Manchester Water Works: RFB Timber Harvesting Services on Alvin Pingree/Cora...

Location:	New Hampshire
Posted:	Sep 29, 2026
Due:	Oct 28, 2026
Agency:	City of Manchester
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	F - Natural Resources and Conservation Services J - Maintenance, Repair, and Rebuilding of Equipment S - Utilities and Training Services
Solicitation No:	2600044
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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MANCHESTER WATER WORKS

WATERSHED MANAGEMENT

1583 LAKE SHORE ROAD, MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE 03109

BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS

GARY HAMER

President

GARRY HAWORTH

Clerk

Ex Officio

HON JAY RUAS

Mayor

PHILIP CROASDALE

Director

September 28, 2026

Bids to harvest timber from select Manchester Water Works properties will be received by Manchester

Water Works at their offices located at 1583 Lake Shore Road, Manchester NH until 2:00 p.m. on

October 28, 2026. Bids should be clearly labelled on the outside of the envelope with “Request for Bids

2600044”.

Bids will only be accepted from contractors having extensive experience in forest management and

operations.

Additional information can be obtained by contacting Mr. John O’Neil, at 603-496-5836

jmoneil@manchesternh.gov.

Philip Croasdale, Director

Manchester Water Works

Request for Bids

Timber Harvesting Services on Alvin Pingree/Cora Morse/Iron Axle Woodlots

#2600044

1. Article 1 GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1.1 Manchester Water Works (MWW) is offering for sale to the highest bidder meeting all

qualifications: all trees marked for cutting with blue and/or orange paint found upon

approximately 51 acres of land belonging to MWW and located in the Towns of Chester and

Auburn, New Hampshire.

1.2 The compensation for stumpage will be on the basis of bid price per unit of forest product sold.

1.3 Interested parties should request details from Mr. Samuel Taylor, Manchester Water Works

Forester, at 603-851-1463. A walkthrough of the woodlot(s) will be held at 10:30 a.m. on

October 14, 2026, meeting roadside at the intersection of Candia Road and Old Chester

Turnpike, Chester, NH 03036. If you are unable to attend, please contact Mr. Taylor to make

other arrangements for viewing the woodlot(s).

1.4 All bids shall conform to the specifications issued herein. Bids failing to meet the minimum

requirements will be considered unacceptable.

1.5 MWW shall award a contract to a single professional timber harvesting contractor, hereinafter

referred to as “Contractor”. Contractor shall be responsible for all associated labor and services

identified herein.

1.6 MWW is exempt from Federal Excise Tax and NH Timber Tax. Contractor is responsible for

paying Timber Tax, including the Timber Tax bond if required by the municipality.

1.7 Contractor must certify that no official or employee of the MWW or the City of Manchester,

NH has pecuniary interest in the bid or in any aspect of the contract or in the expected profits to

arise therefrom, and that this bid is made in good faith without fraud, collusion, or connection

with any other person submitting a proposal.

1.8 A written Contract Agreement will be in the form customarily employed by MWW,

incorporating the provisions of this request for bids, and shall be fully executed within two

weeks of the bid award, prior to the start of operations. The terms quoted shall hold firm for the

duration of the contract.

1.9 This contract shall terminate on June 15, 2027 under provisions of the City of Manchester

Procurement Code. This period may be extended at the discretion of MWW for such factors as

delays resulting from adverse weather conditions.

2. Article 2 RECEIPT OF BIDS

2.1 Sealed bids will be received at 1583 Lake Shore Road, Manchester, NH 03109 until 2:00 p.m.

on October 28, 2026.

2.2 MWW may consider informal any proposals not prepared and submitted in accordance with the

provisions herein.

2.3 MWW is not responsible for proposals delayed by mail and/or delivery services of any nature. It

is the proposer’s responsibility to see that the proposal is delivered to and received by MWW.

2.4 The selected Contractor will be required to sign a written agreement with MWW.

2.5 Bids may be withdrawn prior to the closing time for receipt of said bids. A request to withdraw

a bid must be submitted in writing and signed by the prospective Contractor's representative. No

request to withdraw a bid will be accepted if it is verbal or submitted after the closing time.

