DNR - Eldon Hazlet Concession

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is issuing an Invitation for Bid (IFB Number: 26-422DNR-REALT-B-49953) to procure a concession operator for Eldon Hazlet State Park, located in Carlyle, Clinton County, Illinois. The procurement seeks a qualified vendor to operate a comprehensive concession facility consisting of 20 cottages, a camp store, and a swimming pool on a long-term basis. Required services include year-round cottage rental operations with availability from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 10:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with 24-hour access for overnight guests; camp store operations selling food, beverages, souvenirs, and recreation equipment with hours of 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily from May 1 through October 31, and 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. from November 1 through April 30; and seasonal swimming pool operations from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The contract initial term runs from execution through December 31, 2030, with renewal options available for up to 20 additional years, not to exceed 25 years total per Illinois statute. Vendors must demonstrate a minimum of five years' experience in hospitality industry management and must attend a mandatory Pre-Submission Conference; failure to attend, arriving late, leaving early, or failing to sign the attendance sheet will result in disqualification and a non-responsive bid determination. All bids must be submitted electronically through BidBuy by the March 17, 2026 deadline and must remain firm for 90 days from bid opening. Evaluation criteria include vendor qualifications, experience, and pricing structure based on the percentage of gross receipts offered, with award granted to the highest priced responsive and responsible bidder meeting all requirements.

This procurement is not designated as a small business set-aside, and no Business Enterprise Program goal applies to the solicitation. However, vendors must comply with all Illinois procurement regulations and domestic product preferences where applicable, and may be eligible for employment tax credits if hiring qualified veterans or certain ex-offenders. No incumbent vendor is identified in the available procurement documents. The vendor will be responsible for all operating costs including utilities, maintenance, staffing, food service certifications, pest control, and equipment repairs, while IDNR retains responsibility for structural building repairs and parking lot maintenance. The concession facility includes an inventory of substantial fixed assets, including 20 furnished cottages with appliances, furnishings, and amenities; a camp store with retail fixtures; a pool house with specialized equipment; and a housekeeping unit with maintenance supplies. Vendors must maintain a $10,000 surety bond, general liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence with $2,000,000 annual aggregate, and workers' compensation insurance as required by law, and must establish and maintain a minimum Reserve Account balance of $5,000 for maintenance and capital improvements. The contract value is estimated to exceed $50,000 annually based on gross receipts percentages, with IDNR anticipating a minimum of 9% of gross receipts for the initial term; specific award values will depend on the percentage offerings submitted by responsive bidders.