Redesign of Veterans Memorial Park Kiosk Panels

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
REDESIGN OF THE VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK KIOSK PANELS
TOWN OF HARTFORD, VERMONT
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Contact: Matt Osborn, AICP Planner
Planning and Development Department
Town of Hartford
171 Bridge Street
White River Junction, VT 05001
802-478-1118; mosborn@hartford-vt.org
Issuance: July 23, 2026
Response Deadline: Monday, August 17, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.
The Town of Hartford, Vermont is seeking the services of a graphic designer and copy writer to
redesign the Veterans Memorial Park Kiosk panels located at the corner of Bridge Street and Railroad
Row in Downtown White River Junction. The original panels were fabricated over twenty years ago
and need updating.
Funds for the project have been provided by the United States Department of the Interior, National
Park Service, for the Certified Local Government Program of Vermont's annual program grant under
the provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (P.L. 89-665), as amended and Town
funds.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT
The project entails the hiring of a qualified copywriter and graphic designer to prepare text as well as
design interpretative panels for the kiosk and add the information to the town website. The project will
consist of designing four new exterior kiosk panels in Veterans Memorial Park with text, photos, maps
and graphics that will provide visitors and residents with information about the history of White River
Junction, Hartford and its historic buildings.
There are four kiosk panels. Each panel is 26 12" x 47 12" x 12". Attached are photos of the existing
panels which are to be replaced with these new panels.
The following are the subjects developed by the Hartford Historic Preservation Commission (HHPC)
for the four new panels:
I. Veterans Memorial Park and Monuments: Veterans Memorial Park contains a sculpture
"Freedom" depicting five geese representing the five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. In
addition, there is a monument (World War 1 and World War II) erected in 2024 and a post-
World War II monument erected in 2026.
II. Downtown White River Junction Panel: This panel will focus on the architecture of Downtown
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WRJ and have information on WRJ history. It could also display a map or orthophoto.
III. Town & Villages Panel: This panel will provide a brief history of the Town of Hartford and the
other four villages (Hartford Village, Wilder Village, Quechee Village and West Hartford
Village) and a map of the historic districts in Hartford with a QR Code with a link to the historic
district brochures or historic district nominations.
IV. Town/Upper Valley Panel: This panel will provide information on a variety of Town elements
and include Native American history, land acknowledgement, possibly transportation history
(ferries, river boats, rail/log drives, etc.) and a map of the Upper Valley showing the four core
towns (Hartford, Lebanon, Norwich and Hanover) and possibly a few abutting communities.
The updated interpretative materials also will be provided in a format compatible with the Town
website. The consultant will coordinate with the Town Communications and Media Specialist.
Since the kiosk panels will be exposed to the elements, the panels must be waterproof and fadeproof.
SPECIFICATIONS OF WORK TO BE COMPLETED
1. Writing: Develop text for the four panels in collaboration with the HHPC and staff. Final text
should be in digital format (Word document) to provide to designer.
2. Graphic Design: Develop a unified design (layout, typography and color) for the panels in
collaboration with the HHPC. Design and layout of the panels will feature text, maps, graphics
and historic photos. Historic photos will be provided by the Hartford Historical Society.
3. Production: Pre-Press and Printing Coordination. The designer will prepare printing
specifications and obtain three quotes for printing/fabrication of the panels. Once the digital art
files are complete, the designer will prepare and deliver final files to the printer/fabricator (either
in pdf format or native files) for prepress. The designer will coordinate printing proof review and
delivery of the panels to the Town. Final pdf files will be provided to Town for website
inclusion.
TIMELINE
Sep. 2026 Review proposals, interview consultants (if necessary), select consultant,
contract prepared and signed
Oct. 2026 Kick-off meeting with the HHPC, staff and consultants (in-person or MS
Teams)
Nov./Dec. 2026 Work with HHPC and staff on material selection/text development
Jan. 2027 Draft panels text completed
Feb. 2027 Final panels text completed
Mar. 2027 Draft panels design completed
Apr. 2027 Final panels design completed
May 2027 Printing specifications prepared and cost estimates for printing obtained
Jun. 2027 Panels fabricated
Jun. 2027 Town installs panels
Please note that the schedule may be adjusted but the project must be completed by June 30, 2027.
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CONSULTANT QUALIFICATIONS
1. The Consultant team selected for this work shall:
a. Have professional experience in their respective fields.
b. Have specific experience in designing and coordinating printing jobs.
c. Provide relevant portfolio samples of printed exhibition or informational materials.
d. Have the ability to work with local officials.
e. Acknowledge the National Park Service support with the following statement, "This
information has been prepared with the assistance of a matching grant from the Vermont
Division for Historic Preservation through the U.S. Department of Interior under provisions
of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966."
2. All Work Products provided under this grant agreement shall comply with the State of Vermont
Brand Standards and Guidelines. The Grantee agrees to comply with Section 504 Rehabilitation
Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (28 CFR Part 35), which
requires adherence to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Version 2.1 Conformance Levels A
and AA, and all applicable standards, orders and regulations issued or adopted thereunder.
