2024 Request for Proposals - Campground Store

National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
11999 State Highway 150 Mosca, CO 81146

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Request for Proposals

March 25, 2024

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (GRSA) is seeking a Vendor to provide sales of vended beverages and firewood at the Pinon Flats Campground. These services will be conducted under a commercial use authorization (CUA) and the agreement period is for two years (2024-2025 season).

I. Organizational Overview

The park is located in the high San Luis Valley of south-central Colorado at an elevation of 8,175 feet (~2500 meters). The San Luis Valley is bordered by Poncha Pass on the north, the San Juan Mountains on the west, and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains on the east. To the south, the San Luis Valley extends into New Mexico along the Rio Grande.
The Valley is a discrete cultural region rich in Hispanic culture and place names. Cattle ranching and irrigated agriculture (especially potatoes and alfalfa) are two primary land uses in the Valley. Blanca Peak, the fourthhighest mountain in Colorado and sacred to some Native peoples, towers over the Valley, southeast of the park.

Sand, sun, wind, and water provide a land of elemental contrasts at the dunes. Early and late in the day, shadows lengthen and muted colors melt into one another. Sand ridge shadows paint striking patterns across the dune mass. At midday, intense solar radiation unimpeded by the thin atmosphere can heat sand to scorching temperatures. At the foot of the dunes, Medano Creek's surging waters provide a delightful contrast to the barren sand surface in the spring and early summer. In the springtime, strong winds can blow for days; countless sand grains scour everything in their path.

The park is part of a fragile, dynamic system that influences and sustains the dunes. The dune mass is a huge deposit of pure sand nestled against the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The sand sheet surrounds the dune mass and is stabilized by grasses and other low-growing plant life.

II. Location Description & Use Statistics

Piñon Flats is a National Park Service campground located one mile north of the Visitor Center, open April through October. There are 88 individual sites as well as 3 group sites.

Individual sites can be booked up to 6 months in advance and the group sites a year in advance. The yearly average number of campers is 50,000.
The closest town is Alamosa, Colorado (population 9,759). Alamosa has a hospital, schools, supermarket, convenience stores, a small movie theater, restaurants, motels, and fuel stations. Several smaller settlements (Moffat, Hooper, Mosca, and Crestone) lie closer to the park.

The campground store (Building 38) is located between Loop 1 and Loop 2 of Pinion Flats campground and will be assigned to the CUA holder. Building 38 is comprised of a main shop area measuring 19.5 feet x 9.5 fee and an attached storage area that measures 9.5 feet x 5.5 feet. Electricity for Building 38 is independently metered and will be the responsibility of the CUA holder. Building 38 is equipped with several interior and exterior electrical outlets.

The CUA holder may also use the three vending machines installed in the following locations: visitor center, main dunes lot, and the campground store. The beverage vending machines are not owned by GRSA, and the maintenance and upkeep of the vending machines is the responsibility of the CUA holder.

III.Operations

A. Required Services

1. Non-alcoholic Beverage Vending

The CUA Holder must provide vended, non-alcoholic beverage sales on a year-round basis. There are currently three vending machines, provided by Coca-Cola, located at the visitor center, main dunes lot, and the campground store. The CUA holder may use these machines, pending an agreement with the vendor. The CUA holder may also provide their own vending machines in the same locations, subject to Service approval. Brand information should be visible only when at the machine. The CUA holder may not place cigarette vending machines within the Area.

The CUA holder must keep all machines clean, stocked, and in working order. The CUA holder will be responsible for maintaining and servicing the machines. The CUA holder must work with Western National Parks Association to develop an agreement for issuing refunds to vending machine patrons, as needed.
Vended beverages must meet the following requirements at each location:

• Non-alcoholic
• 12oz. minimum size
• Recyclable cans or bottles
• Include bottled or boxed water
• At least one diet and one non-caffeinated variety, in addition to water

2. Campground Store & Firewood Sales

The CUA Holder must provide firewood and retail sales of sundries and limited camping supplies out of the campground store on a seasonal basis. The campground operating season is from April 1st to October 31st, but campground store operations generally occur from May 1 to September 30.
The CUA Holder must operate on Friday and Saturday from May 1 through Memorial Day weekend and the weekend after Labor Day weekend through September 30. The CUA Holder must operate five days a week from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Business days must include Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Primary hours of operation must occur between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. and include at least two consecutive hours each evening. The CUA Holder may expand these operating hours.

The CUA Holder must provide its proposed schedule to the Service at least two weeks prior to May 1. The CUA Holder must operate on a consistent schedule regarding days and hours of operation that it has prominently posted on the front of the campground store. The CUA Holder must provide all required services in a consistent, quality manner.

