Invitation to Bid

Cilley Hill Dam Removal Study and Preliminary Design, Jericho, Vermont

Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District

 

Project Title: Cilley Hill Dam Removal Study and Preliminary Design, Jericho, Vermont

Contact Information: Daniel Koenemann, Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District (WNRCD), District Manager, Daniel@WinooskiNRCD.org | (802) 828 4493

 

Project Schedule: 

December 30, 2025 - RFP released

January 23, 2026 - Deadline for Questions

March 9, 2026, 11:59 PM - Receive proposals from Engineering Contractor (DUE DATE)

March 23, 2026 - Award Notification

April 2026 - Kick-Off Meeting

December 2026 - Project Completion (Funding Deadline)

 

Project Background

The Cilly Hill Dam (StateID: 107.03) is located in Jericho, Vermont on Cilley Hill Road (44.511871, -72.98649). The dam is a ten-foot, concrete-buttressed timber crib dam. The dam impounds the Browns River (HUC-12: 041504050201), a tributary of the Lamoille River (HUC-8: 04150405). 

The dam is historically significant to the local community, having been a fixture in the Town of Jericho for more than a century. Its primary role was as a power generating dam for an adjacent box factory. Winooski NRCD is in the process of contracting the UVM Consulting Archaeology program to conduct historic and archaeological resources assessments. 

 A 2010 Vermont Dam Safety inspection of the dam found that, despite emergency repairs in 2000-2001 and modifications in 2010, the dam remained in relatively poor condition with safety deficiencies. The extent of the deficiencies, however, were not well documented at the time. As a result, the hazard status remains at "minimal", though the State has recommended that it be studied for removal.  

The potential benefits associated with the removal of the dam go beyond public safety. The removal of the dam and the restoration of the adjacent area, will likely restore access of the river to its floodplain, improving river stability and lowering flood risk. The elimination of the impoundment will lower water temperatures and allow sediment movement through the reach, improving brook trout habitat. Similarly, the removal of the dam removes a major aquatic barrier to organism passage and opens up approximately 25 upstream miles for brook trout and other aquatic organisms. 

There are mixed feelings among Town residents as to whether or not the dam should be removed. As a result, the Town of Jericho Select Board voted to conduct a feasibility study concerning the removal of the dam along with a concurrent review of the structure’s historical significance. This RFP seeks to select an engineer to conduct a feasibility study (including preliminary design) for the removal of the dam and the ecological restoration of the site. 

 

Scope of Services Requested 

The purpose of this study is to determine the logistics, obstacles, costs, benefits, and disadvantages of removing the Cilley Hill Dam in Jericho, Vermont. With the exception of historic resource considerations, which will be dealt with in a separate study, this purpose can be accomplished through the following tasks. 

 

Task 1: Data Collection

The first task includes a desktop survey of existing data (dam inspections, existing plans, flood damage information, available GIS mapping), a field survey of the site and conditions, the mapping of invasive species at the site, an assessment of habitats present at the site (ex. wetlands), probing/sampling/testing of impounded sediments for contaminants (metals, PAHs, and organic contaminants), an estimate of impounded sediment volume, stream geomorphic assessment, structural/geotechnical/utilities assessments, and photo-rendering of post-dam removal conditions. Winooski NRCD and VNRC will coordinate with landowners to provide access to the site. 

 

Task 2: Hydrology Calculations and Hydraulic Modeling

The second task includes the estimation of river flows, river analysis (RAS) model setup, and 

RAS model validation. These models must show the hydrological impacts of the dam removal both up and downstream of the dam. The models must provide an assessment of how much river elevation will be lowered following the removal of the dam. The engineer will also conduct an inundation analysis using these models.

 

Task 3: Alternatives Analysis and Preliminary Design

The third task uses the information from Tasks 1 and 2 to conduct an alternatives analysis to present the likely impacts of dam removal on the surrounding environment under different scenarios. The engineers will then meet with the project team to discuss these alternatives. The engineer will evaluate up to three alternatives. The results will be compiled into a brief memo highlighting key findings and a general opinion on dam removal feasibility.

At this point, if presented with insurmountable obstacles to the removal of the dam, the team may decide not to proceed with the design phase of this proposal. If the decision is made to continue, the engineers will complete a preliminary design for the removal of the dam that includes at least the removal footprint, volume of dam to be removed, volume of sediment to be removed, and an opinion of probable cost for final designs and the removal of the dam. 

