concessions
Current Opportunities | General Information | FAQs | Request Business Opportunity Notifications
What is a concession?
A concession refers to "an entity which has entered into an agreement with the Airport that allows it to provide food and beverage, retail or services directly to the traveling public."
The Revenue Development and Management Department (RDM) of the Airport is responsible for concessions. In accordance with San Francisco Administrative Code Section 2A.173, concessions are selected through a competitive process. RDM will conduct a Request for Proposals (RFP) or a Request for Bids (RFB) process to select businesses for concession opportunities.
The Competitive Selection Process
There are four steps in the competitive selection process:
Planning Stage: Staff determines the basic business terms including type of business, location, length of lease, minimum acceptable bid, rental rate, required and optional merchandise or services, operational requirements, and construction/improvement requirements.
A Request for Proposals (RFP) or a Request for Bids (RFB) is issued which describes the business opportunity and establishes the qualification requirements for prospective proposers or bidders. This includes a draft lease and market data and provides instructions about how to submit a proposal or bid. The document also includes the selection criteria that the Airport will use in evaluating the proposal.
Informational Conference: Once the opportunity is made available to the public, the Airport conducts an informational conference. The purpose of the conference is to review and explain the selection process and agreement specifications. It is also an opportunity for participants to provide input for staff's consideration. Notices are sent to the participants of any changes to the qualifying criteria, business terms, or selection process.
Determining the Successful Bidder/Proposer:RFB: All bids are opened at the same time in a public meeting. Staff announces the highest amount tendered as the "apparent successful bidder." Staff then reviews the submittals to ensure that the minimum qualifications are met.
RFP: Proposals are accepted by mail or in person. All proposals are evaluated and ranked by a panel using the criteria developed earlier in the process.
The highest bidder/top-ranking proposer then meets with a Human Rights Commission (HRC) representative and enters into a non-discrimination-employment agreement. Once staff receives notification from the HRC that the successful bidder's/top-ranking proposer's employee workforce and non-discrimination employment plan are approved, the selection process enters into the final stages.
Award: The Airport Commission, which is the Airport's governing body, approves the award of the agreement. If necessary, the agreement is then approved by the Board of Supervisors and ratified by the Mayor. The successful bidder or proposer then becomes an Airport tenant.
The process may take up to one year to complete.
Small and Disadvantaged Business Participation
Contact Revenue Development and Management:
Airport Commission
Revenue Development and Management
P.O. Box 8097
San Francisco, CA 94128
telephone: 1.800.435.9736 extension 14500
fax: 650: 650.821.4519
e-mail:
SFOConcessions@flysfo.com
Useful Links
City and
County of San Francisco
City and County of San
Francisco Human Rights Commission
City and County of San Francisco Office of Labor
Standards Enforcement
City and
County of San Francisco Administrative Codes