P25CA005 RFP Historic-style Specialty Retail

The California Department of Parks and Recreation is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a 10-year concession contract to operate a historic-style specialty retail business at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park (OTSDSHP), located at 2737 San Diego Avenue in San Diego. The successful proposer will develop, equip, operate, and maintain a non-exclusive retail operation that captures the historical, cultural, ethnic, and geographic themes of the American Period (1821-1872), with the goal of recreating the early San Diego commercial atmosphere. The concessionaire must operate the facility seven days per week with seasonal hour variations (10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during winter months, extended to 7:00 p.m. during peak season), and must complete a minimum $50,000 in facility improvements by the end of contract year three, including specific repairs to roofing, electrical systems, plumbing, and structural elements. Required qualifications include a minimum of five years of relevant business experience, a FICO credit score of at least 660, a debt-to-income ratio not exceeding 50%, and demonstrated financial capability supported by certified public accountant-verified financial statements and bank references. Evaluation criteria for selecting the "Best Responsible Proposer" include management experience, quality of operational and interpretive plans, facility improvement plans, rental offer competitiveness, and overall concession feasibility. Key deadlines include a pre-proposal meeting on March 24, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Colorado House; a Letter of Intent and questions deadline of April 10, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. (directed to Megan.Boisvert@parks.ca.gov); and a final proposal submission deadline of June 5, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the California Department of Parks and Recreation, 715 P Street, 13th Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814.

No specific set-aside designations or restrictions on organization types are identified in the RFP materials provided. The incumbent concessionaire has generated gross receipts ranging from approximately $524,000 to $937,000 annually over the past decade. The rental structure requires payment of the greater of $50,000 annually or 8% of gross receipts, plus a 2% Facility Maintenance Improvement Account fee based on monthly gross receipts, with Consumer Price Index adjustments capped at 3% applied to the $50,000 minimum rent at the end of each fifth contract year. The concessionaire must obtain comprehensive insurance coverage including $1,000,000 general liability, $1,000,000 auto liability, statutory workers' compensation with $1,000,000 employer's liability, and property insurance equal to 100% of the $2,425,000 replacement cost of the facility, along with a performance bond equal to one year's minimum annual rent. A $500 proposal bond must accompany each proposal submission. The park receives 3 to 4 million visitors annually and represents one of the top tourist attractions in the San Diego area, suggesting substantial revenue potential for a qualified operator.