Commercial Use Authorizations (CUA)

Would you like to operate a business at Homestead National Historical Park? Become a Commercial Use Authorization Service Provider. Find out more below.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a CUA?

A commercial use authorization (CUA) allows you to conduct commercial activities and provide specific visitor services within a national park unit. A CUA is required if you provide any goods, activities, services, agreements, or other function for park visitors that take place at least in part on lands managed by the NPS; use park resources; and result in compensation, monetary gain, benefit, or profit to you, when a concession contract is not necessary. The National Park Service will only issue CUAs for commercial activities and visitor services that:

• are determined to be an appropriate use of Homestead National Historical Park;

• will have minimal impact on Homestead National Historical Park’s resources and values; and

• are consistent with Homestead National Historical Park's purpose, management plans, policies, and regulations.

A CUA is required if you, as an individual, organization, or company, provide any goods, activities, services, agreements, or other function for members, clients, or the public that:

• take place at least in part in Homestead National Historical Park,

• use park resources, and

• result in compensation, monetary gain, benefit, or profit.

Businesses and individuals may not conduct commercial activities in the park without a valid CUA or in a manner inconsistent with the terms of an approved CUA.

What are the general criteria for the issuance of a CUA?

The authorization is issued to an operator to permit the provision of suitable commercial services to park area visitors. The superintendent determines if an operator has the ability to satisfactorily provide visitor services and carry out the terms of the CUA.

The superintendent determines that the commercial services are “suitable”; that is they (a) will have minimal impact on park area’s resources and values; (b) are consistent with the purposes for which the park area was established; and, (c) are consistent with all applicable park area management plans, policies, and regulations.

What services can I apply for?

• Food and Beverage – 2 year term

• Guided Interpretive Tours – 2 year term

• Retail Sales – 2 year term

The CUA operating year is from January 1 to December 31.

When is the application period?

Applications will be accepted beginning October 1^st of the year prior to the operating year and will be accepted throughout the operating year. Complete application packets must be submitted 30 days prior to your first trip in the park.

What fees are associated with a CUA?

All CUAs require $350 application fee for each service category due with the application. This fee is not refundable. The initial $350 per service application fee will be credited toward the management fee paid at the end of that operating year.

The management fee is due at the end of the operating year and is based on a percentage of the operating year’s gross receipts. This fee must be paid to the park after the park has reviewed and approved the annual report, which is submitted by January 31st, after the operating year has ended.

Management fee is based on percentage of gross receipts ($350 application fee for the operating year acts as a credit towards the following):

• Less than $250,000: 3% of gross receipts

• Between $250,000 and $500,000: 4% of gross receipts in addition to the prior amount

• Over $500,000: 5% of gross receipts in addition to the two prior amounts

“Gross receipts” means the total of all revenues received from services a CUA holder is authorized to provide within Homestead National Historical Park.

The CUA holder is responsible for maintaining accounting records that demonstrate evidence of gross receipts and required fee payment. NPS may audit CUA holder financial reports at any time.

Why does the park charge a fee for a CUA?

National Park Service Policy requires the Superintendent to charge a reasonable fee for CUAs. The park retains such fees to help pay for the cost of the CUA program, including administration, evaluations, monitoring, and training.

How to apply and pay CUA fees?

All CUA applications take place online using the CUA Application Portal.

Commercial Use Authorization applicants and holders must make all payments for application fees and management fees by card at the park, by check or making arrangements by contacting [e-mail]. Notifications of reports will be auto generated through this online portal or sent via email.

CUA Application Process

Processing time for a CUA Permit can take an average of up to four weeks.

All applications will be processed in the order in which they are received.

A CUA does not provide the vendor with exclusive rights to provide a service in the park. Any incomplete applications will be placed on hold until all required documents are received.

 

Duration:

18 minutes, 31 seconds

This video shows how a business can apply for a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) permit through an online system.