RFP 385 - 70 + / - Room Hotel with Grill or Lounge Style Restaurant

The Jekyll Island Authority (JIA), a public corporation and instrumentality of the State of Georgia operating within Dooly County, is soliciting proposals through Request for Proposal (RFP) 385 for the design, development, construction, and operation of an approximately 70-room hotel with an integrated grill or lounge-style restaurant on a 4.75-acre parcel at the Jekyll Island Golf Club. Qualified and highly experienced hotel developers are invited to submit comprehensive proposals that include architectural plans, operational strategies, and financial projections. The hotel must meet or exceed Forbes Travel Guide's one-star rating and include amenities such as a minimum of 1.3 parking spaces per room, an outdoor pool, and complementary facilities that enhance the existing Golf Club and Tennis Center while advancing Jekyll Island's Golf Improvement Plan. All designs must fit within the specified 4.75-acre property footprint and demonstrate integration with existing infrastructure. Respondents must demonstrate sufficient financial resources, creditworthiness, and obtain all required permits and authorizations to conduct business with the State of Georgia, including compliance with E-Verify and drug-free workplace requirements. The deadline for written questions and clarification requests is March 5, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, with JIA responses posted by March 9, 2026. Proposals must be submitted by March 30, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time, with evaluation to be completed within one to three weeks thereafter, and the Jekyll Island Authority Board of Directors scheduled to consider the recommended proposal on May 19, 2026.

The RFP does not explicitly identify set-asides for disadvantaged enterprises or restrictions limiting respondent types beyond standard state contractor qualifications. A non-refundable development fee of $47,000 is required with proposal submission, refundable only if the proposal is not selected. The anticipated lease term will extend through 2089, providing a long-term operational opportunity. Pricing terms include an initial base rent of approximately $2,666.67 per acre per month, subject to Consumer Price Index adjustments every five years, plus percentage rent at four percent (4%) of gross sales, with respondents permitted to propose alternative percentage rent schedules for JIA consideration. The selected lessee will be responsible for all property taxes, water and sewer connection fees, utility costs, and maintenance expenses. The JIA reserves the right to reject all proposals, cancel the RFP, negotiate changes to any selected proposal, and decline lease execution if final terms cannot be negotiated satisfactorily.