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This is a Request for Proposal issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for concession services at Yellowstone Lake State Park in Winnebago County. The Department seeks qualified organizations to provide food services and restaurant operations, camp store items, ice cream sales, coffee service, and baked goods at the state-owned facility, which has remained vacant for over one year following the departure of the previous operator, Lafayette Dairy Sales, Inc. The facility receives approximately 212,000 annual visitors and must maintain a minimum of 24 hours of operation Friday through Sunday during the season from Labor Day to Memorial Day. An on-site vendor conference is scheduled for May 18, 2026 at 11:00 AM, with written questions due by May 21, 2026 at 4:30 PM CT and proposals due May 29, 2026 at 2:00 PM CT via the Wisconsin eSupplier Portal or email to Konrad.plachetta@wisconsin.gov. 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 comprising organizational capabilities and staffing qualifications (300 points), proposal details for concession operations (300 points), transition plan (150 points), and cost proposal (250 points). The cost evaluation focuses on the percentage of gross annual revenues proposed to be paid to the Department. Both for-profit and non-profit organizations are eligible, with Certified Minority Business Enterprises and Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses eligible to receive up to five percent preference weighting. 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 Department will provide utilities including water, bathroom access, electric, heat and air conditioning, and a holding tank, while the concessionaire is responsible for septic service, waste management, and LP gas costs. Historical performance data indicates successful operations have generated $105,000 to $120,000 in gross annual revenues pre-COVID. Proposals must exclude boat rental services, bait sales, and firewood provision, which are currently provided by Friends of Yellowstone Lake.