Notice_of_Intent_to_Sole_Source_07-25-2023.pdf

This is a Notice of Intent to Sole Source document issued by Pinellas County, Florida's Administrative Services Purchasing & Risk Management Division regarding concession services for luggage cart rental at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport. The county intends to procure luggage cart rental services through a sole source procurement method, with vendors required to provide technical data demonstrating their ability to meet or exceed stated requirements. The procurement seeks a qualified vendor to provide, operate, and maintain luggage cart rental services, including supplying carts, holding racks, and payment machines. The contract will commence on February 27, 2026, and continue for 60 months with options to extend up to two additional 12-month periods. A non-mandatory pre-conference and site visit are scheduled for November 17, 2025, with proposal submissions due by December 9, 2025. Responses must be submitted via OpenGov by the deadline specified in the notice.

The evaluation process allocates 1,000 total points across six criteria, with 300 points (30 percent) dedicated to the proposed financial return to the county. The current incumbent, Bagport America, LLC (doing business as Smarte Carte), has provided luggage cart rental services since 2005 and currently receives $500 per month regardless of revenues collected. The county seeks proposals that will enhance revenue while maintaining service quality at an airport serving over 2.4 million passengers annually across two airlines in a single terminal. Proposers must demonstrate a minimum of five years of continuous successful experience operating luggage cart rental services at a small hub or larger commercial service airport in the United States and complete mandatory affidavits including Common Carrier Attestation, Foreign Countries of Concern Affidavit, and Human Trafficking Affidavit.