The Gainesville-Alachua County Regional Airport Authority (GACRAA) is soliciting Letters of Interest from firms interested in leasing land for construction of an aircraft hangar in the range of 10,000 – 13,000 square feet. The facility may include modest extensions for office and restroom space but must fit within the designated area in the vicinity of 4701 NE 48th Ave, including all required stormwater facilities and automobile parking spaces.   Location: Lease Exhibit 1

The RFI will remain open until 4:30 p.m. on April 28, 2023.  Letters of Interest and supporting documents may be submitted via e-mail to Ms. Lynn Noffsinger, Contracts Administrator at lynn.noffsinger@flygainesville.com or delivered to the Authority’s Administrative Office, Gainesville Regional Airport, Attn: Lynn Noffsinger, 3880 N.E. 39th Avenue, Suite A, Gainesville, FL 32609.

Submissions received after 4:30 p.m. on April 28, 2023. will not be considered.  Envelopes should be clearly marked RFI #23-005, “LOI Regarding Hangar Construction and Lease”. The official clock is located in the Authority’s Administrative Office.

Background

GACRAA determines the highest and best use of property made available for development. GACRAA has identified the need for larger hangars to accommodate business aircraft operators and facilities for Specialized Aviation Services Organizations (SASO) serving the flying public.  The area currently being made available is ideally suited for those wishing to construct a facility to accommodate business aircraft operations. The Authority wishes to maximize the utility of adjacent aircraft apron so available space for automobile parking, offices and other ancillary space will be limited.

The hangar facility and proposed services must conform with GACRAA’s Minimum Standards and Requirements for Aeronautical Activities at the Gainesville Regional Airport and GACRAA’s Private Hangar and Ancillary Office Space Minimum Standards. A copy of these documents as well as a Sample Lease Agreement (the Agreement) are available for review.  In the event of a conflict between these documents with respect to this Request for Letters of Interest, the more stringent standard shall prevail.

The proposed facility and lot size does not meet GACRAA’s requirements for operation of a Fixed Based Operator (FBO). The successful proposer will not be authorized to sell fuel to the public. The limited space available does not allow for self-fueling facilities and equipment at this location. Other arrangements for leased space would need to be considered and approved at the discretion of the Authority.

Project Funding and Lease Terms

All design, permitting and construction of the facility would be the responsibility of the Proposer.  GACRAA must approve all design plans related to the building with the exception of internal office floorplan and finishes.  The land lease agreement shall generally conform to the sample Agreement provided.  The lease term shall be thirty years with one (1) five-year extension at the sole discretion of GACRAA.  The current land lease rate is $0.30 per s.f. per year and is adjusted annually for inflation. At the conclusion of the lease ownership of the hangar and all improvements shall revert to GACRAA.

Submission Requirements

  Letter of Interest and Security

All interested Proposers shall submit a Letter of Interest on Company’s letterhead signed by a Principal of the Company along with a $5,000, (five thousand and 00/100 dollars), Certified Check or Cashier’s Check as a good faith security deposit toward timely negotiation and execution of an Agreement with GACRAA. Upon selection of the favored Proposer, the security deposit of those proposer’s not selected shall be returned without interest. Should the selected Proposer choose not to enter into a good faith negotiation with GACRAA, the Proposer shall forfeit the security as liquidated damages, at the discretion of GACRAA.

The Letter of Interest should, at a minimum, address the following points in as much detail as necessary:

  1. Name and address of Proposer’s company.
  2. Any relevant business partners and the nature of their relationship to the Project and the Proposer.
  3. The general nature and scope of the Company’s existing business enterprises.
  4. A description of the work, services or business activities that would be undertaken in the hangar and the potential customers, public and or private. Please designate the design aircraft or largest aircraft type the facility will be expected to house.
  5. The hangar size (# s.f.) that is desired, including clear span door width and height plus the size of any office expansion and the desired number of automobile parking spaces. Respondents should include a scaled site drawing of the desired facility, to include office and parking areas and anticipated stormwater treatment areas superimposed on an aerial photo. Proposers are highly encouraged to visit the site, perform proper due diligence by obtaining available data and engage the assistance of qualified personnel knowledgeable in engineering, construction and City , SJRWMD and other relevant permitting requirements.
  6. The number of full-time and/or part-time workers that would be employed at the facility, if any, by position. Please provide an estimate of the average wage per position.
  7. Include the maximum, estimated $ amount that Proposer anticipates investing in the facility and identify the source of available funds (i.e., commercial bank loan, company cash account, identified investor cash, etc.). Please attach sufficient evidence that Company has the financial resources to complete the project.  Additional details may likely be requested by GACRAA.
  8. Include Proposer’s desired schedule for completion and occupancy.
  9. List any significant exceptions to the sample Agreement or any non-negotiable requirements regarding the lease arrangement. Please be specific.

All costs associated with preparation and submittal of the Letter of Interest shall be the responsibility of the Proposer.

The Authority will review all submissions to determine the desirability of moving forward with a contract, request more detailed information, or arrange interviews with one or more Proposers. GACRAA reserves the right to reject any or all submissions received in response to this Request for Letters of Interest or to make any award or engage in any contract determined to be in the best interest of GACRAA.