Project Information

Bid Title

Kayak - SUP Concession Request for Proposals (RFP)

Issuing Agency

City of St. Joseph

Location

Michigan

Published Date

Feb 6, 2026

Closing Date

Mar 10, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

title	closing date	status	files	view
Kayak - SUP Concession Request for Proposals (RFP)	03/10/2026 - 3:00pm	Open - accepting bids and proposals	Kayak - SUP Concession RFP	View Details

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Request For

Proposal

Kayak – SUP Concession

City of St. Joseph, Department of Public Works,

1160 Broad Street St. Joseph, MI 49085

I. Purpose

This Request for Proposal (“RFP”) is to provide interested area parties with sufficient

information to submit proposals for consideration by the City of St. Joseph (“City”) in

connection with its needs for kayak-stand up paddling concessions at Paddler Park at East

Basin, 213 Upton Dr.

Favorable pricing will be one element of the selection process, but the experience of the

vendor, qualifications, experience and ability of assigned staff, and completeness of the

level of service proposed will be significant factors in the award of this contract. The final

decision on the selection of the Bidder will be determined by the City Commission after a

recommendation from the City of St Joseph Parks & Recreation Advisory Board. The City

reserves the right to reject any proposals or parts of proposals. The City also reserves the

right to waive any irregularities, inconsistencies, or take whatever action is appropriate as

determined by the City to be in the best interest of the City.

A complete Request for Proposal may be viewed or downloaded at www.sjcity.com, or

mailed by contacting the City Clerk.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL: Kayak - SUP Concession

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: 3:00 pm, March 10, 2026

Page 2

II. Scope of Work, Term, and Bid Specifications:

1. Description of Premises: The City will issue a Vendor a License Agreement to use a

portion of Paddler’s Park situated in the City of St. Joseph, County of Berrien, State of

Michigan, described as shown in the drawing attached and incorporated as Exhibit 1 (the

Premises”) for the described vending purposes. The waterfront, launch area, and park

property will remain available for use by the public concurrently with Vendor’s use.

2. Term: The License will be for one (1) year with a mutual option for two additional

one-year periods.

Note: The City reserves the right to suspend or revoke the license at any time without

penalty.

3. License Fees. The Bidder selected (“Vendor”) will be required to pay a license fee to

the City of St Joseph for operating the concession on City property of ten percent (10%) of

gross sales per year or a minimum of $1,000.00, whichever is more. The fee may be

renegotiated for each option period. Vendor will submit payment to the City of St Joseph

within 60 days of the end of the season each year of the agreement and will provide

supporting financial documentation.

4. Bid Specifications: The Bidder is requested to submit a description of its proposal

for public kayak, canoe, and paddle rentals. Vending may include limited retail sales

associated with such use but may not include the use of motorized watercraft or any other

rentals. Information should include the following:

• Description, photo, and/or depiction of rental equipment, including safety

equipment;

• Description, photo, and/or depiction of concession stand and related

amenities;

• Marketing materials and media forms, including proposed pricing;

• Information and safety instructions provided to operators;

• General rental requirements;

• Operating information, such as hours of operation, staffing levels, other

concessions available to the public, etc.;

• Bidder’s vending experience, staff experience and training;

• Any other relevant information.

5. Additional Information: Vendor may place a portable building on the Premises, from

which it will conduct its on-site business. Park staff must approve the building prior to

installation. The location available for the portable building is shown on Exhibit 1. Any

change in location must receive prior written approval of the City Commission. Vendor is

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required to maintain the portable building in good, clean, and safe condition; in compliance

with applicable codes; and secure it when not in use. The portable building must be removed

at the end of each season. Electrical utilities are not provided by the City of St Joseph.

Vendor will be responsible for all refuse associated with its use of the Premises, and in

addition will pick up all trash, bottles, and other refuse for Paddler’s Park as needed

City will place a portable toilet and trash receptacle(s) on the Premises for public use, and

provide trash pickup. Vendor must notify City if additional trash receptacles or pickups are

needed and if the portable toilet is in need of service.

Vendor shall not use the Premises for any purpose in violation of any federal, state, or local

law, rule, or regulation.

Vendor must follow all state and local codes, OSHA safety requirements, industry best

practice standards, and EPA regulations on this project.

Vendor is responsible for all costs related to their business activity.

Please Note: There is likely to be construction on private property nearby creating

additional traffic and temporary delays accessing the site.

III. Issuing Officer (Point of Contact)

Questions regarding the scope of work to be accomplished may be directed to Greg

Grothous, Director of Public Works, (269)-985-0309. To schedule an appointment to see

the location contact Greg Grothous by email at: ggrothous@sjcity.com or by telephone at

(269)-985-0309.

IV. Addenda

If it is necessary to modify any part of this Request for Proposal, addenda will be issued to

all parties who received the original RFP.

V. Instructions to Bidders

Sealed bids are due at the at the St. Joseph City Clerk’s Office no later than 3:00 pm, March

10, 2026.

Page 4

Proposals may be mailed or delivered to the City of St. Joseph City Clerk, 700 Broad Street,

St. Joseph, Michigan 49085. Sealed envelopes should be plainly marked:

Attention: City Clerk

Re: Kayak-SUP Concession

700 Broad Street

St. Joseph, MI 49085

It is the sole responsibility of the Bidder to see that its proposal is received within the

required time period. The City is not responsible for any errors or irregularities with the

delivery method utilized for submittal of the Proposal. Any proposals received after the

closing date and time will be returned unopened.

VI. Incurring Costs

The City is not liable for any costs related to Bidder’s preparation of their proposal.

VII. Withdrawal of Proposal

Any Bidder may withdraw its proposal in person, by facsimile, or by letter, any time prior

to the scheduled closing time for receipt of proposals. Each proposal shall be considered

binding and in effect for a period of Sixty (60) days after the closing date.

VIII. Opening of Proposals

Proposals will be opened publicly at 3:00 pm, March 10, 2026, in the City Hall

Commission Chambers, 700 Broad Street, St. Joseph, Michigan.

IX. Evaluation of Proposals

It is the intent of the City to evaluate all proposals quickly and be prepared to recommend

an award at the March 16, 2026, City Commission meeting.

X. Negotiations

The City reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and negotiate with any source, in

any manner necessary, deemed to be in its best interest. Negotiations may be undertaken

with those bidders whose proposals show them to be qualified, responsible and capable of

providing a quality kayak-sup concession rental service. The proposal accepted will be that

which is most advantageous to the City of St Joseph, as a whole, considering price,

experience, amenities, and other relevant factors.

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