidder should be accepted, he or she shall prepare a contract of acceptance of the lowest bid within 60 days from the opening of bids. He or she shall execute the contract in the name of the state. After the contract is executed by the lowest bidder, the form of it approved by the attorney general, and the availability of funds approved by the commissioner of administrative services, he or she shall transmit the contract to the governor and council. Upon approval by the governor and council, it shall become a valid contract of the state.

II. The state reserves the right to reject any and all bids or to negotiate with the lowest qualified bidder who meets all project specifications.

III. If the commissioner decides that for just cause shown the lowest bid submitted should be rejected, he or she shall promptly transmit to the governor and council the recommendation for rejection including reasons. The governor and council shall review the recommendation and any other facts available to them, and make such determination as in their judgment shall be for the best interest of the state. They shall require a public hearing upon request of any bidder or on their own motion to fully establish such facts. Their determination shall be entered upon the records of the secretary of state.

IV. If not more than one bid is received on any state project advertised for contract construction, the commissioner may negotiate a contract for such construction upon terms which he or she may deem most advantageous to the state, subject to the approval of the governor and council. For projects built with federal aid, if any provision of this section is inconsistent with the requirements of applicable federal law and regulations, the latter shall control.

Source. 2005, 291:9, eff. July 25, 2005.

TITLE VI

PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES

CHAPTER 91-A

ACCESS TO GOVERNMENTAL RECORDS AND MEETINGS

Section 91-A:5

91-A:5 Exemptions. – The following governmental records are exempted from the provisions of this chapter:

I. Records of grand and petit juries.

I-a. The master jury list as defined in RSA 500-A:1, IV.

II. Records of parole and pardon boards.

III. Personal school records of pupils, including the name of the parent or legal guardian and any specific reasons disclosed to school officials for the objection to the assessment under RSA 193-C:6.

IV. Records pertaining to internal personnel practices; confidential, commercial, or financial information; test questions, scoring keys, and other examination data used to administer a licensing examination, examination for employment, or academic examinations; and personnel, medical, welfare, library user, videotape sale or rental, and other files whose disclosure would constitute invasion of privacy. Without otherwise compromising the confidentiality of the files, nothing in this paragraph shall prohibit a public body or agency from releasing information relative to health or safety from investigative files on a limited basis to persons whose health or safety may be affected.

V. Teacher certification records in the department of education, provided that the department shall make available teacher certification status information.

VI. Records pertaining to matters relating to the preparation for and the carrying out of all emergency functions, including training to carry out such functions, developed by local or state safety officials that are directly intended to thwart a deliberate act that is intended to result in widespread or severe damage to property or widespread injury or loss of life.

VII. Unique pupil identification information collected in accordance with RSA 193-E:5.

VIII. Any notes or other materials made for personal use that do not have an official purpose, including but not limited to, notes and materials made prior to, during, or after a governmental proceeding.

IX. Preliminary drafts, notes, and memoranda and other documents not in their final form and not disclosed, circulated, or available to a quorum or a majority of the members of a public body.

X. Video and audio recordings made by a law enforcement officer using a body-worn camera pursuant to RSA 105-D except where such recordings depict any of the following:

(a) Any restraint or use of force by a law enforcement officer; provided, however, that this exemption shall not include those portions of recordings which constitute an invasion of privacy of any person or which are otherwise exempt from disclosure.

(b) The discharge of a firearm, provided that this exemption shall not include those portions of recordings which constitute an invasion of privacy of any person or which are otherwise exempt from disclosure.

(c) An encounter that results in an arrest for a felony-level offense, provided, however, that this exemption shall not apply to recordings or portions thereof that constitute an invasion of privacy or which are otherwise exempt from disclosure.

XI. Records pertaining to information technology systems, including cyber security plans, vulnerability testing and assessments materials, detailed network diagrams, or other materials, the release of which would make public security details that would aid an attempted security breach or circumvention of law as to the items assessed.

XII. Records protected under the attorney-client privilege or the attorney work product doctrine.

XIII. Records of the youth development center claims administration and the YDC settlement fund pursuant to RSA 21-M:11-a, with the exception of settlement agreements, which shall remain subject to RSA 91-A:4, VI, and, after a claim has been finally resolved, such other records the release of which would not constitute a violation of other provisions of law or an unwarranted invasion of a claimant's privacy.

Source. 1967, 251:1. 1986, 83:6. 1989, 184:2. 1990, 134:1. 1993, 79:1. 2002, 222:4. 2004, 147:5; 246:3, 4. 2008, 303:4, eff. July 1, 2008. 2013, 261:9, eff. July 1, 2013. 2016, 322:3, eff. Jan. 1, 2017. 2018, 91:2, eff. July 24, 2018. 2019, 54:1, eff. Aug. 4, 2019. 2021, 163:2, eff. July 30, 2021. 2022, 122:3, eff. May 27, 2022.

Attachment 2

1. The legal name and address of Offeror is:

Offeror Name

Address

City/State/Zip

Telephone Number Email Address

Federal ID Number:_________________________________________________________________

2. Communications concerning this Proposal shall be address to:

Name and Title of Authorized Representative

Address

City/State/Zip

Telephone Number Email Address

3. The undersigned Offeror proposes and agrees, if this Proposal is accepted, to enter into a Lease Agreement with the State of New Hampshire, Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (in a format approved by the New Hampshire Attorney General) to perform and furnish the lease financing as specified or indicated in the Request for Proposals.

Further, Offeror accepts and hereby incorporates all of the terms and conditions of the Request for Proposals, including Attachments 1 and 3, to this proposal; and

Offeror has been fully informed concerning the nature and extent of the financing and the requirements of the Request for Proposals; and

Offeror has given the Chief of Administration written notice of all conflicts, errors or discrepancies that it has discovered in the Request for Proposals documents and the written resolution is acceptable to Offeror.

For the Offeror:

____________________________________________ Date: ___________________________ Signature of Authorized Representative

State of ______________________ County of ____________________

On this the ______ day of _____________________, 2026, before me ________________________, The undersigned officer, personally appeared __________________________________, known to me or satisfactorily proven to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledges that he/she executed the same for the purposes therefore contained. In witness whereof, I hereunto set my hand and official seal:

Note: See Section VII, C for submittal requirements.

Attachment 3

Description & Pricing

One Park X

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS / ATTACHMENTS –

Product Option

Park X Engine block- and hydraulic oil heater (120V) Instructor seat Seat belt tensioning system Cellphone holder Prinoth carpet for operator's cabin center seat Storage shelf Snow guard Operator seat central LED Lights Premium sound Fleet Management Heated rear view camera Pair of steel tracks (heavy duty) - 4.3 (open profile) Pair of sprocket wheels for steel tracks Park Push frame X Blade Shaping kit for X Blade Posiflex tiller Premium with camera and lights (Argus)

Sales Price (per unit) TOTAL (excl. taxes): *$433,000.00 *further details in Pricing section

WARRANTY

Machine 12 months or 1200 hours whichever comes first (Bumper- Bumper) 24 months or 2400 hours whichever comes first ( Power Train Listed components list) For more details, see limited warranty policy.

Engine 48 months or 8000 hours whichever comes first (Caterpillar Platinum engine & emission control) For more details, see limited warranty policy.

PRICING

Total Price (excl. taxes): *$ 433,000.00 Tariff 18%: $ 77,940.00 Freight & Transportation: INCLUDED *$ 510,940.00

Sales Tax: NH NO TAX

TOTAL AMOUNT DUE: *$ 510,940.00

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