StateMI
Posted
-
Feb 3, 2027
F.J. McLain State Park Park Store Concession
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 park store concession at F.J. McLain State Park. The selected partner will offer basic grocery and picnic items, prepackaged and prepared foods, beverages, ice cream, bagged ice, clothing, souvenirs, beach supplies, camping supplies, fishing supplies, and vending machine services. 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 $10,000 4) Two personal reference letters 5) Two professional reference letters Section 4. Sample Contract Standard Bid Requirements and Submission Deadlines: - Bids must be enclosed in sealed envelopes and plainly marked on the outside: "Bid for Concession at McLain State Park." Larger documents (development plans, etc.) should be enclosed and labeled. Only sealed bids properly addressed and identified can be accepted. Bids are due February 3, 2027 at 2:00 pm. Bids received after this date/time will not be accepted. Incomplete bids will not be accepted. Bids will be opened following the bid due date and time. Submission methods accepted: 1) United States Postal Service (mail): DNR, Parks and Recreation Division Attn: Lori Green Lakeport State Park 7605 Lakeshore Drive Lakeport, MI 48059 2) Email: DNR-PRD-ConcessionBd@michigan.gov - In the email subject line state: "Bid for McLain" to ensure the bid is not opened prior to the bid due date and time. Failure to include this statement in the subject line may result in disqualification. 3) Hand delivery to Lakeport State Park may be allowed with prior approval of the Concession Manager at GreenL9@michigan.gov. Required submission contents (all bidders): - Bid Proposal Form - Concession Bidder Qualification Statement (answer all numbered questions; failure to do so will result in disqualification) - Financial Statement documenting a minimum of $10,000 available for setup/operation (certified document from a licensed financial institution). Current concessionaires with at least 10 years of business experience in Michigan State Parks are exempt from this requirement. - Minimum of two (2) personal reference letters with addresses and telephone numbers - Minimum of two (2) professional reference letters with addresses and telephone numbers - Any additional documents requested in the bid package Selection and evaluation: - Bids will be primarily evaluated on business experience, financial stability/ability, and monetary compensation to be paid to the State; secondary consideration will be given to other business operation areas and reference letters. - Department review will include Concession Manager, Park Manager, and District Supervisor. Personal interviews may be required; bidders will be notified if interviews are needed. - Notification of selection is approximately two weeks between bid and notification; successful bidders have a 10-day appeal period under limited criteria. - The Department reserves the right to reject any or all bids. Specific Bid / Contract Information (high-level summary): - Minimum Contract Fee: 7% of Gross Sales (pursuant to sample contract Section II.B) unless bidder proposes higher percentage during bidding. - Concession facilities: one-room park store in the day-use area (~451.5 sq ft) with a small utility closet; pavilion and restrooms managed by park staff; vending machine location available at campground restroom. - Products/services permitted: basic grocery and picnic items, prepackaged/prepared foods, beverages, ice cream, bagged ice, clothing, souvenirs, beach/camping/fishing supplies, and vending machines. All products/services must be pre-approved by the Department. Contractor shall not sell products or services not approved by the Department. Visa and MasterCard should be accepted. - Minimum insurance requirements (per sample contract): General Aggregate $1,000,000; Each Occurrence $1,000,000; Fire Damage (state-owned buildings only) $500,000; Workers' Compensation as required by law; automobile/watercraft insurance as required. - Performance Guarantee: $1,000 (must be provided within 10 days of contract award in an approved form; acceptable forms: surety bond, cash bond, certificate of deposit, letter of credit). - Financial statement and working capital documentation required; monthly and annual reporting requirements; monthly concession operator report (form PR3007) and payment of contract fee due by the 15th of each month; profit and loss and other reports required annually and/or prior to each season. - Operating schedule (minimum): Friday before Memorial Day to June 15: weekends 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. June 16 through Labor Day: daily 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Contractor may request permission to operate longer before/after the minimum season. - Point-of-sale (POS) system requirements: POS must be approved by the Department and provide daily/weekly/monthly/annual sales reports, itemized sales, inventory summaries and non-resettable counters or pre-numbered receipts/tickets if POS is not practical. - Required sustainable practices and product standards (examples include eliminating Styrofoam and single-use plastics where possible, offering healthy food/beverage options, green cleaning products, and complying with invasive species decontamination guidance). - Prohibited merchandise/services include tobacco, marijuana, alcoholic beverages, pornography, fireworks, firearms/ammunition, most knives beyond limited exceptions, balloons, and other items specified in the contract. - The selected bidder will be required to sign the Department's sample concession contract; the sample contract is provided for informational purposes only and should not be signed and returned with the bid. Park and concession context: - McLain State Park: located between Calumet and Hancock on the Keweenaw Peninsula along Lake Superior; park has ~115 campsites, 6 mini cabins, 1 tiny house and 1 camper cabin; visitor activities include camping, fishing, windsurfing, berry picking, beachcombing, rock hounding, sightseeing and hunting. Annual concession sales and visitor figures for prior years are provided in the package (2021–2026 figures included). Additional notes and contractual obligations: - Contractor responsibilities include maintenance, janitorial duties, utilities payment (as specified), compliance with permits and inspections, staffing, background checks for employees (iCHAT, Michigan Department of Corrections OTIS, National Sex Offender Registry), adherence to nondiscrimination laws, and compliance with contract operating standards. - The Department may assess Notices of Violation and liquidated damages for contract breaches; a progressive penalty and termination framework is specified in the sample contract. Contact for facility inspection and questions: - Park Manager: 906-482-0278 - Concession Manager (for hand-delivery approval): contact via the email address provided in the bid package The remainder of the bid package includes the full Concession Bidder Qualification Statement (detailed questions 1–32), Bid Proposal Form, sample Concession Contract, and forms referenced throughout the package (monthly and annual report forms, equipment inventory forms, etc.).
