SECTION 1 – INTRODUCTION
1.1 Intent
The Town of Derry, New Hampshire, through its Department of Public Works (DPW), is soliciting Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) from qualified professional engineering firms to provide planning, design, permitting, bidding, and related Professional Engineering services for the upcoming Derry Rail Trail Extension Haley Drive Northern Segment from North High Street to the Londonderry Town Line. This is a NHDOT Local Public Agency (LPA) Project.
The Town intends to use this qualifications-based solicitation to select one (1) engineering firm with demonstrated expertise in multimodal transportation design.
1.2 Background
The Town of Derry currently owns and maintains approximately 3.5 miles of asphalt-paved Rail Trail extending from the Windham, NH town line northerly to its current terminus at North High Street in Derry, where it intersects the limits of the Exit 4A Contract, which is presently under construction.
There are two segments remaining to bring Derry’s Rail Trail to the Londonderry town line.
Exit 4A Culvert Section (400 feet) – This segment of the Rail Trail has been the subject of litigation involving the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), challenging the construction of Phase 2 of the Exit 4A I-93 expansion in Derry. While the Town has not received formal notification from NHDOT, it has been reported that a settlement has been reached requiring NHDOT to construct the Derry Rail Trail Tunnel as part of the Exit 4A expansion project. NHDOT will be responsible for both the design and construction of this work.
Phase 4 Extension (The subject of this QBS) – This segment of the Rail Trail will extend from North High Street to the Londonderry town line (approximately 1,450 feet). This segment is not currently owned by the Town of Derry and will require the acquisition of easements. In addition, the project will involve a stream crossing and significant regrading, conditions that were not factors in the development of previous trail segments. No cost estimates have been prepared to date for Phase 4. The Town has secured funding for this project through NHDOT.
Considerations:
- The project will be administered in accordance with NHDOT Local Public Agency (LPA) requirements and applicable federal regulations.
- The rail corridor in this section is privately owned. The Town will need to secure access rights prior to any survey work.
- The initial phases will include an Engineering Study then Preliminary Design, each of which will require NHDOT review and approval.
- The project will include a stream crossing which will require an engineered box culvert/bridge.
- The design process will include attendance at public meetings.
1.3 Submission Information
This RFQ requires the submission of a SOQ in the form and in the manner set forth in this solicitation. All submissions must be received by the DPW no later than 2:00 PM APRIL 21, 2026
Delivery Address:
Town of Derry – Department of Public Works
14 Manning Street
Derry, NH 03038
Submissions must be received no later than the date and time noted above. Late submissions may not be accepted.
The SOQs should be either GBC bound or placed in a three-ring binder. Two (2) hard copies with one (1) thumb drive with electronic copy of the SOQ shall be submitted by placing them in a suitably sized envelope or shipping box labeled with the words:
“TOWN OF DERRY PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS; RFQ #26-114”
1.4 Questions and Requests for Clarification
Questions regarding this RFQ shall be submitted in writing via email to:
Samuel Fazioli
Engineering Coordinator
Town of Derry Department of Public Works
Questions must be received no later than 7 days prior to the submission deadline. Include RFQ #26-114 in the subject line of the email. Responses will be issued via written addendum.
SECTION 2 – SCOPE OF SERVICES
2.1 General Scope
The Town of Derry is seeking experienced, full-service, professional consultants to provide Professional Engineering services related to multimodal transportation infrastructure projects. Services may include, but are not limited to:
- Engineering studies, evaluations, and alternatives analyses
- Existing conditions surveys
- Alternatives analysis for stream crossings
- Hydraulic analysis
- Easement plan development
- Preparing preliminary and final design drawing packages including plans, profiles and construction details adhering to all Town, State, and Federal standards and specifications
- Cost estimating
- Permitting and regulatory coordination (NHDES, EPA, etc.)
