[Geysers] 2 YNP concessions contract bidders

[Karen Webb]

 From Karen Webb
I guess if comments to park admin won't make a difference, we can always 
appeal to a higher Authority. Ridding the park of DN would prove to me 
there was a God even if I was an inveterate atheist!
Karen

Freund, Udo wrote:

> According to today's Billings Gazette, Xanterra and Delaware North are 
> competing for lodging concessions in the Park. Delaware North 
> currently runs the former Hamilton Stores properties and Xanterra, 
> formerly Amfac, formerly TW Services, etc… has run the lodging 
> facilities since at least the 1980's.
>
> Comments will probably not make much difference to Park administrators 
> but I suggest sending them your opinions anyway.
>
> The Park is mainly interested in how much money they can extract from 
> concessionaires and in turn, the general public. If DN wins, don't 
> expect them to pass along the inevitable price increases to employees. 
> I would hope they retain them, but who knows?
>
> The article follows:
>
> 2 seek park concessions contract
> By MIKE STARK
> Of The Gazette Staff
> The largest concessions contract in Yellowstone National Park is up 
> for grabs and only two companies are competing for it.
>
> The five-year contract - which includes lodging, restaurants, 
> transportation, marina services and a host of other duties - is 
> currently held by Xanterra Parks and Resorts.
>
> When the application deadline passed this week, only two companies had 
> submitted proposals: Xanterra, based in Greenwood Village, Colo., and 
> Delaware North Parks Services of Buffalo, N.Y.
>
> Judy Jennings, head of concessions at Yellowstone, said she was only 
> slightly surprised that just two companies, both with plenty of 
> experience, offered proposals.
>
> "It's a huge contract," Jennings said. "To take on a five-year 
> contract of this magnitude would be tough for someone new."
>
> This is the first time that the Yellowstone lodging and restaurant 
> contract has been considered under new laws passed in 1998 that make 
> the process more competitive. An old rule that allowed the existing 
> contract holder to match the highest bid was cancelled.
>
> In 2002, Delaware North won a contract in Yellowstone, valued at $25 
> million, to operate stores and other facilities in the park. That 
> contract had been held by Hamilton Stores for more than 80 years.
>
> Xanterra, or some form of the company, has held the lodging and 
> restaurant contract in Yellowstone for more than 20 years, according 
> to Jennings.
>
> The proposals will be scored on several factors, including experience, 
> financial capabilities and percentage of gross receipts that would go 
> the Park Service.
>
> It will take two to three months to review the proposals before a 
> decision is made, Jennings said. The starting date on the contract is 
> Oct. 1.
>
>
> Thanks,
> Udo Freund
>
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>
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