Grand Teton lodging contracts to open for bidding




MOOSE, Wyo. (AP) -- Grand Teton National Park soon plans to open for bidding the contracts to run many of the park's businesses.




A tour will be offered Oct. 2 to show prospective bidders the operations run by two of the park's biggest concessionaires: Grand Teton Lodge Company and Signal Mountain Lodge.




"This will be the first time that both of these two large concessionaires have to competitively bid for a new contract under the 1998 act," park spokeswoman Jackie Skaggs said.




In 1998, Congress overhauled the guidelines governing concessions contracts, with the goal of increasing competition.




Concessionaires were previously given preferential treatment in that they were allowed to continue their contracts by matching the highest bid submitted for them. That is no longer allowed under the new guidelines.




Sen. Craig Thomas, R-Wyo., was a leader of the reforms.




The Grand Teton Lodge Company is the park's biggest concessionaire with average gross receipts of about $25 million annually over the past three years, according to park officials.




The company manages Jackson Lake Lodge, Jenny Lake Lodge, Colter Bay Village, an RV park, tent cabins, five restaurants, a bar, eight retail outlets, a marina, two corrals, three service stations, bus tours, boat tours, guided float and fishing trips, employee housing and other services.




Signal Mountain Lodge, meanwhile, manages lodging, three restaurants, two retail outlets, a bar, two marinas, guided float trips and employee housing. The company's average gross receipts have been about $4 million annually over the past three years.




Bids on the concession contracts will begin to be accepted sometime this winter.