NPS PURCHASING AND CONTRACTING OVERVIEW

The National Park Service (NPS) administers the 385 areas contained in the National Park System. There are three principal categories of parks: natural areas, historical areas, and recreational areas. The 270 million visitors annually to the national parks make a significant contribution to the economy of the nation. The principal economic beneficiaries of this enormous visitation are vendors in the food, lodging, and travel businesses. Other local and national firms benefit by providing services or supplies required for operating, maintinaing and sustaining individual parks and the entire National Park Service. (Click here for a list of many commodities and services purchased by NPS.)

The NPS spends approximately $300-$400 million annually for goods and services acquired under contract. Over 90 percent of these contracts are awarded to small businesses. The majority of the procurement dollars is spent in the area of construction. The remainder is spent for information technology hardware, software and services; maintenance services; professional services (including architect and engineer services); and heavy equipment and various other supply type items.

Each contracting activity is governed by the Federal Acquisition Regulations and the Department of the Interior Acquisition Regulations (Title 48, Code of Federal Regulations), the Federal Property Management Regulations (Title 41, Code of Federal Regulations), and various other Agency regulations. These regulations govern procurement planning and requirements analysis, required sources of supply, equipment replacement (use) standards, solicitation procedures, evaluations and award processes, contract administration and close out procedures, etc.

Proposed procurements in excess of $25,000 are advertised on the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) web site. As part of the E-Government Integrated Acquisition Environment (IAE) initiative throughout the Federal Government, all vendors must be registered on the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) web site (see notice below). National Park Service solicitations are posted electronically at the DOI National Business Center.

Important Notice for All Government Contractors: As of 10/01/2003, vendors must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration system in order to receive new contract awards (including purchase orders).  As a security precaution, vendors must register themselves through the on-line CCR system.  Vendors will never be asked by Government officials to submit this data directly to them nor to provide Taxpayer Identification Number (TPIN or TIN) number. If asked to provide or confirm CCR registration data by mail, email, phone or fax,  please do not do so, even if the request is made on official letterhead.  Requests to provide data outside the on-line system are part of a scheme to defraud contractors by obtaining bank account information.  Report such attempts promptly to the Department of Transportation Inspector General hotline at 1-800-424-9071.

Information about the National Park Service
The National Park Service was created by an Act of Congress in 1916 with a mandate to "….promote and regulate the use of the Federal areas known as national parks, monuments, and reservations hereinafter specified except such as are under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Army, as provided by law, by such means and measures as conform to the fundamental purpose of said parks, monuments, and reservations which purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." In addition to this mandate, each park has more specific purposes defined by its authorizing legislation.

The NPS has grown from a single park, Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872, to a national system of approximately 385 areas. Once identified primarily with the western United States, now over half of the national park areas are east of the Mississippi River. National park areas and sites fit into three general categories - natural areas, historical areas, and recreational areas. The parks in each category employ a special approach to the management, interpretation of their unique features, as well as the enjoyment of the visitors. To accomplish this mission, the Service employs more than 14,000 permanent personnel and some 4,000 temporary seasonal personnel. This work force is represented by specialists in such varied fields as scientific, interpretation, protection, and administration.

The number of areas administered by the NPS is increasing as new areas are authorized by Congress. Visitation is also increasing. Approximately 270 million visits are made annually to parks and sites in the national park system.

Concessions Services
Private businesses under long-term concession contracts within the national parks provide accommodation and services for visitors. Concession contracts are not procurement contracts and not subject to the FAR. Business opportunities that may become available are published on the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) web site (see above) and individual park web sites.

Interpretive Design Center
Since 1970, the NPS Interpretive Design Center in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, has created or procured a wide range of media products to assist NPS Interpreters in their work. These "interpretive tools" include publications, exhibits, wayside exhibits, audiovisual and interactive presentations, (motion picture/video/audio), and historic furnishings. Additionally, the Harpers Ferry Center provides a variety of services related to the development and maintenance of these media products: interpretive planning, audiovisual equipment, repair, conservation of objects, replacement of wayside exhibits, graphic research, and the revision and reprinting of informational brochures. See above for solicitation information.

Professional Services - Architectural and Engineering
Architectural and engineering work is principally contracted for by the National Park Service's Denver Service Center. However, all NPS regional offices, the Harpers Ferry Center, and larger parks occasionally contract for architectural and engineering services. See above for solicitation information.

