Project Information

Bid Title

26-4402 RFP Duluth International Airport - Duluth Airport Authority Development of Aviation Facility

Issuing Agency

City of Duluth

Location

Minnesota

Published Date

Jan 22, 2026

Closing Date

Mar 4, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

26-4402 RFP Duluth International Airport - Duluth Airport Authority Development of Aviation Facility (due 3/4)

• 26 4402 RFP Duluth International Airport Duluth Airport Authority Development Of Aviation Facility

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Duluth International Airport

Solicitation 26-4402

Request for Proposals for:

Development of Aviation Facility

Issued: January 21, 2026

Statements Due: March 4, 2026, 3:00 pm (local time)

Page 1 of 7

A. INTRODUCTION

The Duluth Airport Authority (DAA) through this Request For Proposals (RFP) is seeking lease

and development agreement proposals for an aviation facility located at Duluth International

Airport on one of the available areas shown below in Section D as well as on Exhibit A attached

hereto. The DAA desires to enter into a lease and development agreement with a successful

proposer on or before September 30, 2026, and have project construction completed by

December 31, 2029.

The DAA has retained the services of an Architectural, Engineering, Design and Planning firm

(the “Engineer”) to provide engineering, design, planning, construction administration, and other

typical architectural services for proposed development projects at the Airport when the DAA

deems applicable to engage them.

Project(s) may qualify for grant funding from the Federal Aviation Administration and the State of

Minnesota subject to the published capital improvement priorities of the DAA in its annual capital

improvements plan (CIP). Unique or customized portions of construction outside of a hangar itself

may not be eligible for grant reimbursement. Please include supplementary or alternative funding

methods in your proposal for ineligible portions of construction.

B. MANDATORY PRE-PROPOSAL MEETING

A mandatory pre-proposal meeting will be held on Tuesday February 3, 2026, at 10:00am local

time. The meeting will be hybrid with both in person and virtual options.

Location:

Duluth International Airport

4701 Grinden Drive Duluth, MN 55811

3rd floor conference room

Virtual Option: Microsoft Teams Need help?

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 298 763 365 675 10

Passcode: hz7VY3JF

C. AIRPORT DESCRIPTION

The DAA operates and maintains the Duluth International Airport (DLH) and is located at 4701

Grinden Drive Duluth, MN 55811. DLH is a Non-hub Primary Commercial Service Airport with

24/7 air traffic control and is served by Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and variable seasonal

service from Sun Country Airlines. DLH is home to Cirrus Aircraft, Minnesota Air National Guard,

Lake Superior College Center for Advanced Aviation and Lake Superior Helicopters. The fixed

based operator is Vantage Aviation, formerly Monaco Air Duluth. The Airport’s current facilities

include a 109,000 square foot terminal building built in 2013. The Airport is located on

approximately 3,200 acres with a primary runway of 10,591 feet long and crosswind runway of

5,719 feet long.

D. DEVELOPMENT AREAS AVAILABLE

The DAA is seeking proposals through this RFP from parties interested in partnering with the DAA

to develop an aviation facility at one or more of the sites shown below and on Exhibit A attached

hereto.

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*Areas are approximate

Area 2:

The North Business Development Area (NBDA) is located on the airfield and inside the security

fence at DLH and includes approximately 2 acres of developable land around the paved apron.

The apron size is 119,000 sf. The taxiway is designed to handle Group III aircraft or aircraft with

118 ft wingspan or smaller. This area is ideal for rotor wing aircraft.

On the west side the site is capable of fitting two (2) 80’ x 80’ hangars with an approximate

maximum height of approximately 80’ AGL (above ground level). On the east side a larger hangar

Page 3 of 7

up to 200’ x 300’ with an approximate maximum height of 90’ AGL could be constructed or two

(2) 150’ x 150’ hangars. All hangar construction projects are subject to a 7460-1 Airspace Review.

Specific build out features to be finalized with successful proposer.

