Michigan Department of Natural Resources
DNR Parks and Recreation Division
MICHIGAN
Michigan State Park Concession Invitation To Bid
Bald Mountain Recreation Area
Waterpark Concession
Bid package enclosures include the following: Section 1. Standard Bid Requirements Section 2. Specific Bid Information Section 3. Required for All Bid Responses: 1) Bid Proposal Form 2) Concession Bidder Qualification Statement 3) Financial Statement in the amount of $150,000 4) Two personal reference letters 5) Two professional reference letters Section 4. Sample Contract
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Section 1, Standard Bid Requirements: Act 451, P.A. of 1994 authorizes the Director of the Department of Natural Resources to contract public service privileges in state parks. Through this authority, the Department desires to invoke the widest possible interest to obtain the most qualified and capable concession operator available. The Department is seeking a partner to operate the waterpark concession at Bald Mountain Recreation Area. The selected partner will offer a floating waterpark experience for visitors and provide food, beverage, merchandise, souvenir, and beach supplies sales, as well as kayak rentals. Interested bidders are required to read the bid package including the attached sample contract in its entirety. The selected bidder will be required to provide the goods and services contained in this bid package. Bids must be enclosed in sealed envelopes. Bid envelopes must be plainly marked on the outside, "Bid for Concession at Bald Mountain." Other larger documents such as development plans must be enclosed and appropriately labeled. Only Sealed Bids properly addressed and identified can be accepted. Bids are due January 6, 2027 at 2:00 pm. Bid documents received after this date and time will not be accepted. Incomplete bids will not be accepted. Bids will be opened following the bid due date and time. You may submit your bid in the following methods:
1. United States Postal Service, Mail your bid to: DNR, Parks and Recreation Division Attn: Lori Green Lakeport State Park 7605 Lakeshore Drive Lakeport, MI 48059
2. Email your bid to: DNR-PRD-ConcessionBd@michigan.gov In the subject line state: "Bid for Bald Mountain" to ensure that your bid is not opened prior to the bid due date and time. Failure to include this statement in your subject line may result in your bid being disqualified.
3. Hand delivery of bid submissions to Lakeport State Park may be allowed with prior approval of the Concession Manager at GreenL9@michigan.gov. To bid on this concession, you must complete the following:
4. Submit bid prior to January 6, 2027 at 2:00
5. Bid Proposal Form
6. Concession Bidder Qualification Statement
7. Financial Statement in the amount of $150,000
8. Reference letters (see Questions 26 and 27)
9. Sealed envelope and marked as "Bid for Concession at Bald Mountain"
Individuals needing mobility, visual, hearing, written or other assistance should contact the DNR, PRD, Concession Manager. The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank (see separate sections below).
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Bidder Selection: The bids will be primarily evaluated on business experience, financial stability and monetary compensation to be paid to the State; and, secondarily evaluated on other areas relating to the business and business operation and will include a review of the reference letters. Personal interviews may be required to assist in evaluating each bidder's proposal and qualifications. If such interviews are required, bidders will be contacted to make arrangements. Each bidder may select one (1) additional representative to monitor the interview. General Bid Information:
10. Act 451, Public Acts of 1994, requires that the Director of the Department of Natural Resources shall provide that each concession is awarded at least every seven (7) years based upon extension, renegotiation or competitive bidding.
11. The bids will be primarily evaluated on business experience, financial ability and monetary payment to be paid to the State; and, secondarily evaluated on other areas relating to the business and business operation and identified as "secondary" in the "Bidder Qualifications Statement".
12. The successful bidder will be required to sign a contract. The terms and conditions stated in the enclosed sample contract are to be considered as requirements for this Invitation to Bid. Contractors must pay the Department a fee for the privilege of operating concessions.
4. It is recommended that applicants make a personal visit to the park and the concession facilities to determine the conditions to be encountered, plus any factors affecting the operation. In so doing, it is best to contact the Unit Supervisor or representative.
5. Bidders must accept all concession facilities in their present condition. Do not expect that the Department will perform any repairs or remodeling unless specifically stated in this Invitation to Bid.
6. The submission of a bid shall be deemed evidence that the bidder has carefully examined these instructions, the proposal form, and the sample contract terms and is fully aware of the responsibilities of the contractor. In addition, the bidder agrees to abide by all applicable laws relating to the operation of the concession if granted this concession contract.
7. Bids are to be made only on the basis of the Invitation to Bid. A bidder shall not be relieved of their bid because of mistakes.
