National Park Service, 15 State Street, Boston, MA 02109

V -- CONCESSION CONTRACT AUTHORIZING FERRY SERVICES SOL CC-FIIS-004-97 DUE 101097 POC Lynne Koser, (617) 223-5209 Public notice is hereby given that the National Park Service proposes to award a concession contract authorizing ferry services for the public at Fire Island National Seashore for a period of ten (10) years from date of contract execution. EFFECTIVE DATE: Sixty (60) days after date of publication in the "Federal Register." ADDRESS: Interested parties should contact National Park Service, Fire Island National Seashore, 120 Laurel Street, Patchogue, New York 11772 to obtain a copy of the prospectus describing the requirements of the proposed contract. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This contract has been determined to be categorically excluded from the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act and no environmental document will be prepared. The existing concessioner has performed its obligations to the satisfaction of the Secretary under an existing contract which expired by limitation of time on December 31, 1996, and therefore pursuant to the provisions of Section 5 of the Act of October 9, 1965 (79 Stat. 969; 16 U.S.C. 20), is entitled to be given preference in the renewal of the contract and in the negotiation of a new contract, providing that the existing concessioner submits a responsive offer (a timely offer which meets the terms and conditions of the Prospectus). This means that the contract will be awarded to the party submitting the best offer, provided that if the best offer was not submitted by the existing concessioner, then the existing concessioner will be afforded the opportunity to match the best offer. If the existing concessioner agrees to match the best offer, then the contract will be awarded to the existing concessioner. If the existing concessioner does not submit a responsive offer, the right of preference in renewal shall be considered to have been waived, and the contract will then be awarded to the party that has submitted the best responsive offer. The Secretary will consider and evaluate all proposals received as a result of this notice. Any proposal, including that of the existing concessioner, must be received by the Senior Concessions Program Manager, Concession Management Division, not later than October 10, 1997 to be considered and evaluated. (0223)

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