Park seeks concession contract for boat tours to Manitou Islands

From staff reports

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has issued a prospectus soliciting proposals for the award of a concession contract to provide ferry/tourboat services to the Manitou Islands. The new concession contract will be for a term of 10 years, beginning on its effective date, which is estimated to be Jan. 1, 2019.

This business opportunity is a summer operation for a ferry/tourboat service from Leland to North and South Manitou. The concessioner will also be authorized to provide motorized vehicle tours on South Manitou Island, sales of limited snacks and beverages, and transportation of kayaks, canoes, and standup paddleboards. The operating season is mid-May through early-November.

The Manitou Islands are located northwest of the mainland portion of the National Lakeshore, approximately 12 to 17 miles west of Leland. The average annual visitation to the park is approximately 1.6 million recreational visitors annually and the ferry boat transports about 11,000 people a year to the islands. Additional information about the park can be viewed at NPS.gov/slbe.

Any proposal, including that of the existing concessioner, must be received by concessions specialist Kelly Kager, Midwest Region, National Park Service, 601 Riverfront Drive, Omaha, Neb. 68102 by 4 p.m. Central Time on October 30, in order to be evaluated and considered for award of the concession contract.