Development of a System-Wide Strategic Facility Plan 

Prepared by: North Country Healthcare (NCH), New Hampshire
RFP Issued: 
Proposal Due: April 10, 2026 

Our Why: Framing the Work Ahead  

North Country Healthcare (NCH) is more than a network of buildings and business units. We are a rural Healthcare System built on access, resilience, and deep community trust. Our System includes: 

• Androscoggin Valley Hospital – Berlin, NH 

• Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital – Colebrook, NH 

• Weeks Medical Center – Lancaster, NH 

• North Country Home Health & Hospice Agency – Littleton, NH 

• All Satellite clinics and locations (Included in appendix A) 

Each location serves its own community with a unique history and footprint. And yet, we are united by a shared responsibility to evolve. Rural healthcare is at an inflection point. Facilities designed for inpatient volume must now flex toward outpatient growth, integrated care models, and financial sustainability. 

This RFP signals our commitment to plan intentionally, invest wisely, and ensure our spaces support our mission. The Strategic Facility Plan (SFP) will serve as a foundational decision-making tool for the NCH System Board and affiliate leadership teams. It will support capital prioritization, philanthropic readiness, and regulatory alignment. While each affiliate maintains its own governance, this plan will guide System-wide investments through a unified framework and shared set of priorities. 

We are seeking a living, usable plan that helps guide future decisions, secure funding, and support strategic alignment across the System. 

Purpose and Vision 

North Country Healthcare is seeking a qualified consulting partner to develop a 10 to 15-year Strategic Facility Plan. The plan must serve as both a high-level strategic roadmap and a practical implementation tool. It should: 

• Reflect the condition, use, and future readiness of all facilities 

• Forecast needs based on market shifts, demographics, and clinical priorities 

• Incorporate care delivery trends such as outpatient and virtual care models 

• Include feasibility assessments and realistic phasing strategies 

• Present scenario-based planning options by site 

• Provide financial projections and risk assumptions for each scenario 

• Support grant-seeking, donor engagement, and regulatory compliance 

• Align with NCH’s mission, vision, and System-wide priorities of care delivery. 

This is not just a construction plan. It is a long-term strategy for how and where we deliver care to the people who depend on us, while optimizing our assets to ensure our sound stewardship and fiscal responsibility. 

Scope of Work 

North Country Healthcare (NCH) seeks a qualified consultant to develop a Strategic Facility Plan that provides actionable, data-driven guidance for facility investments across its System and Affiliates. The resulting plan should serve as a roadmap to align capital investments with future care delivery models, population needs, and rural healthcare realities. 

The consultant will be expected to perform a comprehensive analysis that includes, but is not limited to, the following components: 

Future Needs Forecasting and Market Demand Analysis 

• Conduct service line analysis across all affiliates, incorporating community health indicators, demographic shifts, and payer mix trends. 

• Model demand projections for inpatient, outpatient, emergency, procedural, and ancillary services at 5-, 10-, and 15-year intervals. 

• Forecast workforce and provider needs based on recruitment plans, care delivery trends, and rural access goals. 

• Analyze market share, leakage, and referral patterns to understand opportunities for strategic growth or consolidation. 

• Identify service gaps, duplicative offerings, and potential partnerships across the region. 

• Review and update the 2021 Medical Staff Development Plan to align with projected service line trajectories. 

• Where data is unavailable, propose reasonable assumptions and modeling standards to ensure consistency across affiliates. 

Facility Assessment and Operational Review 

• Conduct comprehensive walkthroughs of all clinical and administrative facilities in the NCH System. 

• Evaluate infrastructure integrity, mechanical/electrical/plumbing (MEP) Systems, information technology readiness, and regulatory compliance. 

• Document deferred maintenance, functional space limitations, and operational risks. 

• Assess current layout, space utilization, and departmental adjacencies. 

• Provide site-level documentation that includes diagrams, flow assessments, and facility condition summaries. 

Scenario Planning and Feasibility Strategy 

• Develop at least two future-state planning scenarios for each affiliate campus (e.g., renovation, consolidation, greenfield development). 

• Generate visual tools such as conceptual diagrams, adjacency matrices, site maps, and alternative use cases. 

• Estimate high-level capital costs for each scenario, including soft costs, site work, and contingencies. 

• Outline realistic phasing strategies and implementation of roadmaps for each scenario. 

