STATE OF CONNECTICUT STANDARD RFP FOR PSA PROCUREMENTS 7.20.21

Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Page 1 of 41

STATE OF CONNECTICUT PROCUREMENT NOTICE

Request for Proposals (RFP) For

Non-Motorized, Human-Powered Boat

Rentals

RFP Name: DEEP-BOR-10282025

Issued By The:

Department of Energy and

Environmental Protection

January 29, 2026

The Request for Proposal is available in electronic format on the State

Contracting Portal by filtering by Organization for Department of Energy and

Environmental Protection https://portal.ct.gov/DAS/CTSource/BidBoard or from the Agency’s Official Contact:

Name: Tenia Seay

Address: DEEP – Bureau of Outdoor Recreation State Parks and Public

Outreach Division

Phone: (860) 424-3064

E-Mail: DEEP.parksdivisionRFP@ct.gov

RESPONSES MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN

February 27, 2026

11:59 p.m. EST

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

https://portal.ct.gov/DAS/CTSource/BidBoard mailto:DEEP.parksdivisionRFP@ct.gov

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The Agency reserves the right to reject any and all submissions or cancel this procurement at any time if deemed in the best interest of the State of Connecticut (State).

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Section I — GENERAL INFORMATION

A. Introduction B. Instructions

Section II — PURPOSE OF RFP AND SCOPE OF SERVICES

A. Agency Overview B. Service Overview C. Scope of Services Description D. Performance Measures E. Contract Management/Data Reporting

Section III — PROPOSAL SUBMISSION OVERVIEW

A. Submission Format Information B. Evaluation of Proposals

Section IV — PROPOSAL SUBMISSION OUTLINE AND REQUIREMENTS . . . 18

A. Cover Sheet B. Table of Contents C. Executive Summary D. Main Proposal Submission Questions E. Attachments F. Declaration of Confidential Information G. Conflict of Interest – Disclosure Statement H. Statement of Assurances

Section V — MANDATORY PROVISIONS

A. Standard Contract Provisions B. Assurances C. Terms and Conditions D. Rights Reserved to the State E. Statutory and Regulatory Compliance

Section VI — APPENDIX A. Abbreviations / Acronyms / Definitions B. Statement of Assurances C. Proposal Checklist D. Additional Relevant Forms (if applicable)

Section VII — ATTACHMENTS

A. Attachment A – Concession Area Maps B. Attachment B – Sample Contract C. Attachment C – Location Specification Sheets D. Attachment D – Cover Sheet Form

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I. GENERAL INFORMATION

A. INTRODUCTION

1. RFP Name and Number. Non-motorized, human-powered boat rentals at multiple State Parks. DEEP-BOR-10282025.

2. RFP Summary. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental

Protection (DEEP), State Parks and Public Outreach Division, is seeking private vendors to operate on-site rental services of non-motorized, human-powered paddlecraft (e.g.canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards) to the visiting public at Burr Pond State Park, Hopeville Pond State Park, Indian Well State Park, Lake Waramaug State Park, Mount Tom State Park, Pattaconk Lake/Reservoir Recreation Area, and Squantz Pond State Park.

3. RFP Purpose. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

(DEEP), State Parks and Public Outreach Division is seeking to partner with qualified parties to provide enhanced outdoor recreation experiences and/or services in State Parks to increase equitable access to the outdoors and expand tourism destinations.

Potential enhanced experiences and/or services are intended to complement current State Park operations and not require new investments from the State of Connecticut.

4. Commodity Codes. The services that the Agency wishes to procure through this

RFP are as follows:

• 80000000: Management and Business Professionals and Administrative Services

• 90000000: Travel and Food and Lodging and Entertainment Services

• 49000000: Sports and Recreational Equipment and Supplies and Accessories

B. INSTRUCTIONS

1. Official Contact. The Agency has designated the individual below as the Official Contact for purposes of this RFP. The Official Contact is the only authorized contact for this procurement and, as such, handles all related communications on behalf of the Agency. Proposers, prospective proposers, and other interested parties are advised that any communication with any other Agency employee(s) (including appointed officials) or personnel under contract to the Agency about this RFP is strictly prohibited. Proposers or prospective proposers who violate this instruction may risk disqualification from further consideration.

Name: Tenia Seay

Address: 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106

Phone: (860) 424-3064

E-Mail: DEEP.ParksDivisionRFP@ct.gov

Please ensure that e-mail screening software (if used) recognizes and accepts e-mails from the Official Contact.

2. Registering with State Contracting Portal. Respondents must register with the State of CT contracting portal at https://portal.ct.gov/DAS/CTSource/Registration. if mailto:DEEP.ParksDivisionRFP@ct.gov https://portal.ct.gov/DAS/CTSource/Registration

Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Page 5 of 41 not already registered. Respondents shall submit the following information pertaining to this application to this portal (on their supplier profile), which will be checked by the Agency contact.

