Connecticut Lakes Natural Area Scott Bog Spur Road Stream Crossing Replacement

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT
Connecticut Lakes Natural Area
Scott Bog Spur Road Stream Crossing Replacement
RFP F+G 2026-02

SECTION 1 - Overview and Schedule
A. Goal of this procurement/Business needs:
MANAGEMENT CONDITION & OBJECTIVES: The State of New Hampshire Fish and
Game Department (NHFG) is seeking bids from Professional Licensed Engineers for a
Hydrologic & Hydraulic Study, Architect and Engineering Study, and Design Services for the
removal and new replacement of an existing stream crossing structure over Scott Brook. The
crossing on Scott Brook is located on Scott Bog Spur Road in Pittsburg, New Hampshire and
allows access to the Scott Bog Boat Launch on the New Hampshire Fish and Game-owned
Connecticut Lakes Natural Area (crossing located at 45.20969, -71.16717).
MANAGEMENT SUMMARY: The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (NHFG)
is the owner of lands throughout the state referred to as Wildlife Management Areas
(WMAs). As part of the ongoing management of these lands, NHFG implements habitat
improvement projects and commercial timber sales to maintain habitat diversity.
Furthermore, NHFG encourages outdoor recreation on these properties including activities
such as wildlife watching, canoeing/kayaking, hunting, trapping, and fishing. The 25,000-
acre NHFG-owned Connecticut Lakes Natural Area (CLNA) contains over 30 miles of roads
and two major public boat access ramps. These boat launches are located on Scott Bog and
East Inlet Flowage, which are popular waterbodies for fishing and wildlife watching. The
only road to the Scott Bog boat launch is the Scott Bog Spur Road. This road is also utilized
to maintain the dam at the southern end of Scott Bog.
During the July 10, 2024 severe storm event, a 6-foot CMP culvert on Scott Bog Spur Road
was severely damaged which resulted in the road partially collapsing above the culvert. This
rendered the final tenth of a mile of the Scott Bog Spur Road unsafe for anything beyond foot
traffic. NHFG is seeking to remove this damaged culvert and replace it with either a larger
squish culvert, open bottom culvert, or free span bridge.
Engineering and design plans for this new crossing will include plans to remove the damaged
6-foot culvert and install either a free span bridge, open bottom culvert, or squish culvert that
is capable of adequately passing flows from 100-year storm events. The stream crossing
must have an HS-20 load rating and be designed to support heavy cement trucks and vehicles
weighing 100,000 lbs. +/-.
NHFG would like the engineer to evaluate the stream crossing site and determine if a bridge
or culvert would be the best stream crossing option. The best crossing would be one that
allows the passage of aquatic organisms, has the greatest longevity without requiring repair
or replacement, provides safe crossing for the public and for the maintenance of the dam, and
provides an affordable option for crossing Scott Brook.
The chosen engineering firm will be responsible for providing a full set of plans to remove
the damaged culvert and install the new crossing. If a bridge is selected, the engineer will
provide a full plan set that incorporates the installation of a prefabricated bridge, such as the
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fully engineered prefabricated bridges provided by ADM Welding and Fabrication. This
plan set must be detailed enough to be utilized when obtaining a NHDES wetlands permit for
the crossing replacement, to provide FEMA with a detailed description of the future crossing
and the required work to replace the crossing, and for a contractor to be able to follow with
limited to no assistance by the engineer who designs the plan.
It is intended to avoid wetland impacts where possible throughout the duration of this project.
If such impacts cannot be avoided, NHFG will be responsible for obtaining the necessary
permits. The plan should include all necessary erosion control and wetland mitigation
measures taken to prevent the sedimentation of the stream during and after the project.
Schedule
The following table provides a Schedule of Events for this RFP through contract finalization and
approval. The Agency reserves the right to amend this Schedule at its sole discretion and at any
time through a published Addendum.
EVENT DATE LOCAL
TIME
RFP posted on Administrative services Website 4/6/2026
Required Site Visit to Stream Crossing 5/12/2026 10:00 AM
RFP Inquiry Period Ends 5/19/2026 9:00 AM
Final Agency Responses to Proposer Inquiries 5/22/2026 5:00 PM
Final day to Submit Proposals 5/29/2026 12:00 PM
Estimated review of proposals and grading 6/3/2026 5:00 PM
Estimated Notification of Selection 6/5/2026 2:00 PM
Estimated Governor & Executive Council review for approval 7/22/2026 12:00 PM
B. Description of Agency or Program issuing the Request for Proposals
As the guardian of the state's fish, wildlife and marine resources, the New Hampshire Fish and
Game Department works in partnership with the public to conserve, manage and protect these
resources and their habitats. NHFG's role is also to inform and educate the public about these
resources and provide the public with opportunities to use and appreciate these resources. One
of the ways that NHFG meets this mission is through the purchase of lands or easements to
conserve wildlife and the habitats they depend on, and to provide public access to those lands. In
order to fulfill our mission, we need access roads for employees to manage these lands and to
allow for public recreation. These roads need to be built to last for extended periods of time with
limited maintenance despite an increasing frequency of severe storm events.
