Date: August 7, 2015
Contact: Greg Caffey, 928-524-6228 x226
Petrified Forest National Park announced today the availability of a Prospectus for commercial services at the park over the next ten years. Bids will close October 9th and the successful bidder is expected to enter into a contract January 1, 2016.
The services to be offered include most of those currently provided by Xanterra Parks and Resorts such as the gift shops at the Painted Desert Oasis and Rainbow Forest Lodge and the restaurant at the Painted Desert Oasis. However, the gas fueling station and convenience store at the Painted Desert Oasis will no longer be offered and will close.
A new ice cream and refreshments shop on the lower level of the Painted Desert Inn will be operated by the successful bidder, who will also have the option to offer 4 wheel drive tours of the Paulsell Ranch (added to the park in 2011) and to operate a small proposed campground at Chinde Point. The campground could have 5 "vintage" travel trailers from the Route 66 era available for overnight lodging once it's built. The park's plans for the campground are still preliminary. Electric vehicle charging stations at both park visitor centers may also be operated by the successful concessioner over the term of the contract.
The current concession contract expired in 1994 and has been extended one year at a time since then, affording no opportunity for planning or investment. "The release of this Prospectus for bid is an exciting day for us, after so long without an opportunity to adjust or plan improvements in the commercial services at the park", said Superintendent Brad Traver. "There are many exciting things happening here and we look forward to a reinvigoration of the commercial services under the new contract."
The Prospectus availability has been posted at https://www.fbo.gov