• Conduct a feasibility analysis of the recommended pathways, incorporating regulatory, operational, financial, and workforce factors. 

• Present trade-offs and critical decision points for System and Board consideration. 

Deliverables 

• A comprehensive Strategic Facility Plan covering both System-level guidance and site-specific recommendations. 

• Executive summary and board-facing presentation decks suitable for strategic planning and philanthropic use. 

• Visual outputs including diagrams, layouts, and scenario comparisons tailored for varied stakeholders. 

• Clear articulation of phased investment options, feasibility checkpoints, and estimated costs. 

• Recommendations must be implementation-ready, visually compelling, and formatted for use in grant submissions, public communication, and internal project planning. 

Proposal Submission Requirements 

All proposals must include the following components: 

Firm Overview 

• Firm Overview 

• Legal name, ownership structure, office locations 

• Experience with rural health Systems, critical access hospitals, and multi-campus planning 

• Alignment with nonprofit healthcare values and capital planning processes 

Project Team 

• Names, bios, and roles of key staff 

• Identification of subcontractors or specialty consultants including reporting structure 

• Points of contact for project management and lead architecture/planning 

Approach and Methodology 

• Planning methodology and stakeholder engagement strategy 

• Stakeholder engagement must include representation from Affiliate boards, clinical and operational leaders, and community partners. Proposals should describe methods for facilitating alignment among independently governed organizations and integrating stakeholder input into the final plan. 

• Communication cadence and reporting structure 

• Tools or software platforms used for modeling, analysis, and visualization 

• Your perspective on how design should intersect with strategic planning 

Relevant Experience 

• Minimum of three comparable projects completed in the last five years 

• Summary of scope, outcomes, and client contact information 

• Preference given to work involving rural, nonprofit, or multi-entity Systems 

Timeline 

• Estimated schedule, including planning phases, key milestones, and final deliverables 

• Availability to begin work in September 2026 

Cost Proposal 

• Total proposed cost, including fees, travel, and reimbursables 

• Optional services or enhancements listed separately 

• Billing terms and assumptions 

Selection Criteria 

Proposals will be reviewed based on the following: 

• Relevant Experience | 25%  

• Methodology & Approach | 25%  

• Project Team & Capacity | 20%  

• Alignment with NCH Needs & Context | 15%  

• Cost & Value | 15%  

NCH will prioritize partners who demonstrate a grounded understanding of rural healthcare, a practical and data-informed approach, and a collaborative spirit aligned with the mission of the System. Shortlisted firms may be invited for a virtual or in-person interview. 

Project Timeline 

Submission Instructions 

Submit one consolidated PDF proposal electronically to: 

Ren Anderson
Director of Philanthropy & Community Relations
North Country Healthcare
[email protected]
 

Questions should be submitted by email only. 

Electronic Proposals must be received by 04/10/2026. Late or incomplete proposals may not be considered. 

Proposal Format and Page Limits 

To ensure a fair and efficient review process, North Country Healthcare requests that proposals adhere to the following format: 

Main Narrative Proposal: Maximum 20 pages
This includes the executive summary, firm overview, methodology, team bios, approach, and budget narrative. It should be concise, clearly written, and focused on the requested scope. 

Appendices: May be included as needed (no strict page limit)
Appendices may include detailed project examples, resumes, references, diagrams, charts, maps, or additional materials that support your response. These should be clearly labeled and referenced within the main proposal where applicable. 

Formatting Guidelines: 

• • • Minimum 11-point font 

• • • 1-inch margins 

• • • PDF format only 

• • • Submit as a single consolidated file 

Additional Information 

• North Country Healthcare reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal, in whole or in part 

• All preparation costs are the responsibility of the submitting firm 

• Final scope and terms will be determined during contract negotiation. NCH seeks a collaborative partner invested in the long-term vitality of rural healthcare. Firms demonstrating flexibility, innovation, and an understanding of the community context will be viewed favorably. 

Appendix A | System Overview & Affiliate Profiles  

North Country Healthcare (NCH) is a regional health system committed to improving health outcomes for the communities of northern New Hampshire. As a nonprofit, mission-driven organization, NCH brings together four Affiliate organizations under a shared vision: to improve lives by assuring consistently excellent, integrated healthcare.  

NCH’s Affiliates serve distinct yet interconnected populations, each contributing unique clinical strengths, community relationships, and historical legacies. Together, they form a coordinated network of care that spans the continuum, from primary and specialty care to home-based and end-of-life services. 

