EXT AIR | Private Terminal Ground Lease

The San Francisco International Airport Commission is requesting proposals for a private terminal ground lease at SFO under an RFP process, with proposals due October 7, 2026 and a pre-bid conference on June 18, 2026.

Proposers must demonstrate a minimum of two years of ownership or management experience operating a private terminal with TSA and CBP screening within the past five years, with minimum annual gross sales of at least $15,000,000 from private terminal operations during qualifying years. Newly formed entities may qualify if a majority of principals meet experience requirements. The Airport's Small Business Enterprise Concession Program encourages participation of certified small businesses as prime operators or joint venture partners. The "Limit of 10 Leases Policy" restricts individual or entity ownership to eight total food and beverage or retail leases; proposers holding multiple leases that would violate this limit upon award will be disqualified.

The scope encompasses development, construction, and operation of a private terminal serving departing and arriving passengers on scheduled commercial flights, with optional airline crew services. Deliverables include private rooms, optional salon facilities, TSA screening, Customs and Border Patrol screening for international arrivals, and guest delivery to aircraft via private vehicles on approved airport ramps. The site comprises 75,023 square feet within airport security on North Access Road and 13,415 square feet for parking across the street. The construction period is 365 days from premises turnover. Award is contingent upon securing California Environmental Quality Act approvals within 18 months.

The base lease term is 14 years with one optional two-year extension exercisable solely by the Airport Commission. The Minimum Annual Guarantee for the first lease year is $1,500,000, adjusted annually. Annual rent is calculated as the greater of the MAG or tiered percentage rent at 5% of gross revenues up to $15,000,000 and 7% of revenues exceeding that threshold. A $250,000 proposal deposit and $750,000 lease deposit are required. Evaluation criteria are Proposed Concept (30 points), Design Intention and Capital Investment (25 points), Customer Service and Quality Control (35 points), and Business Plan (10 points). Questions are due July 2, 2026. Proposers must comply with San Francisco First Source Hiring Program, Minimum Compensation Ordinance, Health Care Accountability Ordinance, Labor Peace/Card Check Rule, and Green Building Requirements.