Infrastructure is accessible nearby.

The NBDA is currently zoned I-G-Industrial General which allows for airport and related facilities.

Street Access: Stebner Rd

Area 5:

The Old Hangar 101 area is located on the airfield and inside the security fence at DLH and

includes a variety of options for hangar sizes to be constructed. The taxiway is designed to handle

Group II aircraft or aircraft with 79 ft wingspan or smaller. All hangar construction projects are

subject to a 7460-1 Airspace Review. Specific build out features to be finalized with successful

proposer.

For safety and operational compatibility this development area will be restricted to fixed wing

aircraft activity only.

Utility infrastructure is accessible nearby.

The Old Hangar 101 Area is currently zoned AP-Airport which allows for hangar construction.

Street Access: Airport Road

Area 7:

The Midfield Ramp Area is located on the airfield and inside the security fence at DLH and

currently includes approximately 9,000 square feet of developable area. An additional adjoining

area of approximately 18,000 square feet will become available in August 2027. For this area,

building one large hangar or multiple hangars would be acceptable. The apron size to the north

of the proposed hangar location is approximately 300,000 square feet with direct access to

Taxiway Alpha (Group 5 taxiway). All hangar construction projects are subject to a 7460-1

Airspace Review.

This development site would require demolition of building(s) currently occupying site. Specific

build out features to be finalized with successful proposer.

For safety and operational compatibility this development area will be restricted to fixed wing

aircraft activity only.

Utility infrastructure is accessible nearby.

The Midfield Ramp Area is currently zoned AP-Airport which allows for hangar construction.

Street Access: Airport Road

City: Duluth

Page 4 of 7

D. PROPOSAL FORMAT

*Please note, if you are interested in more than one development area, a separate proposal

is required for each development area.

a. Contact Information: Individual/Company name and name of entity leasing the

premises with appropriate contact information.

b. Legal Status: A statement that the proposer is not currently disbarred or

suspended by the federal government, the State of Minnesota or any of its

departments or agencies or another government entity.

c. Company/Business History: length of time in business.

d. Proof of operating licensure for intended aeronautical use if applicable.

e. Description of proposed use of premises.

f. Proposed term of lease including options.

g. Proposed rent amount, annually and monthly.

h. Evidence of the financial capability of the proposer to partner with the DAA on the

development of an aviation facility and any capital contributions proposed for the

project.

i. Economic impact of proposed project: Job creation and job retention.

j. New Revenue Generation: increase in new revenue generation for DAA.

k. Ability to meet proposed development completion timeline.

l. References: At least two references from similar projects completed in last ten

years.

m. Any other information the proposer deems necessary and helpful to Evaluation

Committee’s consideration of the proposal.

n. Addenda acknowledgement if any.

E. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

All proposals must be received at the address below no later than local time 3:00 p.m. March 4

2026. All proposals must be addressed to:

Duluth Airport Authority

Solicitation 26-4402

Development of Aviation Facility RFP

Attn: Jana Kayser

4701 Grinden Drive

Duluth, MN 55811

All proposals must be submitted in a sealed envelope clearly marked as shown directly above.

All submittals shall include one (1) complete, original statement marked “ORIGINAL”; two (2)

complete copies of the original statement; and other related documentation required by this RFP

as well as one (1) electronic copy (USB drive.). Any proposal submittal not received by the

deadline may not be considered.

It is the sole responsibility of the Proposer to ensure delivery of statements by the deadline. It is

not the responsibility of DAA to ensure delivery.

It is the obligation of each Proposer to examine instructions, requirements, and specifications before

submitting a proposal. DAA will not be responsible for, nor honor any claims resulting from, or

alleged to be the result of misunderstanding by the Proposer.

Cost of Proposal Development: DAA claims no financial responsibility for any costs incurredbythe

Page 5 of 7

Commodity Codes

• NAICS 541330Engineering Services
• NAICS 541611Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
• NAICS 541690Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services

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