• Canoeing on the Buffalo

    Buffalo

    National River Arkansas

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  • Buffalo National River Announce Limits in Vistor Services

    As Buffalo National River anticipates the beginning of another season of floaters, hikers, and other visitors, things have altered to an extent where many things perhaps taken for granted in the past will be absent or at least altered. More »

  • Road Construction

    CAUTION!! Road construction will begin in Boxley Valley on Monday, April 22, 2013. Parking areas for wildlife viewing will be installed to alleviate congestion and increase safety during high traffic periods. Construction may last 180 days. More »

Concession Contracts

Concessions Contracts, the most formal of the Commercial Services authorizations, are used in cases when the NPS determines that the services are necessary and appropriate, and/or provision of the services require certain protections such as legal, financial, and resource provisions that are more typical of a concession contract. The term of concession contracts are generally 10 years or less. Visitor services can be required and/or authorized under a concessions contract.

Concession contracts are awarded through a competitive bid process. After determining that a visitor service is necessary, appropriate, and feasible as a business opportunity, the National Park Service prepares a prospectus which outlines the requirements for operation the business. Interested businesses apply by submitting written proposals that respond to established criteria. Major factors for evaluating proposals include managerial competence, conformance to the terms of the prospectus, and financial ability.

Laws, Regulations and Policies
36 CFR 51 Concessions Contracts
Buffalo National River Superintendent's Compendium 2012
National Park Service Concessions Management Improvement Act of 1998
NPS Management Policy - Commercial Visitor Services

Annual Financial Report Form
The Annual Financial Report form and associated instructions may be accessed here.

Submitting a Concessions Contract Proposal
The National Park Service solicits proposals for concession contracts through a competitive selection process. The opportunity to apply is only open when announced by a prospectus (a request for proposals) which describes the services, the terms and conditions under which they will be operated, and sets criteria for evaluating proposals submitted by private sector companies.

Opportunities Nationwide
Opportunities to apply for concession services are announced on the National Park Service Commercial Services webpage and on the Federal Business Opportunities webpage.

Buffalo National River concessions opportunities: Prospectuses released for Buffalo National River will be posted on our park website, the National Park Service Commercial Services webpage, and Federal Business Opportunities.

Did You Know?

Floater below Painted Bluff on the Buffalo National River

With 22 river access points over its nearly 100 miles of navigable waters, the Buffalo National River offers floating opportunities suitable for paddlers of all levels of experience. More...