Date: March 23, 2015
Contact: Christie Anastasia, 207-288-8806
"We recognize that adding our rangers to narrate some private outdoor adventures in and around Acadia such as boat trips, bike rides, bus tours, and hikes provides a service to area visitors and attracts visitors to these area businesses," said Acadia Superintendent Sheridan Steele. "To be able to provide this service annually, we must competitively announce this service to local businesses in a Request for Proposals, as we have issued today. We must also assure that businesses fully cover the costs associated with providing NPS staffing for these services."
"We are hoping that area boat operators, kayak companies, bike shops, youth camps, bus tours, and other businesses that serve visitors to Acadia National Park will apply for ranger-led services," said Acadia Chief of Interpretation, Lynne Dominy. "We already offer four ranger-led boat tours with local companies so we are expanding the opportunities to all of the businesses that we think might benefit from these services. These Proposal Requests include: a Schoodic Boat Cruise with a Ranger, a Coastline Cruise with a Ranger, Paddling with a Ranger, Bicycling with a Ranger, Tidepooling with a Ranger, Connecting Youth with Rangers, Connecting Acadia-Focused Groups with Rangers, and any other ranger-led public service activities associated with Acadia National Park for which businesses wish to submit proposals."
All proposals that are consistent and compatible with the purpose and function of interpretation at Acadia National Park are welcome. Any person or organization meeting the specific requirements may participate in this competitive process. "It is very important that you submit complete proposals during the open competition period to be considered- on or before April 24, 2015," added Deputy Chief of Interpretation Christie Anastasia. "We are looking for proposals to begin this summer or next summer as we celebrate the 100 year anniversary of Acadia in 2016."
All proposals received within the stated time period will be evaluated by the National Park Service. Proposals will be evaluated by a National Park Service panel to assure that prospective businesses have the experience, equipment, business infrastructure, and demonstrated intent to provide the proposed services. Evaluation criteria are set forth in the Request for Proposals, along with historical, interpretive, and logistical data on the tours, and proposal submission requirements. The proposals considered to best meet the criteria will be selected and a final memorandum of agreement establishing the program logistics and costs will be developed.
Persons interested in submitting proposals may visiting Do Business With Us for complete proposal submission requirements or contact the park at 207-288-3338, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Questions may be submitted via email to christie_anastasia@nps.gov. Deadline for submissions to be received via mail or personal delivery is Monday, April 20, 2015 at 4:30 pm EST.