Required Product Description:

The CUA Holder must provide the following items for sale, at a minimum:

a) Firewood
i. Fully-cured, locally-sourced, soft wood (pine, spruce, etc) firewood acquired from outside the Park.
ii. Wood must be split and bundled for sale
iii. Minimum of 0.75 cubic foot bundles, including kindling
iv. Biodegradable twine for bundling firewood is preferable; however, the CUA Holder may propose alternative bundling methods to the Service for approval on a trial basis
v. The Services encourages the use of lower emission composite fuels when and wherever possible.

b) Non-aerosol insect repellent

c) Non-aerosol sunscreen

d) Bagged ice

On scheduled days of operation, the CUA Holder must make at least two trips per evening around each of the campground loops to offer firewood for sale. Of the two trips, the CUA Holder must make the final trip no earlier than one hour prior to closing for the evening. The CUA Holder may limit payment for firewood and incidentals to ‘cash only’.

The CUA Holder is authorized to maintain a self-serve, firewood supply within the land assignment near the campground store. The CUA Holder must provide payment envelopes and a self-serve payment depository and may limit payment for firewood to ‘cash only’. The CUA Holder must provide a padlock to the payment depository and keep all keys to the padlock in the CUA Holder’s control. The Service is not responsible for monitoring or maintaining the payment depository.

Authorized Product Descriptions

The CUA Holder may provide additional products for sale, with Service approval. At least two weeks prior to the scheduled opening, the CUA Holder must submit a list describing all proposed products to the Service. The CUA Holder must submit written requests for additional products prior to any anticipated purchase. In no circumstance will the Service approve the sale of perishable food or beverages that are subject to United States Public Health inspections. The sale of alcohol and tobacco products is prohibited.

If the CUA Holder provides an ice machine, the CUA Holder must place it in a location easily identified, appropriately illuminated, and the machine must be of a design and color that complements the aesthetics of the building and surroundings. Any location is subject to the prior approval of the Service. The CUA Holder must keep all machines clean, properly stocked, and in good working condition.

Fire Bans

In the event of extreme fire conditions, the Service may impose a fire ban prohibiting all fires, including fires in the campground. During a campground fire ban, the Service will not require the CUA Holder to operate on a daily basis; however, the CUA Holder must continue to provide vended beverages at all of the designated locations.

B. Rates

The CUA Holder must set rates for all products sold in a manner which is comparable to similar services provided by the private sector. For retail sales, the CUA Holder must use Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Pricing (MSRP), if available. The Service reserves the right to review and approve rates for all products sold.

The CUA Holder must prominently post all rates for goods and services provided to the public. All signs must be professionally made (e.g., computer generated) and not hand-printed.

C. Staffing and Employment

All employees in contact with the public must wear a personal nametag identifying them as an employee of the CUA Holder. Employees must project a neat and clean appearance and a friendly, helpful, and positive attitude.
Drivers of any CUA Holder-owned vehicles must have a valid state issued operator’s license for the size and class of vehicle driven.

Employees may not smoke at any time while conducting business in the Area.

D. Vehicles

The CUA Holder must keep all vehicular equipment it uses properly licensed and maintained in a safe operating condition and adhere to all applicable Federal and state requirements. Vehicles must prominently display a sign stating “firewood for sale”.

E. Utilities

The CUA Holder must implement energy conservation measures such as making sure all lights are turned off when not in use.

The CUA Holder will secure their own electrical service for the campground store from San Luis Valley Rural Electric Company. The electrical service is used and maintained for the use of lighting and the internal/external outlets.

F. Lost and Found Policy

Lost and found property will be turned over to the Service in accordance with the Area’s Lost and Found Policy.

G. Visitor Comments

The CUA Holder must prominently post the following language at all CUA Holder payment areas:

This service is operated by:__________________, a Commercial Use Authorization holder for the National Park Service.

Please address comments to:
Superintendent
Great Sand Dunes National Park and
Preserve
11500 Highway 150
Mosca, Colorado 81146-9798

H. Advertisements/Public Information

The CUA Holder will submit all promotional and printed material to the Service for approval prior to distribution to the public. The CUA Holder will keep all interpretive material and park information current and accurate.

IV. Conditions of Commercial Use Authorization

Additional Information: The National Park Service has terms and conditions on all commercial service agreements. The following terms and conditions will apply to all Commercial Use Authorizations. There may be additional terms and conditions based on the services provided. These may include but are not limited to limits on locations, times, group size, and employee licenses and certifications and providing such information to the park superintendent for approval.

1. False Information: The holder is prohibited from knowingly giving false information. To do so will be considered a breach of conditions and be grounds for revocation: [RE: 36 CFR 2.32(a) (3)].

