Glacier Park to renew trail ride contract

Glacier National Park has released a prospectus for a new concession contract to operate Guided Interpretive Horseback Trail Rides and Pack Animal Services within the Park.

The current concession contract for this service, held by Swan Mountain Outfitters since 2007, will expire Dec. 31. The new 10-year concession contract is anticipated to take effect Jan. 1, 2017.

“Based on the prospectus, we don’t anticipate any major operational changes in the next contract. We have spent the last nine years fine tuning our operations in the Park and are very proud of what we have learned and accomplished,” said Aubrie Loroña, vice president of finance and administration at Swan Mountain Outfitters, in an email recently.

There are several changes to the existing contract. Overnight boarding won’t be allowed at the Many Glacier corral area. The ticket office at Apgar Village and the Lake McDonald employee housing garage won’t be assigned to the concessioner.

Lake McDonald stock use limits were established for one and two hour rides in order to lessen trail damage and disperse use in the congested location. The limits are derived from a five-year average of actual use. A similar change was also made to Many Glacier trails.

“As a private business, it can be challenging to work within the constraints of a government contract,” Loroña said. “On the other hand, when a public/private collaboration works well (as we believe ours has) to achieve the common goal of balancing incredible visitor experiences with resource protection, it is extremely rewarding.”

Swan Mountain Outfitters is a preferred offerer for the contract and they have the right of first refusal, meaning they can match an offer from a competitor. There are certain regulations that have to be met in order to get that preferred status, said Jennifer Parker, NPS chief of concessions. One of the factors is having “satisfactory performance,” which Swan Mountain Outfitters has had over the past 10 years, she said.

Annual gross revenue for the past three years has been between $716,000 and $792,000.

No site visits will be offered to bidders because roads and facilities in the Park are closed for the season.

For more information about the contract and how to submit a proposal, visit the NPS Commercial Services website at http://www.concessions.nps.gov/prospectuses.htm.

All offers must be received by Jennifer Parker by June 3.