The Kansas City Aviation Department, operator of Kansas City International Airport (MCI), this week announced that Vantage Airport Group bested four other proposals and will be proposed as the news, gift, food and beverage concessionaire for the latest phase in the new terminal construction at the airport.
The concessions procurement process, which began several months ago and included a Request for Proposal (RFP), is expected to continue with discussion and testimony in the Transportation, Infrastructure and Operations Committee, before going to the entire City Council for a final vote.
A complete concessions overhaul is a central component of the $1.5 billion new terminal project. The RFP asked for a single partner to manage the overall concessions program, and set goals of 16 percent Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) participation, and 15 percent minority-owned and 10 percent woman-owned firm participation during design and construction.
The RFP selection committee recommended Vantage Airport Group because of its experience at other airports worldwide, the inclusion of local and national brands (80 percent plus local), the offering of significant opportunities for small businesses and woman- and minority-owned businesses, and a strong financial offer with a private investment of $65 million requiring no public tax dollars, among other key criteria.
Following Council approval, the final step in the RFP process will be to sign a contract.