• Secretary of State recognition – Click on appropriate response

• Non-profit status, if applicable

• Notification to Bidders, Parts I-V

• Campaign Contribution Certification (OPM Ethics Form 1):

https://portal.ct.gov/OPM/Fin-PSA/Forms/Ethics-Forms

3. RFP Information. The RFP, amendments to the RFP, and other information associated with this procurement are available in electronic format from the Official Contact or from the Internet at the following locations:

• State Contracting Portal (go to CTsource bid board, filter by “Department of

Energy and Environmental Protection”

It is strongly recommended that any proposer or prospective proposer interested in this procurement check the Bid Board for any solicitation changes. Interested proposers may receive additional e-mails from CTsource announcing addendums that are posted on the portal. This service is provided as a courtesy to assist in monitoring activities associated with State procurements, including this RFP.

4. Procurement Schedule. See below. Dates after the due date for proposals (“Proposals Due”) are non-binding target dates only (*). The Agency may amend the schedule as needed. Any change to non-target dates will be made by means of an amendment to this RFP and will be posted on the State Contracting Portal.

Item Action Date

1 RFP Released January 29, 2026

2 RFP Informational Forum February 5, 2026 at 3:00pm EST

RFP Site Visits February 9, 10, and 11, 2026 Below is the site visit schedule.

Should this schedule change (say, as the result of inclement weather), an amended schedule will be posted on CTsource.

February 9, 2026

• 10:00am: Indian Well State Park in Shelton

• 1:00pm: Squantz Pond State Park in New Fairfield

February 10, 2026

• 10:00am: Hopeville Pond State

Park in Griswold

• 1:00pm: Pattaconk Lake

Recreation Area in Chester/Haddam

February 11, 2026

• 10:00am: Lake Waramaug

State Park in Kent

• 11:30am: Mount Tom State

Park in Litchfield

• 1:30pm: Burr Pond State Park in Torrington

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4 Deadline for Questions February 17, 2026

5 Answers Released February 20, 2026

6 Proposals Due February 27, 2026

(*) Proposer Selection (*) Start of Contract Negotiations (*) Start of Contract

April 2026 Dependent on selection and contract process.

5. Contract Awards. The award of any contract pursuant to this RFP is dependent upon the availability of funding to the Agency. The Agency anticipates the following:

• Number of Awards: Up to seven (7)

• Contract Term: Three (3) years with the option to extend an additional three (3) years

• Proposed Annual Rent: Prospective Concessionaire Proposed Rent

Minimum annual rent of $1,000 for each location. An exception is for the (optional) use of the Mount Tom SP Concession building, of which minimum annual rent is $2,000. If the building is not used, minimum annual rent for Mount Tom SP is $1,000.

6. Minimum Qualifications of Proposers. To qualify for a contract award, a proposer must have the following minimum qualifications:

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

• 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.

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

• 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.

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

• 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. Letter of Intent. A Letter of Intent (LOI) is not required by this RFP.

8. Inquiry Procedures. All questions regarding this RFP or the Agency’s procurement process must be directed, in writing, electronically (e-mail) to the Official Contact before the deadline specified in the Procurement Schedule. The early submission of questions is encouraged. Questions will not be accepted or answered verbally – neither in person nor over the telephone. All questions received before the deadline(s) will be answered. However, the Agency will not answer questions when the source is unknown (i.e., nuisance or anonymous questions). Questions deemed unrelated to the RFP or the procurement process will not be answered. At its discretion, the Agency may or may not respond to questions received after the deadline. If this RFP requires a Letter of Intent, the Agency reserves the right to answer questions only from those who have submitted such a letter. The Agency may combine similar questions and give only one answer. All questions and answers will be compiled into a written amendment to this RFP. If any answer to any question

Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Page 7 of 41 constitutes a material change to the RFP, the question and answer will be placed at the beginning of the amendment and duly noted as such.

The agency will release the answers to questions on the date(s) established in the

Procurement Schedule. The Agency will publish any and all amendments to this RFP on the State Contracting Portal.

9. RFP Site Visit(s) (Conference). An RFP Site Visit(s) will be held to answer questions from prospective proposers. Attendance at the conference is optional;

however, registration is required for those who want to attend. To register, email Tenia Seay at DEEP.parksdivisionRFP@ct.gov no less than twenty-four hours before the site visit. The site visit will only occur if DEEP receives registration requests.

Copies of the RFP will not be available at the RFP Site Visits (Conference).

Prospective proposers are asked to bring a copy of the RFP to the conference. At the conference, attendees will be provided an opportunity to submit written questions, which the Agency’s representatives may (or may not) answer at the conference. Any oral answers given at the conference by the Agency’s representatives are tentative and not binding on the Agency. All questions submitted will be answered in a written Question and Answer document, which will serve as the Agency’s official response to questions asked at the site visits/conference. If any answer to any question constitutes a material change to the RFP, the question and answer will be placed at the beginning of the amendment and duly noted as such. The agency will publish any updated information on the State Contracting Portal.