• Androscoggin Valley Hospital (AVH)
  Located in Berlin, NH, AVH provides a wide range of acute care services including emergency medicine, general surgery, and specialized outpatient programs. It serves the residents of the Androscoggin Valley and surrounding rural towns with a focus on delivering the best healthcare and experience for every patient, every day. 

• Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital (UCVH)
  Based in Colebrook, NH, UCVH is a critical access hospital providing 24/7 emergency services, primary care, and diagnostic testing. Known for its commitment to care continuity and personalized attention, UCVH plays a vital role in meeting the needs of some of the most remote areas in New Hampshire, striving to improve the well-being of the rural communities we serve by promoting health and ensuring access to quality care.  

• Weeks Medical Center (WMC)
  Headquartered in Lancaster, NH, WMC includes a hospital campus and several outpatient clinics across the region. It is a teaching affiliate for the White Mountains Medical Education Consortium and offers family medicine, behavioral health, and more. Weeks Medical Center’s compassionate staff is committed to providing high quality and efficient health care services to ensure the well-being of our patients, families, and communities. 

• North Country Home Health & Hospice Agency (NCHHHA)
  NCHHHA delivers skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and hospice care to patients in the comfort of their homes. With a team of dedicated nurses, aides, and volunteers, the agency provides essential care and emotional support to individuals and families navigating complex medical needs with their Mission to improve lives by caring for patients and families as they navigate their healthcare journey at home. 

Each Affiliate maintains operational independence while participating in systemwide planning, shared services, and strategic initiatives. This collaborative model allows NCH to align clinical priorities with local needs while leveraging system-wide efficiencies. 

 Appendix B | Facility Inventory & Maps  

• List of clinical and administrative facilities

•  Site maps or floorplans:

AVH Floor Plans for MFP: AVH Floor Plans Combined | AVH BC | AVH Gorham Clinic | AVH Hospital Floor Plans | AVH North Conway | Floor Plan Small Space NC | AVH PC

UCVH Infomation: ACAD – 231022_Base-03 | NCH 141 Corliss FLR1 – ground floor planrev01-13-23 | NCH 141 Corliss FLR1 – x ground floor plan8-2-23 | UCVH Facility updated 8-5-0525 | West Stewartstown Patient Care Clinic | West Stewartstown Clinic

WMC Information: 199.09.27 WMCMP Groveton | Lifesafetydwg | LPCC Master Plan Sheets | WMC Life Safety LS.1_2023.03.22 | WMC Life Safety LS.2_2023.03.22 | WMC Life Safety LS.3_2023.03.22 | WEEKS NCH PC_A.1 Home Health | Whitefield A-101 Ground Floor Plan | Whitefield A-201 Main Floor Plan

Appendix C | Demographic & Utilization Data  

• Community Health Needs Assessment 

• Utilization reports or affiliate dashboard metrics 

• Payer mix summaries 

Appendix D | Workforce & Provider Landscape 

• Updated Medical Staff Development Plan (2021 version noted for review) 

• Provider counts (MD, DO, APP) per affiliate 

• Staff recruitment goals and current vacancies 

• Any recruitment or HR projections by site (if available) 

 Appendix E | Strategic Alignment 

• Most recent Strategic Plan 

 Appendix F | Proposal Evaluation Scorecard 

Total Points Possible: 100
Each reviewer should independently assign a score in each category based on how well the proposal addresses the specific criteria. 

Reviewer Notes Section 

• Strengths Observed:
  [Write observations about team chemistry, standout tools, innovation, or anything notable.] 

• Concerns or Gaps:
  [Write anything missing or weak in the proposal, such as limited rural experience, unclear visuals, etc.] 

• Overall Recommendation:
  ☐ Highly Recommend
  ☐ Recommend with Reservations
  ☐ Do Not Recommend

Appendix G | Legal & Contractual Requirements 

• We require vendors to carry insurance with liability covering $1,000,000 per occurrence with a $3,000,000 general aggregate that names North Country Healthcare as a covered entity.
• NCH BAA Template
•  Prior to entering into a contract, we will query the Office of Inspector General (OIG) List of Excluded Individuals and the System for Award Management (SAM) to ensure that the vendor is not ineligible to participate in federal or state health care programs.

Questions? R. Anderson | [email protected]