[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 138 (Monday, July 20, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38844-38845]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-19148]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of the Intent to Issue a Prospectus for the Operation of 
Commercial Visitor Services Within Carlsbad Caverns National Park

SUMMARY: The National Park Service will be releasing a concession 
Prospectus authorizing continued operation of food and beverage, 
merchandise (souvenir and gifts), kennels and storage lockers services 
for the public within Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico. The 
operation consists of providing these services at one location in the 
park. The proposed operation will be provided on a daily basis year 
round. The term of the proposed concession contract will be for ten 
(10) years beginning on January 1, 1999.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Offers will be accepted for SIXTY (60) days under the 
terms described in the Prospectus. The SIXTY day application period 
will begin with the release of the Prospectus, which will occur within 
thirty days of the publication of this notice. The actual release date 
of the Prospectus shall be the date of publication in the ``Commerce 
Business Daily''.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This contract renewal 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 expires 
by limitation of time on December 31, 1998. Therefore, pursuant to the 
provision of Section 5 of the Act of October 9, 1965 (79 Stat. 969; 16 
U.S.C. sec. 20), the concessioner is entitled to be given preference in 
the renewal of the contract and in the award 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 offers received as a 
result of this notice. Any offer, including that of the existing 
concessioner, must be received by the Regional Director, Intermountain 
Region, P.O. Box 25287, Denver, Colorado 80225-0287 (street address; 
12795 West Alameda Parkway, Lakewood, Colorado 80228); not later than 
SIXTY (60) days following release of the Prospectus to be considered 
and evaluated.

ADDRESSES: Parties interested in obtaining a copy should contact the 
National Park Service, Concessions Management Program, Intermountain 
Region-Denver Support Office, Office of Concessions Management, 12795 
West Alameda Parkway, P.O. Box 25287, Denver, Colorado 80225-0287; 
Attention: Judy Jennings. Please include a mailing address indicating 
where to send the Prospectus in your request. Inquires may be directed 
to Ms. Judy Jennings, Office of Concessions Management Program (303) 
969-2661.


[[Page 38845]]


    Dated: July 1, 1998.
John H. King,
Acting Regional Director, Intermountain Region.
[FR Doc. 98-19148 Filed 7-17-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P