DNR Lincoln Trail Concession

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is soliciting bids for the Lincoln Trail State Park Concession contract, located in Marshall, Clinton County, Illinois. The procurement involves operating a comprehensive concession facility that includes a restaurant, bait shop, and boat rental services, with operations scheduled from April 1 to October 31 annually. The successful vendor must provide prepared food, sell Illinois Native Firewood, offer bait shop services, and maintain a minimum boat rental inventory of 4 kayaks and 5 John boats. A mandatory pre-submission conference is scheduled for August 7, 2025, at 10:30 AM, and all electronic bid submissions must be completed through the BidBuy platform by August 21, 2025. The contract term spans from the Governor's signature through December 31, 2029, with potential renewals up to 20 additional years. The vendor must operate during specific hours: Tuesday-Thursday 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., and Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Notably, the state will award the contract to the HIGHEST priced responsive and responsible bidder, with emphasis on total contract value across all years.

There are no explicit set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, though the solicitation mentions potential tax credits for vendors hiring qualified veterans and certain ex-offenders. The current operator appears to be Jonathan Cable, who has submitted financial statements demonstrating historical operational performance at the site. The vendor must maintain comprehensive insurance, comply with health and safety regulations, and provide monthly financial reports. Financial obligations include paying a percentage of gross receipts into a Reserve Account, starting at 3% for the first year and increasing to 5% in subsequent years. The contract includes a Leasehold Account provision allowing the vendor to reduce rental payments by up to 50% for authorized improvements. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, historical financial statements from the current operator suggest annual gross revenues between $117,000 and $272,000. The vendor must use compostable food ware, offer Made in USA products, and maintain the premises in accordance with IDNR standards.