Development of Aviation Facilities

Dane County, Wisconsin, through its Purchasing Division and Airport Department, is issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to solicit qualified firms for the lease and development of aviation facilities at the Dane County Regional Airport (MSN). The procurement seeks proposals for the development of airport-owned hangar facilities across multiple designated areas on the South Ramp, encompassing four specific sites ranging from 0.5 to 5.8 acres designed to accommodate Group-I through Group-IV aircraft operations. Qualified proposers must demonstrate company and personnel capability with relevant experience in aviation facility development (25 points); submit a comprehensive leasing proposal addressing intended use, lease term, rent structure, and financial capability (35 points); provide evidence of economic impact including job creation and aircraft operations projections (30 points); and commit to meeting proposed timelines (10 points). Key deliverables include a finalized lease and development agreement by September 1, 2026, with project completion targeted for April 1, 2028. Firms must provide proof of operating licensure for intended aeronautical use, evidence of financial strength, Commercial General Liability and Environmental Impairment Liability insurance at $1,000,000 per occurrence, and confirmation of no debarment or suspension by the federal government or State of Wisconsin. The RFQ was released on May 14, 2026, with a deadline for questions on June 5, 2026, at 4:00 p.m., and proposal responses due on June 25, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Proposals are limited to 30 single-sided pages or 15 double-sided pages and must be submitted electronically through the County's eProcurement Portal.

The RFQ does not specify set-aside designations or restrictions limiting participation to particular organization types or disadvantaged enterprises; however, all selected firms must comply with FAA standards, Wisconsin statutes, Dane County policies, and applicable federal civil rights provisions, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the procurement documentation. Funding of up to $15,000,000 in federal monies is available through the FAA's Airport Improvement Program or the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, though custom-built components outside the hangar structure may not qualify for federal reimbursement and require alternative funding sources. Multiple proposers may be selected to develop one or more designated areas, and the project may be delivered through either Design-Bid-Build or Construction Manager at Risk methods, subject to FAA approval and applicable procurement policies. Firms are permitted to conduct site inspections prior to proposal submission to assess the South Ramp locations and existing infrastructure.