Today, April 26, 2016, is the 100th anniversary of the creation of the National Park Service. Since its start, the service has worked with small businesses to help run parks and to serve the millions of visitors that spend time in the parks each year. Some of the concessions and services small businesses have provided in the past have become big businesses. But like all government entities, the service is required to allocate a portion of its procurement with businesses that are small or owned by minorities and women. Below, you will find contact information proficed by the National Parks Service.
“Scenery is a hollow enjoyment to the tourist who sets out in the morning after an indigestible breakfast and a fitful night’s sleep on an impossible bed.”
Stephen T. Mather
first Director of the National Park Service
(1917 – 1929)
National parks offer stunning scenery and authentic history…and many of the services of a small city to help visitors enjoy their park experience.
National Park Concessions
Food, lodging, tours, whitewater rafting, boating, and many other recreational activities and amenities in more than 100 national parks are managed by private businesses under contract to the National Park Service. The services, provided by more than 600 “concessioners,” gross more than $1 billion every year and provide jobs for more than 25,000 people during peak season.
Learn More
Contact
Commercial Services Program
National Park Service
1849 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20240
(202) 513-7156
e-mail
Contracting and Procurement
National parks have buildings to construct, roads to pave, wastewater treatment plants to operate and leaky roofs to repair. NPS offices purchase furniture, vehicles, office equipment and a host of other products. The National Park Service issues all bids and requests for proposals through the federal government’s electronic business portals.
Learn More
- Contracting opportunities in FedBizOps
Contact
Contracting and Procurement Office
National Park Service
1849 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20240
e-mail
Commercial Tours
Commercial tour operators may bring groups into national parks but must apply for a permit and pay a fee in advance. Details vary and are available from each park. Use the Park Service online search to find the park’s website – which includes contact information.
Special Park Uses and Commercial Filming
Often, businesses consider national parks appealing settings to shoot commercials or major motion pictures, to photograph models for catalogs or kids for their school pictures (see commercial filming and still photograph information). Couples choose national parks as beautiful wedding venues. The NPS requires permits for activities like these to make sure they do not unduly interfere with park visitors’ access and enjoyment.
Other activities that require special use permits include:
- Special events
- First Amendment activities (rallies, demonstrations)
- Right-of-way permits (utilities, telecommunications, roads)
- Other non-visitor activities on park land
Permit applications are available through each park’s administrative office (and may be available on park websites). Use their online search to find the park’s website,which includes contact information.