FBO Redevelopment Project

The Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) currently has two Fixed Based Operators (FBO): Atlantic Aviation and Signature Flight Support. These FBOs provide management services to the general aviation community and provide fueling services to the general, charter, and commercial aviation industries. SBA’s future FBO Redevelopment Project aims to redefine the property boundaries of these services while considering the growth of future SBA facilities.

As part of the redevelopment process SBA intends to engage in a formal  Request for Proposals (RFP) solicitation process for  selection of potentially new FBOs  at SBA. As part of the first phase of the FBO selection process for the East FBO Redevelopment Site, SBA is issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Fixed Based Operators. SBA will invite those qualified entities that respond to the RFQ and meet the minimum standard qualifications to submit proposals during the RFP solicitation for the East FBO Redevelopment Site. 

Those entities that wish to submit proposals as part of the future RFP solicitation process for the East FBO Redevelopment Site must participate in the RFQ process.

Those entities that wish to participate in the RFQ process must register with PlanetBids, the City of Santa Barbara’s online bidding platform.

The RFQ is expected to be issued in August on PlanetBids and will be available for public viewing on the City of Santa Barbara PlanetBids Vendor Portal “Bid Opportunities” page. 

To participate  in the RFQ process and to be automatically notified of the RFQ when it is issued, entities must be registered as a vendor using at least one of the following category codes:

Code                  Category

3500                   Aircraft & Airport Equipment, Parts & Schedules

90500                Aircraft & Airport Operations

90606                Airports (Lighting, Fueling, Navaids) , Architectural 

91817                Aviation Consulting

95803                Airport Management Services

95826                Construction Management Services

97500                Rental or Lease Services of Agricultural, Aircraft, Airport…

We encourage you to monitor this page for any updates, including but not limited to, any changes to the RFQ issuance date. 

Once the RFQ has been issued, entities are not to contact any City personnel with questions or clarifications concerning the RFQ. Any such action could lead to disqualification from the RFQ process.  All questions pertaining to the RFQ must be submitted through the PlanetBids Vendor Portal for review and response. 

Entities needing assistance with their PlanetBids registration may contact PlanetBids directly at (818) 992-1771 or may email the City’s Purchasing Division at SBPurchasing@SantaBarbaraCA.gov.