2. Legal Compliance: The holder shall exercise this privilege subject to the supervision of the area Superintendent. The holder shall comply with all applicable laws and regulations of the area and terms and conditions of the authorization. The holder must acquire all permits or licenses of State or local government, as applicable, necessary to provide the services described above, and must operate in compliance with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations, including, without limitation, all applicable park area policies, procedures and regulations. All vehicles/vessels/aircraft are required to be registered and the operators are required to have the proper licenses to operate them commercially, as required by law or regulation.

3. Employee Conduct: The holder must ensure that its employees are hospitable and exercise courtesy and consideration in their relations with the public. The holder must establish appropriate screening, hiring, training, safety, employment, termination and other policies and procedures. The holder must review the conduct of any of its employees whose action or activities are considered by the holder or the Director to be inconsistent with the proper administration of the Area and enjoyment and protection of visitors and must take such actions as are necessary to correct the situation. The holder must maintain, to the greatest extent possible, a drug free work environment.

4. Rates: The holder shall provide commercial services under this authorization to visitors at reasonable rates satisfactory to the area Superintendent.

5. Operating Conditions: The holder shall provide the authorized commercial services to visitors under operating conditions satisfactory to the area Superintendent.

6. Liabilities and Claims: This authorization is issued upon the express condition that the United States, its agents and employees shall be free from all liabilities and claims for damages and/or suits for or by reason of any injury, injuries, or death to any person or persons or property of any kind whatsoever, whether to the person or property of the holder, its agents or employees, or third parties, from any cause or causes whatsoever while in or upon said premises or any part thereof during the term of this authorization or occasioned by any occupancy or use of said premises or any activity carried on by the holder in connection herewith, and the holder hereby covenants and agrees to indemnify, defend, save and hold harmless the United States, its agents, and employees from all liabilities, charges, expenses and costs on account of or by reason of any such injuries, deaths, liabilities, claims, suits or losses however occurring or damages growing out of the same.

7. Insurance: Holder agrees to carry general liability insurance against claims occasioned by the action or omissions of the holder, its agents, and employees in carrying out activities and operations under this authorization. The policy shall be in the amount of at least $500,000 and shall name the United States of America as additional insured. Holder agrees to have on file with the park copies of the above insurance with the proper endorsements.

8. CUA Fees: At a minimum, the holder shall reimburse the park for all costs incurred by the park as a result of accepting and processing the application and managing and monitoring the authorized activity. Administrative costs for the application process must be paid when the application is submitted. Monitoring fees and any additional costs incurred by the park to support the commercial activity will be paid annually or on a more frequent basis as determined by mutual agreement between the Holder and the area Superintendent.

9. Benefit: No member of, or delegate to, Congress, or Resident Commissioner shall be admitted to any share or part of this authorization or to any benefit that may arise from this authorization. This restriction shall not be construed to extend to this Contract if made with a corporation or company for its general benefit.

10. Transfer: This authorization may not be transferred or assigned without the written consent of the area Superintendent.

11. Termination: This authorization may be terminated upon breach of any of the conditions herein or at the discretion of the area Superintendent.

12. Preference or Exclusivity: The holder is not entitled to any preference to renewal of this authorization except to the extent otherwise expressly provided by law. This authorization is not exclusive and is not a concession contract.

13. Construction: The holder shall not construct any structures, fixtures or improvements in the park area. The holder shall not engage in any groundbreaking activities without the express, written approval of the area Superintendent.

14. Reporting: The holder must submit annually the CUA Annual Report (NPS Form 10-660) by January 31 for the prior CUA season and also must submit upon request the CUA Monthly Report (NPS Form 10-660A). The holder is to provide the area Superintendent upon request any other specific information related to the holder’s operations that the area Superintendent may request, including but not limited to, visitor use statistics, and resource impact assessments.

15. Accounting: The holder is to maintain an accounting system under which its accounts can be readily identified within its system of accounts classification. This accounting system must be capable of providing the information required by this authorization. The holder grants the United States of America access to its books and records at any time for the purpose of determining compliance with the terms and conditions of this authorization.

16. Minimum Wage: The holder must comply with all provisions of Executive Order 14026 of April 27, 2021, (Increasing the Minimum Wage for Federal Contractors) and its implementing regulations, including the applicable contract clause, codified at 29 C.F.R. part 23, all of which are incorporated by reference into this authorization as if fully set forth in this authorization.

