Coronado National Forest Prospectus for Campground and Related Granger-Thye Concessions "Rose Canyon Complex"

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides answers to questions and clarifications regarding the Coronado National Forest Campground Prospectus, specifically for the Rose Canyon area. It addresses inquiries made by potential bidders and attendees of a site visit.

• Permit Term Start Date: The new permit term begins on 1/1/2027, with operations starting the second Friday in April.
• Award Notification: The Forest Service anticipates notifying selected applicants in the summer of 2026.
• Site Visit Information: Materials provided during the April 24th, 2025 site visit included an agenda, specific site details, and logistical information. A Q&A document from this visit is available online.
• 2025 Gross Revenues: The gross revenue for 2025 was $471,579.58, encompassing merchandise, firewood, ice, and other items.
• Historical Revenues: Published historical revenues in Table 2 of the prospectus include income from weddings and group events at the Rose Canyon CG amphitheater.
• Occupancy Percentages (May-Oct 2025): Rose Canyon (41.6%), Showers Point (34.5%), Spencer Canyon (14.8%), Whitetail (47.5%).
• 2026 Site Fees: Approved fees for the 2026 season will remain the same as the 2025 season.
• Interpretive Programs: Currently, no interpretive programs are offered by the Forest Service, concessionaire, or external partners.
• Green Initiatives: Currently, no recycling or other green initiatives are offered by the Forest Service, concessionaire, or external partners.
• Infrastructure Upgrades: No specific campsites or host sites have been identified or prioritized for adding electricity, water, or septic.

This Q&A document clarifies key operational details, historical financial performance, and site-specific information, which may influence bidder interest and proposal preparation. It confirms that fees will not increase for the 2026 season and provides historical occupancy data.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This prospectus solicits applications for a concession campground special use permit to operate and maintain Government-owned recreation facilities in the Rose Canyon Complex, Santa Catalina Ranger District, Coronado National Forest. The permit will cover several developed sites including campgrounds, amphitheaters, group picnic sites, day use sites, and group sites.

• Operation and maintenance of developed recreation sites.

• Compliance with Forest Service concession programs and policies, including Recreation.gov for reservations.

• Provision of customer service and cleanliness standards.

• Adherence to accessibility guidelines (ADA/ABA).

• Management of utilities and waste disposal.

• Honoring of specific passes and discounts.

• Submission of detailed reports on use, revenue, and performance.

• Potential for optional services and improvements.

• Permit term: Up to 5 years, with a 5-year renewal option at the Forest Service's discretion.

• Minimum annual fee: $21,535.25, based on average gross revenue and Treasury bond rate. The fee is a percentage of adjusted gross revenue.

• Fee offset: Permit fee may be offset by the value of Government maintenance, reconditioning, renovation, and improvement (MRRI) performed by the permit holder.

• Application deadline: April 1, 2026.

• Submission requirements: One hard copy and one electronic copy of the application package.

• Key components of application: Proposed annual operating plan, business plan, financial resources, fees charged to the public, and fee to the government.

• Evaluation criteria (descending order of importance): Proposed annual operating plan, fees charged to the public, business plan/experience/references, fee to the government, and financial resources.

• Questions deadline: March 1, 2026.

• Open to all individuals or entities, except members of Congress, Resident Commissioners, and current Forest Service employees.

• No specific set-aside mentioned.

• A facility tour was held on April 24th, 2025.

• Applicants are strongly encouraged to visit the sites before applying.

• An application processing fee of $300.00 is required.

• The Forest Service reserves the right to reject any or all applications.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, Appendix B of the Annual Granger-Thye Fee Offset Agreement, outlines the terms and conditions under which a permit holder can offset their land use fees by performing specific maintenance, reconditioning, renovation, or improvement (MRRI) projects for the Forest Service. It details the process for identifying, completing, and documenting these projects to claim the fee offset.

