80013-3 Lowden State Park Concession

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is seeking vendors to operate the concession at Lowden State Park located in Ogle County, Illinois. The selected vendor will be authorized to sell a variety of goods and services including food, non-alcoholic beverages, souvenirs, bait, hunting/fishing licenses, firewood, and bicycle rentals. The initial contract term is from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2028, with an option to renew for one additional 5-year term. Vendors must submit bids through the BidBuy online system by February 8, 2024. The State will accept the highest responsive and responsible bid, and the vendor will be responsible for maintaining the concession building, providing janitorial services, and selling only Illinois-made and compostable/recyclable products. The State will provide the concession building, utilities, and grounds maintenance, while the vendor is responsible for all other operating expenses. Rental payments will be evaluated as part of the bid award, with a minimum annual rent of $500.

The solicitation contains goals that 30% of the contract value will be performed by Business Enterprise Program (BEP) certified vendors, and 10% will be performed by Veterans Business Program (VBP) certified vendors. Bidders must submit a completed Utilization Plan demonstrating how they will meet these goals, either through self-performance or by subcontracting to certified BEP/VBP vendors. Bidders can request a full or partial waiver of the goals if they can demonstrate good faith efforts to engage certified BEP/VBP vendors. The State has not provided information on the incumbent vendor or the estimated contract value.