AIRPORT_FIXED_BASE_OPERATOR_(FBO)_SERVICES.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES

Support Services Division

REQUEST FOR INTEREST (RFI)

905-1102-27

For

AIRPORT FIXED BASE OPERATOR (FBO) SERVICES

RELEASE DATE: November 2, 2026

RESPONSE DUE: December 7, 2026, 5:00 pm

SUBMIT RESPONSE TO: RFI COORDINATOR

Solano County digitally via OpenGov Solano County

Portal website at:

https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/solanocounty

Nesmith Despabiladeras

Phone: (707) 784-6322 nadespabiladeras@solanocounty.gov

Any proposer participating in this solicitation is required to have a vendor application on file with the

County. This application may be downloaded from the Solano County website at www.solanocounty.gov. Include the application with your proposal. The County will post any changes and information relating to this RFI digitally via OpenGov. Proposers are responsible for frequently checking OpenGov at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/solanocounty for any changes or information relating to this RFI.

“Smoking is not permitted in County Buildings or around Solano County campuses. Thank you in advance for your compliance.”

ANTHONY L. TAVE, P.E.

Director General Services ALTave@SolanoCounty.gov

(707) 784-7902

675 Texas Street, Suite 2500

Fairfield, CA 94533-6342

Fax (707) 784-6320 www.solanocounty.gov https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/solanocounty http://www.solanocounty.com/ mailto:ALTave@SolanoCounty.gov http://www.solanocounty.gov/

Solano County

REQUEST FOR INTEREST

AIRPORT FIXED BASE OPERATOR (FBO) SERVICES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Purpose

2. Background

3. General Requirements and Information

4. General Respondent Requirements

5. Electronic Submittal

Attachments:

A - Nut Tree Airport Layout (Map)

B - Exhibit_C_-_General_Terms_6_12_18

Request For Interest #905-1102-27 Title: AIRPORT FIXED BASE OPERATOR (FBO) SERVICES

1. 1. .................................................................................................. Purpose

The County of Solano, General Services Department, hereinafter referred to as the County, is requesting information from qualified firms regarding the potential delivery of Fixed Base Operator (FBO) services at the Nut Tree Airport in Vacaville, California.

This RFI is intended for market research and planning purposes. Information received may be used to evaluate potential service models, business terms, capital investment, and market interest before the County determines whether to issue a subsequent Request for Qualifications (RFQ), Request for Proposals (RFP), or other solicitation. Nothing in this RFI obligates the County to proceed with a solicitation or award a contract or lease.

Participation in this RFI will not provide any respondent an advantage in a subsequent competitive process. Responses may be used by the County for planning purposes, subject to applicable public records requirements.

Responses should not exceed 15 pages, excluding optional supporting information, and should focus on the requested market feedback and the respondent’s relevant experience and capability.

This is not a request for a formal proposal or pricing commitment. Respondents should provide sufficient information to help the County evaluate potential FBO delivery models and future solicitation requirements.

1.1. 1.1. Opportunities

The County is evaluating whether a qualified third-party FBO could enhance fueling, aircraft services, customer service, business development, and long-term investment at the Nut Tree Airport while maintaining the County’s responsibilities as Airport owner and federally obligated Airport Sponsor. The County has not determined the final scope or business model and is seeking industry input before making that determination.

1.2. 1.2. Fixed Base Operator Operating Framework

For purposes of this RFI, respondents should assume a Base Scope focused on commercial FBO operations. The County is also requesting feedback on additive alternatives that could be included in a future solicitation. The final scope, if any, will be determined by the County after reviewing market feedback and completing its operational, financial, legal, and FAA due diligence.

A. Base Scope – FBO Operations

1. Fuel services

a. Procurement, inventory management, and sale of aviation gasoline (AvGas), including 100LL or approved unleaded aviation fuel, as applicable, and Jet A.

b. Operation of self-service and truck fueling, including fuel quality control, testing, recordkeeping, point-of-sale operations, and compliance applicable to the FBO's activities.

c. Routine operation and maintenance of designated fuel equipment and FBO fueling assets.

