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FSW accepting proposals for refuge concession contact

By U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE 1 min read
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The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will award a concession contract at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge for the operation of the tram tours, kayak tours, rental equipment, nature outfitting retail store and fee collection at the Tarpon Bay Recreation Area on Sanibel.

Proposals are sought for existing business operations and future business opportunities for the facilities and services. The contract will be awarded for 10 years, with the possibility of a five-year extension.

The concession facility includes a building with about 1,503 square feet of retail space, 500 square feet of office space including a break room, public restrooms, 697 square feet of storage space and a two-bedroom, one-bath attached caretakers apartment that is 800 square feet. Other facilities include a boat ramp, kayak launch, boat dock, six boat slips, an education pavilion, parking lot with security gate, entrance fee booth, tram ticket booth and tram parking lot.

For more information and the prospectus, visit fws.gov/refuge/jn-ding-darling.

The deadline for proposals is Feb. 28.

A site visit for those interested in submitting a proposal will be held on Feb. 6 at 10 a.m. at the refuge’s Visitor & Education Center, at 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel. For more information, contact dingdarling@fws.gov.