DEEP-2026-011-MM - Q and A.pdf

Solicitation # DEEP-2026-011-MM

Informational Session Questions

1. Can you share historical data for the sites?

a. We can provide visitation data – it is in the spec sheets

2. Can you share historical data as it relates to historical revenue? Have these sites had previous similar operations?

a. Two of them had paddlecraft rentals before and we can pull data as possible

b. Further clarification: We cannot provide relevant historical revenue data as most locations have not had a rental vendor operate. Any data prior to 2020 will not accurately reflect public use.

3. Is there a possibility of sites being expanded to sites along the coast? It would be nice to have opportunities in the NY sound.

a. Not in this RFP. Potentially in another RFP late down the road

4. Are landowners being contacted surrounding their support for this project?

a. Landowners are state parks

b. Further clarification: A request for information for public comment on the locations without contracted operators for the 2025 season, but listed within this RFP, was available on October 24th, 2025 and no feedback from local property owners was provided.

5. Good for people attending the park but there are homeowners and landowners that share the water right. Have they been contacted regarding more people on the lake that may impact their lifestyle and property value?

a. There was a draft RFP that was issues for public comment, and the support had been positive, and we had no negative feedback

b. Further clarification: A request for information for public comment on the locations without contracted operators for the 2025 season, but listed within this RFP was available on October 24th, 2025 for two weeks, and no feedback from local property owners was provided.

6. Is there a limitation on the amount of paddlecrafts to be rented at each lake?

a. The RFP does not specify but we also do not want too many on the water

b. Further clarification: DEEP State Parks will consider the number of paddlecraft proposed for rental in relation to the typical attendance at each location.

7. Is there any plan to expand the parks capacity to allow more people to come in to take advantage of this?

a. As the parks are currently is how they will be during operations. The park supervisors may have better ideas on how to shift parking.

b. Further clarification: No, a park’s vehicle capacity is reviewed and adjusted annually based on public use and the state of available designated parking areas.

8. Is a map in the RFP to indicate where storage, boat launching and operations will be held at each location?

a. Yes, there are maps in the RFP for each location.

b. Further clarification: The area identified within each location map is the designated location for rental operations and vessel launching. Storage, while encouraged to be within the identified concession area wherever possible, may be located outside of this concession area.

9. There may be conflict with fisherman and boat launch at mount Tom due to the beach area.

a. The launch location was moved so it would be separate from the beach, picnic area and swimmers.

CTSource Questions

None

Emailed Questions

1. Can you please provide with the link or instructions / direction on how to source the RFP documents as described below?

a. The Request for Partnership (RFP) documents are found on the State’s Contracting Portal: https://portal.ct.gov/das/procurement-programs-and-services/ctsource. Active RFPs are found on the CTSource Bid Board:

https://portal.ct.gov/das/ctsource/bidboard by searching the RFP name identified in the email below. All related documents are downloadable from the posted solicitation. Additional resources for accessing and utilizing the State Contracting Portal are found on the main CTSource webpage.

b. I only see the RFI from last year on your bid board. I cannot source the RFP for this concession. Can you please attach and share in advance of the virtual informational call this afternoon?

i. Use the CTSource bid board direct link and search the term “paddlecraft” and the first result should be the current RFP.

2. I am having trouble opening some of the attachments. I am not sure if it is my computer causing an issue or the attachments themselves. Can you please give me a buzz when you have a minute?

a. If you need assistance accessing the RFP through CTSource I can call you to provide more support. If you have questions on the RFP content itself, please provide the questions in writing as we must keep records of all questions asked and answered, and I may not be able to answer your questions at this time.

3. Any guidance on how to tackle the RFP? We've reviewed the original DRAFT RFP.

a. The document package is extensive and provides important details. We recommend carefully reading the entire RFP and Attachments. Additionally, it may also be helpful to watch the recording of the Paddlecraft Rental RFP Public Informational Session from February 3, 2026. The recording can be found on the CT Office of Outdoor Industry and Experiences webpage (recording passcode:

3zpVzNX= The presentation provides an overview of all the RFP and highlights key information and Attachments. The Proposal Checklist (Section VI, Appendix) may also be helpful in compiling and properly ordering all the required documentation for your proposal.

https://portal.ct.gov/das/procurement-programs-and-services/ctsource https://portal.ct.gov/das/procurement-programs-and-services/ctsource https://portal.ct.gov/deep-parks-partnerships

4. Do you anticipate the successful bidders manage water craft rental programs at ALL the listed parks, or are you equally open to a bidder who only wants to set up the service at one park?

a. There is no requirement for bidders to operate at multiple locations. However, proposers may include multiple locations in their proposal. A proposal must include all sites a proposer is interested in operating at and should be listed in preference order.

5. Will you be heavily favoring bidders who already have successful watercraft rental businesses, or are you equally open to successful entrepreneurial experience in very different categories?

a. The minimum qualifications for Proposers (that can be found in Section 1.

