Public Notice is hereby given that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes to award a concession contract at Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge located at Boynton Beach, Florida. The concession operation will provide for the rental of jon boats, canoes/kayaks, bikes, fishing gear, binoculars, pontoon boat-guided tours, and the sale of supplies and commodities. The concession operation will also respond to emergencies at the concession site and provide for their own security, water, electricity, and sewer. The term of the proposed concession contract will be for five years with an option to extend for another five years. The Service is currently in the process of changing how the revenue received from the concession operation is expended. The Service is also reviewing changes to administrative policy that would effect the expenditure of revenue received from the concession operation. In the event that such change(s) occurs, the Service and the concessionaire will, at the discretion of the Refuge Manager, re-negotiate any material term(s) of the contract affected by the change(s). The concessionaire will be required to pay the Service a minimum percentage payment of 5% to 10% of the annual gross receipts. Annual gross receipts collected by the last concessionaire in 1989 were $841,437.25. Commencement of the concession operation shall be no later than October 3, 2005. A more detailed description of the required concession operation and the procedures for submitting a proposal are contained in a Prospectus which may be obtained by requesting in writing Prospectus No. 401815R003. The request for the Prospectus shall include your complete company name, point of contract, address, physical address, area code and telephone number, facsimile, and e-mail address. Evaluation criteria and competitive selection procedure are contained in the Prospectus. The Prospectus will be available for mailing on or about February 28, 2005. All proposal must be received not later than May 3, 2005. The Service will consider and evaluate all proposals received by that deadline. Telephone request for the Prospectus will not b e accepted. However, requests for the Prospectus may be faxed to Ms. Jo Muratti at 404/679-4057. An opportunity for all interested parties to visit and inspect the concession is tentatively scheduled on March 17, 2005, at 1:00 p.m. The Service reserves the right to reject any or all proposals when it is in its best interest.*****

Bid Protests Not Available