RFB to Lease the John Nelson House at Minute Man National Historical Park

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Request for Bids (RFB) is for the opportunity to lease the John Nelson House, a historic property at Minute Man National Historical Park in Lincoln, Massachusetts, for residential use (single family). The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking bids from interested individuals and organizations.

• The property is a circa 1808, 2,370 sq ft New England farmhouse with 5 rooms and a half bath on the first floor, and 3 bedrooms and one full bathroom on the second floor.

• The lease is suitable for low-impact, non-transient residential occupancy.

• The lessee must maintain the historic appearance of the structure and grounds.

• The lessee is responsible for all utilities and routine maintenance.

• The lessor (NPS) will perform basic maintenance as described in the lease.

• Term: Maximum of three years, with a minimum term of one year.

• Rent: Fair Market Value rent is $38,400 annually, payable in equal monthly installments of $3,200. The first month's rent is due with the executed lease.

• Initial Bid Submission Deadline: June 12, 2026, at 1:00 PM EST.

• Submission Method: Bids must be submitted electronically as a single PDF file via email to mike_mccarthy@nps.gov. The email subject line must be "BID - John Nelson House - [Last Name of the Primary Contact for the Bidding Party]".

• Selection Criteria: The bidder submitting a responsive bid offering the highest monthly rent will be selected, subject to a determination of financial capability and reference check. A responsive bid must meet material terms and conditions and offer rent no less than fair market value.

• Bid Opening: Public bid opening will occur the day after the initial submission deadline. If no winning bid is selected, NPS will open bids every following Monday at 1:00 PM EST until a responsive bid is submitted or the solicitation is terminated.

• This opportunity is open to all interested parties on a competitive basis.

• Applicants must be compliant with current lease obligations and have no outstanding rent payments.

• Applicants who are debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from federal transactions are not eligible.

• The "Draft Lease" (Attachment A) contains complete terms of occupancy.

• Bidders must use the provided "Bid Sheet" (Attachment B) for their submission.

• NPS reserves the right to waive or correct defects, modify, amend, cancel, or suspend any aspect of the RFB process, reissue the RFB, modify the scope, request clarifications, extend deadlines, or consider comparable projects.

• Questions should be submitted to mike_mccarthy@nps.gov.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a sample lease agreement for the John Nelson House, located within Minute Man National Historical Park. It outlines the terms and conditions for leasing the property from the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service.

• Lease Term: Three (3) years.
• Annual Rent: $38,400.00, payable in monthly installments of $3,200.00.
• Authorized Uses: Low-impact, non-transient, residential occupancy.
• Maintenance & Repair: Outlines responsibilities for both the Lessor (National Park Service) and the Lessee.
• Insurance Requirements: Specifies types and minimum coverage amounts for property and general liability insurance.
• Hazardous Materials: Details regulations and responsibilities regarding hazardous materials.
• Historic Property: Notes that the premises are historic property and require adherence to specific treatment standards.
• Exhibits: Includes references to exhibits covering Inventory and Condition Report, Insurance Requirements, Land Assignment, Preservation Maintenance Plan, Lead-Based Paint Disclosure, and a pamphlet on lead safety.

This document provides potential bidders with a clear understanding of the rental costs, permitted uses, duration of the lease, and the responsibilities associated with leasing the John Nelson House. It details requirements for insurance, maintenance, and compliance with environmental and historic preservation regulations, which are critical for bidders to consider when preparing their proposals or bids for this opportunity.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "ATTACHMENT B: Bid Sheet," is a form used by potential applicants to apply for rental housing accommodations at the Minute Man National Historical Park. It outlines the qualifying standards and requirements for applicants and includes a section for the applicant to make an offer to rent.

• Qualifying Standards: Applicants must be 18 or older, provide photo ID, have two years of verifiable rental history (from an unbiased source, or require a cosigner), demonstrate funds equivalent to at least three times the monthly rent, provide a satisfactory credit report, commit to a lease term, have a verifiable source of income for at least 90 days, and have no prior felony convictions or pending felony charges.
• Reasons for Denial: Incomplete applications, inability to verify rental history or income, poor credit, or court judgments for evictions can lead to denial.
• Application Section: Requires applicants to state the address of the rental property, the proposed rent amount, and the security deposit. It also includes signature lines for the applicant and date.

This form is critical for any bidder interested in renting housing accommodations. Bidders must review the qualifying standards carefully to determine their eligibility and complete the bid sheet accurately to submit a valid application. Failure to meet these standards or complete the form correctly may result in disqualification.