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Contact: General Park Inforrmation, 305-242-7700 Contact: Chief of Commercial Services Southeast Region, Bill Stevens, 404-507-5636 Contact: Allyson Gantt, 305-242-7714
Everglades National Park, FL: On Wednesday, April 27, 2016, the National Park Service (NPS) released a prospectus calling for business proposals to provide commercial visitor services in the extremely popular Flamingo District and Long Pine Key areas of Everglades National Park. As part of an incentive for businesses, the NPS will pay down real property investments by the Concessioner up to $5 million upon completion and NPS approval of the cottages, restaurant, eco-tents and other concession facility improvements. The Prospectus describes in general terms the future business opportunities as well as the existing business operations for this area of the park. The Flamingo District of the park is located at the southern tip of the peninsula and boasts magnificent water recreation in the backcountry and expansive Florida Bay. Long Pine Key is a popular camping area closer to the entrance station in Homestead. With an average of one-half million visitors entering the park through the Homestead entrance each year as well as several hundred thousand boaters in Florida Bay this is a significant business opportunity. "We have heard from the community and our visitors for some time that they would like to see increased visitor services at the Flamingo area of the park. I am thrilled that we have the opportunity to expand these services with this call for proposals," said Superintendent Ramos. The prospectus outlines the package of visitor services that can be offered at Flamingo (38 miles from park headquarters) including small cottage and eco-tent lodging with food and beverage service, boat tours, canoe/kayak rentals, retail sales, skiff rentals, houseboat rentals, full service restaurant, marina services and slip rentals as well as a walk-in campground for both Long Pine Key and Flamingo. The contract term for operations at Flamingo has been expanded to twenty (20) years. The contract will require a minimum franchise fee to be paid to the NPS. The minimum franchise fee will be 1% of gross revenue for the first two years of the contract and 9% of the annual gross revenues for the remaining term of the contract. Information on historical revenues can be found in the prospectus. The park will not hold an official site visit. If you would like an informal site visit, please contact Bill Stevens at 404-507-5636 or Bill_G_Stevens@nps.gov The prospectus is available on the NPS website at https://concessions.nps.gov/ever001-17.html. Hardcopies are available upon request by sending a check or money order of $50.00 payable to the National Park Service at the address below. Please include a physical address (no post office boxes) and telephone number for FedEx delivery. Individuals obtaining a prospectus from the website should contact Mr. Stevens to ensure they receive future responses to questions or amendments to the prospectus. All contract offers must be received by Bill Stevens, Chief of Commercial Services, National Park Service, Southeast Region, 100 Alabama St. SW Bldg 1924, Atlanta, GA, 30303, no later than 4 p.m. on July 13, 2016. -EVER- |
Last updated: May 4, 2016