10. Proposal Due Date and Time. CTsource is the only authorized method to submit proposals in response to this RFP. Proposals must be submitted to CTsource on or before the due date and time:

February 27, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Proposals received after the due date and time will be ineligible and will not be evaluated. The Agency will send an official letter alerting late respondents of ineligibility.

An acceptable submission must include the following:

• One (1) conforming electronic copy of the original proposal.

• The proposal must be complete, properly formatted and outlined, and ready for evaluation by the Screening Committee.

• Applicants must use the electronic proposal submission functionality within CTsource.

11. Multiple Proposals. The submission of multiple proposals is not an option for this procurement; 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.

mailto:DEEP.parksdivisionRFP@ct.gov

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II. PURPOSE OF RFP AND SCOPE OF SERVICES

A. AGENCY OVERVIEW

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is charged with conserving, improving and protecting the natural resources and the environment of the state of Connecticut as well as making affordable, cleaner and more reliable energy available for the people and businesses of the state. The agency is also committed to playing a positive role in rebuilding Connecticut’s economy and creating jobs and to fostering a sustainable and prosperous economic future for the state.

B. SERVICE OVERVIEW

DEEP currently contracts with private vendors to provide non-motorized human-powered boat rentals at select state parks. Additional state park locations for non-motorized boat rentals provide more opportunities for these types of services to be enjoyed by the visiting public.

Non-motorized boat rentals are an example of an elevated outdoor recreation experience that would help increase access to the outdoors and would expand tourism destination at additional state parks.

According to findings from survey data reported in Connecticut’s Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 2024-2029, “Expansion of access points and rental facilities can promote water-based recreation.”

To further elevate the public’s experience at these locations, DEEP is seeking to enter a contract with a qualified Concessionaire or qualified Concessionaires under the service authorization of Conn. Gen. Stat. 23-26, to provide non-motorized boat rental services to the public at the State Parks identified below. Applicants do not need to operate at all locations listed, bids are accepted for one or may include several locations to render services.

State Park Locations.

DEEP has identified the following State Parks as suitable for such rentals. Please refer to Attachment A for Concession Area Maps and Attachment C for Site Specifications, which may be found in the Solicitation of the CTsource bid board.

• Burr Pond State Park, Torrington

• Hopeville Pond State Park, Griswold

• Indian Well State Park, Shelton

• Lake Waramaug State Park, Kent/New Preston

• Mount Tom State Park, Litchfield

• Pattaconk Lake/Reservoir Recreation Area (Cockaponset State Forest), Chester/Haddam

• Squantz Pond State Park, New Fairfield

C. SCOPE OF SERVICE DESCRIPTION

1. Service Expectations The Concessionaire will be expected to enter into a three-year contract (2026-2028) with the DEEP for the exclusive right to provide a non-motorized boat rental services operation to the general public, at the state parks listed above. With mutual consent of the parties, said contract may be extended without further competition for a period of less than or equal to the original term of three (3) years.

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The Concessionaire will be solely responsible for all aspects of the concession operation. The

Concessionaire will provide all personnel, equipment, and supplies needed to operate the concession, keep complete records of the concession operation, prepare and maintain all facilities, keep the concession area clean, and remove all trash and recyclable materials from the premises. The Concessionaire will comply with all applicable federal, state, and municipal laws and regulations for the operation of a rental operation. DEEP does not provide direct support for the concession: materially, financially, logistically, or otherwise.

The Concessionaire is expected to be operationally self-sufficient. However, DEEP will publicize the concession to the extent of its available resources.

More specifically, the Concessionaire’s responsibilities and services include:

A. The Concessionaire shall be responsible for acquisition, storage, inspection, maintenance and rental of products along with customer relations, sales and operations.

B. General Maintenance of the facilities and grounds. The Concessionaire shall be responsible for maintaining the Concession areas in a clean and orderly manner.

Representatives of the Commissioner may inspect the Concession areas at any time.

C. Equipment Expectations: Provide all equipment necessary to operate the concession.

All rental equipment shall be continuously maintained and serviced during the entire term of this contract. In accordance with all relevant standards and best practices, the Concessionaire will be responsible for maintenance, repair or replacement of any necessary equipment. Equipment shall include, but is not limited to, canoes, kayaks, stand up paddleboards, and paddles and U.S. Coast Guard approved Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs). Additionally, the Concessionaire:

a. Shall supply a temporary tent or travel trailer for ticket booth and office operations.

b. If no existing facilities are available, Concessionaire shall supply fully serviced portable toilets at the recreation area hat shall be serviced on a regular basis at the Concessionaire's sole expense. Currently, all locations do have working facilities.

c. Shall be responsible for collecting litter and trash generated by the operation that shall be serviced (removed) on a regular basis.

d. Shall maintain the grounds of the park where concession operations take place in a safe and orderly manner.

e. Shall keep office equipment in working order to run daily operations.

f. Shall ensure customers keep rental equipment in the state park for which it is rented.

g. Shall have, use and ensure various water rescue equipment is in good working order:

i. Personal Flotation Devices: For each person in a rented vessel, the Concessionaire must provide at no charge a properly-fitted, United States Coast Guard approved Type I, Type II or Type III personal floatation device. The Concessionaire may offer optional equipment upgrades (i.e., greater comfort or utility) for rental as an alternative to the minimum mandatory equipment.

ii. Designated emergency paddlecraft for staff to operate in rescues.

