Department of Interior, Rocky Mountain National Park, 1000 Highway 36, Estes Park, CO 80517-8397

Y -- FUND AND DEVELOP VISITOR CENTER, ESTES PARK, CO SOL 1443RP152097001 DUE 081597 POC Gregg Yarrow, Administrative Officer, 970-586-1217 The National Park Service ("NPS") is seeking proposals from highly qualified persons to cooperate with NPS in the development of a visitor center facility (the "Visitor Center") for Rocky Mountain National Park (the "park"), under the terms of an NPS cooperative agreement. The cooperator may also develop and operate in cooperation with NPS specified related facilities (the "Related Facilities") as part of the overall NPS and cooperator project (the "Complex"). This Request for Proposals ("RFP") represents an opportunity to be part of a public-private collaboration. The specific goals of NPS ("NPS Goals") for this project are described in the section of this RFP entitled "National Park Service Goals for the Complex." NPS seeks to consider proposals for the cooperative agreement from all possible sources, including for-profit, not-for-profit and/or governmental entities. Because there is no federal funding for construction, only limited federal funding for the operation of the Visitor Center and no federal funding for construction or operation of the Related Facilities, NPS will consider a variety of mechanisms and locations to make the Complex a reality. The Visitor Center will be a gateway to the park. The visitors' experiences in this facility will prepare them to understand and appreciate fully the Parks resources. The facility will include a visitor center, a bookstore for sale of interpretive materials, and campground reservation facilities. NPS considers that most proposals received will suggest, as part of the overall cooperative arrangements, general NPS operation of the Visitor Center, including, collection of interpretive fees by NPS and general NPS operation of its programs. Proposals, however, may also suggest other strategies to operate and maintain cooperatively the Visitor Center. Such strategies may include a blend of public and private management and operation or other solutions that provide the park with needed facilities and services while limiting NPS financial participation. No specific site for the Complex has been proposed or selected. Sites will be considered under the Site Evaluation Criteria set forth in the request for proposals so long as it is within the area of consideration. NPS believes that most proposals received will include suggestions for Related Facilities. However, NPS points out that potential cooperators do not have to propose Related Facilities. Potential cooperators may submit proposals regarding only the cooperative development and operation of the Visitor Center or may propose simply to donate all necessary funds to NPS to develop the Visitor Center. NPS will consider a credible proposal to donate the Visitor Center as superior to proposals which call for development of Related Facilities. As of the time of issuance of this RFP, however, NPS has no indication that a credible proposal of this nature will be submitted. Any proposal which has a fundraising component or proposals to solicit donations will be effectuated under NPS Fundraising and Donor Recognition Guidelines. The terms and conditions of this RFP, including the NPS Goals and Site and Proposal Evaluation Criteria, are generally consistent with the Draft Environmental Assessment/Assessment of Effect. To the extent that there are inconsistencies between the Draft Environmental Assessment and this RFP, this RFP controls. In this regard, this RFP supersedes the criteria for submitting additional alternatives as described on pages 9-10 of the Environmental Assessment/ Assessment of Effect. Six items are requested as part of your proposal: 1. Transmittal Letter 2. Concept and Development Strategy 3. Site Recommendation and Description 4. Demonstration of Qualifications and Experience 5. Demonstration of Financial Capability 6. Description of NPS Cooperative Agreement Key dates for this RFP are as follows: Submittal Deadline August 15, 1997 The anticipated date for selection of a proposal or proposals for further negotiation is within 30 days of receipt of submissions. Expected release date of the RFP is June 2nd, 1997 with proposals due August 15th, 1997. To obtain a copy of the RFP, please send written requests to Gregg Yarrow, Administrative Officer, Rocky Mountain National Park, 97 Estes Park, Colorado 80517 . (0136)

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