Glen Elder Marina Concession

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks is seeking competitive bid proposals from qualified concessionaires to operate and maintain the marina concession at Glen Elder State Park on Waconda Reservoir, with proposals due October 27, 2026 at 2:00 PM CST. Bidders may claim Disabled Veteran Owned Business or Certified Business Bidder Preference if eligible and supporting documentation is submitted.

Bidders must document a minimum of five years of continuous experience operating a marina concession or comparable public recreation concession and provide two references from public agencies or landowners. The scope encompasses marina facilities, goods, and recreation services including marina store sales, fishing equipment and bait, recreational equipment rentals, fuel service, cereal malt beverages (with discretionary approval for other alcoholic beverages), and boat slip rental and storage services. The concessionaire must operate minimum daylight hours daily from April 15 through October 15, with discretionary hours from October 16 through April 14. The concessionaire bears all operational costs including equipment, facilities, utilities, maintenance, and repair; the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks provides potable water and garbage removal.

The contract term runs from award through December 31, 2031, with an option to renew for one additional five-year period upon mutual agreement and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation concurrence. The concession area sits on lands and waters administered by KDWP under a lease from the Bureau of Reclamation, and award is contingent on Reclamation review and approval.

Bidders must submit compensation to the State as either a fixed minimum annual payment, a percentage of gross sales (including fuel, product, storage, and slip rentals), or a combination where the State receives the greater amount. Required insurance includes commercial general liability of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate, plus liquor liability insurance of $1 million per occurrence. Bidders must obtain a current Tax Clearance Certificate from the Kansas Department of Revenue and complete mandatory State forms (Boycott of Israel, Sexual Harassment, Immigration Reform and Control). Written questions are due by close of business October 2, 2026. No pre-bid conference is scheduled. Award will be made to the responsible bidder whose proposal represents best value to the State.