[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 80 (Monday, April 27, 1998)] [Notices] [Pages 20645-20646] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-11083] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Buffalo National River, Arkansas; Concession Contract Negotiations ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Public notice is hereby given that the National Park Service proposes to award a concession contract authorizing the continued overnight accommodations, food service facilities and vending machine services for the public at Buffalo National River for a period of five (5) years from January 1, 1999, through December 31, 2003. EFFECTIVE DATE: June 26, 1998. ADDRESSES: Interested parties should contact National Park Service, Buffalo National River, P.O. Box 1173, Harrison, Arkansas 72602-1173, or phone (870) 741-5443 to obtain a copy of the prospectus describing the requirements of the proposed contract. 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 will expire by limitation of time on December 31, 1998, and therefore pursuant to the provisions of Section 5 of the Act of October 9, 1965 (79 Stat, 969; 16 U.S.C. 20, et seq.), is entitled to be given preference in the renewal of the contract and in the negotiation of a new proposed 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 of the Interior will consider and evaluate all proposals received as a result of this notice. Any proposal, including that of the existing concessioner, must be received by the [[Page 20646]] Superintendent of Buffalo National River no later than 4:30 p.m. CST (Central Standard Time) on July 6, 1998. For further information, please contact George Frederick, Chief, Concessions Management at Midwest Regional Office, 1709 Jackson, Omaha, NE 68102 or phone 402- 221-3612. Dated: April 20, 1998. Catherine Damon, Acting Regional Director, Midwest Region. [FR Doc. 98-11083 Filed 4-24-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-70-P