In this RFP, "Agency" means the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. "Vendor" means
a person or entity who offers products or services for sale. "Selected vendor" means the qualified
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Bidder which has been identified by the Agency as having received the best score for its proposal
according to the criteria set forth in this RFP.
C. Vendor Instructions
Interested vendors must read the entire RFP and submit the required documents in the manner
specified in the RFP. Vendors are responsible for reviewing the most updated information related
to this RFP before submitting proposals.
SECTION 2 - Requirements and Scope of Work
Scott Bog Spur Road Culvert Replacement
1. Requirements
Work will consist of an Architect and Engineering Study, Hydrologic & Hydraulic
Study, and Design Services for the removal and new replacement of an existing
stream crossing structure over Scott Brook:
a) The selected vendor will perform an engineering study of the project area that includes a
Hydrologic & Hydraulic analysis of the crossing and adjacent watershed. The vendor will
utilize this data to develop a stream crossing design that achieves the following: allows for
the passage of aquatic organisms, provides safe crossing for the public over Scott Brook on
the existing Scott Bog Spur Road, allows fully loaded cement trucks to safely pass over the
crossing to maintain the Scott Bog Dam situated just above this crossing (crossing must meet
HS-20 load rating and be designed to support vehicles weighing 100,000 lbs. +/-), prevents
the potential for damage to the Scott Bog Dam, and be designed to adequately pass flows of
100-year flood events without washing out or overtopping the road. A basic hydrologic &
hydraulic study was previously completed when the dam upstream of this crossing was being
reconstructed. This study will be available for use during this analysis.
b) NHFG would like the engineer to evaluate the stream crossing site and determine if a bridge,
open bottom culvert, or squish culvert would be the best possible crossing at this site. The
best possible crossing would be a crossing that allows for the passage of aquatic organisms,
has the greatest longevity without requiring repair or replacement, provides safe crossing for
the public and for the maintenance of the dam, and provides an affordable option for crossing
Scott Brook. It is intended to avoid wetland impacts where possible throughout the duration
of this project. If such impacts cannot be avoided, NHFG will be responsible for obtaining
the necessary permits.
a. Once a squish culvert, open bottom culvert, and bridge have been evaluated as an
option for replacing this crossing, the engineer will reach out to the NHFG project
supervisor to obtain a decision on which crossing type will be selected. Once a
crossing has been selected the engineer will move forward with designing the
crossing. The engineer will provide the project supervisor with an assessment of
pros/cons for each and a rough estimated cost of going with each.
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c) Provide a wetland delineation of the project area to include any jurisdictional wetlands and
stream top of bank. This work must be completed by a licensed professional and done
according to the NH DES Wetlands Bureau and the Army Corps of Engineers Wetland
Delineation Manual (1987). A previous wetlands delineation was completed for this crossing
by Horizon Engineering in 2024 and will be available for use to facilitate this part of the
project.
d) Provide the necessary surveying and mapping to locate existing site conditions, topography
and delineated wetlands. This information will be used to develop a complete plan set,
including an existing conditions plan. The plan must be provided to NHFG in the form of
both an electronic copy and hardcopy. This information must be detailed in order to
successfully fulfill the requirements of all necessary NHDES permits for the replacement of
this crossing. Due to funding limitations, permitting is not included in this RFP.
e) Prepare a complete engineered design with documentation & plans (electronic and hardcopy)
for the removal of the existing 6-foot culvert and the installation of a new crossing over Scott
Brook. The design must include a detailed plan for the removal of the damaged culvert,
plans for stabilizing/restoring the banks (if the new crossing is a bridge), approaches to/from
the new crossing, and the design of the crossing.