8) Deviations from the specific terms, qualifications and requirements, as set forth in the Invitation to Bid are not permissible as a part of the bid. But, alternate or additional bids or suggested revisions, if any, may be submitted separately and apart from, but enclosed with, the proposal. Such alternate proposals will be reviewed only as to their merit and potential benefits to the public and the Department and may or may not have a bearing in the selection of a bidder. 9) The Department of Natural Resources reserves the right to reject any or all bids. 10) Performance Bond: The bidder that is awarded a contract must provide the Department with a Performance Bond for the amount specified in the specific information and requirements for this concession sheet within ten (10) days of receipt of the contract award. Failure to do so will result in the forfeiture of the award. The bond guarantees that the bidder will perform all requirements and provisions in this Invitation to Bid. The Performance Bond will be due within 10 days of the Contract award. The Performance Bond for the Contract will be $5,000. Performance Bonds can be accepted in four different types. All types must be approved by the Department of Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation Division, and remain in effect for the entire contract term or be effective for the entire period of operation for each year of the contract. Bonds are to be mailed to: DNR, Parks and Recreation Division Attn: Concession Manager PO Box 30257 Lansing, MI 48909 a) Surety Performance Bond is issued by a bonding company. This type of Bond shall be executed by a surety company authorized to do business in the State of Michigan. The Bond shall be payable to the State of Michigan. b) Cash Bond can be paid by check or money order made payable to the State of Michigan, or currency of the United States of America. c) Certificate of Deposit (CD) shall have a minimum maturity of one (1) year. Certificates must be negotiable and must be of a type that pays interest on maturity only. The State's Federal employee I.D. number (38-6001134) should be used on all certificates. The CD should be automatically renewable and must be registered as follows: Chief, Parks and Recreation Division Michigan Department of Natural Resources
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d) Letter of Credit is issued by a bona fide financial institution. Letters shall have a minimum maturity of one (1) year. They must be registered as follows: Chief, Parks and Recreation Division, Michigan Department of Natural Resources. 11) Financial Statement: The Financial Statement is used to report financial information about a business. The amount required reflects a conservative estimate of what it will cost to set up and begin operations. The minimum Financial Statement amount required for this contract shall be $150,000. To meet this requirement, the bidder must provide a certified document prepared by a licensed financial institution. The Financial Statement requirement must include a statement of total financial availability available for opening and operating the concession and may include the following: a) Bank statement of checking and/or savings account b) Credit card statement showing available credit c) Certified inventory list which includes financial values of each item d) A letter from a financial institution reflecting funds available to the bidder for operation of a business Current concessionaires with at least 10 years of business experience in Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas are exempt from this requirement. 12) Selection Process: Prior to awarding a concession contract, the Department takes the following steps: a) Competitive bid letting b) Bid Opening c) Review of reference letters of bidders who met the minimum bid requirements d) Department internal review of submissions (including at a minimum, Commercial Services & Land Use Program Manager, Park Manager, and District Supervisor) e) Department may request a presentation from all bidders to gain clarification where questions arise f) Notification of selection (approximately two weeks between bid and notification) g) Successful Bidders 10-day appeal period. An appeal will only be reviewed if it is based on any of the following four (4) criteria: 1. Information required by the Department for scoring the bid was not identified in the Invitation to Bid. 2. Different scoring values were used than those identified in the Invitation to Bid. 3. Error in the application of the appropriate score value. 4. Errors in arithmetic (calculation of the score total). h) Contract execution
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Section 2, Specific Bid Information: Contract Requirements: 1) Liability Insurance (see Sample Contract Section XI.1.i.): a) General Aggregate: $2,000,000 b) Each Occurrence: $1,000,000 c) Fire Damage (State owned buildings only) $500,000 2) Workers Compensation Insurance pursuant to Sample Contract Section XI.2. 3) A minimum Contract Fee of 15% of Gross Sales pursuant to Sample Contract Section II.B. General Information: Bald Mountain Recreation Area consists of 4,600 rolling acres that are home to extensive trails, inland lakes, trout streams and wild game accented by some of the steepest hills and most rugged terrain in southeastern Michigan. The park provides year-round recreation opportunities, including hiking, mountain biking, swimming, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, hunting and much more. In addition, the park features a beach that was voted "Best of Detroit" by Detroit Monthly. There is no camping available in the park; however; there are two rustic cabins available to rent. For more information about the park, please visit Bald Mountain Recreation Area. Year Concession Sales Annual Visitors 2021 $503,868 683,519 2022 $502,064 565,656 2023 $673,200 662,409 2024 $637,140 894,599 2025 Closed for construction 785,508 2026 $828,143 588,732 Concession Facilities: The waterpark at Bald Mountain Recreation Area was established in 2018. The concession building was replaced with a new structure in 2025. The new building offers approximately 1,000 square feet of space and is depicted below.
