Lincoln National Forest Prospectus for Campground and Related Granger-Thye Concessions

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to questions regarding the Lincoln National Forest Campground Prospectus for Campground and Related Granger-Thye Concessions.

• List of Recreation Sites: Confirms the complete list of recreation sites included in the prospectus, detailing campground, group campground, picnic area, and day use areas.
• Facility Closures/Repairs: Oak Grove Campground sustained fire damage and repairs are anticipated to be completed in 2028, after which it will be added to the special use permit.
• Operating Seasons: The minimum operating season is May through September, but applicants may propose longer seasons. Specific minimum operating seasons for each site are listed in Appendix 9.
• Staffing: Applicants must provide sufficient staffing to meet operational and maintenance requirements. Proposed annual operating plans should include site managers/hosts as detailed in Table 2 of Appendix 9.
• Utilities: Information on active utilities (water, electrical, dump stations) for each site is available in the prospectus (Section I.F) and Appendix 3.
• Deferred Maintenance: Routine deferred maintenance is common. The Forest Service and permit holder will address these issues through permit terms. Specific deferred maintenance for Oak Grove Campground due to fire damage is noted, with repairs expected by 2028.
• Historical Gross Revenue: Historical gross revenue figures for 2023-2025 are provided for each site.
• Fee Adjustments: Applicants must propose fees for the first three years of operation. Price increases require documentation on comparable marketing pricing.
• Site Tour: A formal site tour is not offered, but prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to visit the sites during the summer of 2025 or at least once before submitting an application.
• Award Timeline: The current permit expires December 31, 2026. An application selection and decision are anticipated in Fall 2026.

This Q&A document clarifies operational details, site specifics, financial information, and administrative timelines, directly impacting how bidders should prepare their applications and understand the concession opportunity.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document contains appendices for the "Prospectus for Campground and Related Granger-Thye Concessions" for the Lincoln National Forest. These appendices provide detailed information relevant to potential bidders.

• Appendix 1: Vicinity and Area Maps: Provides maps of the Lincoln National Forest and specific ranger districts, highlighting the locations of various campgrounds and picnic areas.
• Appendix 2: Maps of Developed Recreation Sites: Contains detailed aerial maps of individual campgrounds and picnic areas, showing permit boundaries, restrooms, trails, and other features.
• Appendix 3: Inventory of Government-Furnished Property: Lists government-furnished property at each site, including item description, type, quantity, replacement cost, and total value. This is crucial for understanding the existing infrastructure.
• Appendix 4: Applicable Forest Orders: Details regionwide and forest-wide orders that apply to the Lincoln National Forest, including effective dates and descriptions of closures or restrictions.
• Appendix 5: Sample Use Report: Provides examples of daily and monthly/annual use/fee reports, including "Daily Use/Fee Report" and "Monthly or Annual Use/Fee Report" templates.
• Appendix 6: Sample Customer Service Comment Card: A template for collecting customer feedback on recreation experiences and services.
• Appendix 7: Standard Performance Evaluation Form: Outlines the criteria and format for evaluating concessionaire performance.
• Appendix 8: FSM 2342.1, Exhibit 01, Law Enforcement at Concession Campgrounds: Clarifies the roles and responsibilities of concessionaires, Forest Service, and State/Local law enforcement agencies regarding law enforcement within concession campgrounds.
• Appendix 9: Sample Annual Operating Plan: Details the minimum content required for an applicant's proposed annual operating plan, covering aspects like operating season, staffing, customer service, safety, maintenance, and environmental protection.
• Appendix 10: FS-2700-4h, Special-Use Permit for Campground and Related Granger-Thye Concessions, and FS-2700-4h, Appendix-F, Operation of Federally Owned Drinking Water Systems: Includes the Special Use Permit template and specific requirements for operating federally owned drinking water systems.

These appendices provide critical details for bidders to understand the scope of the opportunity, the existing infrastructure, operational requirements, legal frameworks, and reporting expectations. Bidders should carefully review these documents to assess their ability to meet all specified requirements and to accurately formulate their proposals.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, Appendix 11: FS-2700-4h, Appendix B, Granger-Thye Fee Offset Agreement, outlines the terms and conditions for a holder to offset their annual land use fee through the performance of specific maintenance, reconditioning, renovation, or improvement (MRRI) projects. It details the process for claiming fee offsets, the types of costs that are allowable, and the documentation required.

• Authority: Section 7 of the Granger-Thye Act, 16 U.S.C. 580d.
• Offset Mechanism: Holders can offset a percentage of their land use fee by incurring costs for approved Government MRRI projects.
• Allowable Costs: Includes salaries, wages, materials, supplies, and subcontracts directly related to the MRRI projects, as well as indirect costs based on an approved rate.
• Project Documentation: Holders must submit documentation of actual costs and certify their accuracy and completeness.
• Forest Service Verification: The Forest Service will verify documentation before granting any fee offset.
• Table for Projects: A table is provided for the holder to itemize projects, including due dates, estimated costs, completion dates, and actual costs.
• Davis-Bacon Act Requirements: May apply if the total estimated cost of Government MRRI projects exceeds $2,000 and the holder is a private entity.
• Indirect Cost Reimbursement: Guidance on how indirect costs are calculated and reimbursed, referencing FAR Part 31 for commercial entities.
• Certification Form: References FS-2700-4h, Appendix G, for the fee offset certification.

This document is crucial for potential bidders who are interested in opportunities that involve fee offset agreements. It clarifies how costs incurred for specific projects can be used to reduce the annual land use fee. Bidders need to understand the types of projects that qualify for offset, the cost documentation requirements, and the process for claiming these offsets to accurately assess the financial aspects of the opportunity.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This prospectus solicits applications for a special use permit to operate and maintain campground and related Granger-Thye concessions within the Lincoln National Forest, specifically on the Sacramento, Smokey Bear, and Guadalupe Ranger Districts. The permit will cover developed recreation sites, including campgrounds, group campgrounds, and picnic areas.

• Operation and maintenance of developed recreation sites.

• Provision of high-quality public service.

• Compliance with Forest Service programs and policies, including Recreation.gov reservation system.

• Adherence to accessibility guidelines (ADA/ABA and FSORAG).

• Management of utilities and waste.

• Honoring of specific passes and discounts.

• Submission of detailed operating plans, business plans, financial statements, and references.

• Permit term: Up to 5 years, with an option to extend for up to an additional 5 years.

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

• Minimum annual fee is calculated based on average gross revenue and the 30-year Treasury bond rate.

• Applications must be submitted by close of business on April 27, 2026.

• A processing fee of $200.00 is required.

• Evaluation criteria include: Proposed annual operating plan, business plan/experience/references, fees charged to the public, financial resources, and fee to the Government.

• The Forest Service will select the application offering the best value.

• All applicants have an equal opportunity to apply, except for members of Congress, Resident Commissioners, and current Forest Service employees.

• The prospectus includes detailed information on area description, government-furnished property and supplies, utilities, Forest Service policies, application requirements, and post-selection requirements.

• Optional sites are available and may be included in proposals.

• Oak Grove Campground will be added to the permit after repairs are completed (anticipated 2028).

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