RFP 01-2026 Trail Reconstruction at Joppa Hill Conservation Area

Location:	New Hampshire
Posted:	Apr 3, 2026
Due:	Apr 22, 2026
Agency:	Town of Bedford
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	F - Natural Resources and Conservation Services Z - Maintenance, Repair or Alteration of Real Property
Solicitation No:	RFP 01-2026 Trail Reconstructn
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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Request for Proposals (RFP)

Trail Reconstruction at Joppa Hill Conservation Area

1. INFORMATION TO BIDDERS

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

Issue Date: April 3, 2026

Proposal Due Date: April 22, 2026 by 12:00 P.M.

Bid Award Date: April 29, 2026

Contact Person: Kathleen Ports, Conservation Planner, kports@bedfordnh.org; 603-792-1320

(desk) or 603-289-4414 (cell)

2. INTRODUCTION

The Town of Bedford (Town) is soliciting bids from qualified and insured contractors to regrade,

rebuild, and control runoff on the existing trails at the Joppa Hill Conservation Area (JHCA). The

intent of this RFP is to select a contractor that demonstrates technical expertise, environmental

stewardship, and competitive pricing.

3. PROJECT LOCATION

The JHCA is 189.3-acre conservation property at 174 Joppa Hill Road, Bedford (Lat. 42.932,

Long. -71.575) (Map. 1 Location). Within JHCA, the Educational Farm at Joppa Hill leases 35

acres on the west side of Joppa Hill Road. This area is served by a farm road/loop trail

connecting to Amherst and the Pulpit Rock Conservation Area (Map 2. Trails). The tread width

of the farm road/loop trail varies from 8 to 12 feet in width and is flanked by shrubs, trees, and

stone walls.

The property is protected by a conservation easement held by the Piscataquog Land Conservancy

(Attachment A). The proposed trail improvements are allowed under the CE; however, the

Contractor should be cognizant of the purpose of the easement to preserve the habitats and scenic

vistas and protect the conservation values of the property.

4. SCOPE OF WORK

The selected contractor will improve three trail segments in Bedford shown on Map 3. Location

of Trail Work. Proposals must include bids for all three segments in Bedford. Bedford Trail

Segment 1 continues into Amherst. The Amherst Conservation Commission has already selected

their contractor for the trail improvements in Amherst. Improvements on Bedford Segment 1

must complement improvements planned for Amherst.

• Bedford Segment 1 - 510 feet long

• Bedford Segment 2 - 575 feet long

• Bedford Segment 3 - 500 feet long

The desired outcome is a trail surface suitable for strollers and wagons. The surface must

withstand the operation of farm vehicles including tractors, animal trailers, and pickup trucks.

Limited sections of the trails are periodically used as access for fence repair and forestry

mowing. The work is expected to include: 1) trail grading and the addition of 4 to 12 inches of

crushed gravel of varying size to level the trail surface and facilitate drainage; 2) the addition of

drainage features as needed, which may include rock, log, or belted water bars, drainage ditches,

check dams, berms, or drain dips; and 3) final grading and compaction of the tread surface with 4

to 6 inches of compact gravel or nit-pack.

Tree removal is not anticipated. Tree branches may be removed for access, but no other tree

removal is allowed without prior approval.

5. ACCESS AND STAGING AREAS

Access is available from either of two locations (Map 3). The Contractor should review the

access locations for conflicts with overhead wires, staging of materials, and other project needs.

The Contractor may stage materials in Area 1 or 2 shown on Map 3. Alternative staging areas

may be approved by the Town.

6. CONSTRAINTS

Pre-School and Day Camp – The Educational Farm operates a preschool from September

through June, Monday through Friday. Children and teachers spend their entire school day

outdoors from 8:30 a.m to 12:30 p.m. Drop-off and pick-up occur daily at the access point

marked Area 1 on Map 3. Preschool closures are the same as the public school schedule and the

last day of pre-school is June 12. Preschool can be restricted from the trails during trail

construction, but the drop-off/pick-up area must remain clear.

