Air Service Development Consulting and Related Market Research

Milwaukee County, operating through its Procurement Division on behalf of Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE), seeks qualified firms to provide air service development consulting and related market research services through Request for Proposal RFP-2026-002. The County intends to award a three-year initial contract (January 1, 2027–December 31, 2029) with three optional one-year renewal terms to the selected respondent. Prospective consultants must demonstrate at least five years of continuous experience in air service development consulting, preferably at medium to large hub airports, with an assigned Account Executive possessing comparable expertise. Deliverables include evaluation of domestic and international air service opportunities, formulation of comprehensive air service development plans, development of detailed proposals and presentation materials for airline meetings, market analysis specific to Wisconsin and northern Illinois, load factor reporting, regulatory analysis, economic impact analysis, and ongoing industry reporting. MKE processed six million passengers in 2025 and is currently served by eight airlines. Evaluation criteria allocate 25 percent weight to respondent profile, 25 percent to experience, 15 percent to an example proposal, 20 percent to proposed approach, and 15 percent to price, with preliminary evaluation and minimum qualifications assessments operating on a pass-fail basis. Questions regarding the RFP must be submitted by April 10, 2026, at 4:00 PM Central Time, with all proposals due by April 17, 2026, at 4:00 PM Central Time through the Euna Portal (Bonfire). Compensation will be provided on an hourly rate basis, with separate hourly rates required for each of the six contract years (2027–2032) differentiated between consulting and research activities, plus reimbursement for approved travel, meeting, and material expenses without markup.

There are no Targeted Business Enterprise participation requirements or set-aside designations for this procurement. All respondents must comply with Milwaukee County's racial equity ordinances (MCCO Chapter 108), maintain nondiscrimination and equal employment opportunity practices in accordance with Milwaukee County General Ordinance 56.17 and Title 41 CFR Chapter 60, and adhere to the County's Code of Ethics. Contractors with 50 or more employees must file written affirmative action plans with the Milwaukee County Department of Audit either prior to contract award or within 120 days of award. All responding firms must demonstrate financial solvency and submit required certifications including Equal Employment Opportunity compliance, debarment and suspension attestations, conflict of interest disclosures, and notarized sworn statements confirming thorough review of RFP terms. Professional Liability/Errors and Omissions insurance with $2,000,000 per occurrence limits is mandatory, along with Commercial General Liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence), Business Automobile Liability ($1,000,000 per accident if applicable), and Workers' Compensation at statutory requirements, all naming Milwaukee County as an additional insured. No incumbent vendors are identified in this solicitation, and no specific budget ranges or award values are disclosed in the available documentation.