Solicitation for a Concessions Business Opportunity for Guided Horseback Rides, Wagon and/or Carriage Rides, Vending, Firewood and Ice, Camper Convenience Items, Souvenirs, and Souvenir Photography, Smokemont Riding Stables within Great Smoky Mountains NP
Contract Overview
Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.
AI Contract Overview
The National Park Service is soliciting proposals for a 10-year Category I concession contract, identified as CC-GRSM007-27, to operate visitor services at Smokemont Riding Stables within Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The contract period runs from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2036. Authorized services include guided horseback and wagon or carriage rides, the sale of firewood, ice, and camper convenience items, as well as souvenirs and souvenir photography. The government estimates an initial investment of 488,800 dollars, which includes horses and tack. Proposals are evaluated based on a cumulative point score considering financial capability, the proposed minimum franchise fee, and the ability to protect and preserve park resources. Under Amendment 1, the National Park Service clarified that no preferred offeror exists for this contract and extended the proposal submission deadline to September 30, 2026. Submission requires a dual process: electronic upload via Microsoft Teams and the delivery of an original hard-copy transmittal letter with a wet signature. The selected concessioner must adhere to strict insurance requirements, environmental audits, and trail maintenance standards to ensure visitor and animal safety.
General Info
Place of Performance
Gatlinburg, TN, 37738, USASet-Aside
Timeline
Response Deadline
Organization & Contact Information
Full Description
Amendment 1
The NPS amends this solicitation and provides responses to questions received. Amendment 1 will be available at https://www.nps.gov/subjects/concessions/prospectuses.htm.
The NPS amends this solicitation as follows:
The Proposal Instructions to the Preferred Offeror Determinations section, Section 9 is updated as follows:
Removed “Under the provisions of 36 C.F.R. Part 51, Subparts E and F, the Service has determined that this is a qualified concession contract and a preferred offeror exists for this contract”
Replaced with “Under the provisions of 36 C.F.R. Part 51, Subparts E and F, the Service has determined that this is not a qualified concession contract, and, therefore, no preferred offeror for this contract exists.”
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Inside Cover is amended as follows:
The “Proposals Due” date was updated from August 26, 2026, to September 30, 2026.
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The National Park Service (NPS) will issue a prospectus for the solicitation of offers for a 10-year concession contract to provide for guided horseback rides, wagon and/or carriage rides, vending, firewood and ice, camper convenience items, souvenirs, and souvenir photography at Smokemont Riding Stables within Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
All offers must be received by the NPS by the date listed on the inside front cover of the prospectus which is August 26, 2026 no later than 12:00 p.m. in order to be evaluated and considered for an award of a concession contract. The prospectus describes the business opportunity and includes the terms and conditions under which the NPS will award the concession contract.
Questions are due July 17, 2026, and Notification of Intent to Propose must be received by July 27, 2026, via email by the National Park Service no later than 12:00 P.M. ET on the due dates listed on the cover page which is to William Gordon, Jr., Commercial Services Specialist, at william_gordon@nps.gov
The website below includes a number of helpful links and information including tips for submitting a competitive proposal that addresses due diligence, proposal content, and the presentation of your proposal. This presentation can be found at: www.nps.gov/subjects/concessions/prospectuses.htm
Proposals to include the original signed transmittal letters must be received via the process explained in the Proposal Instructions no later than 12:00 pm ET on the due which is August 26, 2026, to National Park Service, Concessions Office, 100 Alabama Street, N.W., Bldg 1924, 6th Floor, Mailroom, Atlanta, Georgia 30303. Please note that the original signed transmittal letters must be mailed. The remaining portion of the proposal will only be accepted electronically via the process explained in the Proposal Instructions.
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