GSMNP - September 13, 2002 -- Great Smoky Mountains National Park Superintendent Mike Tollefson has announced that the Park's existing concessioner has been awarded a new concession contract to continue operating the Cades Cove Campground Store. The selection of a concessioner to operate Cades Cove Campground Store is the result of a competitive process for the selection of concessioners that is required by the National Park Service Concessions Management Improvement Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-391).

The existing contractor, Cades Cove Campground Store, Inc., has been selected to operate the Park's only campground store for another five years. This convenience and campground store includes a snack bar and deli, firewood and ice sales, bicycle rental, limited souvenir sales, and vending. Terry Cate of Greenback, TN, is President of Cades Cove Campground Store, Inc. Cate operates the store with the help of his wife, Joanne, and their daughters, Deanna and Marty.

"The Cate family has successfully served the needs of campers and other visitors to Cades Cove for over 30 years," said Superintendent Tollefson. "I am pleased that the new concession contract will allow the Cates to continue to provide these important services to the public."

The Concessions Management Improvement Act of 1998 requires that national park concession contracts be awarded through a public solicitation process. Proposals from prospective concessioners are solicited through the issuance of a prospectus that describes the terms and conditions of the concession contract and the procedures to be followed in the selection of the best proposal.

Proposals for concession services at the Smokies are evaluated at the National Park Service Southeast Regional Office by a panel of people selected by the Regional Office. Proposals are rated numerically based on selection criteria included in the prospectus. For a proposal to be accepted, it must be "responsive" meaning that the proposal is submitted on time, provides all of the required information, and agrees to all of the minimum requirements of the proposed concession contract and prospectus. Proposals must also meet other criteria specified in the applicable regulations.