2. Aircraft line and ramp services

a. Aircraft parking, marshalling, towing, transient tie-down management, and ground handling.

b. After-hours/on-call service and reasonable assistance with disabled aircraft.

3. Pilot, passenger, and customer services

a. Pilot lounge and related amenities, flight planning access, and general customer assistance.

b. Ground transportation or courtesy vehicle coordination and transient aircraft support. Enterprise Rent-

A-Car currently leases space at the Nut Tree Airport and has 10 assigned parking spaces, as well as use of the overflow parking lot for up to 30 additional vehicles.

4. FBO facilities, equipment, and administration

a. Operation and routine maintenance of the designated FBO premises and FBO equipment.

b. FBO-related billing, revenue collection, operating reports, insurance, housekeeping, utilities, and security associated with the FBO premises, as applicable.

c. Marketing and business development intended to increase FBO activity, fuel sales, and business aviation use.

A. Existing Operators and Non-Exclusive Services

1. The County anticipates that existing aeronautical businesses and Specialized Aviation Service Operators may continue operating at Nut Tree Airport under separate agreements with the County. A future FBO arrangement would not necessarily provide exclusive rights to aeronautical services beyond the operator's designated leasehold or other rights expressly established by the County. Respondents should identify any material concerns with operating alongside existing aeronautical businesses. Certain services may be provided directly by the FBO, through a County-approved subcontractor, or through coordination with an existing qualified aeronautical service provider, subject to County approval and applicable Minimum

Standards.

B. Additive Alternatives for Market Feedback

1. Alternate 1 - Fuel Infrastructure Capital Investment

Finance, replace, upgrade, or otherwise participate in the replacement of fuel tanks, pumps, self-service equipment, and related fueling infrastructure. Respondents should identify the anticipated investment, desired ownership structure, required lease term, and any expected County contribution or adjustment to rent/fees.

i. (1) jet fuel underground tank (10,000 gallon)

ii. (1) AvGas underground tank (10,000 gallon)

iii. The jet fuel truck (3,000 gallon)

iv. The AvGas truck (1,000 gallon)

2. Alternate 2 - County Hangar and Tie-Down Administration

Manage some or all County-owned hangars, tie-downs, waiting lists, tenant billing, and related customer administration. Respondents should describe the preferred compensation or revenue structure and any staffing or system requirements.

3. Alternate 3 - Airport Operations Support

Provide selected airport operations or maintenance support, such as inspections, lighting or facility observations, facility maintenance coordination, and emergency response support. Respondents should identify which functions they can reasonably provide and which should remain with the County.

4. Alternate 4 - Broader Airport Management Services

Provide broader day-to-day airport management support, which could include tenant coordination, regulatory support, records/reporting, and business development. The County would retain Airport ownership, policy authority, and federally obligated Airport Sponsor responsibilities.

5. Alternate 5 - Private Aeronautical Development and Capital Investment

Develop or finance approved FBO facilities, hangars, or other aeronautical improvements. Respondents should identify the type and scale of investment they would consider and the lease term or other business conditions needed to support that investment.

D. County-Retained Responsibilities

Unless specifically included as an additive alternative in a future solicitation, respondents should assume that the County would retain Airport ownership and Airport Sponsor responsibilities, FAA and Caltrans grant administration and compliance oversight, policy decisions, capital planning and approval, and County property/lease oversight. The FBO would be required to comply with FAA requirements, Airport Minimum

Standards, Airport Rules and Regulations, and other laws and requirements applicable to its operations, including requirements imposed by the County as necessary to maintain compliance with applicable FAA

Grant Assurances.

2. 2. ........................................................................................... Background

Nut Tree Airport is a general aviation airport located in Vacaville CA, approximately halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento. Located near Interstates 80 and 505, the Airport is well positioned to serve travelers accessing the San Francisco Bay Area, Napa Valley, Sacramento/State Capitol region, and South Lake Tahoe, in addition to businesses and residents throughout Solano County and surrounding region. The Airport generally benefits from favorable flying conditions, with relatively few days each year significantly affected by weather.

