The Town of Plymouth, NH is requesting qualifications & proposals for architectural, and engineering services related to the design and construction administration of a new Public Safety Complex (to be located at 291-295 Main St, Plymouth NH).
5 copies of the qualifications package and fee proposal should be sent (to the Contact listed below) in two separate envelopes clearly marked "Request for Qualifications" and "Request for Fee Proposal" on the exterior. Qualification information will be reviewed first, and fee proposals opened separately for those submissions deemed to be qualified based on previous project experience with the design of these types of facilities.
Submissions will be due on Friday, August 14th, 2026, at 4:00pm, at the office of the town manager located at 6 Post Office Square, Plymouth, NH, 03264. Submissions will be opened and reviewed on the week of August 17th by the Building Committee. A shortlist of candidates will be invited for an interview in the following weeks. A firm is expected to be chosen by October 19th, 2026.
It shall be the responsibility of the submitter to ensure that the proposal reaches the stated office by the stated date and time. The proposing firm must deliver hardcopy (hand delivery or mail / package delivery service) of their qualifications & proposals (facsimile, email, or telephone submissions will not be accepted).
Information or questions regarding this RFQ / RFP should be directed to Contact:
Person: Kevin Pierce
Title: Fire Chief & Interim Town Manager,
Address: 6 Post Office Square, Plymouth, NH 03264
Email: townmanager@plymouthnh.gov
Telephone: 603.536.1731 X112
Fax: 603.536.0036
INTRODUCTION:
Purpose: This document constitutes a request for sealed qualifications and proposal packages from architectural firms for the design and construction administration of the aforementioned facilities. It is the intent of the Town of Plymouth to complete a schematic design ("pre-bond" effort) for this facility along with a corresponding estimate of total project cost in time to present a warrant article to the voters at the March 2027 Town Meeting.
Background: The Plymouth Selectboard is committed to the comprehensive planning, design, and construction of a modern, multi-functional Public Safety-Community Center building. This vital project will consolidate essential public safety services (Police, Fire/Rescue), address critical operational deficiencies, and create a centralized, accessible (albeit size limited) community space that enhances public well-being, fosters civic engagement, and serves as a resilient asset for Plymouth's future that meets the needs of both organizations due to the changing demands of their jobs, mission, and the needs of the community.
Plymouth's current public safety facilities are aging, functionally inadequate, and no longer meet the operational, safety, and technological demands of a modern police and fire/rescue department, as identified by recent facility assessments. Furthermore, dedicated community room(s) provide opportunities to foster community interaction while also offering higher-quality training space for police, fire, local businesses, and community organizations. This integrated approach ensures fiscal efficiency, maximizes public benefit, and provides a durable, adaptable facility to serve Plymouth for decades to come.
Expectations: The firm whose services are retained as a result of this request will be expected to provide a full scope of professional design and engineering services from programming & design through construction administration. Additionally, it is anticipated that the project’s construction delivery method will be Construction management; it is expected that the Architect will assist the Town with this process.
QUALFICATIONS:
Description of the Firm/Team:
This section is intended to provide the Town with the Firm's information regarding the size, location, nature of work performed, years in business, etc. Identify consulting firms that are intended to be included as part of the A/E team.
Experience:
Use this section of the RFQ to provide the Town with a detailed summary of the Firm's experience in programming, design and construction administration for public safety projects (police and/or fire). Of particular interest will be projects of similar size and scope to those identified within this RFQ/RFP.
Team Personnel:
Identify all key personnel from the architectural firm and engineering consultants that will be participating in this project. Provide a brief resume (including pertinent experience) of those individuals and identify their roles on the team. All key personnel must be licensed to provide architectural and/or engineering services in the State of New Hampshire.
References:
Provide Owner's name and contact information as a reference for each project listed under the "experience" section of the submission.
Project Approach / Methodology:
Briefly describe the procedures your firm will use in conducting each phase of the project, from programming on through to construction administration. Indicate meetings, presentations, and other forms of communication that will be employed during the course of this project. Indicate what you see as the role of the Owner in this process, and what will the Owner be expected to provide or contribute during the course of the project. Indicate a proposed timeline for all services.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY GOAL:
The Town of Plymouth is committed to constructing a public safety building that serves as a model of energy efficiency and sustainability for our community. This project aims to significantly reduce operational costs, minimize environmental impact, and provide a healthy, comfortable, and resilient facility for our public safety personnel.
