Horseback Riding Concession for Carter Caves SRP

The Commonwealth of Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, on behalf of the Kentucky Department of Parks, is soliciting bids for a horseback riding concession master agreement at Carter Caves State Resort Park located in Olive Hill, Kentucky. The concessionaire will provide guided horseback trail rides of approximately 45-50 minutes duration during the 2025 summer season from May 1 through October 31, with an estimated 2,000-3,000 rides annually and potential special event rides at the Park Manager's discretion. Required qualifications include a minimum of five years of experience providing similar horseback riding services, and bidders must maintain at least twelve horses from April through October while providing all necessary equipment, feed, veterinary services, and personnel. The concessionaire must obtain Commercial General Liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, plus Automobile Liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence if vehicles are used. The award methodology employs a best value approach with the commission percentage weighted at 100 points, and pricing is structured as a percentage of gross receipts (excluding Kentucky Sales Tax and Federal Excise Taxes) with individual ride prices set by the Department at $22.00 per ride. The initial contract period commences May 17, 2025, with four optional one-year renewal periods available. Written questions are due January 14, 2025 at 10:00 AM ET, electronic bid responses must be submitted through the Kentucky eProcurement system by January 21, 2025 at 1:30 PM ET, and a bid reading will occur at 3:30 PM ET on the closing date.

Kentucky resident bidder preferences and qualified bidder preferences apply per state statute, with qualified bidders including nonprofit corporations or agencies serving individuals with severe disabilities that employ such individuals for at least seventy-five percent of direct labor hours. All bidders must be registered in the Commonwealth eProcurement System prior to submission, requiring 24-48 hours for vendor registration completion. Bidders are required to submit notarized affidavits certifying compliance with Kentucky campaign finance laws and, if applicable, resident bidder or qualified bidder status with supporting documentation. No incumbent vendor or current contractor is identified in the solicitation materials. The Park provides paddock space (March 15 through November 15), facilities, water, electricity, trails, and office space to support operations. The contract value is not fixed but rather dependent on the commission percentage bid by the selected vendor and actual ride revenue generated; the concessionaire may request annual adjustments to individual ride pricing between November 1 and March 1. The Commonwealth Buyer is Keith Srutowski, and all bidders must comply with applicable state and federal laws while maintaining detailed financial records subject to inspection and adhering to strict animal welfare and facility maintenance standards.