Pontoon Boat Eco Tour Concession Services

The City of Kissimmee is seeking a concessionaire to provide pontoon boat eco-tour services at the Kissimmee Lakefront Park Marina on Lake Toho, targeting general public and tourist markets. The Request for Proposal (RFP2025-001) requires vendors to operate tour boats with a minimum passenger capacity of fifteen (15), with specific operational parameters to be negotiated with the city. Proposal submissions are due on November 22, 2024, at 2:00 PM, with a public bid opening at 2:30 PM the same day. The initial contract term is 36 months, with potential renewals for two additional 12-month periods, and operations are expected to commence by December 1, 2024. Evaluation criteria will comprehensively assess proposal completeness, vessel availability, tour pricing, personnel expertise, company experience, past contracts, references, and potential financial benefits to the city. Vendors must provide all necessary equipment, maintain appropriate insurance coverage (including workers' compensation, general liability, and automobile liability), conduct employee background checks, and comply with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

Florida Everglades Eco-Toon Tours from St. Cloud, Florida, appears to be the sole vendor currently listed for this opportunity. The concessionaire will be required to pay the City 3% of gross sales monthly, with payments due by the 10th of each month. The city will provide designated boat slips, electricity, water, and access to public parking and restrooms. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the contract includes infrastructure support and revenue-sharing mechanisms. No explicit set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises are mentioned in the documentation. The procurement does not indicate any specific technology integration requirements beyond standard operational expectations for marine-based tourism services. The Notice of Intent document recommends awarding the contract to Florida Everglades Eco-Toon Tours, LLC, pending final Commission approval, suggesting this vendor may have a competitive advantage in the solicitation process.