NIGP 90517: Airport Ground Handling Services

NIGP 90517 Airport Ground Handling Services is an Item code that covers comprehensive baggage handling system operation, management, maintenance, and repair services—including preventive and corrective maintenance, parts inventory management, 24/7 technical support, and on-call emergency response for automated in-line systems and carousel bag claim devices. State and local airport authorities and port authorities are the primary issuing bodies; recent solicitations show activity from county port authorities, municipal airports, and regional aviation authorities. Services range from full-system operation contracts spanning multiple years with specific throughput and performance standards to on-call maintenance and repair arrangements with no guaranteed minimum work volumes. Scope typically includes labor, materials, equipment, tools, consumables, parts management, warranty administration, staff training, and compliance with FAA, DHS, TSA, and OSHA standards. Vendors must demonstrate multi-year experience operating baggage handling and related airport ground equipment in commercial or mission-critical environments, provide 24/7 emergency support capability, obtain appropriate licenses and certifications, and carry commercial general liability insurance ranging from $1,000,000 to $5,000,000.

Recent activity concentrates in Florida and Texas. The Lee County Port Authority (Florida) issued RFP 260073LB for six-year operation, management, and maintenance services of baggage handling systems at Southwest Florida International Airport, with proposals due September 21, 2026 and a mandatory pre-proposal meeting on August 18, 2026; the contract carries zero percent DBE goals and specifies performance standards including 97 percent monthly delivery rates and two-minute bag jam response times. The City of Waco (Texas) issued RFP 2026-055 for on-call baggage handling and passenger boarding bridge maintenance, repairs, and inspection services at Waco Regional Airport with proposals due October 20, 2026 and a pre-proposal meeting on September 29, 2026; the city anticipates awarding a non-exclusive five-year service agreement with evaluation weighted toward experience/qualifications, price, technical approach, and preventive maintenance programming. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (Florida) sought a permit applicant for express baggage handling services managing approximately 1.5 million bags annually between off-airport facilities and remote sorting operations, with application due October 30, 2026 and $5,000,000 liability insurance required.