Starting the week of June 22, the Educational Farm operates a summer day camp. The Town

prefers to allow camper access to trail Segments 1 and 2 during the operation of summer camp

but understands that trail closures may be necessary.

There is no preschool or summer day camp during the following weeks:

• April 27-May 2

• June 15-19

• August 17-21

• August 24-28

Trail Closures and Animal Husbandry – The Town will close the trails during trail

reconstruction; however, Farm Staff must be allowed to access and care for animals. Animals

can be relocated to alternative pastures as necessary with at least two days advanced notice.

Special Events – The Farm hosts a few special events/fundraisers annually. These events are

highly attended and require public access to parking areas, program areas, and trails. The trail

improvements should not occur during a schedule event or prevent a scheduled event from

proceeding. The following events are scheduled:

• May 2, 2026 – Woolly Wonder

• June 20, 2026 (rain date June 27, 2026) – KidsFest

• July (date is TBD) – Plein Air Art Event

• September 29, 2026 (rain date September 27, 2026) – Fall Fair

• October 20, 2026 (rain date October 21, 2026) – Halloween Event

7. SCHEDULE

All work must be completed prior to December 31, 2026. The Town’s preference is for the work

to be done within a single timeframe rather than phased over several months. However, the

Town will consider phasing if it does not increase the net cost and better accommodates seasonal

events already scheduled at the Educational Farm.

Though not required, the Town prefers Segments 1 and 2 be completed when the preschool and

summer camp are not in session which includes the weeks of April 27-May 2, June 15-19,

August 17-21, or August 24-28.

8. PRE-PROPOSAL MEETING / SITE VISIT (OPTIONAL)

Bidders may contact Kathleen Ports, kports@bedfordnh.org or 603.792-1320 to schedule a site

visit or may visit the site on their own time.

9. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Proposals must include the following:

1. Cover Letter – Brief company profile and experience with similar projects.

2. Work Plan – Brief explanation of how you will approach the work, type of drainage

infrastructure anticipated to be used, and depth and type of materials proposed for the

trails.

3. Project Schedule – Please indicate availability to complete the work within the

timeframe specified in section “7” above.

4. Cost Proposal – Please provide a cost per trail segment to cover all items identified in

the scope of work. All costs must include labor, materials, equipment, mobilization,

disposal, and any other applicable fees.

5. Bid Forms – Submit completed bid forms from Attachment B.

6. References – At least three (3) professional references for similar work.

10. PROPOSAL EVAUATION CRITERIA

Proposals will be evaluated based on the submission requirements outlined in Section “9” above.

The Town of Bedford is not obligated to accept the lowest-cost proposal or any proposal.

The Town reserves the right to accept or reject any and all Bids for any reason or no reason

without recourse by any Bidder and to award a Contract to any Bidder on any basis which the

Town, in its sole and absolute discretion, determines to be in the best interest of the Town.

11. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Date and Time: Bids must be received no later than April 22, 2026 by 12:00 p.m.

Submission Method: Bids may be submitted via email: kports@befordnh.org;

planning@bedfordnh.org or via mail or delivery to the Planning Department at 24 North

Amherst Road, Bedford, NH 03110.

12. GENERAL CONDITIONS

• General conditions are included in Attachment C.

13. ATTACHMENTS

Map 1. Location

Map 2. Trail Map

Map 3. Trail Work Plan

Attachment A. Conservation Easement

Attachment B. Bid Forms

Attachment C. General Contract Conditions

Map 1. Location of Joppa Hill Conservation Area

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

Bid Number:	RFP 01-2026 Trail Reconstructn
Bid Title:	RFP 01-2026 Trail Reconstruction at Joppa Hill Conservation Area
Category:	Construction Services
Status:	Open

RFP 01-2026 Trail Reconstruction at Joppa Hill Conservation Area

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