Visitor Center Services

Mariposa Visitor Center Services
RFP January 1, 2027 to December 31, 2031
Request for Proposals (RFP)
for
Visitor Center Services
Mariposa, California
RFP Issued September 8, 2026
Proposals Due: 5:00 PM on October 6, 2026
Electronic Submittals Only
Attention: Leigh Westerlund
Assistant County Administrator, County of Mariposa
lwesterlund@mariposacounty.gov
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Mariposa Visitor Center Services
RFP January 1, 2027 to December 31, 2031
I. INTRODUCTION
The County of Mariposa, California (County), is seeking proposals from qualified organizations or
individuals to provide visitor center services in the town of Mariposa on behalf of the entire County. The
County expects to enter into an Agreement for Services (Agreement) with the awarded contractor. The
successful proposal will provide for visitor center services based on a mutually agreed-upon program and
budget.
II. BACKGROUND
The County is a small, rural county at the doorstep of Yosemite National Park and the Sierra Nevada
mountains. More than four million visitors each year come to Mariposa County to recreate in and around
one of the most famous national parks in the world. Visitor center services connect travelers not only with
the park but also with a myriad of other attractions and services in Mariposa County including but not
limited to lodging, shopping, restaurants, museums, adventure tours, festivals and events, wine tasting,
outdoor amenities, and most importantly a friendly face.
The County welcomes innovative proposals that build upon the wealth of information already being
provided by other service providers, such as the Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau, the National
Park Service, Yosemite Conservancy, and the Mariposa County Chamber of Commerce, to ensure that all
visitors are aware of all that Yosemite and Mariposa County have to offer.
The County also asks that proposers offer solutions to the complex task of meeting visitor center service
needs with fiscal frugality in mind. We welcome new ideas and new solutions to these complex problems.
III. PURPOSE
The purpose of an agreement for these visitor center services is to welcome, orient, and inform visitors
and promote County businesses and experiences.
IV. SCOPE OF SERVICES
The selected contractor will be required to deliver the following services. Please include examples and/or
specific information on how your organization will accomplish the following requirements in your
proposal:
A. Provide an in-person services location in the town of Mariposa
Secure a location in the town of Mariposa where in-person visitor center services may be
provided. The visitor center location must be convenient and visible, while also offering
adequate parking for cars and recreational vehicles or busses, Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA) accessible services and restrooms, free Wi-Fi, space for merchandise and
information, and the ability to accommodate at least 25 visitors at one time.
Visitor center services can be co-located with another business such as a restaurant or
retail store. This is a creative solution which has worked in other places such as
Mariposa's North County area, and it can have a positive effect on both the level of
information visitors receive as well as retail and/or restaurant sales. There are some public
establishments that would not be suitable for co-location with visitor center services due
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Mariposa Visitor Center Services
RFP January 1, 2027 to December 31, 2031
to age restrictions (bars or dispensaries), adult content of merchandise being sold (gun
shops), etc.
The facility must be kept in a clean and sanitary condition at all times and comply with all
state, local, and ADA accessibility requirements.
B. Develop community partnerships and direct visitors to their services, events, activities,
and information
Develop community partnerships with groups for awareness and promotion of their visitor
services, resources, and events. The groups may include but are not limited to:
1. Yosemite National Park
2. Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau
3. Yosemite Gateway Partners
4. Mariposa Bed and Breakfast Association
5. Mariposa County Chamber of Commerce
6. Mariposa Business Association
7. Main Street Mariposa
8. Mariposa County History Museum
9. Major event organizers like the Butterfly Festival, the Fair, Coyotefest, and Hornitos
Dia de los Muertos
Promote community calendars in coordination with community partners to ensure visitors
have access to that information in a comprehensive and easy to navigate format.
Contractor should think of themselves as a hub for visitor information, linking visitors to
existing partner calendars and information, and should proactively solicit content to
ensure information is current and accurate.
Promote community activities and events that are geared toward general tourism rather
than local meetings and avoid promoting events that support political or social exclusion.
Highlight activities by season.
C. Develop an operations plan
Provide an agreed-upon annual plan of operations for management of Mariposa visitor
center services to include, but not be limited to, proposed paid and/or volunteer staffing,
hours of operation, responsiveness to email and phone messages, and maintenance of all
visitor center services.
Manage an email and phone number through which visitors are encouraged to ask
questions and seek information. The County is roughly the same size as Rhode Island and
a visitor in Buck Meadows may need information on a bike ride in Hornitos before making
the drive to enjoy it.
Be sure to include a staffing and training plan for the operation.
Include a sample operations plan outline in the proposal.