D. Utilities and Suppliers: For the use of the Mount Tom SP Concession Building only, the Concessionaire at its sole expense shall set up the billing and payment for utility

Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Page 10 of 41 services (electric/water) and suppliers. No other concession locations have the optional use of a building.

E. Security: For the use of the Mount Tom SP Concession Building only, the Concessionaire will be issued specific keys as requested, to be assigned to key employees, along with an alarm code if available. Keys and alarm codes should not be shared or distributed outside of the assigned employee. No other concession locations have the optional use of a building.

F. Boating Safety and Training: Orientation and instruction to the customer must be provided by the Concessionaire. Instruction on how to operate the equipment, including paddling techniques, safety guidelines, and information about local water conditions, must be included as part of the rental agreement:

a. All hired employees shall be thoroughly trained and shall review the Concessionaire’s written safety programs in their orientation. This safety orientation shall include the Concessionaire’s Emergency Action Plan, Accident Prevention Plan, Blood borne pathogens/exposure Control Plan, and Personal Protection Equipment Plan.

b. The Concessionaire shall provide the following to all participants

i. waiver with detailed hazards, liabilities, responsibilities that all participants shall sign prior to entering the water.

ii. written and verbal safety instructions to each participant prior to entering the water.

iii. Aquatic invasive species education of waterway for rentals.

c. The Concessionaire shall also conduct up-to-date weather patterns monitoring and will close the operation when necessary.

G. Emergency Action Plan: Upon Execution of this contract, the Concessionaire shall provide to DEEP’s Division of State Parks and Public Outreach with a copy of an “Emergency Action Plan” that addresses the safety of patrons while on the water with watercraft rented by the Concessionaire.

The emergency plan for Indian Well State Park must include details for when water is released from the dam.

H. Retrieval of vessels: When the concession is open for business, the Concessionaire must have a watercraft available for use in rescues or retrievals. All staff shall be trained in paddling or rowing techniques and mid-waterbody rescue procedures and shall possess at least Level 1 American Canoe Association certification (or equivalent) for the vessel type(s) offered for rental.

I. Prices and Posting: The Concessionaire is expected to provide in writing pricing for DEEP’s review and approval of all commodities available for rent to the public including;

a. The Concessionaire shall submit, in writing, an annual price list for all rental equipment to the Commissioner for approval no later than April 1 of each year during the term of the contract. Submit in writing annually any price adjustments of rental equipment by April 1st for Commissioner of DEEP approval.

b. Post prices of all items for rent including on their social media webpages and on site in full and open view of the public while the concession is open.

J. Prohibited Articles: No intoxicating beverages, tobacco products or illegal/illicit articles of any kind shall be kept, sold, given away, advertised or used in or about the premises. The sale of glass bottled goods is also prohibited.

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K. Licenses, Permits and Taxes: During the term of the contract the Concessionaire shall, at its sole expense, pay all taxes and license fees associated with concession operations that shall accrue or become due under the laws of the United States, the State of Connecticut, or the Municipal Code of the Town of the respective Park location. Be responsible for obtaining all necessary licenses, permits, certifications, inspections and other such items under the laws of the United States, the State of Connecticut, or the Municipal Code of the respective park Town location. Upon request by DEEP, the Concessionaire shall provide proof of such documentation.

L. Payment: The successful respondents for each location, as Concessionaires, shall agree to pay to DEEP a minimum annual rent of $1,000 for each location and a minimum annual rent of $2,000 total for the use of the Mount Tom SP Concession Building. The Concessionaire may include additional payment(s) to DEEP as part of their proposal (such as a percentage of net revenue). The total payment to DEEP shall be evaluated annually during the month of September and may be subject to an increase for an amount not more than 10% of annual rent. Any increase shall go into effect in May of the following year.

M. Advertising: The Concessionaire shall be responsible for any advertising and signage for the concession and shall submit to DEEP for approval prior to posting. DEEP will publicize the concession to the extent of its available resources.

N. Equipment Storage: The Concessionaire is expected to provide and maintain a secure and temporary storage for all equipment left on-site when the concessions are closed. A combination of locks, such as coupler or wheel locks/boot, should be used for mobile facilities. Additionally, use of a GPS tracker and/or wireless alarm is recommended for all facilities. The location of storage facilities shall be at the sole direction of DEEP and must be removed at the end of each recreation season by the

Concessionaire at their expense.

O. Compliance: The Concessionaire shall comply with DEEP regulations regarding State Park and Forest Recreation Areas and with any other DEEP policy, as may be amended from time to time, concerning the operation of concessions which will be made available by the Parks Division.

