# 36 C.F.R. § 51.73 (2026): What is the term of a concession contract? > Federal · Regulations · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T36_P51_S51_73 ## Section - **Citation:** 36 C.F.R. § 51.73 (2026) - **Heading:** What is the term of a concession contract? - **Jurisdiction:** Federal - **Kind:** Regulations - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** Title 36 CFR: Parks, Forests, and Public Property / Chapter I: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR / Part 51: CONCESSION CONTRACTS / Subpart I: Concession Contract Provisions / § 51.73: § 51.73 What is the term of a concession contract? ## Text (a) A concession contract will generally be awarded for a term of 10 years or less and may not have a term of more than 20 years (unless extended in accordance with this part). The Director will issue a contract with a term longer than 10 years when the Director determines that the contract terms and conditions, including but not limited to the required construction of capital improvements or other potential investments related to providing required services, warrant a longer term. It is the policy of the Director under these requirements that the term of concession contracts should take into account the financial requirements of the concession contract, resource protection, visitor needs, and other factors the Director may deem appropriate. (b) The Director may include in a concession contract, as advertised in the applicable prospectus, an optional term or terms in increments of at least one year and not to exceed three years in total, where the total term of the contract, including all optional terms, does not exceed 20 years. The Director shall specify in the contract the performance criteria (including evaluation ratings) the concessioner must meet to be eligible to exercise such option term or terms. Such contract also shall provide that the concessioner may exercise an optional term or terms only if the Director determines that the concessioner has met the performance criteria defined in the contract. (c) When the Director determines, in his or her sole discretion, that a substantial interruption of or change to operations due to natural events or other reasons outside the control of the concessioner, including but not limited to government-ordered interruptions, warrants lengthening the original term of a concession contract, the Director and the concessioner may amend the contract to add the amount of time to the term of the contract deemed appropriate by the Director, which in no case may be longer than three years and where the total term of the contract, including any added time, may not exceed 20 yea t not limited to government-ordered interruptions, warrants lengthening the original term of a concession contract, the Director and the concessioner may amend the contract to add the amount of time to the term of the contract deemed appropriate by the Director, which in no case may be longer than three years and where the total term of the contract, including any added time, may not exceed 20 years. [88 FR 90118, Dec. 29, 2023] ## Nearby sections - [36 C.F.R. § 51.73 (2026) § 51.73 What is the term of a concession contract?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T36_P51_S51_73.md) - [36 C.F.R. § 51.74 (2026) § 51.74 When may a concession contract be terminated by the Director?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T36_P51_S51_74.md) - [36 C.F.R. § 51.75 (2026) § 51.75 May the Director segment or split concession contracts?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T36_P51_S51_75.md) - [36 C.F.R. § 51.76 (2026) § 51.76 May the Director amend a concession contract to provide new or additional visitor services or grant a concessioner a preferential right to provide new or additional visitor services?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T36_P51_S51_76.md) - [36 C.F.R. § 51.77 (2026) § 51.77 Will a concession contract provide a concessioner an exclusive right to provide visitor services?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T36_P51_S51_77.md) - [36 C.F.R. § 51.78 (2026) § 51.78 Will a concession contract require a franchise fee and will the franchise fee be subject to adjustment?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T36_P51_S51_78.md) - [36 C.F.R. § 51.79 (2026) § 51.79 May the Director waive payment of a franchise fee or other payments?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T36_P51_S51_79.md) - [36 C.F.R. § 51.80 (2026) § 51.80 How will the Director establish franchise fees for multiple outfitter and guide concession contracts in the same park area?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T36_P51_S51_80.md) - [36 C.F.R. § 51.81 (2026) § 51.81 May the Director include “special account” provisions in concession contracts?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T36_P51_S51_81.md) - [36 C.F.R. § 51.82 (2026) § 51.82 Are a concessioner's rates required to be reasonable and subject to approval by the Director?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T36_P51_S51_82.md) - [36 C.F.R. § 51.83 (2026) § 51.83 Sale of Native Handicrafts.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T36_P51_S51_83.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T36_P51_S51_73. 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