This plan must be detailed enough to be utilized when obtaining NHDES wetlands permitting
for the crossing replacement, to provide FEMA with a detailed description of the future
crossing and the required work to replace the crossing, and for a contractor to be able to
follow with limited to no assistance by the engineer who designs the plan.
a. If the crossing is a bridge: The design plan must include a detailed plan for the
removal of the damaged 6-foot culvert, for stabilizing/restoring the banks, for
restoring the stream bed with natural materials (to satisfy any necessary future
NHDES permitting), for installing the abutments for the bridge (the preferred
abutment design for this type of crossing should be based on accepted forest industry
standards that utilize concrete waste blocks, or pre-formed block wall materials), and
for the approaches to the bridge. The bridge structure itself will include utilizing a
fully engineered pre-constructed 16-foot wide bridge, such as the bridges provided by
ADM Wielding and other manufacturers.
b. If the crossing is an open bottom culvert: The design plan must include a detailed
plan for the removal of the damaged 6-foot culvert, for restoring the stream bed with
natural materials (to satisfy any necessary future NHDES permitting), for complete
installation of the replacement culvert, and for the installation of side barriers (such as
room for large rocks) to help prevent the public from going off the edge of the road
when crossing. A 16-foot wide travel lane is required for this crossing (between the
side barriers). Culvert material should also be outlined in this plan in addition to
specific installation guidelines including but not limited to dimensions of the culvert,
perch, head wall design, and the angle of the on/off ramps.
c. If the crossing is a squish culvert or standard culvert: The design plan must
include a detailed plan for the removal of the damaged 6-foot culvert, for complete
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installation of the replacement culvert, and for the installation of side barriers (such as
room for large rocks) to help prevent the public from going off the edge of the road
when crossing. A 16-foot wide travel lane is required for this crossing (between the
side barriers). Culvert material should also be outlined in this plan in addition to
specific installation guidelines including but not limited to dimensions of the culvert,
perch, head wall design, and the angle of the on/off ramps.
d. It is the intent to avoid wetland impacts where possible throughout the duration of this
project. If such impacts cannot be avoided, NHFG will be responsible for obtaining
the necessary permits. The plan should include all necessary erosion control and
wetland mitigation measures taken to prevent the sedimentation of the stream during
and after the project.
f) In addition to the requirements described above, the vendor will also provide NHFG with a
complete estimated cost breakdown of what it would cost to replace the damaged crossing in-
kind. This will involve removing the damaged 6' CMP culvert and installing a new 6' CMP
culvert while also following all NHDES regulations, requirements, and BMPs. This estimate
will be based on the federal requirement of sourcing all materials within the United States. A
full design plan set is not required for this in-kind replacement unless the H&H study
demonstrates an in-kind replacement would be suitable for this location and the NHFG
project manager decides to move forward with this option as the permanent repair.
2. Scope of work
Scott Bog Spur Road Culvert Replacement
Refer to Attachments 1 and 2 for location of work site and photo.
Scott Bog Spur Road Culvert Damage Overview: A 6' x 30' metal culvert was
severely damaged during a large rainstorm during July of 2024. The bottom of the
culvert failed and folded up inside itself during the high flows. During the high flows the
water began passing underneath the road, next to the culvert. This resulted in the road
partially collapsing above the culvert.
a) Timing of Work: The design phase of this project will occur during the summer-fall of 2026
(prior to snowfall). This will include all of the work described below. The stream crossing
replacement is currently anticipated to occur during the spring-summer of 2027. Monitoring
during the construction of the crossing is not required.
b) Hydrologic & Hydraulic Study: The vendor will complete a Hydrologic & Hydraulic
(H&H) study on this stream crossing and the upstream watershed as detailed in part A of the
Requirements Section above. The vendor will provide NHFG with digital copies of this
study.
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c) Crossing Design: The vendor will utilize the data from the updated H&H study to determine
if a bridge, open bottom, or squish culvert would be the best possible crossing at this site as
detailed in part B and E of the Requirements Section above.
d) Plans and Deliverables: Prepare a complete design with documentation & plans (electronic
and hardcopy) for the removal of the existing 6-foot culvert and the installation of a new
crossing over Scott Brook as detailed in parts C, D, E, and F of the Requirements Section
above.
e) Technical Support: Site visits during the construction phase of this project may be
necessary. Any technical support would be on an as needed basis and only in the event of an
unanticipated factor or issue with the plan set.
f) Monitoring and Project Closeout: Site monitoring during and after the construction phase
of this project is not required.
SECTION 3 -- Contract Terms and Conditions
A. Exclusive Contract
Any resulting Contract from this RFP will be an exclusive Contract. No other contractor will be
used to provide services or deliverables identified in this RFP.
B. Award
If the Agency decides to award a contract as a result of this RFP process, any award is contingent
upon approval of the contract by the Governor and Executive Council of the State of New
Hampshire and upon continued appropriation of funding.
C. Standard Contract Terms
The Agency will require the selected vendor to execute a contract using the Standard Terms and
Conditions of the State of New Hampshire (Form P-37) which is attached as Appendix A. In no
event is a vendor to submit its own standard contract terms and conditions as a replacement for
the State's terms in response to this solicitation.
