The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit proposals from qualified eleemosynary parties interested in a lease to manage and operate an interpretive/education center, grounds and facilities at Heeia State Park on Oahu.

DLNR envisions, at a minimum, the management and operation of an interpretive/education center within Heeia State Park that provides on-site programs in accordance with the Hawaii State Department of Education standards. The interpretive/education center will provide educational opportunities for a wide range of visitors to Heeia State Park that includes but is not limited to school age children, community groups, and independent visitors.

The park grounds and its facilities will involve the maintenance, repairs, upkeep and future construction and renovation of the park’s grounds and facilities. The caretaker’s cottage is not included as part of the facilities.

DLNR (lessor) will permit the lessee (awarded party) of the interpretive/education center to conduct certain commercial activities such as the operation of a visitor center/exhibit hall and its rental for banquets, parties, meetings, etc. to supplement the cost of operating free and/or reduced cost educational programs and the cost to manage the park grounds and facilities. The interpretive/education center, educational programs and park management will be the primary focus of the lessee and the commercial recreational activities are to be supplemental and complementary to the interpretive/education center activities and park maintenance, not the focus of the lessee and/or operations.

Interested entities must complete the “Intent to Offer” form, which must be received by DLNR by December 19, 2008, in order to submit a Proposal. Proposals must be received by Stephen Thompson, State Parks Program Manager, Division of State Parks, Department of Land and Natural Resources, at P.O. Box 621, Honolulu, HI 96809 or at 1151 Punchbowl Street, Kalanimoku Building, Room 310, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96813, no later than 4:30 p.m. (HST), January 9, 2009. Proposals submitted by facsimile or e-mail will be rejected.

DLNR reserves the right to cancel the RFP and reject any and all submittals when it is in the best interest of DLNR. Copies of RFP-001-08-DSP, including the Intent to Offer form, may be picked up at the Department of Land and Natural Resources, c/o Division of State Parks, 1151 Punchbowl Street, Kalanimoku Building, Room 310, Honolulu, Hawaii, during regular business days and hours; or may be printed from the DLNR website at http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/ announcements/index.cfm; or may be sent by mail upon request. Entities that want to receive the RFP by mail or require special accommodation (e.g., large print materials) may contact Stephen Thompson at (808) 587-0303 or at stephen.l.thompson@hawaii.gov.