Park officials could use flexible contracts to repair fire damage

The Secretary may use emergency contracting rules for listed recovery work in the covered area. The covered area is the part of Grand Canyon National Park affected by the Dragon Bravo Fire. The authority may be used without a presidential emergency or disaster declaration. It covers forest restoration, rebuilding and improving affected structures and grounds, recovery work, and activities under section 4. A separate paragraph says the authority does not apply to other services, creating uncertainty about how section 4 contracts fit that limit. The Secretary must report recovery costs, contractors, conflicts, and other listed information to four congressional committees every 180 days, beginning within 180 days after first using the authority. If a new wildfire in the covered area affects Dragon Bravo Fire recovery, the Secretary may request one 12-month extension, subject to Congress's approval. The authority would end when the Secretary determines the projects and recovery work are complete or seven years after enactment, whichever comes first. An approved extension could add 12 months.

The Secretary may award noncompetitive contracts to the current North Rim concessioner for listed recovery and reopening work. The work may cover employee housing, utilities, visitor facilities, and support assets needed to safely run North Rim services. The Secretary must make written findings that the concessioner is uniquely positioned and that using it is necessary for public safety, park resources, or essential services. These contracts would be separate from the concession contract and would not change or extend it or give the concessioner other benefits under it. The Secretary may still use competitive bidding, and all concession and lease rules still apply. This contracting authority would expire seven years after enactment.