The City of Oakland is soliciting proposals from individuals, organizations, teams, or firms interested in providing concession services for the Oakland City Stables ("City Stables"), under the direction on the Office of Parks and Recreation (OPR). Proposals are due and must be received at the Office of Parks and Recreation , 250 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Suite 3330, no later than 4:00 p.m., on Thursday, October 28, 2004. Proposals are to be addressed to the attention of the Director, Office of Parks and Recreation. In responding to the Request for Proposals (RFP), the proposed concessionaire shall describe in detail how he/she intends to provide the concession services as described in this RFP. A brief description of the Scope of Concession Services follows:

1. To professionally manage and operate a City-owned horse stable property consisting of individual paddocks, stalls, riding arena, restrooms and accessory buildings.
2. To provide equestrian boarding services to private horse owners.
3. To provide private equestrian riding lessons.
4. To provide free programs for inner-city Oakland youth to experience horseback riding and equestrian programming and services.
5. To provide educational experiences for the youth and citizens of Oakland.
6. To consider how community gardening could be incorporated within the scope of the space.
7. To provide instruction on horse grooming, care, and etiquette.
8. To provide interpretive history of City Stables and surrounding area to program participants and visitors.
9. To make summer riding camps available, accessible, and affordable for youth throughout the community.
10. To fully utilize the 7.2-acre property zoned as Open Space for equestrian programming.
11. To provide programs for the disabled community.
12. To provide additional facility and service improvements.

The Concession Agreement will be awarded to the most qualified applicant possessing strong equine experience and a well-thought out and detailed business plan. OPR will conduct background and experience checks for all applicants in development, management, and operations of equestrian centers.

OPR advises all applicants to review their proposal packets prior to submittal for accuracy and completeness and to ensure that all information is correct, including contact information, references, and address. OPR's inability to contact the applicant due to incorrect information provided will be cause for rejection of the proposal. Proposed concessionaires are invited, but not required, to be present at the opening of the proposals. Proposals must be submitted in the required format and according to specifications.

Technical questions regarding this RFP should be submitted in writing and directed to:

Kip Walsh, Office Administrator
City of Oakland, Office of Parks and Recreation
250 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Suite 3330, Oakland, CA## 94612
kwalsh@oaklandnet.com
(510) 238-6495
Fax: (510) 637-0278

Responses to questions will be addressed at the pre-proposal meeting on October 8, 2004, 9 a.m., at the City Stables site.

The Office of Parks and Recreation (OPR),City of Oakland has the right to reject any and all proposals, to modify the terms of this request either before or after the deadline or submission of proposals, to negotiate with one or more of the applicants, to call for additional proposals, or to refrain from accepting any proposal. Any Concession Agreement that may be awarded by OPR cannot take effect until approved by Resolution of the City of Oakland City Council.

Sincerely,
Audree V. Jones-Taylor
Director of Parks and Recreaton