DNR Lincoln Trail Concession

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is seeking a vendor to operate the restaurant and boat concession at Lincoln Trail State Park in Clinton County through an Invitation for Bid (IFB) numbered 26-422DNR-DIREC-B-49369. The successful bidder will manage a comprehensive concession operation from April 1 to October 31 annually, which includes providing prepared food, selling Illinois Native Firewood, bagged ice, boat rentals, and fishing supplies. The contract will initially run from signature through December 31, 2029, with potential renewals up to 20 additional years. Bidders must submit electronic proposals through the state's BidBuy system by October 15, 2025, and attendance at a mandatory pre-submission conference is required. The state will award the contract to the highest-priced responsive and responsible bidder, with evaluation criteria focusing on compliance with specifications, vendor certifications, and overall responsiveness to the solicitation requirements.

The procurement opportunity does not specify a specific Business Enterprise Program (BEP) goal, and no security bond is required for submission. While the solicitation does not explicitly restrict participation, vendors must complete comprehensive disclosure documentation, including the Illinois Procurement Gateway Active Registered Vendor Disclosure form and a detailed Vendor Disclosure form. The financial performance of the concession indicates potential variability, with historical profit and loss statements showing both profitable and loss-generating years. The vendor will be required to pay a percentage of gross receipts into a Reserve Account, starting at 3% in the first year (2025) and increasing to 5% in subsequent years. The contract includes specific financial obligations, such as maintaining $1,000,000 in General Commercial Liability insurance and submitting monthly gross receipt reports, with an anticipated annual gross revenue range based on historical performance between $117,000 and $272,000.