P. Boating Regulations: The Concessionaire shall comply with the state Boating Laws and Regulations of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Failure to comply with any applicable state or federal rules will result in losing the right to operate on state lands.

Q. Other Permits: The Concessionaire shall be solely responsible for securing any other licenses, permits, approvals, or waivers required by any other federal, state, regional, or municipal authority having jurisdiction in the town(s) in which the Concession is located.

2. Operating Schedule

The State Park locations within this RFP are open to the public daily from 8:00AM to sunset.

Alternative access may be approved at the discretion of the location’s Park and Recreation

Supervisor. The Concessionaire(s) will have access to the concession location during normal park operating hours only.

A. At minimum, the Concessionaire(s) will be expected to operate the following schedule:

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

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• Weekdays during the months of July and August, between 10:00 a.m. and one hour before sunset, except during inclement weather.

B. The Concessionaire may operate the Park Concession on any day from the third (3rd)

Saturday of April, or the execution of the contract, through the fourth (4th) Tuesday in October, between 10:00 a.m. and one hour before sunset, except during inclement weather.

C. Deviations from the above stated schedule are allowable but must receive advanced approval in writing from the Park and Recreation Supervisor.

D. When closing due to inclement weather, the Concessionaire shall immediately notify the Park and Recreation Supervisor. The Concessionaire shall keep at the concession location at all times a log of all closures due to inclement weather, and it shall be immediately available to the Park and Recreation Supervisor upon request for inspection.

E. Within thirty (30) days of closing the concession for the season, but in no case later than November 30 of each calendar year that this contract is in effect, the

Concessionaire shall submit an Annual Inclement Weather Closure Report to the Park and Recreation Supervisor.

3. Staffing Expectations

The Concessionaire shall also provide at its sole expense a sufficient number of qualified staff to operate and maintain the concession in a safe and professional manner.

A. Staff shall wear professional and appropriate attire for the work being completed, while adhering to any legal requirements. The Park and Recreation Supervisor of the designated concession location shall have final discretion on what constitutes as professional, appropriate attire.

B. Operate as Independent Contractor: Operations of the facilities shall be conducted as an independent contractor. In no way shall the Concessionaire, or employees or agents thereof, be considered an employee or agent of the State or DEEP. The selected Concessionaire is responsible for payment of their employees and all applicable taxes related thereto, if any.

C. Standard Wage Rates for Certain Workers: Contractors shall comply with all provisions of Connecticut General Statutes 31-57f Standard Wage Rates for Certain

Service Workers and shall pay wages in accordance with the current wage rates provided by the Department of Labor. Information regarding this statute and how and when it applies can be obtained from DOL’s web site at http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/wgwkstnd/standardwage.htm.

D. All staff renting paddlecraft to customers shall be trained in paddling or rowing techniques and mid-waterbody rescue procedures and shall possess at least Level 1

American Canoe Association certification(s) or equivalent for the vessel type(s) proposed for rental.

4. Data and Technology Expectations The Concessionaire shall keep complete records of the concession operation. The Concessionaire shall report results of client satisfaction surveys annually. The report should include standard demographic survey questions, such as age, ethnicity, town of residence, etc.

5. Insurance Expectations http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/wgwkstnd/standardwage.htm

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The Concessionaire will be expected to furnish evidence of insurance including a Certificate of Insurance. A Certificate of Insurance covering the following limits will be required for each year an awarded contract remains in effect, and shall be submitted by the Concessionaire to DEEP by May 1 of each year the awarded contract is in effect:

A. Commercial General Liability insurance providing a minimum of $1,000,000 for all damages arising from bodily injury to or death of all persons in any accident or occurrence and for all damages arising from the destruction of or damage to property in any one accident or occurrence. In cases where any insurance policy shows an aggregate limit, the aggregate shall apply solely to the concession operation or the aggregate limit shall be not less than $2,000,000.

B. The operation of all motor vehicles, including those hired or borrowed, used in connection with this contract shall be covered by Automobile Liability insurance providing for a total limit of $1,000,000 for all damages arising from bodily injuries to or death of all persons in any one accident or occurrence and for all damages arising from the destruction of or damage to property in any one accident or occurrence. In cases where any insurance policy shows an aggregate limit, the aggregate shall apply solely to the concession operation or the aggregate limit shall be not less than $2,000,000.

C. The Concessionaire shall carry Worker’s Compensation insurance in accordance with the requirements of the laws of the State of Connecticut.

D. If applicable, the Concessionaire shall carry Fire Liability Insurance coverage in at least the amount of the appraised value of any concession building used by the Concessionaire.

E. Said coverages are to be provided by insurance companies licensed by the State of Connecticut.

F. The State of Connecticut shall be listed as an Additional Insured on all required coverage, and written evidence of that endorsement shall be included with the evidence of insurance along with the submission of the COI and declaration page prior to any contract performance.

