RFP 02-2026 Viewing Platform Design & Construction

Location:	New Hampshire
Posted:	Apr 6, 2026
Due:	May 18, 2026
Agency:	Town of Bedford
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	C - Architect and Engineering Services - Construction Y - Construction of Structures and Facilities
Solicitation No:	RFP 02-2026 Viewing Platform
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Viewing Platform Design and Construction

Issued by: Town of Bedford, Planning Department, 24 North Amherst Road, Bedford 03110

Issue Date: April 3, 2026

Proposal Due Date: May 18, 2026 by 4:30 PM

Bidder Questions Due: April 27, 2026 by 4:30 PM

Contact Person: Kathleen Ports, Conservation Planner

Email: kports@bedfordnh.org

Phone: 603-792-1320 (desk) or 603-289-4414 (cell)

1. INTRODUCTION

The Town of Bedford, acting through its Conservation Commission (Commission), is soliciting

bids from qualified and insured contractors to construct a viewing platform at the base of Pulpit

Rock within the Pulpit Rock Conservation Area (PRCA). This project is funded in part by a

Recreational Trails Program grant, and all work must be completed prior to December 18, 2026.

Contractors must demonstrate sufficient prior experience completing similar design and

construction projects. The work will be awarded based on qualifications, value, aesthetic design,

and the ability to meet the project schedule and collaborate with volunteers.

All proposals must be received by 4:30 p.m. on May 18, 2026. Please submit your proposal to

Kathleen Ports, Bedford Planning Department, kports@bedfordnh.org.

For questions, contact Kathleen Ports (kports@bedfordnh.org). All questions received by 4:30

p.m. on April 27, 2026, will be answered on May 4, 2026. Answers will be provided to all

contractors that have emailed Kathleen prior to that time and date and expressed their interest in

bidding on the project. Questions submitted after 4:30 p.m. on April 27, 2026, may not be

answered.

2.PREPROPOSAL MEETING/SITE VISIT

Bidders are strongly encouraged to schedule a site visit with Town Staff prior to bid submission.

Contact Kathleen Ports, kports@bedfordnh.org or 603.792-1320, to schedule a site visit with the

Town. Alternatively, Contractors may visit the site on their own schedule.

3.PROJECT OVERVIEW

Project Location

The Project is in the Pulpit Rock Conservation Area (PRCA) at 596 New Boston Road, Bedford,

NH. (Map 1. Location and Trails). The main attraction is "the Pulpit," a unique geologic

formation with a small waterfall (Photo 1). The best way to view the Pulpit is from the base

(Photo 2). The Pulpit is a bedrock formation with shallow soils that are highly susceptible to

vegetation loss and erosion. The pool at the base of the Pulpit is seasonally ponded. Currently,

visitors access the base from a spur trail leading to a large rock above the pool (Photo 3).

Visitors need to climb down an embankment of rock and roots to access an old walkway that

crosses the pool for a different view of the rock formation when conditions allow (Photo 3). The

existing configuration is not ideal because the trail to the base is confusing, access is challenging,

and the walkway in the wetland is obstructing flow (Photo 2). The viewing platform is proposed

to provide an unobstructed view of the Pulpit while limiting visitor access to the fragile

ecosystem in this area (Photos 4 and 5).

Existing Conditions

The 338-acre Pulpit Rock Conservation Area includes 4 miles of trails for passive recreation

(Map 1. Location and Trails). The land is owned by the Town of Bedford, managed by the

Commission, and protected by a conservation easement held by Piscataquog Land Conservancy

(Attachment A. Conservation Easement). The proposed work has been approved by Piscataquog

Land Conservancy (PLC); however, the selected Contractor should be cognizant of the purpose

of the easement to forever preserve the habitats and wildlife habitat of the property; to prevent

any use that will significantly alter the existing terrain or impair the use of the Property for its

conservation values; and to permit educational and passive recreational use of the Property.

Access

The work site is accessed via the Kennard Trail from the New Boston Road parking area (Map

2). There is no motorized access to the work site. The Kennard Trail ends at the top of the Pulpit

at a kiosk (Photo 6; Map 2. Access Details). The Kennard Trail is a mostly level, woodland trail

with uneven surfaces and wooden walkways.

At the top of the Pulpit, the Kennard Trail becomes the Tufts Trail and within approximately 200

feet of the kiosk intersects with the Ravine Trail, which turns south to follow Pulpit Brook (Map

2). The descent from the top to the base of the Pulpit is approximately 70 feet. The approximate

distances from the New Boston Road Parking Area to the work site are provided below.

• New Boston Parking Area to Kiosk – 3,030 feet (0.57 mile)

• Kiosk to Spur Trail – 380 feet

• Spur trail to proposed Platform – 100 feet

Staging areas include the New Boston Road parking area and the area around the kiosk.

Volunteer labor is available to haul materials and equipment to the jobsite.

4. SCHEDULE

All work must be completed by December 18, 2026. The Notice to Proceed is grant-dependent

and anticipated by July 2, 2026, though not guaranteed. Do not bid on this project if you

cannot complete the work before December 18, 2026. The grant will not reimburse expenses

incurred outside the authorized timeframe.

Schedule for Contractor Selection

The schedule for Contractor Selection is outlined below.

