Hampton Climate Courage Collective For the Flood Ready Neighborhoods Program

The University System of New Hampshire (USNH) is requesting proposals from qualified consultants to design and pilot the Climate Courage Collective, a trauma-responsive support group for climate-vulnerable residents in Hampton, with proposals due October 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM EDT and consultant questions due October 2, 2026.

The scope comprises four sequential activities from December 2026 through June 2027: project launch, information gathering on best practices and trauma-informed principles, program design based on SAMHSA's trauma-informed framework, and initial implementation with the first gathering or documented infrastructure establishment. Key deliverables are a kick-off meeting summary, findings summary from research, draft and final program design documents, and completion of the first event or documented implementation steps. The consultant must meet all ADA compliance requirements and incorporate NOAA, NHDES, and NHCP logos in final products. Consultants with experience in community facilitation, trauma-informed practices, climate adaptation, coastal resilience, social work, or public health are preferred; equivalent professional and community-based experience is welcomed.

The contract budget cap is $15,000 with a 10% indirect-expense cap. The contract term runs December 2026 through June 30, 2027 with no extension options. Funding is provided in part by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office for Coastal Management under the Coastal Zone Management Act, in conjunction with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Coastal Program and the University of New Hampshire. Consultants must comply with federal financial assistance standards under 2 CFR Part 200, maintain records for three years, and submit detailed itemized budgets at the activity level including estimated hours, hourly rates, subcontractual fees, participation incentives for community members, travel, and supplies.

Evaluation criteria weightings are: Strength of Proposed Scope of Work (35%), Relevant Experience and Qualifications (30%), Project Schedule and Budget (15%), Responsiveness to Proposal Requirements (10%), and Previous Related Work and References (10%). Interviews are scheduled October 29–November 4, 2026 if requested. Responses to consultant questions will be provided by October 7, 2026. The primary contact is Brenda Bowers at Brenda.Bowers@usnh.edu.