2.6 Bids may be modified up to the closing time for the receipt of the bid. Modifications must be

submitted in writing and signed by prospective Contractor's representative. Only additions or

subtractions to the original bid should be stated. No modifications will be accepted after the

closing time.

Manchester Water Works

Request for Bids

Timber Harvesting Services on Alvin Pingree/Cora Morse/Iron Axle Woodlots

#2600044

2.7 Electronic Communication: A proposal may be withdrawn or modified by electronic

communication provided such communication is received by the Manchester Water Works prior

to the closing time for receipt of bid proposals. Written confirmation, signed by prospective

Contractor's representative, must be mailed and postmarked prior to the closing time and

received by the Manchester Water Works within two days from the closing time, otherwise no

consideration will be given to the electronic communication.

3. Article 3 BASIS FOR AWARD

3.1 Total estimated revenue based on prospective Contractor’s bid price per unit of forest product.

3.2 Competitive nature of bid and prospective Contractor’s ability to meet the essential goals and

criteria established within the scope of work.

3.3 Prospective Contractor’s record for forestry operations in public water supply areas.

3.4 Final selection of Contractor shall be determined by the MWW to be the contractor offering

revenue proposal, qualifications, experience, and approach that best suits the needs of MWW.

3.5 In order to be considered a responsible bidder, prospective Contractors and their subcontractors

shall not have been subject to misdemeanor or felony charges for timber harvesting-related

activity for at least the preceding five years.

3.6 Recommended bid shall be presented to the Board of Water Commissioners for approval and

award at the first regular meeting following the date of opening.

4. Article 4 INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

4.1 Contractor shall obtain and maintain in force, and shall require any subcontractor to obtain and

maintain in force the following insurance. Contractor shall provide evidence of insurance

meeting these requirements prior to beginning work.

CITY OF MANCHESTER INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE

REQUIREMENTS

In consideration of the utilization of Contractor's services by the Manchester Water

Works (owner), the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, Contractor agrees that all

persons furnished by Contractor shall be considered Contractor's employees or agents and

that Contractor shall be responsible for payment of all unemployment, social security,

and other payroll taxes, including contributions from them when required by law.

Contractor hereby agrees to protect, defend, indemnify, and hold the Manchester Water

Works and the City of Manchester and its employees, agents, officers, and servants free

and harmless from any and all losses, claims, liens, demands, and causes of action of

every kind and character including but not limited to, the amounts of judgments,

penalties, interests, court costs, legal fees, and all other expenses including claims, liens,

debts, personal injuries including injuries sustained by employees of the Manchester

Water Works, death or damages to property, including property of the Manchester Water

Works and without limitation by enumeration, all other claims or demands of every

character occurring, or in any way incident to, in connection with, or arising directly or

indirectly out of, the contract. Contractor agrees to investigate, handle, respond to,

provide defense for and defend any such claims, demands, or suits at the sole expense of

Contractor. Contractor also agrees to bear all other costs and expenses related thereto,

Manchester Water Works

Request for Bids

Timber Harvesting Services on Alvin Pingree/Cora Morse/Iron Axle Woodlots

#2600044

even if the claim or claims alleged are groundless, false, or fraudulent. This provision

shall be effective without regard to whether such injuries, deaths, or damages are caused

by, or attributable in whole or in part to the negligence of the Manchester Water Works

or the City of Manchester, its employees, agents, officers, or servants.

Contractor agrees to maintain in full force and effect:

(a) Comprehensive general liability insurance written on occurrence form, including

completed operations coverage, personal injury liability coverage, broad form

property damage liability coverage, XCU coverage, and contractual liability

coverage insuring the agreements contained herein. The minimum limits of

liability carried on such insurance shall be $1,000,000 each occurrence and, where

applicable, in the aggregate combined single limit for bodily injury, property

damage liability, and personal injury (wrongful acts).

(b) Automobile liability insurance for owned, non-owned, and hired vehicles. The

minimum limit of liability carried on such insurance shall be $1,000,000 each

accident, combined single limit for bodily injury and property damage.

Revised Statutes Annotated, with statutory coverage and including employer's

liability insurance.

(d) Any and all deductibles on the above-described insurance policies shall be

assumed by, and be for the account of, and at the sole risk of, Contractor.

(e) Insurance companies utilized must be admitted to do business in New Hampshire

or be on the Insurance Commissioner's list of approved non-admitted companies

and shall have a rating of (A) or better in the current edition of Best's Key Rating

Guide.

