Wyoming State Parks seeking RRIs for concession management in HSSP

 


The Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails (SPHST) is seeking Requests for Information (RFI) for development of concession management opportunities at Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis. According to wyoparks.wyo.gov, the RFI release date was June 22 and site visits may be conducted through August 15.

Submission deadline for questions is September 15 and responses are due October 29.

In the fall of 2019 the state’s Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources committ met in Dubois. At the time, there were Requests for Proposals (RFP) that discussed both the Days Inn and the Star Plunge as possibly being updated or transitioned to meet the State’s vision. 

According to officials the proposals expected to force action on a pair of vendors, who could now face competition from an outside entity for a contract to operate a business within the park. Losing out on one of those contracts would result in the business having to sell their facilities to the winning bidder.

The Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources have a master plan for the parks and wanted to implement it but progress stalled in 2020 when the Covid situation occurred. But now with the recent activity of the SPHST seeking Requests for Information it looks like the process is renewed or restarted. 

According to a release from the Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources, “The purpose of this RFI is to generate ideas for improvements, offerings, and amenities that could be developed to enhance the business management opportunities at the Hot Springs State Park which is located in Thermopolis, Wyoming. This RFI is to solicit information and concession possibilities that meet or exceed industry standards from potential vendors who may be able to satisfy SPHST’s development plans. Ideas, suggestions, and options for possible concession management opportunities or combinations of opportunities are being requested and will be considered.”

For the objectives of the RFI they state, “The results of this RFI will help determine the most viable concession management opportunities to owners/operators/managers, visitors, and to the State of Wyoming. Should responses to this RFI show sufficient availability of a quality solution, the responses may be used to develop and distribute a Request for Proposal (RFP).”

The request wording adds, “While cost information is not specifically being requested of the respondents, the State of Wyoming, Department of State Parks & Cultural Resources, Division of State Parks, Historic Sites, and Trails (SPHST) is interested in the respondents cost factors (plus or minus) for the concession management opportunities described within the RFI. The SPHST wishes to acquire the most useful cost information possible to support its decision-making, concerning the development of a world-class destination to the recreational opportunities that may be offered at Hot Springs State Park. Respondents may provide comparative cost information or cost savings associated with their submission of information.”

It also states, “Further, SPHST is very interested in respondents providing input to the possibilities for other concession management opportunities that are not requested in the RFI. SPHST is very interested in ideas and innovative approaches to making Hot Springs State Park a year-round destination site for visitors worldwide.”

For those seeking further information about the RFI, contact Julie Huntley, CPM, Concessions and Revenue Manager for the Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources Division of State Parks, Historical Sites and Trails at 307-777-6025.

 

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