• Amount of Land Use Fee Subject to Offset: Specifies that the actual cost of satisfactorily completed projects can be offset against the land use fee. It also mentions that a certain percentage of the fee may be offset by holder-incurred costs and another percentage by Forest Service-incurred costs under a separate agreement.
• Projects and Project Costs Covered: Requires the holder to submit documentation of actual costs for completed projects and certify their accuracy. The Forest Service will verify this documentation before granting any fee offset.
• Davis-Bacon Act Requirements: Notes that the agreement is subject to the Davis-Bacon Act if the total estimated cost of Government MRRI projects exceeds $2,000 and the holder is a private entity or a state/governmental entity contracting with a private entity.
• Documentation of Project Costs: Outlines the requirement for the holder to submit documentation and a certification (using form FS-2700-4h, Appendix G) for completed projects.
• Signature and Approval: Includes fields for the holder's signature and Forest Service approval.
• Potential MRRI Projects (Appendix 12): Lists sample projects such as picnic table replacement, tent pad and pedestrian access improvement, ramada roof conversion, and bear-proof trash bin replacement, along with estimated costs and quantities.
• Indirect Cost Reimbursement (Appendix 13): Provides guidance on how indirect costs can be reimbursed, emphasizing that actual costs should be reimbursed and referencing FAR Part 31 for commercial entities.
• Granger-Thye Fee Offset Claim Form (Appendix H): A form for the holder to claim direct and indirect GT costs for projects.
• Sample Collection Agreement (Appendix 15): A template for a collection agreement between the holder and the Forest Service for performing MRRI projects.
• Business Plan and Financial Resources (Appendix 16): A template for a business plan and financial resources proposal, including sections on business description, financial statements, and projections.
• Financial Statement (Appendix 17): A form for submitting financial statements.
• Request for Financial Verification (Appendix 18): A form to request financial verification from a bank or lending institution.
• National Quality Standards (Appendix 19): Outlines standards for recreation site management, including health, cleanliness, resource setting, safety, security, responsiveness, and facility conditions.
• Description of Developed Recreation Sites and Facilities (Appendix 20): Provides details on specific recreation sites, amenities, fees, and operating seasons.
• Water System (Appendix 21): Details the requirements for operating and maintaining water systems.

This document is crucial for potential bidders as it defines the mechanism for offsetting permit fees through MRRI projects. It outlines the types of projects that may be eligible, the documentation required for cost reimbursement (including direct and indirect costs), and the process for claiming these offsets. Bidders need to understand these requirements to accurately estimate their costs and potential fee reductions. The appendices provide essential supporting information regarding potential projects, financial reporting, site operations, and quality standards, all of which are critical for developing a comprehensive proposal and understanding the operational context.

Forms / Attachments / Pricing Sheets

This document, "Appendices 1-10_508.pdf", appears to be a collection of appendices related to a Forest Service opportunity. Based on the content of the appendices, it includes detailed information on government-furnished property, applicable forest orders, sample use reports, customer service comment cards, campground concessionaire performance evaluations, law enforcement guidelines, minimum content for proposed annual operating plans, special use permits for campgrounds, and operation of federally owned drinking water systems.

• Appendix 3: Inventory of Government-Furnished Property: Details various sites within the Coronado National Forest (e.g., Bobcat Group, Lizard Rock Group, Rose Canyon, Spencer Campground, Whitetail Group) and lists the quantity, replacement cost, and remarks for items such as picnic tables, retaining walls, buildings, signs, and water systems.
• Appendix 4: Applicable Forest Orders: Lists regionwide and forest-wide orders applicable to the Coronado National Forest, including closures and restrictions.
• Appendix 5: Sample Use Report: Provides examples of daily and monthly/annual use/fee reports.
• Appendix 6: Sample Customer Service Comment Card: A template for collecting customer feedback.
• Appendix 7: Standard Performance Evaluation Form: A form for evaluating campground concessionaire performance.
• Appendix 8: Law Enforcement at Concession Campgrounds: Outlines roles and responsibilities for law enforcement.
• Appendix 9: Minimum Content of the Proposed Annual Operating Plan: Details the required components of an annual operating plan for concession opportunities.
• Appendix 10: Special Use Permit for Campground: Contains the terms and conditions of a special use permit for campground operations, including detailed sections on operations, maintenance, resource protection, and fees.
• Appendix G: Operation of Federally Owned Drinking Water Systems: Specific requirements for operating and maintaining drinking water systems within the permit area.

This comprehensive set of appendices provides potential bidders with critical details regarding the operational, legal, financial, and logistical requirements associated with managing a Forest Service concession opportunity. It outlines the existing infrastructure, regulatory compliance, performance expectations, and specific operational standards that a bidder must understand and be prepared to meet. The inventory of government-furnished property, the terms of the special use permit, and the operational requirements for water systems are particularly important for bidders to assess the scope and demands of the opportunity.