(f) Contractor agrees to furnish certificate(s) of the above-mentioned insurance to the

Manchester Water Works within fourteen (14) days from the signing of the

contract and, with respect to the renewals of the current insurance policies, at least

thirty (30) days in advance of each renewal date. Such certificates shall, with

respect to comprehensive general liability and auto liability insurance, name the

Manchester Water Works as an additional insured and, with respect to all policies,

shall state that, in the event of cancellation or material change, written notice shall

be given to the Watershed Land and Property Manager, Manchester Water Works,

1583 Lake Shore Rd, Manchester NH 03109, at least thirty (30) days in advance

of such cancellation or change.

(g) The purchase of the insurance required, or the furnishing of the aforesaid

certificate(s), shall not be a satisfaction of Contractor's liability hereunder or in

any way modify Contractor's indemnification responsibilities to the Manchester

Water Works, and the City of Manchester.

(h) It shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to ensure that all subcontractors and

contract operators comply with the same insurance requirements as indicated

above.

Manchester Water Works

Request for Bids

Timber Harvesting Services on Alvin Pingree/Cora Morse/Iron Axle Woodlots

#2600044

5. Article 5 SCOPE OF WORK

5.1 The Contractor will cut and tally to mill, or other buyer, forest products from designated MWW

properties. Trees designated to be cut are marked with blue and/or orange paint. No timber shall

be cut except that marked or designated by the MWW forester.

5.2 All harvested trees shall be utilized in a manner that yields the highest return in value for MWW

from products within each tree.

5.3 This timber sale is divided into 3 total units, which are located in the Towns of Chester and

Auburn, respectively.

5.4 The total estimated volume of marked trees is approximately 234,310 board feet and 1,146 tons

(see bid sheet for specific species and product volumes). These volumes are not guaranteed. The

information provided by MWW is not intended to be a substitute for independent verification by

the bidder.

5.5 Contractor shall be responsible for all costs associated with construction of a log landing area

and road access improvements on each unit. This may include but is not limited to excavator

work and material. MWW will supply up to 180 yards (or 240 tons) of aggregate material as

necessary for this purpose.

5.6 Snow removal is the responsibility of the Contractor, not MWW.

5.7 Operations shall be performed during dry or frozen ground conditions between October 15 and

March 15.

5.8 This timber sale requires 2 temporary pole ford crossings and 2 short sections of corduroy.

5.9 Locations where skid trails cross Old Chester Turnpike shall be cleared of debris at the

conclusion of each work day.

5.10 All tops, slash, and trees root sprung or hung-up as a result of this operation shall either be

removed and utilized or lopped so that no portion of the trees remains more than 3 feet above

ground level.

5.11 Trees damaged during cutting and logging, whether merchantable or unmerchantable, shall be

felled upon the request of the MWW forester. All such merchantable trees shall be utilized.

5.12 Stumps and slash from the log landing may be distributed in a low berm on the back of the

landing and covered with topsoil, or may be distributed throughout the harvest area.

5.13 At the conclusion of cutting and hauling, all log landings shall be smoothed and cleaned of

logging debris. Ditching or sloping of landing area to permit water to drain or spread shall be

applied as needed. Any ruts on skid trails or in the harvest area shall be smoothed, and water

bars shall be placed where required by the MWW forester. Locations where skid trails cross Old

Chester Turnpike shall be cleared of debris and smoothed. All truck roads shall be restored to

pre-harvest or better condition.

5.14 Entrances to log landings and locations where skid trails cross Old Chester Turnpike shall be

blocked with rocks and/or logs at the conclusion of operations.

6. Article 6 PERFORMANCE

6.1 Following contract signing and receipt of insurance binders, Contractor shall have from contract

signing until March 15, 2027 to complete harvesting and trucking operations. Site restoration

must be completed by June 15, 2027. Should Contractor fail to complete work within the

specified period, or due to other criteria stated in this contract, MWW may opt to terminate or

extend the current contract.

6.2 Contractor shall be responsible for meeting contract requirements and deadlines. All

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

Manchester Water Works: RFB Timber Harvesting Services on Alvin Pingree/Cora Morse/Iron Axle Woodlots

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