Boston Logan International (BOS) could be the next airport to seek a single operator with capital to invest in its concessions program infrastructure, according to a preliminary RFP document posted on the Massport website.
The document spells out goals and objectives for the RFP, which will cover food and beverage, news and specialty retail for Terminals A, B, C and E.
There is no date on the document indicating when the RFP will hit the street, but Massport’s website indicates proposals will be due in early September.
Airport officials, through a spokesman, declined to provide further information on the RFP process at this time.
Concessions at BOS are currently run by two developers: Airmall operates in Terminals B and E; Westfield in Terminals A and C.
Massport, which owns and operates BOS, wishes to balance three main characteristics within the concessions program, according to the document. Those are providing competitive pricing on high-quality products and services, maximizing financial return to the authority and generating strong return on investment to the master lessee-manager and subtenants.
As for the program’s goals, the authority is emphasizing creativity and innovation, stating that it wants a “nationally recognized and award-winning concession program.” Massport officials also want to increase labor harmony through the adoption of a Labor Peace Agreement.
Among its objectives, Massport officials say they want a mix of local, regional and national operators, plus local and regional products, an element of excitement and awareness surrounding the concessions program that will attract non-passengers to the airport to dine and ship, and a program that reflects the region in the design and architectural elements of the program.
Airport officials also want to improve the physical space of the premises through capital expenditures which bring, when possible, a concession appearance and theme consistent with the authority’s and airlines’ capital investment in the terminal, and they want to affirm the authority’s commitment to developing more Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise-owned and managed businesses by increasing such participation in the program.