17. Visitor Acknowledgment of Risks (VAR): The holder is not permitted to require clients sign a waiver of liability statement or form, insurance disclaimer, and/or indemnification agreement waiving the client’s right to hold the CUA holder responsible for accidents or injury occurring on NPS property. The holder is permitted to request or require a client to sign a form or statement acknowledging risk and/or indicating that certain prerequisite skills may be needed to participate in the commercial activity. The holder must provide the park with the current copy of all forms and/or statements used for this purpose and obtain written approval by the park to use the form and/or statement. A sample Acknowledgment of Risk form may be obtained by contacting the CUA office at 719-378-6321 or by going to the park CUA webpage at [e-mail]

18. Intellectual Property of the National Park Service: Except with the written authorization of the Director of the National Park Service, the Holder shall not assert any legal claim that the Holder or any related entity holds a trademark, tradename, servicemark or other ownership interest in the words "National Park Service", the initials "NPS", or official name of any unit or part thereof, including but not limited to any facility, logo, distinctive natural, archaeological, cultural, or historic site, within the National Park System, or any colorable likeness thereof, or the likeness of a National Park Service official uniform, badge, logo, or insignia.

19. Nondiscrimination: The holder must comply with Applicable Laws relating to nondiscrimination in providing visitor services to the public and with all equal employment opportunity provisions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, as amended.

20. Notification of Employee Rights: The holder must comply with all provisions of Executive Order 13496 of January 30, 2009, (Notification of Employee Rights Under Federal Labor Laws) and its implementing regulations, including the applicable contract clause, codified at 29 CFR part 471, appendix A to subpart A, all of which are incorporated by reference into this authorization as if fully set forth in this authorization.

V. Submission and Selection Process

All applications will be reviewed using a 2-step qualification process.

1. Application Submission.

All interested operators must submit a complete application with all required supporting documentation. The application can be found at https://cua.nps.gov. During the initial qualification step, the NPS will determine if the application is complete and meets the minimum qualifications as set forth on the online CUA application. If the NPS receives only one complete application from a qualified operator, the NPS will award the CUA to that operator. If the NPS receives complete applications from more than one qualified operator, the NPS will award the CUA using the competitive process described below in step two. Non-refundable application fees of $350 must be paid as part of this step through the online system.

At the time the application is submitted, the applicant must also submit its narrative proposal directly to Great Sand Dunes National Park. Responses may be emailed to [e-mail].

2. Scoring and Selection.

A selection panel determined by the NPS Regional Commercial Services Office will select the most highly qualified applicant based on responses provided within the narrative proposal.

CUA Confirmation.

All CUA applicants will receive a response from Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve no later than 60 days after the application closing date. The NPS will email the awardee a CUA for signature and acceptance of operating terms and conditions. Awardees can either accept the CUA award or reject and forfeit the CUA. If the applicant accepts the CUA award, it will be authorized for operation beginning no earlier than May 1, 2024 and terminating on December 31, 2025.

Operators with unsuccessful submissions will not be issued a CUA to provide the services described herein within Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in 20242025, but will have an opportunity to re-apply for the CUA opportunity when it becomes available again in 2026.

VI. Proposal

Note: The proposal and related materials submitted should reflect the entire proposal you are making. The Service will consider your written submission as your full and final proposal in response to the request for proposals (RFP) and will make its selection based on the written information you have submitted and other appropriate information. Do not assume that the Service knows anything about you or your proposal. Do not assume that any information about you or your proposal, any previous correspondence or previous submissions are in the possession of or will be considered by the Service. This is true even if you are the operator or have operated another similar operation within the park area or National Park System. In making its selection of the best proposal submitted to the RFP the Service has the right, but not the obligation, to consider any other information relating to the matter.

There is no form or format for proposals, however the following must be included:

1. Corporate information & previous experience in operating park-based visitor services, retail, or vending operations, financial history (proof of ability to deliver without risk of bankruptcy), customer references.

2. Documentation of commercial general liability insurance reflecting minimum of $500,000 per occurrence or an estimate from a broker statement showing cost of liability insurance for operations.

3. Documentation of commercial auto insurance in the following amounts for non-passenger transport:

Commercial Vehicle Insurance – Non-passenger transport only; minimum per
occurrence liability limits:

Small fleet vehicles under 10,001 pounds - $300,000
Fleet vehicles 10,001 pounds or more - $750,000

4. Business plan for operations including but not limited to:

a. Number of employees (full time and part time),
b. Operating schedule (hours of operation and season duration),
c. Equipment description,
d. Proposed rate structure for all products,
e. Projected demand by park visitors,
f. Expected revenue,
g. Description of experience in operating similar visitor operations

Basis for award of Commercial Use Authorization:

 Ability to offer best visitor use experience (customer service)
 Fair rate to park visitors, comparable to similar facilities in the area.
 Concessioner’s previous experience
 Viability of business plan
 Ability to meet minimum service dates: Memorial Day through Labor Day

VII. Submission deadline April 26, 2024

Complete and Submit Online Application:
https://cua.nps.gov

Submit Narrative Proposal:
[e-mail]

For additional information or clarification, contact Zachary Parkes 719-378-6321.