MassDOT Notice of Intent to Accept a Best Value Offer for Operations of Maria Miles Visitor Center

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is soliciting best-value offers for the five-year operation and maintenance of the Maria Miles Visitor Center on Interstate 95 Southbound in Salisbury, Massachusetts, with responses due October 13, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. via COMMBUYS. MassDOT intends to award the contract to the incumbent, the North of Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau, a Massachusetts nonprofit, but invites qualified alternative vendors to submit competing proposals demonstrating comparable or superior value.

The scope requires operation of the information/sanitary facility building, vending services building, information kiosk, parking areas, walkways, picnic areas, exterior lighting, signage, and access/egress roadways. The operator must staff the facility daily with a minimum of two personnel from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., seven days per week, except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, with seasonal hour adjustments specified in the contract. The operator is responsible for daily cleaning, waste consolidation, janitorial services, and visitor volume tracking. MassDOT retains responsibility for utility costs, routine building maintenance, landscaping, mechanical sweeping, snow removal, pest control, sanitary system maintenance, capital repairs, and daily sanitary facility cleaning.

MassDOT will provide annual compensation of $120,000, with a total not to exceed $600,000 over the five-year initial term without prior written approval. The contract term runs July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2031, with an option to renew for an additional five years upon written notice by the operator at least 60 days before termination and MassDOT approval within 30 days.

The operator must maintain comprehensive insurance: $1 million per occurrence / $2 million aggregate public liability, $1 million automobile liability, workers' compensation per Massachusetts law, $2 million umbrella coverage, and fire and extended coverage with MassDOT named as additional insured and loss payee. Annual financial reporting including revenue and expense reports is due by July 31.

Responding vendors must submit Prompt Payment Discount Forms, Contractor Authorized Signatory Listings, and W-9 forms. All vendors must register in COMMBUYS at no charge. No bidders conference or site visit is scheduled.