Horseback Riding Concession - Carter Caves SRP

The Kentucky Department of Parks, through the Finance and Administration Cabinet, is issuing a Request for Bid (RFB 758 2600000563) for a horseback riding concession at Carter Caves State Resort Park, located at 344 Caveland Drive, Olive Hill, Kentucky 41164-9032. The concessionaire will operate a horseback riding service providing guided trail rides of 45-50 minutes in duration during the summer season from May 1 through October 31, 2026, with the potential for special events at the Park Manager's discretion. The initial contract period is one year with four optional one-year renewal periods. The concessionaire must maintain a minimum of twelve horses from April through October and operate during the same hours as the park from Memorial Day to Labor Day, with an estimated annual volume of 2,000 to 3,000 rides at a fixed price of $25.00 per ride. Required qualifications include a minimum of five years of experience operating a horseback concession. The evaluation will be conducted on a "best value" basis, with the percentage commission remitted to Kentucky Parks serving as the primary criterion (100 points), while meeting the five-year experience requirement is a mandatory pass/fail condition. All bids must be submitted electronically through the Commonwealth's eProcurement system, with vendor registration in the Vendor Self Service System required at least 24-48 hours prior to submission. Vendors' written questions are due by May 5, 2026, at 10:00 AM ET, with the bid closing on May 15, 2026, at 1:30 PM ET, and proposed pricing must remain valid for 60 calendar days after the bid due date.

The solicitation does not specify any set-aside designations or restrictions limiting participation to specific types of organizations or disadvantaged enterprises. The concessionaire will be responsible for all operational costs, including horse care, feed, veterinary and farrier services, equipment, personnel, insurance, and facility maintenance; however, the park will provide paddock space from March 15 through November 15, along with water, electricity, office space, and trail maintenance at no cost. Required insurance includes Commercial General Liability with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, and Automobile Liability Insurance of $1,000,000 combined single limit. Prior to award, the concessionaire must submit proof of insurance, Kentucky Tax Registration (Revenue Form 10A100), and required affidavits. The award value is not specified in the solicitation; rather, compensation is structured as a performance-based commission on gross receipts (excluding Kentucky Sales Tax and Federal Excise Taxes) derived from horseback riding operations, with the specific commission percentage to be proposed by the bidder. For additional information, interested parties may contact Stephanie Durr at 502-564-6521.