2027 Historic Cemetery Tours

The Boston Parks and Recreation Department is requesting proposals for a contractor to operate historically accurate nighttime tours at Copps Hill, Granary Burying Ground, and Kings Chapel Burying Grounds, with proposals due October 22, 2026 at 12:00 PM EST and pre-proposal questions due October 14, 2026.

The contractor must deliver tours nightly between April 15 and November 15 annually (year-round operations encouraged), accommodating a maximum of 30 customers per tour. Entry times are no earlier than 6:00 PM with departure by 9:30 PM (Copps Hill) or 10:55 PM (Granary and Kings Chapel). Prior contractors have generated over 20,000 annual tour customers, though the Parks Department makes no guarantee regarding future volumes.

This is a revenue-sharing engagement; the City provides no direct compensation. The contractor retains ticket-sale proceeds and pays the City a fixed amount per customer monthly by the 10th of the following month, with a minimum floor of $5 per ticket. The contractor must submit detailed pricing and technical proposals separately and provide annual financial statements certified by a public accountant.

The contract term runs January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2029. The contractor must comply with City of Boston standard contract terms and certifications, including Wage Theft Prevention (CM-16), Living Wage ($19.36 per hour minimum for vendors with 25 or more full-time equivalent employees), and CORI Compliance. Insurance requirements include Workers' Compensation; Commercial General Liability ($1 million per occurrence/$2 million aggregate); Automobile Liability ($1 million combined single limit); Umbrella Liability ($1 million); Technology Errors & Omissions/Cyber Liability ($1 million per claim/$1 million aggregate); Third Party Crime/Employee Dishonesty ($1 million); and Professional Services ($2 million per claim/$2 million aggregate).

Evaluation assesses timely submission and completion of required documentation, then comparative evaluation based on proposal clarity and relevant experience, vendor qualifications and business plan, and tour script engagement and historical accuracy. Anticipated award is November 10, 2026.