Rentals & Concession Vendor for War Veterans Memorial Park

Pinellas County Parks and Conservation Resources (PCR) Department is soliciting proposals for a concession services contract at War Veterans Memorial Park in St. Petersburg, Florida. The procurement seeks an exclusive vendor to provide kayak, canoe, and stand-up paddle rentals, with the primary objective of enhancing passive recreational opportunities for park visitors. The Request for Proposal (RFP #23-0052-RFP-REVENUE) requires the selected vendor to operate seven days a week from 7:00 am until sunset, excluding Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Evaluation criteria will consider vendor qualifications, operational approach, proposed compensation structure, and adherence to RFP requirements, with a total of 1,000 points available across these categories. Key proposal submission details include an electronic submission deadline of November 10, 2022, at 3:00 PM Eastern Time through the OpenGov procurement website, with a prior deadline of October 25, 2022, for submitting any questions about the solicitation. The successful vendor must maintain necessary permits and licenses, provide uniformed employees, ensure equipment is operational, and maintain a clean and safe service area. Vendors will be permitted to sell merchandise like water, soft drinks, sunscreen, and clothing, but alcoholic beverages are prohibited.

The contract does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The initial contract term is 36 months with no stated option for extension. Compensation will be structured as a percentage of gross sales, with the vendor required to submit monthly payments by the 15th of each month, accompanied by a detailed summary report. The vendor must provide comprehensive insurance coverage and complete various required forms, including a vendor questionnaire, references, certificate of insurance, E-Verify affidavit, and W-9. While specific revenue projections are not detailed, the vendor will have exclusive rights to provide rental services within the designated area, with the county reserving the right to authorize special events that may impact this exclusivity. The park itself offers additional amenities including a boat ramp, nature trails, a playground, and shelters, and features a Memorial Center honoring military veterans with flags representing each military branch. The county will provide the designated rental location and allocate parking spaces for the contractor's use.