 

Task 4: Stakeholder Meetings

The engineers will be responsible for organizing the following meetings: 

• A kick-off meeting with the major stakeholders (Winooski NRCD, VNRC, USFWS, officials of Town of Jericho, etc.) in April 2026.
• A virtual check-in meeting/progress report meeting in July/August 2026.
• A meeting following the completion of Tasks 1 and 2.
• A meeting to discuss the preliminary designs (if produced). 
• The engineers will also be responsible for appearing at one public meeting of the Select Board of the Town of Jericho to assist in the presentation of the findings and to answer questions. 

The engineers will produce minutes from each stakeholder meeting.

 

Task 5: Permit Consultation

The engineers will identify the likely permits necessary in the event of removal, and produce written confirmation from appropriate regulators. These determinations must be included in the final report. 

 

Deliverables

Task 1: Project base map. Memo summarizing data collected. Photo-rendering of post-dam removal conditions.

Task 2: Memo summarizing the findings of the hydrological modeling.

Task 3: Memo summarizing the findings of the alternatives analysis and feasibility of removal. Preliminary designs for dam removal. Opinion of probable cost for dam removal and final designs. 

Task 4: Minutes from all stakeholder meetings.

Task 5: Final report including a summary of all findings, preliminary designs, opinions of probable cost, and necessary permits. 

 

Services Not Requested 

Archaeological and Historical Resource Assessments will be contracted by Winooski NRCD independently and will not be a part of this contract. 

 

Proposal Submission Guidelines 

NOTE: Not all adjacent landowners are supportive of dam removal. Site visits made in preparing proposals to this RFP should take care to respect private property. 

 

All proposals must include:

• The name and contact information of the engineer who will perform the work, and their firm (if applicable). A list of staff who will be part of the project team, brief description of their qualifications, and their hourly rates. The resume of the engineering firm and others expected to work with the engineering firm.
• The fee requested by the engineering firm with a cost breakdown by task and split across labor, supplies, with specifications for project or services including quantity, design, etc., and other categories as appropriate. All costs associated with developing or submitting documents in response to this solicitation and/or in providing oral or written clarification of its content shall be borne by the bidder.
• A description of the engineering firm's relevant experience demonstrating familiarity and experience with similar projects. Photos or diagrams of the consultant’s work may be added as a supplement to this section.
• A list of at least two references familiar with the engineering firm, including the name, email, and telephone number of each reference.
• A proposed timeline with identified milestones for completing the scope of services requested, including a final delivery or completion date. Please use the project schedule provided for guidance.
• A description of the approach to be taken in addressing the scope of services detailed above. Specific tasks need to be thoroughly described and any proposed additions or changes from this request clearly highlighted. 
• A description of any tasks that will be subcontracted, including the names of possible subcontractors.
• The applicant should feel free to include any other information or tasks the applicant believes is necessary to inform the study as additional options/suggestions, each with their own line item in the budget. 

 

Please email proposal submissions in PDF or Word format to Daniel Koenemann (daniel@winooskinrcd.org) and CC Karina Dailey (kdailey@vnrc.org) and Julie Butler (julie_butler@fws.gov). Paper copies will not be considered. Proposals will be accepted up until the due date as listed above. Please submit all questions to the contact listed above. Proposals should note and explain/justify all confidential or proprietary items in their responses.

 

Project Budget

All payments will be made after satisfactory completion of each deliverable as outlined in an agreement between the Winooski NRCD and the selected entity. Note that contract payments are contingent upon review, approval and acceptance of contract deliverables by Winooski NRCD staff.

Type of Contract

Winooski NRCD anticipates that, if a contract is entered into as a result of this RFP, it will be a contract of "not-to-exceed amounts" for the tasks identified in the Scope of Services.  

 

Site Visits

Parking is available on the road. Private property should be respected. 

 

Contractor Provisions

All contractors must comply with any and all applicable laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, regulations, and/or requirements of federal, state, and local governments and agencies thereof which relate to, or in any manner affect the performance of this agreement. Those requirements imposed upon the Winooski NRCD, as recipients of funds are thereby passed along to the contractor. All contractors must comply with all pertinent federal, state, and local laws and must carry adequate insurance coverage. Selected firm will be expected to meet state minimum standards for worker’s comp, insurance and liability coverage and to comply with all Standard State Contracting Provisions (Attachments A and B). Firms will need to provide Winooski NRCD with a Certificate of Insurance and a W-9 prior to contract execution. 

 

Project Partners and WNRCD

Project partners include representatives from the Vermont Natural Resources Council and United State Fish and Wildlife Service.

 

Winooski NRCD is an equal opportunity employer.  Review of proposals shall not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, color or sex. Thank you for your interest!