UPDATE:
According to information obtained by Bill Bowden of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, there is no proposed change in the number of concessionaires providing shuttle services on the Buffalo National River. Of the 12 shuttle services with concessionaire agreements, all but one will receive “preferred offeror” status under Title 36, Part 51, of the Code of Federal Regulations. The one concessionaire not receiving this status is reported to be Buffalo River Outfitters Inc. of St. Joe.
Title 36, Part 51, Subpart F lists the conditions that must be met to receive the preferred offeror status.
The 11 concessionaires that are receiving preferred offeror status include Buffalo Outdoor Center, Buffalo River Canoes, Lost Valley Canoe & Lodging, Rio Buffalo Outfitter, Riverview Motel, Buffalo Camping & Canoeing, Crockett’s Canoe Rental, Silver Hill Float Service, Buffalo River Float Service, Dirst Canoe Rental, Wild Bill’s Outfitter. Contact information is available for all 12 current concessionaires on the Buffalo National River website.
Harrison, AR: The National Park Service (NPS) has issued a prospectus soliciting proposals to provide canoe rentals and transportation (shuttle) services to visitors at Buffalo National River. The NPS intends to award twelve (12) concession contracts. The new contracts will be for a term of ten (10) years.
Interested parties can find the prospectus at Prospectus Releases – Concessions (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov). Any questions regarding this solicitation must be submitted in writing to Kelly Kager, Commercial Services Management Specialist, via email (kelly_kager@nps.gov) no later than 4:00 p.m. Central Time on December 4, 2023. The NPS will respond to all questions received by December 18, 2023. Responses will be posted to SAM.gov | Home. If you are planning to submit a proposal for a contract, you must submit a notification of intent to propose to Commercial Services Specialist Kelly Kager via email (Kelly_kager@nps.gov) by January 5, 2024.
To be evaluated and considered for award of the concession contract, any proposal must be received by the National Park Service, Interior Regions 3, 4, 5, 601 Riverfront Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68102, Attention: Concessions Management Specialist Kelly Kager by 4:00 p.m. (Central Time) on January 26, 2024, as outlined in the Proposal Instructions of the Prospectus.
