RFP PB 22-11 Lease & Dev of +/-4. 63 Acres of Vacant Land

RFP PB 22-11 is a Request for Proposals issued by the Palm Beach County Department of Airports for the lease and development of approximately 4.63 acres of vacant, non-aeronautical real property located west of Palm Beach International Airport. The procurement seeks qualified and experienced firms to develop and operate compatible commercial or industrial uses on the property to maximize utilization and generate revenues for the county's airport system. Proposers must demonstrate financial stability and experience in lease and development of similar projects, provide references and credit information, and comply with all environmental laws and regulations. A mandatory pre-proposal conference was held on August 11, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at the Department of Airports Administrative Offices, with a written questions deadline of August 24, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. and a proposal submission deadline of September 14, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. Submissions must include one unbound original and five hard copies plus one electronic PDF copy, accompanied by a $5,000 proposal guarantee in the form of a surety bond or cashier's check. The proposed lease term, including all renewal options, may not exceed fifty years from the Date of Beneficial Occupancy, which is generally 24 months following lease approval, with the property offered solely for lease and not subject to subdivision; proposers must lease the entire site and complete development in a single phase within 24 months of the effective date.

A mandatory 20 percent Small Business Enterprise (SBE) participation goal applies to the aggregate design and construction costs, establishing a set-aside designation for disadvantaged enterprises on this procurement. The minimum initial annual ground rental is $1.00 per square foot for the approximately 202,000 square feet of ground area, with annual rental subject to adjustment every three years based on appraisal and subject to a Consumer Price Index cap, providing transparency regarding the anticipated financial commitment. The property is subject to height restrictions and airspace limitations in compliance with FAA regulations, with approximately 1.08 acres within the Runway Protection Zone limited to dry detention purposes only; proposers must review the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Report for Parcel F (dated May 3, 2017), the Title Commitment (effective February 3, 2022), and all amendments to RFP PB 22-11 to fully understand environmental conditions, title status, and any modifications to original solicitation terms. The lease agreement must be approved by the Board of County Commissioners before becoming effective, and rental payment and lease term commence upon the Date of Beneficial Occupancy. No incumbent vendor information was identified in the solicitation documents, indicating this represents a new lease and development opportunity for the county's airport property.