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This is a Request for Proposal issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources seeking concession services to operate food service, restaurant, retail, and ancillary operations at Yellowstone Lake State Park in Winnebago County. The solicitation invites proposals from both for-profit and non-profit organizations to operate the state-owned facility, which has remained vacant for over one year following the departure of the previous operator, Lafayette Dairy Sales, Inc. The concessionaire shall provide food services and restaurant operations, a camp store with convenience items, ice cream sales, coffee service, and baked goods. The facility includes existing Department-owned equipment such as booths, tables, commercial kitchen equipment (ice cream freezer, coolers, deep fryer, commercial grill, and chest freezers). The concessionaire must maintain a minimum of 24 hours of operation Friday through Sunday during the season from Labor Day through Memorial Day, serving a park with approximately 212,000 annual visitors. An on-site vendor conference is scheduled for May 18, 2026 at 11:00 AM, written questions are due by May 21, 2026 at 4:30 PM CT, and proposals must be submitted by May 29, 2026 at 2:00 PM CT via the Wisconsin eSupplier Portal or email. The initial contract term is anticipated to be three to five years ending December 31 of the specified year, though proposers may suggest alternative periods ranging from one to 15 years.

Proposals are evaluated on a 1,000-point scale consisting of organizational capabilities and staffing qualifications (300 points), proposal details for concession operations including merchandise and food service offerings (300 points), transition plan (150 points), and cost proposal (250 points). The cost evaluation focuses on the percentage of gross annual revenues the concessionaire proposes to pay to the Department, worth 250 points. Historical performance data indicates successful operations have generated $105,000 to $120,000 in gross annual revenues pre-COVID. Certified Minority Business Enterprises and Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses are eligible to receive up to five percent preference weighting in the evaluation. The Department will provide utilities including water, bathroom access, electric, heat and air conditioning, and holding tank services, while the concessionaire is responsible for all other costs including septic service, waste management, and LP gas. The concessionaire must maintain public liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and submit annual financial reports within 90 days after January 1st. The solicitation explicitly excludes boat rental services, bait sales, and firewood provision, which are currently provided by Friends of Yellowstone Lake.