[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 176 (Tuesday, September 10, 1996)] [Notices] [Page 47770] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-22961] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Canyonlands National Park, UT; Concession Contract Negotiations AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. ACTION: Public notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Public notice is hereby given that the National Park Service proposes to award eighteen concession contracts authorizing continued operation of commercially guided, interpretive whitewater river tours and transportation services, for the public at Canyonlands National Park for a period of five (5) years from January 1, 1998 through December 31, 2002. EFFECTIVE DATE: Offers will be accepted for ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY (120) days under the terms described in the Prospectus. The one hundred and twenty (120) day application period will begin with the release of the Prospectus, which will occur on or before October 10, 1996. ADDRESSES: Interested parties should contact the Superintendent, Canyonlands National Park, 2282 South West Resource Blvd., Moab, Utah 84532, to obtain a copy of the Prospectus describing the requirements of the proposed contacts. 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 concessioners have performed their obligations to the satisfaction of the Secretary under existing permits which expire by limitation of time on December 31, 1997. Therefore pursuant to the provisions 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 Superintendent, Canyonlands National Park, 2282 South West Resource Blvd., Moab, Utah 84532, not later than one hundred and twenty (120) days following release of the prospectus to be considered and evaluated. Dated: August 6, 1996. James T. Reynolds, Superintendent, Colorado Plateau System Support Office. [FR Doc. 96-22961 Filed 9-9-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-70-M