The Airport encompasses approximately 286 acres and includes a 4,700-foot runway, taxiways, aircraft parking and tie-down areas, County-owned and privately owned hangars, aviation-related office space, and fuel facilities. The Airport accommodates approximately 102,700 aircraft operations annually, is home to 201 based aircraft, and includes approximately 139 hangars (Table 1) and other commercial aviation spaces.

Hanger Type Hanger Count Corporate Hanger 16

County Hanger 84 Private Hanger 25

Through the Fence 1 Tie Down 13

Table 1

The runway accommodates a range of aircraft, from single-engine and twin-engine aircraft to small- and medium-sized business jets. Nut Tree Airport has operated since 1955 and is currently owned and operated by Solano County through the division of General Services Department.

2.1. Airport Site and Potential FBO Area

The Airport includes existing administration, fuel, ramp, hangar, tie-down, and related aeronautical areas that may support future FBO operations. The County is evaluating which facilities and areas may be appropriate for inclusion in a future FBO arrangement.

A general Airport site plan is included as Attachment A – Nut Tree Airport Site Plan for reference. The final FBO premises, facilities, and areas available for use have not been determined and may be refined based on information received through this RFI and any future solicitation process.

2.2. Current Fuel Operations and Recent Fuel Sales

The County currently provides aviation fuel services at Nut Tree Airport, including AvGas and Jet A. Historical fuel sales are provided to assist respondents in evaluating the potential market and operating opportunity.

Over the five-year period, the Airport sold approximately 599,000 gallons of aviation fuel, averaging approximately 120,000 gallons annually.

Fiscal Year AvGas Jet A Total

FY2021/22 94,144 30,899 125,043

FY2022/23 105,412 38,255 143,667

FY2023/24 88,617 26,553 115,170

FY2024/25 77,623 34,263 111,885

FY2025/26 76,271 27,137 103,408

5-Year Total 442,066 157,107 599,174

Source: Solano County Nut Tree Airport fuel sales records. Figures represent gallons sold and are rounded to the nearest gallon.

2.3. Existing Airport Operations

The County currently performs a combination of airport management, maintenance, property administration, customer service, and fuel-related functions. Private aviation businesses also operate at the Airport under separate agreements.

Through this RFI, the County is evaluating potential future approaches for providing FBO services and related functions. The County has not made a determination regarding the final scope of services, facilities, or operating structure that may be included in a future solicitation.

3. 3. ........................................ General Requirements and Information

3.1. Communications Regarding the RFI

Upon release of this RFI, all Respondents’ communications concerning this RFI must be directed to the RFI Coordinator.

All communications shall be in writing to the RFI coordinator email at nadespabiladeras@solanocounty.gov. Any oral communications should be considered unofficial and nonbinding on the County. Written comments, including questions and requests for clarification, must cite the subject RFI number. The RFI coordinator must receive these written requests via this Procurement Portal (opengov.com) by the submission deadline specified in the RFI. Questions/comments (for clarification purposes only) regarding this RFI may be communicated to the RFI coordinator by electronic means. However, respondent’s proposal to this RFI shall be communicated in written form.

The County shall respond in writing to written communications. Only written responses to written communications shall be considered official and binding upon the County. The County reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to determine appropriate and adequate responses to written comments, questions, and requests for clarification. The County shall post its responses to written comments, to all respondents expressing interest in this RFI.

Any data or factual information provided by the County shall be deemed for informational purposes only, and if a respondent relies on said factual information it should either:

A. independently verify the information; or

B. obtain the County’s written consent to rely thereon.

3.2. Response Preparation Costs

The County will not pay any costs associated with the preparation, submittal, or presentation of any response.

