Blue Ridge Parkway Intention to Issue Two Prospectuses

The National Park Service (NPS) intends to issue two new Prospectuses soliciting for proposals in response to business opportunities to operate lodging, retail, food and beverage, and campground facilities within the Blue Ridge Parkway. The first Prospectus will be for the operation of the lodging, retail, and food and beverage visitor services at Peaks of Otter Lodge, Bluffs Lodge and the Rocky Knob Cabins combined under one concession contract. The second Prospectus will be for the operation of the retail, food and beverage, and campground visitor services at Otter Creek combined under one concession contract. The prospectuses may be released on or about April, 2012, with an anticipated award in late November 2012. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and North Carolina, the Parkway is a 469-mile recreational motor road that connects Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks while protecting the cultural and natural features of the region. Visitors are drawn to this area to experience the stunning scenery and close-up looks at the natural and cultural history of the mountains. Peaks of Otter Lodge, located at Parkway milepost 86 near Bedford, Virginia, includes 63 guest rooms, a restaurant and lounge, and two gift shops. Rocky Knob Cabins, located at Parkway milepost 174 near Meadows of Dan, Virginia, is comprised of 7 rustic cabins with kitchens, and a central bath/shower house. Bluffs Lodge and Coffee Shop, located at Parkway milepost 241 near Laurel Springs, North Carolina, includes a 24-room hotel, coffee shop, and a small gift shop. The prospectus, when issued, will describe the estimate of the initial investment the selected offeror will need to make to undertake operations. This pre-solicitation notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation, prospectus or Request for Proposal (RFP). This pre-solicitation notice does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the NPS is not seeking proposals at this time and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this pre-solicitation notice. All costs associated with responding to this pre-solicitation notice will be solely at the interested party's expense. Not responding to this pre-solicitation notice does not preclude participation in any future prospectus. When a prospectus is released, it will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities website (www.fbo.gov). It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this requirement. Award of these contracts shall be made subject to the availability of funds. This notice does not obligate the NPS to award the contracts, nor does it commit the U.S. Government to pay any costs incurred in the preparation and submission of proposals. For questions or comments, please contact Laura Nelson, Concessions Management Specialist, National Park Service, Blue Ridge Parkway, 199 Hemphill Knob Road, Asheville, NC 28803, email: [email protected], (828) 348-3407.