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Mariposa Visitor Center Services
RFP January 1, 2027 to December 31, 2031
D. Interact with visitors in person
1. Display and distribute brochures, maps, and other visitor information that is
reviewed on an annual basis to ensure information is up to date and accurate.
2. Implement a mechanism by which all visitors can obtain information in their native
language.
3. Provide visitors with assistance upon request and answer inquiries in a timely
manner.
4. Connect visitors with available lodging.
5. Provide information on transportation, restaurants, attractions, activities, events,
and other services and amenities.
6. Provide information in a friendly and enthusiastic manner as the first contact
made by many visitors to our area.
7. Respond to email and voicemail within 24 hours.
E. Report on and Possibly Identify New Key Performance Indicators (KPI's)
Report on outcome-based performance measures - commonly referred to as Key
Performance Indicators (KPI) -- that monitor and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency
of Visitor Center Services on a quarterly basis.
The following KPI's are required. Please provide a sample of reporting that might be
provided in the proposal.
1. Number of visitors
2. Number of room reservations made
3. Number of maps and brochures distributed
4. Number of businesses promoted
5. Number of hours visitor center is open per week and per year
6. Number of events promoted
Additional KPI suggestions are also welcome and encouraged.
F. Provide an annual spending report
Provide an annual, auditor-reviewed report on the use of the funds provided by the County
of Mariposa. Prepare a detailed list of costs associated with the visitor center operation
and share that with Mariposa County staff on a quarterly basis.
The County also asks that proposers offer solutions to the complex task of meeting visitor
center service needs with fiscal frugality in mind.
Provide a sample of an annual spending report and include a list of other funding sources
the proposer intends to utilize to operate the visitor center.
G. Optional: Additional Services and/or Service Enhancements
Additional services or service enhancements, including but not limited to art displays, gift
shops, or any other information/services/ideas the proposer considers appropriate to add,
may be included in the proposal for consideration. These services will be considered for
inclusion or omission in the final Agreement at the sole discretion of the County.
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Mariposa Visitor Center Services
RFP January 1, 2027 to December 31, 2031
V. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE FINAL AGREEMENT
A. Term of Agreement
The agreement will be for a five-year term of January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2031.
B. Agreement Requirements
An Agreement in this matter will not be formed until executed by all parties including the
Mariposa County Board of Supervisors Chair, and performance under the contract will not
begin until the Agreement is fully executed by all parties. A sample Agreement is provided
as an attachment to this RFP. Terms and conditions of the Agreement are subject to
negotiation but are likely to include the provisions in the attached sample, so please
review it to familiarize yourself with its provisions including insurance requirements, hold
harmless/indemnification statement, the contractor's status as an independent
contractor, progress payments, and termination of contract.
C. Subject to Appropriation
Compensation for services requires the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors to
appropriate funds annually on a fiscal year basis (July 1 through June 30) for payment of
services. The obligation of the County to provide funding is subject to the availability of
funds lawfully appropriated for that purpose by the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors.
VI. QUESTIONS DEADLINE
All questions about the RFP must be submitted via email to lwesterlund@mariposacounty.gov no
later than 5:00 PM PST on Friday, September 18, 2026. Questions received after this deadline will not be
answered. Responses to all questions submitted before the deadline will be posted to the RFP bid page
on the mariposacounty.gov website.
VII. INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING PROPOSALS
A. Proposal Deadline
All proposals must be received via email no later than 5:00 PM PST on Friday, October
6, 2026. Late proposals will not be accepted.
B. Proposal Format
Proposals shall be submitted in a single Microsoft Word or PDF file under 20MB
(approximately 30 pages) and emailed to: lwesterlund@mariposacounty.gov. The County
reserves the right to reject any proposal exceeding that limit.
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Mariposa Visitor Center Services
RFP January 1, 2027 to December 31, 2031
C. Required Components
All proposals must include these required components:
1. Name and Contact Information
Organization or individual's name and address as well as the name and contact
information (including email address) of the primary contact for this RFP.
2. Scope of Services Narrative
Describe how your organization will deliver each of the services identified in the
Scope of Services (items A-G) listed in this RFP.
3. Cost Proposal
Provide the annual cost to provide the services defined in this RFP for each of the five
years of the contract period:
January 1, 2027 - December 31, 2027
January 1, 2028 - December 31, 2028
January 1, 2029 - December 31, 2029
January 1, 2030 - December 31, 2030
January 1, 2031 - December 31, 2031
Pricing must include all items in the Scope of Services, broken down by expense type.
4. Qualifications Statement
Provide a brief organizational/personal profile explaining your ability to provide the
visitor center services, including years in operation, evidence of self-reliance and
sustainability outside of the award of this Agreement, and experience with related
performance indicators.