Products and Services: It is the expectation that a bidder's operations will not require Department oversight and/or involvement. The Department retains the right to approve the sale of all products and services and not award a bid, if the proposed operation would require burdensome oversight and/or involvement of staff. The Contractor shall not sell any product or service of which the Department does not approve. Products and services which are permitted are identified in the sample contract. Visa and MasterCard credit cards should be accepted by the Contractor for all products and services. Department oversight and/or involvement includes, but is not limited to, enforcing state rules and regulations, training concession staff on restroom cleaning, deep-cleaning of restrooms in addition to concessionaire cleaning services, beach grooming, and placement of swimming buoys. Minimum Season: The minimum season for this contract is identified in Sample Contract, Section II.6. Equipment: The necessary and required equipment for this contract is identified in Sample Contract, Section IX. Utilities and Telephone: The successful Contractor will be required to pay for certain utilities which are identified in Sample Contract, Section VI.E. Maintenance Responsibilities: The required maintenance responsibilities, which will be required of the successful contractor, are identified in Sample Contract, Section VIII. Inspection of Facilities: To arrange for a personal inspection of the facilities, contact the Park Manager at 248-693-6767.
Section 3, Bid Forms:
Bid Proposal Form Parks and Recreation Division Michigan Department of Natural Resources Lakeport State Park 7605 Lakeshore Drive Lakeport, MI 48059 I offer to operate and maintain the waterpark concession at Bald Mountain Recreation Area, for the convenience of the public, in accordance with the terms set forth in the Invitation to Bid and sample Concession Contract with a contract fee as follows: A percentage of gross sales in the amount of _______%, payable to the State, as identified in Sample Contract Section II.2. If selected, I agree, that within thirty (30) days of notification of acceptance of my offer, I will enter into negotiations with the Department of Natural Resources for a contract to furnish concession services as required, for the period specified within the sample Concession Contract, the provisions of which will be based on the Concession Contract template prescribed by the Department of Natural Resources and approved by the Michigan Attorney General. Attached are the following documents and reference letters to support my offer:
1. Bid Proposal Form
2. Concession Bidder Qualification Statement
3. Financial Statement in the amount of $150,000
4. Reference Letters
5. Other: __________________________________
By signature below, the Bidder certifies that all information provided is accurate, correct, and reliable and that any information provided contrary subjects this bid to disqualification and/or a violation, cancellation, or termination of an existing contract. Date: _____________________ Printed Name: _____________________________________ Business Name: ____________________________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________________________ Telephone: _______________________ Email: ______________________________________ Signature: _____________________________________________________ (failure to sign will result in disqualification of bid)
Concession Bidder Qualification Statement You must prepare a response for all questions listed below, numbered and in the order in which presented. Not responding to a question or following the above directions SHALL result in disqualification of your submitted bid. You are encouraged to be very detailed in your responses. Your signature is required in order to verify the accuracy and truthfulness of your submission. All responses will be evaluated and scored by Department staff. The bids will be primarily evaluated on business experience, financial ability and monetary payment to be paid to the State; and, secondarily evaluated on other areas relating to the business and business operation. The completion and submission of all questions and the required attachments reflect accurate and truthful statements of the bidder's submission. The evaluation of the bid (primary and secondary information) is based solely on the bid and information submitted.
1. Please provide a comprehensive narrative overview of your prior experience providing, operating, programming and managing this type of concession. (Primary: Score 2-10)
2. Please provide your business mission statement. (Secondary: Score 1-2)
3. Please provide your business organization chart. (Secondary: Score 1-2)
4. Please indicate whether you have been a previous successful/beneficial concessionaire at Bald Mountain Recreation Area and describe the working relationship. (Secondary: Score 1 or 3)
5. Please identify and describe the level of Department oversight and/or involvement the concession operation will require. (Secondary: Score 1, 2 or 5)
6. Please identify the person who will assume management responsibilities for the concession, and describe the manager's experience and qualifications, and attach their resume. (Secondary: Score 1-2)
7. Do you plan to sublet or assign any portion or the entire contract to another party? If yes, explain. (Secondary: Score 1-2)
8. Please describe the staffing plan you intend to implement at the concession. Include hours of operation, number of staff during operational hours, positions of staff members and a description of their duties. (Secondary: Score 1-5)
9. Please describe the public restroom cleaning duties that you plan to implement (see Section VII of the sample contract). Include a list of cleaning duties and sample cleaning log. (Secondary: Score 1-5)
10. Describe your marketing, advertising, and sales promotion plans including the annual budget specifically for each. (Secondary: Score 1-5)
