DNR - Illini SP Restaurant Concession

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is seeking a vendor to operate the restaurant concession at Illini State Park, located in LaSalle County, with a specific focus on food service and recreational retail operations. The contract requires the selected vendor to provide a comprehensive food service operation from April 1 to October 31, serving prepared food items including hot dogs, hamburgers, French fries, ice cream, and beverages, with additional authorization to sell beer and wine, souvenirs, boating equipment, bait, hunting/fishing stamps, camping supplies, and rental equipment for bicycles and fishing. The Invitation for Bid (IFB) number B-45955 requires electronic submission through BidBuy, with a mandatory pre-submission conference and a bid validity period of 90 days from opening. The solicitation specifies that the contract will be awarded to the vendor submitting the HIGHEST total amount for all contract years, with the initial term running through December 31, 2029, and potential renewals up to 20 additional years. Key requirements include operating hours of Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, maintaining a Reserve Account with a minimum 5% contribution of gross receipts, and carrying general commercial liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence.

The procurement includes a Business Enterprise Program (BEP) goal of 14% for businesses owned and controlled by minorities, women, and persons with disabilities, with a statewide aspirational goal of 20% participation from BEP-certified vendors and 3% from veteran-owned businesses. Vendors must either self-perform as a certified firm, identify certified subcontractors to meet the goals, or demonstrate good faith efforts through documented outreach. Historical financial data from previous concessionaires (C.P.'s Ice Cream, Ltd.) indicates modest annual revenues ranging from $9,000 to $19,000, with consistent operating losses, suggesting potential challenges in the market. The IDNR will provide essential equipment including griddles, fryers, refrigerators, freezers, sinks, and prep tables, while the vendor is responsible for utilities during operating months. The 2024 revenue tracking spreadsheet shows total food and beverage revenue of $31,987.46 from April through September, with the highest revenue month being April at $10,575.00. No specific contract value or budget range is explicitly stated, but vendors must submit a detailed Vendor Disclosure, IPG Active Registered Vendor Disclosure, and BEP Utilization Plan as part of their bid submission.