Three respondents will move forward in effort to identify operator at Aspen Airport
PITKIN COUNTY, COLO. (March 22, 2023) - After careful consideration, a review committee led by Pitkin County’s Procurement Office, has narrowed to three the number of respondents in the running to operate and redevelop the FBO at the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport. In February, the county received a total of seven proposals in their RFP (Request for Proposals) process. The RFP process ensures equal opportunity for interested and qualified providers to compete for public contracts.
The three respondents that will move forward include Atlantic Aviation, the current FBO operator at the Aspen Airport, Modern Aviation, and Signature Flight Support.
“The review committee was impressed with all seven proposals received in response to the RFP. Following individual scoring and a number of meetings, the committee members identified three proposers to move forward in our review process based on the criteria issued with the RFP. We look forward to conducting interviews and to further evaluating each of the shortlisted proposers over the coming weeks. I believe we’re all excited to see what each contender would be able to bring not only to the airport but to the broader Pitkin County community,” said Chris Davis, procurement manager for Pitkin County.
The three finalists will move on to shortlist interviews with the review committee in early April. The criteria used in the committee’s initial review of the proposals will also be utilized in the interviews. In addition, the respondents will answer questions formulated from input from the Airport Advisory Board and the community. Based on the interviews, the review committee will make a final selection and present their findings to the BOCC. The current FBO contract term ends September 31, 2023.
The county’s goal, as written in its Request for Proposals (RFP) is to select a qualified respondent to “develop, construct, operate, maintain, and manage first-class, state-of-the-art FBO facilities and services at the airport.” Among other tasks, the operator will run the fueling infrastructure at the airport, which fuels private and commercial aircraft, operate the General Aviation terminal and service its customers, and manage patio shelters and tie-downs for private aircraft. If a firm is selected from the proposals submitted, the firm will occupy and maintain existing facilities with expansion expected on the west side of the airfield to maintain one-for-one space that will be lost on the east side as part of long term safety improvements.
Read more about the make-up of the review committee and the initial list of respondents to the county’s RFP in a previous press release. Learn more in the RFP document and associated addendums.
Media contact: Marci Suazo, marci.suazo@pitkincounty.com, (970) 309-2343