6. Financial Expectations The proposer shall provide evidence that the business is financially stable.

A. Two (2) years of most recent annual audited financial statements or any financial statements prepared by a Certified Public Accountant for the business.

B. The proposer shall affirm that the firm has not been formally found to have engaged in financial impropriety, is not subject of current, pending or past litigation and is not in violation of state and federal law.

7. Inspection, Maintenance, Security, and Utility Expectations The Concessionaire will be expected to be responsible for all aspects of:

A. Inspections. The Concessionaire shall cooperate fully with the DEEP representative to facilitate the representative’s task of completing regular inspections as necessary.

B. Security. The Concessionaire will be expected to keep all equipment secure when sites are unoccupied.

C. Utilities. The Concessionaire will have to pay for any utilities in their operation. Such costs must be included in any proposal.

8. Additional Concessionaire Expectations The Concessionaire will be responsible:

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a. To provide all the equipment necessary to operate non-motorized boat rentals.

Additionally, to provide portable signage and other support equipment in accordance with plans and specifications submitted by the Concessionaire and approved by DEEP as to construction, location, color and/or finishes.

b. To provide and maintain cash registers or electronic payment software. The Concessionaire shall at all times have enough cash on hand to make change for any purchase from the rental.

c. The Concessionaire agrees to not modify the facilities in any way including but not limited to installing equipment, furniture, pictures or advertising displays without the consent of the DEEP Park and Recreation Supervisor.

DEEP may choose to promote the service on CTParks.com or CTVisit.com and through related newsletters and social media.

D. PERFORMANCE MEASURES

The following performance metrics highlight key priorities that will be analyzed with providers/vendors collaboratively during the life of the contract. This is not an exhaustive list, but rather an indication of significant performance metrics of interest to DEEP. DEEP looks forward to working with providers/vendors to define additional important performance metrics.

DEEP shall monitor the performance of the Concessionaire through inspections and validated complaints.

A. Inspections: The Concessionaire shall cooperate fully with the DEEP representative to facilitate the representative’s task of completing the inspection.

B. Investigate complaints: Complaints are expected to be addressed by the Concessionaire per each specific incident. DEEP may investigate complaints by unsatisfied patrons to seek resolutions. The Concessionaire will be provided reasonable opportunity to address each incident and adjust operation as necessary.

Compounding or continued incidents will be addressed by DEEP in the following manner:

1. The first incident will be addressed by DEEP Park Staff. After the first validated report of poor performance or noncompliance, the Concessionaire shall be given a reasonable opportunity to correct the performance and compliance issues.

2. The second incident may result in a meeting involving the Concessionaire, Customer, and DEEP Staff.

3. The third incident may result in termination of an awarded Contract.

E. CONTRACT MANAGEMENT/DATA REPORTING

As part of the State’s commitment to becoming more outcomes-oriented, DEEP seeks to actively and regularly collaborate with providers/vendors to enhance contract management, improve results, and adjust service delivery and policy based on learning what works.

Reliable and relevant data is necessary to ensure compliance, inform trends to be monitored, evaluate results and performance, and drive service improvements. Therefore, DEEP reserves the right to request/collect other key data and metrics from providers/vendors.

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The Concessionaire will be expected to provide an annual report on revenue prior to the start of the next season’s start.

III. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION OVERVIEW

A. SUBMISSION FORMAT INFORMATION

1. Required Outline. All proposals must follow the required outline presented in Section IV – Proposal Outline. Proposals that fail to follow the required outline will be deemed non-responsive and not evaluated.

2. Cover Sheet. The Cover Sheet is Page 1 of the proposal. Proposers must complete and use the Cover Sheet form provided by the Agency in the Section VI Appendix, Attachment D.

3. Table of Contents. All proposals must include a Table of Contents that conforms with the required proposal outline.

4. Executive Summary. Proposals must include a high-level summary, not exceeding 2 pages, of the main proposal and cost proposal. The summary must also include the organization’s eligibility and qualifications to respond to this RFP.

5. Attachments. Attachments other than the required Appendices or Forms identified in the RFP are not permitted and will not be evaluated. Further, the required Appendices or Forms must not be altered or used to extend, enhance, or replace any component required by this RFP. Failure to abide by these instructions will result in disqualification.

6. Style Requirements. THIS IS AN ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION.

Submitted proposals must conform to the following specifications:

• Paper Size: Letter: 8.5” x 11”

• Page Limit: 25 pages in length, double-spaced, including any attachments

• Font Size: 12 point

• Font Type: Times New Roman

• Margins: 1.0”

• Line Spacing: 1.0”

7. Pagination. The proposer’s name must be displayed in the header of each page. All pages, including the required Appendices and Forms, must be numbered in the footer.

8. Packaging and Labeling Requirements. All proposals must be submitted through

CTsource.

9. Declaration of Confidential Information. Proposers are advised that all materials associated with this procurement are subject to the terms of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the Privacy Act, and all rules, regulations and interpretations resulting from them. If a proposer deems that certain information required by this RFP is confidential, the proposer must label such information as CONFIDENTIAL prior to submission. In subsection F of the proposal submission, the proposer must reference where the information labeled CONFIDENTIAL is located in the proposal. EXAMPLE: Section G.1.a.