3. All work shall comply with all the requirements of Title 21 V.S.A., Chapter 5, Subchapter 6
relating to fair employment practices to the extent applicable.
4. The consultant team shall:
a. Hold the State of Vermont and the Town of Hartford and its officers and employees
harmless from any damages to persons or property arising from any act, omission or action
relating to this project.
b. Furnish periodic reports, statements or other documents as necessary.
c. Promptly inform the Town of any significant problems, delays or adverse conditions.
ABOUT HARTFORD
Hartford consists of five unincorporated villages (White River Junction, Hartford, Wilder, Quechee
and West Hartford) and several rural sections of Town in the Upper Valley region. First chartered in
1761, Hartford has three major rivers (Connecticut, White and Ottauquechee) along with a rich mill
history. In the late 1840s, the railroad arrived at White River Junction, and it served as a major railroad
hub. Today, passenger and freight rail service continues, and White River Junction has evolved into a
vibrant arts center. In the 2020 Census, Hartford had a population of 10,686. Hartford along with
Hanover and Lebanon, New Hampshire serves as the core of the Upper Valley.
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ABOUT THE HARTFORD HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
The National Park Service, in cooperation with State Historic Preservation Offices, administers the
Certified Local Government (CLG) program, a local, state and federal partnership that promotes
historic preservation. Hartford is one of 21 (CLG's) in Vermont and over 2,000 nationwide. The
Hartford Historic Preservation Commission (HHPC) was formed in 1993 and serves as the local CLG
organization that is eligible for historic preservation grant funds. The HHPC has used CLG grants to
prepare historic district nominations for the National Register of Historic Places for properties
throughout the Town's many villages and hamlets. To date, the Town has ten historic districts
(Downtown White River Junction, Hartford Village, Quechee Village, Wilder Village, West Hartford
Village, Jericho, Christian Street, Terraces, Advent Camp Meeting Grounds and Demers Avenue) and
one district pending (Victory Circle/Highland Avenue). In total, Hartford has over 500 buildings listed
on the National Register of Historic Places. Other projects have included historic district brochures,
historic sites and structures surveys, barn census, cemetery research and oral history, several other oral
history projects and performing arts history.
INSURANCE
The Consultant shall demonstrate the ability to obtain insurance coverage. The Certificate of Insurance
coverage shall include the following:
(a) All sub-consultants, agents or workers meet the minimum coverages and limits plus
maintain current certificates of coverage for all sub-consultants, agents and workers.
(b) All work activities related to the agreement shall meet minimum coverages and limits:
Commercial General Liability Coverage:
$1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate
The Consultant must list the Town and the State of Vermont as Additional Insured on its
Commercial General Liability Policy.
Professional Liability Insurance:
Professional Liability Insurance Coverage for $1,000,000 each occurrence and $2,000,000 annual
aggregate.
The Consultant must list the Named Member as Additional Insured on their Professional Liability
Policy.
No warranty is made that the coverages and limits listed above are adequate to cover and protect the interests
of the Consultant. These are solely minimums that have been developed and must be met to protect the
interests of the Town.
CONTRACT AND PAYMENT
This will be a fixed-fee contract. The Consultant shall submit monthly invoices. Payment will be made
within 30 days from the date the Town accepts the invoice.
BASIS FOR SELECTION OF CONSULTANT
A consultant team will be selected based upon the following criteria:
1. Responsiveness to the RFP;
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2. Experience and qualifications;
Resume;
Experience on similar projects;
Experience working together as a team;
3. Availability/ability to work within time schedule;
4. Ability to work with the Hartford Historic Preservation Commission and Town staff;
5. Cost of the proposal;
6. Work samples, which can be provided by a link to the consultant's portfolio or emailed to
mosborn@hartford-vt.org
PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL
All proposals must be received by the Town Manager's Office no later than 3:00 p.m. on Monday,
August 17, 2026. E-mail or fax submittals will not be accepted. Proposals and/or modifications received
after this time will not be accepted or reviewed. Proposals shall be placed in a sealed envelope and
labeled: Redesign of the Veterans Park Kiosk Panels.
Submit 6 copies of the proposal and one copy of the work sample referenced earlier to:
Hartford Town Manager's Office
171 Bridge Street, Room 212
White River Junction, VT 05001
All proposals become the property of the Town of Hartford upon submission. The expense of preparing and
submitting a proposal is solely the responsibility of the Consultant. The Town of Hartford reserves the
right to modify any technical and submission requirements associated with this proposal and the scope of
work. The Town reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received, negotiate with any qualified
source, or cancel in part or in its entirety this RFP as is determined to be in the best interest of Town of
Hartford. This solicitation in no way obligates the Town to award a contract. If any bidder is aggrieved by
the award, they may appeal in writing to the Town. The appeal must be post-marked within seven (7)
calendar days following the date of written notice to award the contract.
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