Questions and Answers RFP27-565-20 dated 5-21-26.docx

Vendor Site Visit for Concessionaire RFP #27-565-20

1. If we cannot make this site visit today could I arrange to meet with park staff for a quick tour? (received by the DNR before site visit on 5/18/26) Answer: Yes, you may contact zachary.shelton@wisconsin.gov or michael.degenhardt@wisconsin.gov (608-523-4427) for a site visit through this week Friday May 22, 2026.

2. Is there 30 amp breakers in the building? Answer: There are multiple 30 amp breakers and outlets in the building.

3. Is the fryer and Grill electric? Answer: Both the fryer and grill are electric

4. What hours of operation are you looking for? Answer: No later then 10pm without prior approval by park management.

5. What time of day is the busiest at the park? Answer: 11 am- 4 pm

6. Do you want the concessionaire to start up this Summer?

Answer: Yes, the DNR would like something to be available this Summer if possible. We understand that it is late in the season to expect a fully operational concession building from day one. In Section 6.2 of the RFP the DNR asks the proposer to provide a transition plan (worth 150 points of a total of 1,000 points). In the transition plan you should include details such as the level of coverage for calendar year 2026 an estimated start day in 2026. If you do not plan on having any presence in 2026 but instead to start in 2027 this should also be included in the transition plan.

7. How busy is the park in September, October and November? Answer: After Labor Day attendance drops off during the week but remains high on the weekends. A spike in attendance occurs during the Fall color change. In November hunters are the primary users, and attendance is lower.

8. What kind of camp store items might be popular that I should stock in the store? Answer: Basic grocery items one may need for camping, bug spray, sun block, fire starters.

9. Is there an ice making machine on site? Answer: there is currently no ice maker on site.

10. Does all of the equipment on site work? If it does not work would the DNR replace it? Answer: To our knowledge all the equipment on site works. The DNR would repair or replace any of the equipment we own should it stop working.

11. The building currently does not have fiber optic/internet installed in the building. Do you know when or if fiber optic will be installed in the building? Answer: Fiber may be installed in as early as three weeks, but there is no definitive timeline.

12. Would the concessionaire be responsible for paying to have fiber optic installed in the building? Answer: Running fiber optic to the dairy stand is currently in the works. The concessionaire is not responsible for having the fiber run but would be responsible for paying for the internet service if they desired to have it.

13. Does furniture exist for the deck? Answer: There is currently no deck furniture.

14. There is a propane tank on site. Is that just for the heating and cooling? Answer: The propane tank is for heating and cooling

15. I see that there is a new AC unit in a box in the building. Is that going to be installed in the building? Answer: A mini split air handler is going to be installed in the dining area this will be in addition to the existing forced air A/C unit.

16. Who is the company that currently supplies dumpsters and picks up the waste? Answer: Republic Survives

17. The language in the RFP is not clear. If new equipment is needed for the site is the DNR or the concessionaire to buy the equipment and own it? We have some specialized equipment that we want to bring in that another vendor might not use. We would like to be the owners of that specialized equipment. Answer: any equipment that the DNR supplies or purchases is owned by the DNR. Any equipment the concessionaire brings in would be theirs.

18. The more common equipment, like the chest freezers, ice making machine and furniture for the deck area, be something that the DNR might buy to keep it on site under DNR ownership? Answer: We would consider purchasing equipment or furniture for the dairy stand and maintaining ownership if we felt it would be useful for future vendors. All such requests should be submitted in the proposal.

19. Does FedEx deliver to the park? Answer: Yes, FedEx, UPS, USPS, and Speedee all deliver to the park.

20. We are considering vending machines at the building but would prefer that the vending machines be inside the building. Can the building be made accessible for campers to stop by in the building to access vending machines after hours? Answer: Currently no

21. We understand that there were problems with the last sub-contractor that operated in the building. What kind of problems did you have with them? Answer: The last sub-contractor didn’t adhere to the agreed upon hours of operations, had poor record keeping, and offered products below the standard visitors had come to expect.

22. Do people using the parking lot need to have a Park Permit or day pass on their car? Answer: A park pass is required for all users. All campers will already have park passes and many locals already have passes to utilize other aspects of the park. Employees of the dairy stand would not need a parking pass

23. Is the DNR looking at installing a kiosk or a paper method of obtaining a park permit or day pass at the concession building? Answer: Not at this time.

24. How much is a park permit and a day pass? Answer: Resident Annual $28, Senior Resident Annual $13, Non-Resident Annual $50, Resident Daily $13, Non-Resident Daily $16

25. Who are your main customers (campers)? Are they local or out of state/area? Answer: Campers are the largest customer group that use the dairy stand. They come from all over the state. There is also heavy use of our park from out of state especially from the Chicago area. There are also many locals who still inquire about the dairy stand.

26. We are looking at changing the name of the concession building. Is that okay? Can we install our own sign? Changing the name would be considered.

27. Septic tank questions: Who pays for pumping the tank? How often does it need to be pumped? Which vendor currently pumps the septic tank? How much does it cost to pump the tank? Answer: The concessionaire is responsible for having the septic tank pumped.

28. Are there special events or times of the year where the park is particularly crowded? Answer: Holiday weekends are the busiest times of year for the park.

29. Can the concessionaire rent out the building for catered events, such as weddings? Answer: Yes, but this should be in the proposal. It’s worth noting that the park in only opened to the public until 11:00 pm

30. Who pays the electric bills, the DNR or the concessionaire? Who is the electricity vendor? Answer: The concessionaire is responsible for paying the electric bill. The vendor is Scenic Rivers Energy Cooperative

31. Who pays the heating bills during the Winter when the building is closed? The DNR or the concessionaire vendor? Vendor has paid in the past, otherwise we may need more for compensation. Is the building supposed to be kept up to a specific temperature in the Winter so the pipes do not freeze? We have been setting the heat at 50 degrees in the winter.