P24CA002 RFP Silverwood Lake SRA Marina Operations

The California Department of Parks and Recreation is seeking a qualified operator for a 30-year concession contract to manage marina operations at Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area in San Bernardino County. The Request for Proposals (RFP P24CA002) requires the selected vendor to develop, operate, and maintain a full-service marina with significant capital improvements. Key deliverables include constructing a new marina store, renovating existing beach facilities, replacing 60-100 boat slips and docks, and potentially developing watercraft rental and fueling services. Proposers must demonstrate a minimum of five years of relevant business experience and have the ability to access $3 million in funding for facility improvements. The RFP mandates a comprehensive operational plan that includes providing at least 30 boat slip rentals, 20 motorized boats for rent, and various concession services. A pre-proposal meeting is scheduled for July 9, 2025, at 10:00 AM at the Silverwood Lake SRA Marina, with Letters of Intent and questions due by August 8, 2025, and final proposals due by October 8, 2025, at 2:00 PM in Sacramento.

The procurement encourages participation from small businesses and disabled veteran-owned businesses (SB/DVBE), with certification options available in the proposal documents. Financial terms include a guaranteed annual rent of at least $25,000 or 10% of gross annual receipts, whichever is greater, plus additional percentages for maintenance and improvement accounts. The contract requires the concessionaire to establish a Facility Maintenance and Improvement Account, depositing 2% of monthly gross receipts for park upgrades. The opportunity is positioned in a growing region, with San Bernardino County expected to grow by approximately 20% by 2060 and a nearby proposed residential development of over 16,000 dwellings that could increase park visitation. The current marina infrastructure includes 38 wet and 38 dry boat slips, boat rentals, and a beach store with seasonal snack bar operations. The minimum required investment is $3 million by the fifth contract year, with the ability to offset this against minimum annual rent during the initial three years of the contract.