Please provide the resumes of the principal operator(s) of the proposing business.
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Mariposa Visitor Center Services
RFP January 1, 2027 to December 31, 2031
VIII. PROPOSAL GUIDELINES
The County of Mariposa assumes no responsibility or liability for any costs organizations may incur in
responding to this RFP including interview sessions, contract negotiations and/or challenges to the final
award.
This RFP may be amended and/or revoked at any time prior to final execution of an Agreement with the
County.
IX. In evaluating proposals, the County may seek information to clarify a proposal. In that event, written
and signed clarifications may be submitted, and such clarifications shall become part of the proposal.
X. All proposals shall remain subject to initial acceptance ninety (90) days after the day of submittal.
XI. Contractors shall assure that there will be no discrimination in hiring or the delivery of
services on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, sexual
orientation or political affiliation.
XII. Organizations and individuals contracting with the County must be current on all taxes owed to
Mariposa County. No Agreement will be awarded to any organization found to have unpaid taxes.
XIII. News releases pertaining to the award resulting from the RFP shall not be made without prior written
approval of the Mariposa County Administrative Officer.
* All materials submitted in response to this RFP will become the property of the County of
Mariposa and will become public record after award of an Agreement. The County is not seeking
proprietary information and will not assert any privileges that may exist on behalf of proposer.
Submission of any materials in response to this RFP constitutes consent to the County's release
of such materials under the Public Records Act without notice to the person or entity submitting
the materials; and Waiver of all claims against the County and/or its officers, agents, or
employees that the County violated a proposer's right to privacy, disclosed trade secrets, or
caused any damage by allowing the proposal or materials to be inspected; and Agreement to
indemnify and hold harmless the County for release of such information under the Public Records
Act; and Acknowledgment that the County will not assert any privileges that may exist on behalf of
the person or entity submitting the materials. All personal contact information will be redacted
from proposal documents prior to release to the public.
* Notwithstanding the above, the County will maintain as confidential any and all proposals
received, and any contract negotiated as confidential until such time as the County has selected
a responsive and responsible proposer to award the contract, negotiated a contract, and
presented the contract to the Board of Supervisors for approval, or has determined not to proceed
with the project.
XIV. No oral change or interpretation of any provision contained in this RFP is valid. Written addenda
will be issued when changes, clarifications, or amendments to proposal documents are deemed
necessary by the County.
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Mariposa Visitor Center Services
RFP January 1, 2027 to December 31, 2031
XV. INTENDED TIMELINE
Release of Request for Proposals September 8, 2026
Deadline for All Questions September 18, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Answers to Questions Provided September 23, 2026
Proposal Due Date October 6, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Proposal Evaluation Completed October 16, 2026
Agreement Execution November, 2026
Begin Services January 1, 2027
XVI. REVIEW AND ASSESSMENT
A committee of individuals representing the County of Mariposa will evaluate the proposals and rank them
as submitted. The County of Mariposa reserves the right to award an Agreement to the prospective
contractor who, in the sole judgment of the County, will best accomplish the desired results. The County
also reserves the right to request oral interviews with a maximum of three of the highest-ranked proposers
to allow expansion upon and possible refinement of written responses. Applicants will be notified in
writing of the decision of the committee. The County reserves the right to negotiate with any individual,
agency or organization submitting an application.
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Mariposa Visitor Center Services
RFP January 1, 2027 to December 31, 2031
Submissions will be evaluated using the following criteria:
Weighting Qualification Standard
Factor
Pass/Fail Proposal Follows electronic format/size limit
Complete Submitted before deadline
Includes:
* Name and Contact Info
* Scope of Services Narrative
* Cost Proposal
* Qualifications Statement
8 points each Scope of Services Do the responses to each of these Scope of Services
Responses components show an understanding of the objectives,
methodology, and deliverables? Are there any
exceptions to the Scope of Services or proposed
Agreement?
A. Provide an in-person services location in Mariposa
B. Develop community partnerships direct visitors to
their services...
C. Develop an operations plan
D. Interact with visitors
E. Report on and possibly identify Key Performance
Indicators
F. Provide an annual spending report
10 bonus points Optional Element Additional Services and/or Service Enhancements
26 Cost Proposal Does the proposal include a detailed cost breakdown for
each cost element? Are the costs competitive?
26 Qualifications Has the organization or individual demonstrated the ability to
Statement provide services to meet visitors' needs? Have resumes of
principal members of the organization submitting a proposal
been included?
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Mariposa Visitor Center Services
RFP January 1, 2027 to December 31, 2031
SAMPLE AGREEMENT - for information only, DO NOT submit as part of the Proposal
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