---
kind: "section"
citation: "54 U.S.C. § 101931"
title: "54"
title_heading: "National Park Service and Related Programs"
number: "101931"
heading: "Contract authority"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/54/101931"
units:
  - "Subtitle I — National Park System"
  - "Division A — Establishment and General Administration"
  - "Chapter 1019 — Concessions and Commercial Use Authorizations"
  - "Subchapter III — Commercial Services Authorization"
---

# §101931. Contract authority

- (a) **General Authority.—** Notwithstanding subchapter II, the [Secretary](/usc/54/100102.md?p=3) may award and administer commercial [services](/usc/54/100102.md?p=4) contracts (and related professional [services](/usc/54/100102.md?p=4) contracts) for the operation and expansion of commercial visitor facilities and visitor [services](/usc/54/100102.md?p=4) programs in [System units](/usc/54/100102.md?p=6). The commercial [services](/usc/54/100102.md?p=4) contracts that may be awarded shall be limited to those that are necessary and appropriate for public use and enjoyment of the unit of the [System](/usc/54/100102.md?p=5) in which they are located, and, that are consistent with the preservation and conservation of the resources and values of the unit.
- (b) **Additional Authority.—** Contracts may be awarded under [subsection (a)](#a) without regard to Federal laws and regulations governing procurement by Federal agencies, with the exception of laws and regulations related to Federal government contracts governing working conditions and wage rates, including the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act ([16 U.S.C. 3101](/usc/16/3101.md) et seq.), sections 3141–3144, [3146](/usc/40/3146.md), and [3147](/usc/40/3147.md) of title 40, United States Code (commonly known as the “Davis-Bacon Act”), and any civil rights provisions otherwise applicable thereto.
- (c) **Use of Commercial Services Contracts.—**
  - (1) **In general.—** The [Secretary](/usc/54/100102.md?p=3) may issue a commercial [services](/usc/54/100102.md?p=4) contract under this subchapter when the [Secretary](/usc/54/100102.md?p=3) determines that the contract meets the objectives of expanding, modernizing, and improving the condition of commercial visitor facilities and the [services](/usc/54/100102.md?p=4) provided to visitors.
  - (2) **Exceptions.—** No contracts may be awarded under this subchapter—
    - (A) for the provision of outfitter and guide [services](/usc/54/100102.md?p=4) described in [section 101913(8)](/usc/54/101913.md?p=8); or
    - (B) to authorize the provision of facilities or [services](/usc/54/100102.md?p=4) for which the [Secretary](/usc/54/100102.md?p=3) has granted to an existing concessioner a [preferential right of renewal](/usc/54/101911.md?p=2) as defined in sections [101911](/usc/54/101911.md) and 101913.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 114–289, title VII, § 701, Dec. 16, 2016, 130 Stat. 1492.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, referred to in subsec. (b), is Pub. L. 96–487, Dec. 2, 1980, 94 Stat. 2371. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 3101 of Title 16, Conservation, and Tables.