3.3. Disclosure of Response Contents

mailto:nadespabiladeras@solanocounty.gov https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/solanocounty

All responses and other materials submitted in response to this RFI information process become the property of the County of Solano. Selection or rejection of a response does not affect this right. The responses and associated materials shall be open for review by the public to the extent allowed by the California Public Records Act, (Division 10 of Title 1 of the Government Code, commencing with §7920.000). By submitting a response, the respondent acknowledges and accepts that the contents of the response and associated documents shall become open to public inspection.

3.4. Proprietary Information

The master copy of each response shall be retained for official files and will become public record, unless the response or specific parts of the response can be shown to be exempt by law (Government code § 7930.005). Each respondent may clearly label part of a response as "CONFIDENTIAL" if the respondent thereby agrees to indemnify and defend the County for honoring such a designation. The failure to label any information that is released by the County shall constitute a complete waiver of all claims for damages caused by any release of the information. If a public records request for labeled information is received by the County, the County will notify the respondent of the request and delay access to the material until seven working days after notification to the respondent. Within that time delay, it will be the duty of the respondent to act in protection of its labeled information. Failure to do so shall constitute a complete waiver.

4. 4. ............................................... General Respondent Requirements

Respondents shall provide a concise response addressing the following. The County is seeking market information and does not require a pricing proposal at this stage.

4.1. Respondent Qualifications and Experience

Provide a brief company overview, years in business, relevant FBO/airport operating experience, current or recent comparable airport locations, organizational capacity, and key contact information.

4.2. Base Scope

State whether the respondent would be interested in performing the Base Scope described in this RFI. Identify any recommended changes, limitations, assumptions, or additional services that should be included in a future solicitation.

4.3. Additive Alternatives

For each Alternate, state whether the respondent would be interested in performing the additional scope and identify any material operational, staffing, financial, or contractual considerations.

4.4. Business and Compensation Structure

Describe the business structure the respondent believes would be appropriate, including potential facility/ground rent, fuel flowage fee, percentage revenue, minimum annual guarantee, management fee, or other approach. Binding pricing is not requested.

4.5. Fuel Infrastructure and Capital Investment

Comment on the adequacy of the existing fuel infrastructure and the respondent's willingness to finance or participate in replacement or upgrades. Identify the anticipated lease term and other conditions needed to support private investment.

4.6. Facilities and Lease Term

Identify the minimum facilities, ramp/leasehold area, equipment, and lease term needed for a commercially viable operation at Nut Tree Airport.

4.7. Existing Aeronautical Operators

Describe the respondent's approach to operating alongside existing aeronautical businesses and Specialized

Aviation Service Operators (SASOs), including use of subcontractors or coordination with existing qualified providers.

4.8. Transition and County Support

Identify the anticipated transition period, County-provided information or assets needed to begin operations, and any County investment, guarantees, or support the respondent would expect.

4.9. Market Viability and Key Risks

Identify the principal factors that would affect the respondent's decision to participate in a future solicitation, including fuel volume, activity level, service requirements, capital needs, lease terms, or other material risks.

5. 5. ........................................................................... Electronic Submittal

5.1. 1. Respondent Agreement* Respondent agrees:

Nothing in this document shall be construed as obligating the County to issue an

RFP. No contract will be awarded based on this RFI, or to pay for any information voluntarily submitted as a result of this request.

Responding to this RFI, will not give any advantage to any organization or individual in any subsequent competition. Responses may be used by the County without restriction or limitation, therefore proprietary information should not be sent.

☐ Yes

☐ No

*Response required

5.2. 2. Respondent Response to RFI* Respondent shall provide the following information as evidence the respondent’s experience in delivering services similar to those required by this RFI:

A. A brief, descriptive statement indicating the respondent’s credentials to deliver the services sought under this RFI.

B. A brief description of the respondent’s background and organizational history;

C. Years in business;

D. A brief statement of how long the respondent has been performing the services required by this RFI

E. Location of offices

F. A description of the respondent organization’s number of employees, longevity, client base

G. Whether there have been any mergers, acquisitions, or sales of the respondent company within the last ten years (if so, an explanation providing relevant details);

H. Form of business (i.e., individual, sole proprietor, corporation, non-profit corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, et cetera).

*Response required