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

Amendment / Modification

This errata modifies the "Instructions for Submitting Applications" section of the Lincoln National Forest Campground Prospectus.

• Section IV. Application, A. Instructions for Submitting Applications.

• The deadline for application submission has been extended. Previously, applications were due by close of business (4:30 p.m.) on April 27, 2026. The new deadline is close of business (4:30 p.m.) on May 15, 2026.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides answers to questions regarding the Lincoln National Forest Campground Prospectus and related Granger-Thye Concessions.

• List of Recreation Sites: Confirms the complete list of recreation sites included in the prospectus, detailing campground and picnic area designations.
• Facility Closures/Repairs: Oak Grove Campground sustained fire damage and is expected to reopen in 2028 after repairs are completed. It will be added to the special use permit upon completion.
• Operating Seasons: Minimum operating seasons are generally May through September, with specific site details in Appendix 9.
• Staffing: Applicants must provide sufficient staffing, including potential site managers/hosts, as detailed in Appendix 9.
• Utilities: Information on active utilities (water, electrical, dump stations) is available in the prospectus and Appendix 3.
• Deferred Maintenance: Routine deferred maintenance is common; the Forest Service and permit holder will address these issues through the permit terms and annual fee offset agreements.
• Historical Revenue: Historical gross revenue figures for each site from 2023-2025 are provided.
• Fee Adjustments: Applicants must propose fees for the first three years, and any price increases will be evaluated based on comparable marketing pricing.
• Site Tours: No formal site tour is offered, but prospective applicants are encouraged to visit the sites independently.
• Award Timeline: The Forest anticipates selecting an application and making a decision in the fall of 2026.

This Q&A document clarifies various aspects of the prospectus, including site lists, operational requirements, financial data, and timelines, which are crucial for bidders to understand the scope and expectations of the concession 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.

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 supplementary 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 recreation sites.
• 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 - A comprehensive list detailing government-furnished items at various sites, including descriptions, quantities, replacement costs, and remarks. This is crucial for understanding the existing infrastructure.
• Appendix 4: Applicable Forest Orders - Lists regionwide and forest-wide orders affecting the Lincoln National Forest, such as camping stay limits, closures, and restrictions.
• Appendix 5: Sample Use Report - Provides examples of daily, monthly, or annual use/fee reports, illustrating how usage and revenue are tracked.
• Appendix 6: Sample Customer Service Comment Card - A template for collecting customer feedback on recreation experiences.
• 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 - Details the roles and responsibilities of concessionaires, Forest Service, and law enforcement agencies regarding law enforcement and rules of use.
• Appendix 9: Sample Annual Operating Plan - Enumerate minimum content requirements for an applicant's proposed annual operating plan, covering operations, staffing, maintenance, safety, and more.
• 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 - Contains the special use permit template and 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 and regulatory frameworks, and performance expectations. Bidders should review these documents thoroughly to assess their ability to meet all requirements and to develop a comprehensive proposal.

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 "Granger-Thye (GT) Fee Offset Agreement." This agreement allows a permit holder to offset their annual land use fee by incurring costs for Government maintenance, reconditioning, renovation, or improvement (MRRI) projects.

• Authority: Section 7 of the Granger-Thye Act, 16 U.S.C. 580d.
• Offset Mechanism: The holder can offset a specified percentage of their land use fee with costs for approved MRRI projects performed by the holder, or a separate percentage for MRRI projects performed by the Forest Service.
• Project Costs: Actual costs of satisfactorily completed projects can be offset. Allowable costs include salaries, materials, subcontracts, and indirect costs based on an approved rate.
• 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.
• Project Listing: The agreement includes a table for detailing projects, their due dates, estimated costs, completion dates, and actual costs.

This document is crucial for potential bidders as it details the mechanism for offsetting permit fees through approved maintenance and improvement projects. Bidders need to understand how they can incur costs for MRRI projects and use those costs to reduce their annual land use fee. It also outlines the required documentation and verification processes for claiming such offsets.