Professional Services - Other
A limited number of other professional services are contracted for by all NPS regional offices, service centers, and other offices of the National Park Service. See above for solicitation information.

Construction/Physical Improvements
The National Park Service is a regular user of general construction contract work. These contracts are normally awarded on a competitive basis. See above for solicitation information.

Garages, Repair Shops, and Commercial Activities
The NPS leases or purchases vehicles through General Services Administration (GSA). The NPS has a fleet of approximately 10,000 vehicles (4,500 of which are leased from GSA). The vehicle maintenance service and supplies are purchased from local distributors through GSA. For more information call GSA, Office of Vehicle Acquisition and Leasing Services, Ms. Monica Bumbray (703) 305-3058.

Uniforms
Uniformed National Park Service (NPS) employees are required to purchase uniform components under a single service-wide contract. For further information write to:

National Park Service Contracting and Procurement Office
1849 C Street, NW (2623)
Washington, DC 20240
(202) 351-1951

Minority Business and Economic Development Program
The Office of Minority Business and Economic Development provides counseling and advice to small, disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, veteran and disabled veteran, and minority businesses on contracting opportunities within the National Park Service. This office is also responsible for assisting the major procurement activities within the NPS in their efforts to increase contracting opportunities for such businesses. This includes direct contracting and subcontracting opportunities, as well as the Small Business Administration Section 8(a) Program.

If you determine that your company's products or services can fill some of the National Park Service's requirements, please write to the Minority Business and Economic Development Program Specialist at the appropriate procurement office listed below, or you may write to:

U.S. Department of the Interior
National Park Service
Minority Business and Economic Development Program
1849 C Street, N.W., Org.Code 2604
Washington, D.C. 20240

NPS Minority Business and Economic Development Program
Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Development Specialist (SADBUS)

Headquarters Ben Saji, Director 1849 C St, NW MS 2604 Washington, DC 20240 (202) 354-1940
Alaska Region Joy C. Kucinski 240 W. 5th Ave Room 107 Anchorage, AK 99501 (907) 644-3301 (907) 644-3802 FAX	Northeast Region Linda Maiden U.S. Custom House 200 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19106 (215) 597-0055 (215) 597-1085 FAX
Intermountain Region Tammy Gallegos 1100 Old Santa Fe Trail P. O. Box 728 Santa Fe, NM 87504-0728 (505) 988-6085 (505) 988-6075 FAX	Harpers Ferry Center JoAnne Grove Harpers Ferry Center Office of Acquisition Management P.O. Box 50, Taylor Street Harpers Ferry, WV 25425 (304) 535-6236 (304) 535-6424 FAX
Denver Service Center Rosemary Ortiz 12795 W. Alameda Parkway Room 390 P.O. Box 25287, DSC-CS. Denver, CO 80225-0287 (303) 969-2112 (303) 987-6646 FAX	Pacific West Region Leo Guillory Golden Gate National Recreation Area Fort Mason - Bldg. 201 San Francisco, CA 94123 (415) 561-4791 (415) 561-4795 FAX
Midwest Region Debra Imhoff 1709 Jackson Street Omaha, NE 68102 (402) 221-4233 (402) 221-4251 FAX	National Capital Region Tom McConnell 1100 Ohio Drive Washington, DC 20242 (202) 619-6366 (202) 485-9720 FAX
Southeast Region Sharon Carson Atlanta Federal Center 1924 Bldg. 100 Alabama St. Atlanta, GA 30303 (404) 562-3163 Ext 557 (404) 562-3256 FAX	Washington Administrative Program Center Jonathan Robertson 1849 C St, N.W. MS-2605 Washington, DC 20240 (202) 354-1902 (202) 371-1516 FAX

In addition, you may get information, counseling, and assistance from GSA's Small Business Utilization Centers in 11 regional offices. Find your region here to access available services.

COMMODITIES AND SERVICES PURCHASED BY THE NPS

Washington Office

Denver Service Center

Harpers Ferry Center

Regions and Support Offices

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

National Recreation and Park Association
Products may be exhibited before park and recreation officials during the conventions held by the National Recreation and Park Association.

Links
Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency
Small Business Administration
General Services Administration
Federal Supply Service Contractor's Guide
DOI Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
USGS Contracts & Grants Information
Federal Business Opportunities
Central Contractor Registration