Ensuring High Quality Visitor Services

Concessioners fill a vital role with helping the National Park Service (NPS) carry out its mission. Private companies work with the NPS to offer necessary and appropriate services to park visitors that parks do not provide directly. By welcoming the private sector as a partner in park operations, the NPS broadens the economic base of the region and the communities surrounding parks. The Commercial Services Program administers nearly 500 concession contracts that, in total, gross over $1 billion annually. NPS concessioners employ more than 25,000 people in a variety of jobs during peak seasons, providing services ranging from food and lodging, to whitewater rafting adventures, motor coach tours and others.

Leasing/concession management/CUA management are part of the NPS Commercial Services Program.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Also visit the Commercial Service Program News Feed and Bottomline News Update.

To support park concessions staff and concessioners in the development and implementation of good structural fire management plans and programs and minimize structural fire risks at NPS commercial services facilities park service wide the Commercial Services Program has adopted a structural fire checklist as additional criteria for review during the third-party environmental audits at concessions facilities. The checklist is available for review and reference by park and concession staff under Concessioner Tools, Risk Management.

Insurance Policy Updates

The NPS has made two policy updates to its insurance requirements. Revised policy (under Risk Management & Insurance) allows all CUA holders and concessioners and commercial lessees providing high-risk recreation services to use exculpatory agreements. Revised policy (under Risk Management & Insurance) also removed the requirement that concession contracts specify deductible and self-insured retention limits for liability and property insurance.

Updated Guidance on the National Park Service’s Adoption of the International Fire Code over the Former Adherence to National Fire Protection Association Codes and Fire Checklist

The NPS has adopted the International Fire Code (IFC), the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC), the complete International Code Council (ICC) family of codes (I-Codes), and the National Electrical Code (NEC, NFPA 70, published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). As such, these codes replace the NFPA codes as the “applicable law” that concessioners must adhere to. Please see the updated Technical Bulletin Memorandum from the Commercial Services Program for more information. The memo can be found under the Risk Management & Insurance section under the Commercial Services Program’s website Laws, Regulation, and Policy section.

To support park concessions staff and concessioners in the development and implementation of good structural fire management plans and programs and minimize structural fire risks at NPS commercial services facilities park service wide the Commercial Services Program has adopted a structural fire checklist as additional criteria for review during the third-party environmental audits at concessions facilities. The checklist is available for review and reference by park and concession staff under Concessioner Tools, Risk Management.

2024 Concession Rate Administration Guide Addendum

The Department of the Interior (DOI) has revised the regulations at Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 51—Concession Contracts, pursuant to a final rule published in the Federal Register on December 29, 2023, that took effect on January 29, 2024. The NPS has issued the “NPS Concessions Management Rate Administration Guide Addendum,” which provides guidance regarding the changes to rate administration found at 36 CFR § 51.82. The Addendum can be viewed by clicking here.