For each subsection so referenced, the proposer must provide a convincing explanation and rationale sufficient to justify an exemption of the information from release under the FOIA. The explanation and rationale must be stated in terms of (a) the prospective harm

Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Page 16 of 41 to the competitive position of the proposer that would result if the identified information were to be released and (b) the reasons why the information is legally exempt from release pursuant to C.G.S. § 1-210(b).

10. Conflict of Interest - Disclosure Statement. Proposers must include a disclosure statement concerning any current business relationships (within the last three (3) years) that pose a conflict of interest, as defined by C.G.S. § 1-85. A conflict of interest exists when a relationship exists between the proposer and a public official (including an elected official) or State employee that may interfere with fair competition or may be adverse to the interests of the State. The existence of a conflict of interest is not, in and of itself, evidence of wrongdoing. A conflict of interest may, however, become a legal matter if a proposer tries to influence, or succeeds in influencing, the outcome of an official decision for their personal or corporate benefit. The Agency will determine whether any disclosed conflict of interest poses a substantial advantage to the proposer over the competition, decreases the overall competitiveness of this procurement, or is not in the best interests of the State. In the absence of any conflict of interest, a proposer must affirm such in the disclosure statement. Example: “[name of proposer] has no current business relationship (within the last three (3) years) that poses a conflict of interest, as defined by C.G.S. § 1-85.”

B. EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS

1. Evaluation Process. It is the intent of the Agency to conduct a comprehensive, fair, and impartial evaluation of proposals received in response to this RFP. When evaluating proposals, negotiating with successful proposers, and awarding contracts, the Agency will conform with its written procedures for POS and PSA procurements (pursuant to C.G.S. § 4-217) and the State’s Code of Ethics (pursuant to C.G.S. §§ 1-84 and 1-85).

Final funding allocation decisions will be determined during contract negotiation.

2. Evaluation Review Committee. The Agency will designate a Review Committee to evaluate proposals submitted in response to this RFP. The Review Committee will be composed of individuals, Agency staff or other designees as deemed appropriate. The contents of all submitted proposals, including any confidential information, will be shared with the Review Committee. Only proposals found to be responsive (that is, complying with all instructions and requirements described herein) will be reviewed, rated, and scored. Proposals that fail to comply with all instructions will be rejected without further consideration. The Review Committee shall evaluate all proposals that meet the Minimum Submission Requirements by score and rank ordered and make recommendations for awards. The DEEP Commissioner will make the final selection.

Attempts by any proposer (or representative of any proposer) to contact or influence any member of the Review Committee or the Commissioner may result in disqualification of the proposer.

3. Minimum Submission Requirements. To be eligible for evaluation, proposals must

(1) be received on or before the due date and time; (2) meet the Proposal Format requirements; (3) meet the Eligibility and Qualification requirements to respond to the procurement, (4) follow the required Proposal Outline; and (5) be complete. Proposals that fail to follow instructions or satisfy these minimum submission requirements will not be reviewed further The Agency will reject any proposal that deviates significantly from the requirements of this RFP.

4. Evaluation Criteria (and Weights). Proposals meeting the Minimum Submission

Requirements will be evaluated according to the established criteria. The criteria are the objective standards that the Review Committee will use to evaluate the technical merits

Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Page 17 of 41 of the proposals. Only the criteria listed below will be used to evaluate proposals. The weights are disclosed below.

Qualifications (40%)

• Qualifications: Demonstration and documentation of the ability to meet all the qualifications as described in Section I.B.6. Proposals which meet the preferred qualifications will be scored higher.

• Experience: Demonstration of the ability to meet the minimum expectations of years of experience as described in Section I.B.6. Proposals which meet the preferred years of experience will be scored higher.

Service Expectations (30%)

• Operating Schedule: Demonstration of the ability to meet or exceed the minimum operation schedule. Proposals exceeding the minimum operation schedule will receive higher scores.

• Staffing: Demonstration of the ability to staff the concession operation with qualified staff to meet the operating schedule.

• Annual Rent: Demonstration of the ability to meet or exceed the minimum proposed annual rent, to be paid to DEEP, of $1,000.00 per location and $2,000 for use of the Mount Tom SP concession building.

Equipment, Pricing and Selection (30%)

• Equipment: Demonstration of the ability to meet or exceed the minimum expectations for equipment requirements, including but not limited to, rental, operation and safety equipment as described in Section II. C. 1. C. and F.

• Pricing: Demonstration of the understanding of competitive pricing and local pricing standards. Proposals which offer a range of prices and low cost options will be scored higher than prices that seem higher than local pricing standards.

• Selection: Demonstration of the ability to meet or exceed the minimum expectations for equipment rental variation. Wider varieties of offerings (canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, tandem kayaks, leashes, etc.) will be scored higher than limited varieties of offerings (single size of one type of paddlecraft).

