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.

The New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources is requesting proposals for tax-exempt equipment lease financing on a 4-year annual payment schedule, with proposals due September 4, 2026, and vendor questions closing August 28, 2026. The primary example equipment is a Prinoth Park X snow grooming machine with a $433,000 sales price for Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway and Ski Area at Franconia Notch State Park; the Department reserves the option to extend yearly lease financing with the selected lessor for up to four additional years for similar recreational stewardship equipment, subject to Governor and Executive Council approval.

Qualified firms must be capable of structuring tax-exempt lease financing under New Hampshire Statutes Section 6:35 and Section 21-I:81. The Department requires equal annual lease payments due in December over the 4-year term, with an initial principal-only payment at closing and interest commencing with the first annual payment. Responders may quote fixed or indexed interest rates (Municipal Market Data Yield Curve, Prime Rate, or Treasury securities); once established, the rate remains fixed for the lease term. All proposals must remain valid for a minimum of 90 days from opening.

Evaluation is weighted as follows: total cost of equipment leasing (50%), compliance with RFP requirements (20%), ability to perform obligations (20%), and form of lease agreement (10%). Preference is given to responders willing to allow extension options. Responders must submit a detailed proposal including a form of lease agreement, an itemized list of all transaction costs, documentation of similar lease programs completed within the past two years, and clarification of any exceptions to RFP terms. The lease obligation is expressly subject to annual appropriations and does not constitute debt of the State or pledge of its full faith and credit. The Department anticipates notifying its selection by September 11, 2026.