“Our objective is to achieve a high-performance building that exceeds minimum code requirements and demonstrates a long-term commitment to energy conservation.” Minimizing energy consumption and utilizing renewable energy will contribute to these goals.
FEE PROPOSAL:
Methodology:
Describe the method your firm proposes for establishing a lump sum fee for the services to be provided, as identified in this RFQ/RFP solicitation. Include all reimbursable expenses anticipated and a fee schedule for additional services. Identify what part of the fee will be apportioned to the "pre-bond" effort, if any.
Fee Proposal Submission:
Provide the above-mentioned fee information in a separate envelope clearly marked "Request for Fee Proposal". Only fee proposals of qualified/short-listed firms will be opened for consideration.
Insurance: The architect and engineers shall be required to provide to the Town of Plymouth the following Certificates of Insurance:
• General Liability: $2,000,000 per occurrence, $4,000,000 aggregate. Coverage shall provide for bodily injury and property damage.
• Automobile Liability: $1,000,000 combined single limit. Coverage shall include non-owned and hired vehicles.
• Worker's Compensation: The Statutory requirements of NH RSA Chapter 281 must be met.
• Professional Liability: $3,000,000 per claim, $3,000,000 aggregate.
SELECTION PROCESS:
The Town's Selectboard, along with the Town Manager, and Building Committee will review all Qualification submissions to determine a short list of firms for interviews. After this short list is established, the fee proposals from those firms will be opened for review. The Town reserves the right to choose a firm that it feels will best represent its interests in this endeavor, based on evaluating all information presented in the submission and during the interview process. Evaluation criteria will include, but necessarily be limited to, the following:
• Experience and expertise of the A/E team.
• Proposed timeline for completion of services.
• Project approach / methodology.
• Proposed fee structure.
• Completeness of proposal.
• Interview performance of candidate.
CONTRACT AWARD:
Intent: Based upon the respondent’s qualifications and completion of the requirements contained within this RFQ/RFP, and upon the results of the interview process, the Selectboard along with the Town Manager, and Building Committee will make the award to the selected firm. The Town of Plymouth reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, or to accept other than the lowest priced proposal, and to waive any informalities, omissions, excess wording, or technical defects found within submitted proposals, if in the opinion of the Town, such action would be in their best interest. The Town reserves the right to accept all or part of any submittal, or to cancel in part or in its entirety this RFQ/RFP. They further reserve the right to select the proposal that they consider will provide the best overall value to the Town.
This RFQ/RFP does not commit the Town, the Selectboard, or the Town Manager to pay costs incurred in the preparation and/or submittal of any response to this solicitation, and does not commit itself to procure or contract for any services.
GENERAL CONDITIONS:
PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
New Hampshire RSA 91-A, the Right-to-Know-Law, provides for public access to information the Town possesses. The Town cannot guarantee the confidentiality of information submitted, although it will make all efforts to ensure confidentiality within the bounds of RSA 91-A.
LIMITATIONS, REPRESENTATIONS & WARRANTIES
The Town makes no representations or warranties, including, without limitation, representations or warranties as to the accuracy of any information or assumptions contained in this RFQ or otherwise furnished to firms by the Town.
DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS
The firm shall disclose any indictment for any alleged felony, or any conviction for a felony within the past five years, under the laws of the United States or any state or territory of the United States, and shall describe circumstances for each. When a firm is an association, partnership, corporation, or other organization, this disclosure requirement includes the organization and its officers, partners, and directors or members of any similar governing body. If an indictment or conviction should come to the attention of the Town after the award of a contract, the Town may exercise its stop-work right pending further investigation, or terminate the agreement; the contractor may be subject to penalties for violation of any law which may apply in the particular circumstances. The firm must also disclose if they have ever been debarred or suspended by any agency of the U.S. Government or the New Hampshire State Department of Labor.
BROKERS
No brokerage fees, finders’ fees, commissions or other compensation will be payable by the Town in connection with the selection of a firm. Submission of qualifications by a firm in response to this RFQ will constitute an undertaking by the firm to hold harmless and indemnify the Town from and against any and all expenses, damage or liability (including, without limitation, attorney’s fees and disbursements) arising out of any claim for such fees, commissions or other compensation made in connection with firm’s response to this RFQ, selection or non-selection thereunder.