RFQ 101-27 Professional Services Air Service Development

Onslow County Purchasing Department is requesting qualifications from consulting firms for professional services in air service development at Albert J. Ellis Airport (OAJ) in Richlands, North Carolina, with qualifications due September 25, 2026 and written questions due September 4, 2026. This is a task-based assignment spanning three to five years, to be awarded to the highest-ranked firm following evaluation and negotiation.

Consulting firms must be licensed in North Carolina. The scope includes reducing passenger leakage to competing regional airports (RDU, ILM, EWN), identifying new route or route expansion opportunities with existing or new carriers, conducting market and passenger demand studies, providing ongoing air service analysis, assisting with community support initiatives, and preparing airline presentations. Albert J. Ellis Airport is currently served by American Airlines (Charlotte) and Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) with seven to twelve daily departures varying by season.

The evaluation committee will rank submissions based on firm qualifications, project team expertise, regulatory knowledge, airport understanding, community support strategies, regional familiarity, and presentation quality. The County intends to conduct interviews via Microsoft Teams with ranked candidates and will negotiate pricing and contract compensation following selection. Contract terms include standard North Carolina consulting contract provisions, non-discrimination clauses, and compliance with FAA and state aviation regulations. E-Verify requirements apply to the consultant and any subcontractors.

Qualifications packages are limited to 50 pages (double-sided, 8.5 × 11 inches, minimum 12-point font), with covers and dividers excluded. Submissions must include one original hard copy and one electronic PDF copy on thumb drive, along with notarized Non-Collusion Affidavits, E-Verify compliance certifications, and Certification Regarding Debarment and Suspension forms. The consultant must maintain professional liability insurance of $250,000 / $500,000 and automobile liability of $100,000 / $300,000 combined single limit. All work product becomes the property of Onslow County. The County reserves the right to waive informalities, reject any or all submissions, and cancel the solicitation.