[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 158 (Monday, August 17, 1998)] [Notices] [Pages 43955-43956] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-21981] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan; Concession Contract Negotiations ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Public notice is hereby given that the National Park Service proposes to award a concession contract authorizing continued scheduled passenger ferry boat transportation services to the Manitou Islands, within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore for a period of ten (10) years from January 1, 1999, through December 31, 2008. EFFECTIVE DATE: November 16, 1998. ADDRESSES: Interested parties should contact the Superintendent, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, 9922 Front Street, Highway M- 72, Empire, Michigan 49630, or call 616-326-5134 to obtain a copy of the prospectus describing the requirements of the proposed contract. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This contract 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 expired by limitation of time on April 30, 1996, and therefore pursuant to the provisions of Section 5 of the Act of October 9, 1965 (79 Stat. 969; 16 U.S.C. et seq.), is entitled to be given preference in the renewal of the contract and in the [[Page 43956]] negotiation of a new proposed contract providing that the existing concessioner submits a responsive 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 Superintendent not later that 4:30 p.m. EST (Eastern Standard Time) on November 17, 1998. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George R. Frederick, Chief, Concessions Management, 1709 Jackson Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68102, or call 402-221-3612. Dated: August 6, 1998. David N. Given, Acting Regional Director, Midwest Region. [FR Doc. 98-21981 Filed 8-14-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-70-P