How to bid on Shark Valley concessions for the National Park Service

What the NPS is buying

The National Park Service is seeking a business to operate a 10-year concession at Shark Valley in Everglades National Park, near Miami. Services include interpretive tram tours, bicycle rentals, retail and vending, bicycle and hiker pickup, and paddlecraft shuttle service.

This opportunity may suit a vendor interested in operating several visitor services under one concession contract. The prospectus describes the opportunity and the contract terms.

Deadline and key steps

Offers must be received by the NPS no later than 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on December 2, 2026. The NPS says the deadline was extended and the prospectus Inside Cover was updated to reflect the change.

Questions and Notification of Intent to Propose must be received by the dates and times listed on the prospectus Inside Cover. Check that cover for those deadlines and instructions.

Who this opportunity suits

This RFP is relevant to businesses in visitor concessions and related services, including guided or interpretive tours, bicycle rentals, retail, vending, and visitor transportation or shuttle services. A firm considering the opportunity should assess whether it can address the range of services described in the prospectus.

How to access and submit an offer

To open the opportunity through the portal, click “View original source.” If the first click takes you to the portal homepage, click it again. A free account may be needed to view documents, though some bids are available without one.

The prospectus is available through the NPS Commercial Services prospectuses page. Follow the Proposal Instructions in the prospectus: only the Offeror’s Transmittal Letter must be mailed; the remaining portion of the offer must be submitted electronically.

Prepare a clear, complete response

Read the full prospectus and Proposal Instructions before drafting. Make a checklist of required materials, submission methods, and the applicable deadlines, including the separate requirements for questions and Notification of Intent to Propose.

Build your response around the services in this concession and explain clearly how your business would address each one. Leave time to review the electronic submission and mail the transmittal letter so both parts arrive as instructed before the deadline.