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This rule will implement the Visitor Experience Improvements Authority (VEIA) given to the National Park Service (NPS) by Congress in title VII of the National Park Service Centennial Act. This authority allows the NPS to award and administer commercial services contracts and related professional services contracts for the operation and expansion of commercial visitor facilities and visitor services programs in units of the National Park System. The VEIA supplements, but does not replace, the existing authority granted to the NPS in the Concessions Management Improvement Act of 1998 (1998 Act) to enter into concession contracts or any other existing NPS authorities to provide commercial visitor services in units of the National Park System.

Overall Description of Deadline: The Centennial Act states that the Visitor Experience Improvements Authority (VEIA) expires seven years after the enactment of the law (54 U.S.C. 101938). If the authority is not implemented by then, it will expire absent a renewal of the authority by Congress.