SOLICITATION FOR A CONCESSION BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY FOR CANOE & TUBE RENTAL WITH SHUTTLE SERVICES, CAMP STORE AND RETAIL MERCHANDISE SALES, AND FIREWOOD SALES WITHIN OZARK NATIONAL SCENIC RIVERWAYS.

The National Park Service (NPS) is issuing a concessions Prospectus on March 27, 2026, for a concession contract to provide canoe & tube rental with shuttle services, camp store and retail merchandise sales, and firewood sales in the Akers Ferry District at Ozark National Scenic Riverways. 

The Prospectus explains the business opportunity and the terms and conditions under which the NPS will award the Concession Contract. The Director has determined that a Preferred Offeror for this Draft Contract does exist, pursuant to the terms of 36 C.F.R. Part 51.  

The NPS will lead a site visit on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.  Attendance is not required in order to submit a proposal.  All parties intending to attend the scheduled site visit must send an email message to Eric Nikkel, Concessions Management Specialist at eric_nikkel@nps.gov, no later than 4:00 p.m. (Central Daylight Time) April 10, 2026, to reserve a spot for the site visit.  The email must provide the following information: your name, the name of the organization you are representing, the primary contact for the organization, and the names of the other site visit attendees for your organization.  The NPS will provide further information, start time and additional directions by return email message to the organization's identified primary contact.   

The Prospectus will be available at https://nps.gov/subjects/concessions/prospectuses.htm  

To receive amendments to this Prospectus, please provide Concessions Management Specialist Eric Nikkel, Interior Regions 3, 4, 5, with your contact information (name, email address, and phone number) at eric_nikkel@nps.gov.  All questions regarding the prospectus must be received via email to Eric Nikkel, Concessions Management Specialist at eric_nikkel@nps.gov, no later than 4:00 p.m. (Central Daylight Time) May 8, 2026.  The NPS will send any additional information specific to the Prospectus in writing, via email, to those interested parties who have been placed on the contact list.  Information relative to the solicitation will also be posted to the above-mentioned website. 

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

In order to be evaluated and considered for award of the concession contract, any proposal must be received by the National Park Service, Interior Regions 3, 4, 5, 601 Riverfront Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68102, Attention: Concessions Management Specialist Eric Nikkel by 4:00 p.m. (Central Daylight Time) on June 26, 2026, as outlined in the Proposal Instructions of the Prospectus.