The USDA Forest Service, Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests in Colorado is issuing the Final Prospectus for campground concessionaire operations that will begin January 1, 2013. The Prospectus solicits for proposals to operate and maintain campgrounds and day-use areas under a special use permit. The operator is responsible for all operations and specified maintenance of the permitted recreation facilities. Fees collected from users accrue to the concessionaire, with a percentage return to the government as a permit fee. A single permit to provide high-quality public service in the operation and maintenance of Government-owned recreation facilities will be issued to replace the current special use permit which terminates December 31, 2012. The term of the permit is five (5) years, with an additional five (5) years that may be awarded non-competitively upon satisfactory completion of the original term. At the end of the second 5-year period the permit will automatically terminate and a new permit may be issued through a competitive process. Additional revenue generating opportunities through the sale of specific items may be proposed.

The prospectus includes 45 family campgrounds, two group loops in campgrounds, and four day use sites/areas located on Grand Valley, Gunnison, Ouray and Norwood Ranger Districts in west-central Colorado. The Forest Headquarters is located in Delta, Colorado with District offices in Grand Junction, Paonia, Gunnison, Montrose and Norwood.

The Final Prospectus, Sample Operating Plan and other appendices are now available. Applicants will have until 5:00 pm MST on March 15, 2012, to submit a complete proposal. Detailed information on business opportunity, Forest Service concession program and policies, special use permit, application and post-selection requirements are available in the Prospectus.

The Prospectus can be downloaded from the National Forest website www.fs.usda.gov/gmug or at www.FedBizOpps.gov. Requests for alternate Prospectus formats (CD-ROM and hard copy) and any questions should be directed to James Cuthbertson at [email protected] or 970-874-6612. Please include full contact information with your Prospectus request.

Proposals submitted in response to the final prospectus are subject to cost recovery pursuant to 36 CFR 251.58(c)(1)(ii) and (c)(3)(iii). Applicants must submit an initial processing fee of $250.00 to cover the cost of the prospectus and review of the application. Payments due the United States for this proposal must e paid in the form of a bank draft, money order, or cashier's check payable to the USDA Forest Service. Payments will be credited on the date received by the designated Forest Service collection officer or deposit location.