General Information, Subsection 6, Minimum Qualifications of Proposers) calls for a minimum of three (3) or more years of experience operating a non-motorized boat rental service. Five (5) or more years of experience is preferred.

b. The proposers shall provide evidence that the business is financially stable (Section II Purpose of RFP and Scope of Services, Subsection 6, Financial Expectations)

6. Any other insights you can give me on what you are looking for in your preferred partner?

a. To qualify for a contract award, a proposer must have the following minimum qualifications:

i. Proposers shall possess or have immediate access to all safety equipment and supplies necessary for non-motorized, human-powered boat rental service.

ii. Proposers shall possess and demonstrate an understanding of the depths and current and natural hazards should any exist in the waterbody at which patrons will be using the rental services.

iii. Proposers shall possess current CPR and Basic First Aid/Heartsaver certifications.

iv. Proposers shall possess, or employ persons who possess, at least Level 1 American Canoe Association certification(s) (or equivalent) for the vessel type(s) they propose to offer for rental.

v. Proposers shall carry the requisite general liability insurance (further described on Page 14) for the intended activity proposed.

vi. Proposers shall have a minimum of three (3) or more years of experience operating a non-motorized boat rental service. Five (5) or more years of experience is preferred.

7. Do you have any idea when the contract will ultimately be rewarded (assuming you receive sufficient interest)?

a. Proposer selection is expected for April 2026, with the start of the contract dependent on contract negotiations thereafter. Paddlecraft rental operations are expected in the 2026 recreation season.

8. Would DEEP consider proposals for a fully self-serve, unstaffed paddlecraft rental operation (no on-site staff), where onboarding, waivers, safety briefings, and identity/payment verification are handled digitally, and where all required safety equipment and the Emergency Action Plan are provided? (For context, we currently operate this model in 53 locations nationwide, including 11+ state park systems.) Or does the RFP strictly require on-site staffed operations during all rental hours?

a. The RFP requires on-site, trained staff to meet customers, properly fit Personal Floatation Devices, provide a safety briefing of the local waterway and paddling techniques and operate a retrieval vessel in the case of emergency rescue(s).

b. DEEP will not consider any proposal that does not meet the minimum requirements as outlined in Section I, Subsection 6 – Minimum Qualifications of Proposers. Proposals which meet the minimum requirements for submission will be scored according to the service expectations outlined in Section II, Subsection C – Scope of Service Description and the evaluation process outlined in Section 3, Subsection B – Evaluation of Proposals.

Site Visit Questions

Lake Waramaug, Burr Pond, Pattaconk Lake Recreation Area, and Hopeville Pond State Parks: None Received

At Mount Tom State Park

1. What type of on-site storage will DEEP allow at this location and where?

a. DEEP will consider all proposed storage options but will negotiate the storage and storage plan during the contracting negotiation process.

2. What commodities can be vended in/as part of, the concession building), in addition to paddleboard rentals?

a. No commodities may be vended under a Non-motorized, Human-powered Rental Concession Agreement. The Concession Agreement allows for the rental of equipment only.

3. What types of improvements will DEEP make in the building?

a. Should an operator choose to utilize the former concession building, DEEP may consider minor capital improvements to the facility. DEEP will remove all objects from the interior of the building, anticipates pressure washing the walls and floors, repainting as appropriate, and checking all electrical components and water system prior to any Contractor entering the space.

4. What types of improvements can an operator make in the building?

a. Minor capital improvements focused on aesthetics may be approved by the Park and Recreation Supervisor. The building is an essential facility to the operation of the park and major capital or structural changes will not be allowed.

5. Is the water in the building potable?

a. Yes, due to the public use of the water supply from this building the water is tested between MAY-01 and MAY-18 annually, then quarterly while the water is available for the public.

6. What are the dimensions of the building?

a. The total interior space is approximately 14ft x 40ft, separated by a black wall with a 48” wide x 7’ tall doorway. The space is accessible from the outside through the double doors approximately 47” wide x 7’ tall.

At Squantz Pond State Park

1. What is the schedule/cadence for paying rent to DEEP?

a. Twice annually. First half of rent is due before the concession operation begins.

The second half of annual rent is due by October 15, 2026.

b. Correction – rent is billed and due in a single annual payment on MAY-15 each year the contract is in effect.

2. What type of on-site storage will DEEP allow at this location and where?

a. On-site storage will be located in the concession area, on the grassy area in front of the trees. It must be suitable visually and secure to all weather events, and be built or provided by the contractor. Equipment must be stored securely so as not to interfere with Park operators, such as mowing or trimming.

b. Further clarification: DEEP will consider all proposed storage options but will negotiate the storage and storage plan during the contracting negotiation process. DEEP first needs to understand the number of vessels envisioned in the proposed operation to be able to determine how such equipment can be safely and securely stored on-site.

At Indian Well State Park

1. What type of on-site storage will DEEP allow at this location and where?

a. On-site storage will be located along the tree line adjacent to the concession area.

b. Further clarification: DEEP will consider all proposed storage options but will negotiate the storage and storage plan during the contracting negotiation process. DEEP first needs to understand the number of vessels envisioned in the proposed operation to be able to determine how such equipment can be safely and securely stored on-site.

2. When the park closes due to parking capacity, can pre-booked customers access the Park?

a. Yes, as long as they have pre-booked their rental.

b. For clarification, the contractor should clearly communicate to pre-booked customers any anticipation that the park is reaching capacity; encouraging an early, or directing pre-booked customers to call ahead (to the contractor) to confirm the park is open.

3. What is the minimum operating schedule in the RFP?

a. Please review the Paddlecraft Rental RFP Scope of Services Description, Section

2, Subsection 1. At minimum, the contractor will be expected to operate the following schedule:

i. Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from Memorial Day through Labor Day, between 10:00 a.m. and one hour before sunset, except during inclement weather.

ii. Weekdays during the months of July and August, between 10:00 a.m.

and one hour before sunset, except during inclement weather.