Commercial Airline Passenger Service to Southern California

The City of Santa Fe's Central Purchasing Division and Santa Fe Regional Airport are soliciting proposals through RFP #25162 for commercial airline passenger service connecting Santa Fe Regional Airport (SAF) with one or more major Southern California airports, including LAX, BUR, ONT, SNA, and SAN. The procurement seeks a qualified commercial air carrier to provide nonstop scheduled service with a minimum of two round trips per day, five days per week, utilizing regional jet aircraft with 50-100 passenger seating capacity. Proposals are due electronically by June 13, 2025, at 3:00 PM MST/MDT through the city's vendor portal, with an anticipated contract award date of July 23, 2025. The service is expected to commence within 120 days of contract award, with a minimum contract duration of 12 months. Evaluation criteria will include the carrier's scope of expertise, value-added propositions, and overall capability to meet service requirements, with a best value approach determining the successful proposal. The project is partially funded by the New Mexico Rural Air Service Enhancement (RASE) Grant, with primary objectives of enhancing regional air connectivity, supporting economic development, and improving travel options for Northern New Mexico residents and visitors.

The RFP does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions on respondent types, though vendors must comply with Equal Opportunity Employment regulations. Financial support for the selected carrier may include minimum revenue guarantees, marketing support, airport fee waivers, and operational incentives. While specific contract values are not explicitly stated, the procurement includes potential funding from the RASE Grant and local matching funds. The successful vendor will be required to provide regular performance reporting on load factors, on-time performance, and passenger counts, and collaborate with local tourism partners on marketing efforts. The contract includes an option to extend for up to four additional years, subject to funding availability and mutual agreement. Vendors must register in the city's "Vendor Self Service" system to access bid documents and are encouraged to direct any questions to purchasing_rfp@santafenm.gov. The procurement will result in a single award contract with a carrier capable of meeting the specified service requirements and supporting the broader economic development goals of Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico.