Concession Services - Luggage Carts to St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport

Pinellas County is soliciting proposals for Concession Services - Luggage Cart Rental at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport through a comprehensive Request for Proposal (RFP). The procurement seeks a qualified vendor to provide, operate, and maintain luggage cart rental services for an airport that currently serves over 2.4 million passengers annually. 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. The contract will commence on February 27, 2026, and continue for 60 months, with options to extend up to two additional 12-month periods. The evaluation process allocates 1,000 total points across six key criteria: Qualifications (200 points), Background & Experience (100 points), Proposed Plan (200 points), Customer Service & Transition Approach (100 points), Proposed Financial Return to the County (300 points), and No Exceptions to the RFQ or Contract (100 points). A non-mandatory pre-conference and site visit are scheduled for November 17, 2025, with proposal submissions due by December 9, 2025. The vendor will be responsible for supplying carts, holding racks, payment machines, and maintaining them in good operating condition throughout the agreement.

The RFP does not explicitly list set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations. The current incumbent is Bagport America, LLC, doing business as Smarte Carte, which has provided luggage cart rental services since 2005. The airport currently pays the vendor $500 per month regardless of revenues collected, and is seeking proposals that will enhance revenue while maintaining service quality. The airport serves two airlines (Allegiant Air and Sun Country Airlines) in a single terminal with 12 gates. While specific award values are not detailed, the RFP includes an Attachment A outlining a tiered percentage-based concession fee structure that will be negotiated based on annual gross receipts. Proposers must also complete several mandatory affidavits, including a Common Carrier Attestation, Foreign Countries of Concern Affidavit, and Human Trafficking Affidavit, which are standard requirements for Pinellas County contract opportunities. The financial proposal will be a critical component, with 30% of evaluation points (300 points) allocated specifically to the proposed financial return to the county.