Horseback Riding Concession for Carter Caves SRP

The Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet's Office of Procurement Services is seeking a concessionaire to provide horseback riding services at Carter Caves State Resort Park for the 2025 summer season. The contract, solicited through Request for Bid (RFB) 758 2500000381, requires the vendor to offer 45-50 minute horseback rides from May 1 to October 31, 2025, with four potential one-year renewal options. Qualified vendors must maintain a minimum of 12 horses and provide all necessary equipment, tack, safety helmets, and personnel. Bidders are required to have a minimum of five years of experience in horseback riding concessions and must submit their proposed commission percentage for gross receipts. The base price for rides is set at $22.00, with an estimated 2,000-3,000 annual rides. Vendor questions are due by January 14, 2025, at 10:00 AM ET, and bids must be electronically submitted by January 21, 2025, at 1:30 PM ET. The contract will be awarded based on a best value scoring method, with the commission percentage worth 100 points and experience evaluated on a pass/fail basis.

The procurement opportunity includes specific requirements for Kentucky-based businesses, with affidavit forms mandating compliance with state regulations for resident and qualified bidders. Vendors must be registered in the Commonwealth's eProcurement system and provide comprehensive insurance coverage, including $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate commercial general liability. The affidavit package includes requirements for maintaining Kentucky corporate income tax payments, unemployment insurance contributions, and workers' compensation coverage. Nonprofit organizations serving individuals with severe disabilities may have additional qualification criteria, such as employing disabled individuals for 75% of direct labor hours. While no specific budget range is indicated, the contract's revenue will be determined by the commission percentage proposed by the successful bidder and the number of rides completed during the season. Vendors must also comply with all state procurement regulations and provide necessary documentation to remain eligible for contract award and continued performance.