Non-Motorized Watersports at Fenwick Island

The State of Delaware, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), Division of Parks and Recreation, is issuing an Invitation to Bid (ITB) NAT26002 for Non-Motorized Watersports Rental Services at Fenwick Island State Park located at 36840 Coastal Highway, Fenwick Island, Delaware 19944. The procurement seeks a qualified vendor to provide comprehensive rental services for kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, paddle boats, canoes, and other non-motorized manually propelled watersports equipment, as well as authorized special activities and group activities at the park. The contract period spans approximately two years, commencing May 15, 2026, through April 30, 2028, with one optional two-year renewal period subject to negotiation. The vendor must operate at minimum during pre-season weekends beginning the first weekend in May, peak season from the Thursday before Memorial Day through Labor Day from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. seven days per week, and post-season through mid-October with reduced hours. Required qualifications include possession of a Delaware business license prior to award, staff CPR/first aid certification, American Canoe Association (ACA) certification for instructors, and availability of a small motorized chase/rescue boat or jet ski at all times during operation. The vendor must submit mandatory monthly usage reports in Excel format by the 15th of each month and quarterly subcontractor diversity reporting. Written questions must be submitted by Friday, March 27, 2026, with answers posted by Friday, April 3, 2026, and sealed bids are due by Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time, with contract award expected within thirty days of the bid opening.

The vendor bears all operational costs including equipment, utilities, permits, licenses, insurance, maintenance, portable toilet facilities, and end-of-season site restoration. Required insurance coverage includes workers' compensation, commercial general liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence with $3,000,000 aggregate limits, automotive liability, and product liability coverage. The annual contract fee must not be less than $35,000.00, payable in two equal installments on July 15 and September 15. Historical site revenue data provided by the state ranges from approximately $121,000 to $250,000 annually from 2014 through 2025, indicating significant revenue potential for the successful bidder. The procurement documents do not identify any specific set-asides for disadvantaged enterprises, small businesses, or other restricted categories, nor do they reference incumbent vendors or current contractors. The division retains exclusive rights to conduct park programming and reserves the right to terminate the contract for cause with thirty days' notice or for convenience with sixty days' notice.