The terms of this RFP and the selected vendor's Proposal will be used to form the terms of any
resulting contract. The resulting contract may incorporate some or all of the selected vendor's
Proposal. References in the P-37 to Exhibits A, B and C are references to the required structure
of any resulting contract (Exhibit A - Special Provisions/Amendments, Exhibit B - Scope of
Services, and Exhibit C - Payment Terms) and are not references to sections of this RFP.
To the extent that a vendor believes that exceptions to the contract terms in Appendix A will be
necessary for the vendor to enter into the contract, the vendor must note those issues during the
Vendor Inquiry Period, as further described Section 4B.
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SECTION 4 -Request for Proposal Process
A. Agency Point of Contact/Restriction of Contact with Agency Employees
The sole point of contact for this RFP, from RFP issuance to approval of the resulting contract by
the Governor and Executive Council is:
John Sojka
Region 1 State Lands Habitat Biologist
NH Fish and Game Department
629 B Main Street, Lancaster NH 03584
john.a.sojka@wildlife.nh.gov | (603) 451-9951
From the date of release of this RFP until an award is made and announced regarding the
selection of a vendor, all communication with personnel employed by or under contract with the
Agency regarding this RFP is prohibited unless first approved by the RFP Sole Point of Contact.
Agency employees have been directed not to hold conferences and/or discussions concerning this
RFP with any potential contractor during the selection process, unless otherwise authorized by
the RFP Sole Point of Contact. Vendors may be disqualified for violating this restriction on
communications.
B. Vendor Inquiries
All inquiries concerning this RFP, including but not limited to, requests for clarifications,
questions, any changes to the RFP, and any exceptions to the contract terms in Appendix A,
including the Form P-37, shall be submitted via email to the Agency Point of Contact specified
above. Inquiries must be received by the end of vendor inquiry period (see Schedule of Events
herein).
The vendor must identify the RFP name and the number and include the vendor's name,
telephone number, and e-mail address.
The Agency will issue responses to properly submitted inquiries on or before the date specified
in the Schedule of Events; however, this date is subject to change at the Agency's discretion.
The Agency may consolidate and/or paraphrase questions for sufficiency and clarity. The
Agency may, at its discretion, amend this RFP on its own initiative or in response to issues raised
by inquiries, as it deems appropriate. In response to requested exceptions to P37, the Agency
will review requested exceptions and accept, reject or note that it is open to negotiation of
the proposed exception at its sole discretion. Questions about or requested exceptions to
the RFP, Form P-37 and/or any relevant attachments not raised during the inquiry period
are waived. Oral statements, representations, clarifications, or modifications concerning the RFP
shall not be binding upon the Agency. Official responses by the Agency will be made only in
writing by the process described above. Vendors shall be responsible for reviewing the most
updated information related to this RFP before submitting a proposal.
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C. Vendor Conference
Important: All interested vendors are required to attend a mandatory site visit to view the scope
of the project in person along with the Agency Point of Contact so that questions can be
addressed before a proposal is presented.
The site visit is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, 2026; 10:00 am. Meet in the parking lot for the
Pittsburg, NH Fire Department just north of Murphy Dam Road. Everyone attending the site
visit will drive to the site location after meeting at the Fire Department.
Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/T9hcntqWDuo6mmiB7
RSVP your attendance to John Sojka by Friday May 8, 2026 at john.a.sojka@wildlife.nh.gov.
SECTION 5 - RFP Terms and Conditions
A. Debarment
Vendors who are ineligible to bid on proposals, bids or quotes issued by the Department of
Administrative Services, Division of Procurement and Support Services pursuant to the
provisions of RSA 21-I:11-c shall not be considered eligible for an award under this RFP.
B. Proposal Preparation Cost
By submitting a proposal, a vendor agrees that in no event shall the Agency be either responsible
for or held liable for any costs incurred by a vendor in the preparation of or in connection with
the Proposal, or for work performed prior to the Effective Date of a resulting Contract.
C. Validity of Proposal
Proposals must be valid for one hundred and eighty (180) days following the deadline for
submission of Proposals in Schedule of Events, or until the Effective Date of any resulting
Contract, whichever is later.
D. RFP Addendum
The Agency reserves the right to amend this RFP at its discretion, prior to the Proposal
submission deadline. In the event of an addendum to this RFP, the Agency, at its sole discretion,
may extend the Proposal submission deadline, as it deems appropriate.
E. Non-Collusion
The vendor's signature on a Proposal submitted in response to this RFP guarantees that the
prices, terms and conditions, and work quoted have been established without collusion with other
Vendors and without effort to preclude the Agency from obtaining the best possible competitive
Proposal.
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