11. List and describe the menu, merchandise, and/or services proposed to be offered. As applicable, attach the following which includes prices: a menu, merchandise, and/or service list. If your menu has healthy food and beverage items, please identify those choices. (Secondary: Score 1-5)
12. List all major equipment you will supply to provide food, merchandise and services required in this bid document. (Secondary: Score 1-2)
13. Describe your plans for maintenance and repair of the property/equipment whether state-owned or privately owned. (Secondary: Score 1-5)
14. Describe your methods for daily bookkeeping, monthly and yearly accounting, and monthly and yearly recording of revenues. (Primary: Score 2-10)
15. Provide financial statements, which could include but are not limited to a financial statement, tax return, profit and loss statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, or owner equity statement, for your organization's last fiscal year demonstrating the firm's ability to operate. If providing information prepared by a Certified Public Accountant, it must be in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. (Primary: Score 2-6)
16. What is the amount of working capital (amount of money readily available) intended to be provided for the business investment? Please provide details of how it will be allocated. (Primary: Score 2-6)
17. Will any portion of the initial investment and working capital be financed? If yes, approximately how much do you plan to finance. (Secondary: Score 1-3)
18. Do you have a financial interest in any other business entities? If yes, please provide details. (Primary: Score 2-6)
19. Have you ever closed or ceased operation of a business as a result of becoming compromised with creditors? If yes, please provide details. (Primary: Score 2-6)
20. Have you or your company ever failed to fulfill the requirements of a contract and/or ever terminated a contract early? If yes, please provide details. (Primary: Score 2- 10)
21. Describe all infractions or Notices of Violation your business(es) has received in the past seven years and explain how each infraction or violation was addressed within your business practice. Also describe how you would avoid or address, to the Department's satisfaction, any future infraction or Notices of Violation. Failure to accurately report violations and/or how they were addressed will result in an award of 0 (zero) points. (Primary: Score 2-20)
22. Have any liens ever been filed against your business(es)? (Primary: Score 2 and 10)
23. Are there any judgments, suits, or claims pending against you and/or your business(es)? (Primary: Score 2 and 10)
24. Are you acting as endorser for others on their notes or accounts? (Primary: Score 2- 4)
25. List name(s), address, phone number, and contact person of insurance carrier(s) who will provide your insurance (liability, vehicle, watercraft, workers compensation, etc.). (Secondary: Score 1-2)
26. Would you be able to provide the insurance coverage required by the draft contract? (Secondary: Score 1-2)
27. Provide a minimum of two (2) personal reference letters with addresses and telephone numbers of reference. Inaccurate contact information will result in a score of 0 (zero). Failure to attach both personal reference letters will result in the disqualification of your bid. (Secondary: Score 1-3)
28. Provide a minimum of two (2) professional reference letters with addresses and telephone numbers of reference. Inaccurate contact information will result in a score of 0 (zero). Failure to attach both professional reference letters will result in the disqualification of your bid. (Secondary: Score 1-3)
29. Describe plans you may have for refurbishing or improving the operations, including projected expenditures. (Secondary: Score 1-5)
30. In a narrative format, please provide any additional information you feel would assist the Department in evaluating your previous experience. (Primary: Score 2-10)
31. Please describe how you will implement the required environmentally sustainable practices identified in the draft contract in the invitation to bid. Please identify and explain whether you would implement any additional environmentally sustainable practices. (Secondary: Score 1-5)
32. Submitter must sign, print name, and date the bid response submittal. The submitter must have full authority to enter into a contract on behalf of the business. (Secondary: Score 1-2)
33. Did you include a percentage of gross sales on the "Bid Proposal Form"? (Primary: Score 2 and incrementally increased by 2 points for every 1-5 percentage above minimum bid)
Section 4, Sample Contract: Do not sign and return the following sample contract. It is provided for informational purposes only. The selected bidder will be issued a contract upon contract award.
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State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources DNR Parks and Recreation Division
Concession Contract (Issued under authority of Act 451, P.A. 1994. Failure to comply with the terms and conditions may result in fees, damages, cancellation or termination.) Property: Bald Mountain Recreation Area Premises: Concession building and designated outdoor spaces on Lower Trout Lake Contractor: Successful Bidder Concession: Waterpark Expires: October 16, 2033
[Full sample concession contract included in bid package covering grant of concession, contract term and fees, operation requirements, insurance and performance guarantee, reporting and accounting, products and services allowed and prohibited, waterpark-specific operational and safety requirements, maintenance, janitorial and sanitation responsibilities, environmental and regulatory compliance, employee standards and background checks, POS and accounting system requirements, advertising and social media provisions, termination and cancellation provisions, liquidated damages schedule, and other terms as presented in the Invitation to Bid document.]
The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank (see signatures below).