Contractor Selection Process

Due Date

RFP Released April 6, 2026

RFP Open Period (site walks) April 6 – May 18, 2026

Bidder Questions Due April 27, 2026 by 4:30 p.m.

Responses Posted May 4, 2026

Proposals Due May 18, 2026 by 4:30 p.m.

Verbal Notice of Selected June 15, 2026

Contractor

Project Schedule

The anticipated schedule is outlined below. Ideally, the Town will receive a signed notice of award

and notice to proceed from the Grant Administrator by June 1, 2026. However, the date the

Town will receive the signed notices is not known. The Town will issue a verbal notice of

award to the winning bid by June 15, 2026. Bidders must honor their bids for 90 days

while the Town awaits the signed Notice to Proceed from the Grant Administrator. Work

may not proceed until the Bidder receives the signed notice to proceed.

Project Schedule

Due Date

Verbal Notice of Award: June 15, 2026

Town Receives Signed Contract/Notice

to Proceed from State

Anticipated June 30, 2026

Signed Notice of Award/Notice to

Proceed to Contractor:

Anticipated July 2, 2026

Work Starts: Can begin immediately upon signed NTP

Completion Deadline: December 18, 2026

Notice of Award and Timing of Notice to Proceed

As stated, the timing for the Notice to Proceed is grant-dependent. The timeline for the Notice to

Proceed for the Town’s previous RTP grant (2023) is shared below:

Notice of Grant Award

September 11, 2023

Grant Agreement

transmitted to Town

May 24, 2024

Grant Agreement

signed by Town

May 28, 2024

Notice to

Proceed

August 7, 2024

5.SCOPE OF WORK

The intended outcome is a platform that provides optimum viewing opportunities of the Pulpit

while limiting visitor access to the fragile ecosystem in this area.

The Contractor is expected to use their design aesthetic and understanding of alternative

materials to design the “best fit” for the platform and their construction experience to complete

the project within the specified timeframe. The design should provide safe access to view the

Pulpit from the platform while limiting access to the surrounding sensitive habitats and highly

erosive soils.

Design and construction should also make use of techniques and materials that will help reduce

maintenance, improve safety, and enhance durability and lifespan of the structure. The

Commission is receptive to use of treated lumber, composite, metal, and other materials that

complement the natural setting. The platform may be anchored to the rock below.

The scope of work includes:

• Obtain approval of the final design

• Final design will require a professional engineer’s stamp and shall be consistent with the

2021 International Building Code.

• Secure Town Building Permit and associated inspection approvals. All permit fees will

be waived.

• Furnish all equipment and materials required for the construction of the platform.

• Implementation and adherence to NHDES permit conditions and NHFG best

management practices for protection of surrounding natural resources (see Attachments B

and C).

• Site cleanup at the end of each workday and upon completion of the Project.

• Incorporation of volunteer labor.

• Safety plans for workers, volunteers, and the public.

• Constructed viewing platform consistent with final design and approved building permit.

The project budget is approximately $30,000 but the Commission may allocate additional funds

by majority vote.

6.CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS

Proposers must demonstrate:

1. Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in trail building, construction, or similar

work,

2. Aesthetic design in an outdoor setting,

3. Ability to complete the project within the desired schedule,

4. Experience working on public properties and ability to work with volunteers is desirable

but not required.

7. PROJECT CONSTRAINTS

The worksite and project are constrained by the following:

Limited Access: The Contractor should expect to transport work equipment, tools, and materials

on foot or using volunteer labor. Motorized wheelbarrows or similar devices may be appropriate

for use. There is no truck or ATV access to the work site.

Staging Areas: Two staging areas are available at the New Boston Road parking area and at the

kiosk near the Top of the Pulpit (see Map 2). Any staging area other than those identified on

Map 2 must receive prior approval through the Planning Department. The staging areas must be

restored after project completion.

Primitive Conditions: No amenities are available at the work site. At their own expense, the

Contractor may temporarily place portable amenities at the New Boston Road parking area.

Power and Water: No power or potable water is available at the project site.

Camping: A dispersed campsite is available near the New Boston Road parking area.

Trail Closures: The Commission will notify the public of the proposed work starting 6 weeks

prior to the anticipated start of construction. The spur trail to the base of the Pulpit and the base

of the Pulpit may be closed for the duration of the project; all other trails will remain open. The

Commission will entertain requests by the Contractor for limited closures for completion of

work.

Tree Removal: No tree removal is allowed between April 15 and November 1 other than those

trees identified for removal in the attached photos. The Contractor must notify the Commission

during the bid process if additional tree removal is recommended for project completion.

Building Permit: The platform will require a Town building permit for commercial

construction. The final platform design must be stamped by a professional engineer.

Wetland Permit: The Town secured a Trails Statutory Wetland Permit by Notification from NH

Department of Environmental Services for the Project (Attachment B). No other permits are

anticipated.

Best Management Practices: The project is subject to the conditions of the Wetland permit

approval and recommendations from NH Fish and Game (Attachment C).

8.GENERAL CONDITIONS

General conditions are included in Attachment D.

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

Bid Number:	RFP 02-2026 Viewing Platform
Bid Title:	RFP 02-2026 Viewing Platform Design & Construction
Category:	Construction Services
Status:	Open

RFP 02-2026 Viewing Platform Design & Construction

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