Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) Replacement

The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority is requesting qualifications from Design-Build firms to design and construct an Air Traffic Control Tower replacement at Tampa International Airport under Florida Statute Section 287.055, with responses due July 29, 2026 and a mandatory pre-solicitation conference on July 2. DBE participation is required.

The project involves designing and constructing a new ATCT facility at Site 18C, approximately 40 feet west of the originally approved Site 18A within a 2-acre parcel at the northwest quadrant of the Main Terminal complex. The existing tower, constructed in the early 1970s, requires replacement. The Authority will employ progressive Design-Build methodology and contract on a cost-of-work basis with a not-to-exceed limit. The FAA will be responsible for design, furnishing, installation, testing, and commissioning of all FAA-required electronic and operational systems. Construction funding derives from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Minimum qualifications require completion of at least one Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, or CM@Risk project involving construction of a new air traffic control tower at a small, medium, or large hub airport since January 1, 2006. Respondents must be registered with the Florida Department of State, maintain appropriate professional licenses, and secure required insurance coverage. The Authority will evaluate responses on organizational structure (5 points), key personnel staffing (19 points), relevant project experience (19 points), location (5 points), estimating and cost control (5 points), project approach (19 points), interviews (20 points), volume of work previously awarded (5 points), and MBE certification (3 points).

The Authority targets completion of the ATCT structure and crane removal by March 1, 2029, prior to Airside D's May 2029 opening. Technical evaluation committee meetings and interviews are scheduled August 31 through September 4, 2026, with Board selection anticipated October 1 and contract award presentation December 3. Questions are due July 15, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Respondents must submit electronically through the Authority's e-Procurement Portal and confirm non-placement on state and federal vendor suspension and conviction lists.