- Preparation and review of bidding and contract documents
- Construction administration and resident inspection
- Federal and state funding assistance
2.2 Qualifications
The Town is seeking firms with demonstrated expertise in the following areas:
- Bicycle, pedestrian, and multimodal facilities
- Federal, NHDOT, and Town of Derry standards, specifications, and procedures
- The NHDOT Local Public Agency process for all phases of a project
- Firms should have staff with NHDOT LPA Certification
- NHDOT and Municipal Project Management, Coordination, and Compliance
- Drainage, Stormwater, and Erosion Control Design
SECTION 3 – STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS
Each firm responding to this RFQ shall submit a detailed Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) that includes the following:
3.1 Firm Information
- Firm name, address, and contact information
- Description of firm and areas of expertise
- Location of principal office and, if different, the location of office(s) that would support the Town of Derry if selected
3.2 Relevant Experience
- Description of the firm’s experience as it relates to the Town of Derry’s needs as described in Section 2.
- Summaries of three (3) to five (5) relevant projects, including client references; References shall include:
- Project Name
- Description of Project
- Project Address
- Client’s Name
- Name of Client’s Project Manager
- Contact Information for Client
- Year Completed
- Project Duration
- Original Contract Amount (preconstruction and construction services)
- Final Contract Amount (preconstruction and construction services)
3.3 Project Team
- Description of the proposed staffing plan and team organization that the firm intends to utilize to meet the Town of Derry’s needs.
- Qualifications of key personnel that will work on Town of Derry projects shall be presented in resume form and shall include the following:
- Name, current job title, total years of experience, total years with the firm, current office location, responsibilities, and type of work performed, and role/classification that the individual would provide on the Town of Derry’s projects
- Educational background, academic degrees, relevant certifications, professional affiliations, and key publications
- Experience on projects related to the selected discipline, including any experience that precedes the employee’s current position
3.4 Project Approach
- Firm’s understanding of the Derry Rail Trail Extension Haley Drive Northern Segment project
- General approach to project delivery, coordination, cost control, quality control, and safety
3.5 Capacity and Availability
- Size of firm’s offices anticipated to be utilized in the management and performance of the work
- Current and anticipated (next 12-24 months) workload and ability to meet anticipated schedules
- Demonstrated responsiveness and coordination with municipal clients
3.6 Other Information
The SOQ may also include additional sections for any other information that the firm feels is relevant to the Town’s review and evaluation process.
SECTION 4 – FEE NEGOTIATION
Proposals will be evaluated using a quality-based selection process. A fee will be negotiated after the selection process.
Please do not include a fee with the RFQ response.
SECTION 5 – SELECTION PROCESS
5.1 Evaluation and Selection
Statements of Qualifications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Firm experience with similar projects
- Qualifications of proposed project team
- Understanding of project needs and approach
- Capacity and ability to perform the work
The Town reserves the right to conduct interviews with short-listed firms prior to selection.
5.2 Award of Contract
Upon selection, the Town shall negotiate hourly rates, profit, and markup on sub-consultant fees with the selected consultant.
Upon successful conclusion of negotiations, the Town shall enter into contract with the selected consultant for the duration of the project, anticipated not to exceed three (3) years. It is possible that the contractual relationship could be extended beyond the 3-year period, at the Town’s discretion.
If the Town and a selected consultant are unable to negotiate rates that are satisfactory for both parties, the Town shall void the selection of that firm and may negotiate with other consultants on the list of qualified consultants.
The Town will provide a standard consultant contract for negotiation and execution with selected firms. All negotiated rates shall be fixed for the first year of the contract and may be adjusted based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Boston-Brockton-Nashua (using the Portsmouth formula) annually thereafter on July 1st or shall use the annual salary escalation rate published by NHDOT in January of each year for consultant cost escalation, as mutually agreed by both the consultant and the Town.
SECTION 6 – GENERAL CONDITIONS
6.1 Insurance
Once a firm has been notified of award, evidence of insurance shall be provided including but not limited to general liability, property and casualty, errors and omissions, and worker’s compensation insurance. This evidence shall be shown on a Certificate of Insurance issued by the firm’s insurance carrier(s). The Town of Derry, NH shall be listed as an additional insured on all Certificates of Insurance. Each year, the consultant shall provide the Town with a valid Certificate of Insurance.
6.2 General Terms and Conditions
The Town of Derry reserves the right to reject any or all submissions, waive informalities, and select the firm(s) deemed to be in the best interest of the Town.
All costs associated with preparation of this Request for Qualifications and Statement of Qualifications shall be the responsibility of the responding firm. The Town is under no obligation to reimburse responding firms for the aforementioned.
End of Request for Qualifications