• Storage: Demonstration of proper storage for and security of all equipment.

Note:

As part of its evaluation of the Staffing Plan, the Review Committee will review the proposer’s demonstrated commitment to affirmative action, as required by the Regulations of CT State Agencies § 46A-68j-30(10).

5. Proposer Selection. Upon completing its evaluation of proposals, the Review Committee will submit the rankings of all proposals to the Commissioner or Agency Head. The final selection of a successful proposer is at the discretion of the Commissioner or Agency Head. Any proposer selected will be so notified and awarded an opportunity to negotiate a contract with the Agency. Such negotiations may, but will not automatically, result in a contract. Any resulting contract will be posted on the State Contracting Portal. All unsuccessful proposers will be notified by e-mail or U.S. mail, at the Agency’s discretion, about the outcome of the evaluation and proposer selection process. The Agency reserves the right to decline to award contracts for activities in which the Commissioner or Agency Head considers there are not adequate respondents.

6. Contract Execution. Any contract developed and executed as a result of this RFP is subject to the Agency’s contracting procedures, which may include approval by the Office of the Attorney General. Fully executed and approved contracts will be posted on State Contracting Portal and the Agency website.

Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Page 18 of 41

IV. REQUIRED PROPOSAL SUBMISSION OUTLINE AND REQUIREMENTS

A. Cover Sheet

B. Table of Contents

C. Executive Summary

D. Main Proposal

E. Attachments (clearly referenced to summary and main proposal where applicable)

F. Declaration of Confidential Information

G. Conflict of Interest - Disclosure Statement

H. Statement of Assurances

A: Cover Sheet

The Respondent must use the provided cover sheet to capture the following information:

• RFP Name or Number:

• Legal Name:

• FEIN (not required for currently contracted providers/vendors:

• Street Address:

• Town/City/State/Zip:

• Contact Person:

• Title:

• Phone Number:

• E-Mail Address:

• Authorized Official:

• Title:

• Signature:

Legal Name is defined as the name of provider, vendor, CT State agency, or municipality submitting the proposal. Contact Person is defined as the individual who can provide additional information about the proposal or who has immediate responsibility for the proposal. Authorized Official is defined as the individual empowered to submit a binding offer on behalf of the proposer to provide services in accordance with the terms and provisions described in this RFP and any amendments or attachments hereto.

B: Table of Contents

Respondents must include a Table of Contents that lists sections and subsections with page numbers that follow the organization outline and sequence for this proposal.

C: Proposer Executive Summary

The page limitation for this section is two (2) pages double-spaced briefly describing how the Respondent meets the eligibility and qualification criteria outlined in the Proposal Overview and a brief overview of why the Respondent should be selected for the activities highlighted in the scope of services.

D: Main Proposal Submission Requirements To Submit a Responsive Proposal:

Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Page 19 of 41

***Please note the maximum total page length for this section is twenty-five (25) pages (all appendices and other attachments should be referred to in section D and then placed in section E. The Agency Review Committee will not read answers longer than twenty-five (25) pages, double-spaced, in this section.

1. Name of the State Park(s) for which the proposal is being submitted, in order of preference with #1 (one) being the most preferred. Proposals for Mount Tom State Park must identify use of the concession building if desired. Use of the concession building is not required. If use of the building is included in the proposal, the minimum annual rent paid to

DEEP is $2,000. If use of the building is not included in the proposal, the minimum annual rent paid to DEEP is $1,000.

2. Proposer’s Representative Information

a. Name(s)

b. Primary Telephone Number(s)

c. Normal Hours of Availability

3. Business Information

a. Please list the annual rent you propose to pay to DEEP for exclusive use of the concession area.

b. Qualifications

a. Proposers must be at least 18 years of age, and must be able to legally work in the United States of America for the entire term of the contract.

b. Provide a statement of your organization’s qualifications and non-motorized boat rental experience. Where applicable, the statement should include a history of annual gross receipts for the Proposer’s five most recent years of operating a non-motorized boat rentals concession.

c. Legal Status. If the Proposer is a firm or corporation, describe the organization’s legal status (e.g., sole proprietorship, partnership, limited partnership, corporation, subchapter S corporation). Report the states in which the organization is registered to do business.

d. References

Include three letters of reference by a former employer or associate describing a person’s qualifications and dependability. Provide the following information for each reference: name, title, company address, and phone number.

e. Conflict of Interest

Include a disclosure statement concerning any current business relationships (within the last 3 years) that may pose a conflict of interest, as defined by C.G.S. § 1-85.

4. Outline of Work

a. Hours of Operation. Describe the schedule you propose to operate the concession.

Schedules should address days of the week and hours of the day, and meet the minimum requirements found in Section II – C. Scope of Services Description (2).

Also, schedules may vary seasonally. Discuss proposed schedules for the periods generally corresponding to:

• Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend

• Weekdays during the months of July and August

• Prior to Memorial Day and after Labor Day.

D…