27-021-LH HighNote Aviation Restaurant and Corporate Aircraft Catering Concessions (RFP) (12/3/26)

Macon-Bibb County, doing business as HighNote Aviation, is soliciting proposals from qualified operators to provide a full-service restaurant and corporate aircraft catering concession at Middle Georgia Regional Airport. The County seeks an operator that can provide dependable food service for airport users, nearby employees, based and transient aviation customers, and visitors, while also supporting corporate aircraft catering needs.

Proposals must describe the proposed concept, operating plan, staffing, menu, hours, service standards, food-safety practices, and approach to reliable day-to-day operations.

• Lunch and dinner: The operator must offer lunch and dinner service. Proposals should identify days and hours of operation and any proposed seasonal or holiday variations.
• Affordable lunch offering: The operator must offer an affordable lunch menu intended to serve airport employees and employees of nearby businesses. The proposed pricing should generally be comparable to street pricing and should not exceed comparable local pricing by more than 10%.
• Dinner concept: Dinner may be positioned at a higher price point and may include a more elevated menu intended to attract customers who choose to dine at the airport.
• Breakfast: Breakfast service is preferred but is not mandatory.
• Corporate aircraft catering: The operator must describe its ability to provide corporate aircraft catering, including order procedures, lead times, delivery coordination, packaging, menu options, and proposed service levels.
• Third-party catering: The operator may use or coordinate with third-party caterers.
• Private events: Private dinners and other approved events may be proposed, subject to applicable laws, permits, insurance, airport operating requirements, and directions from Airport Management.

The supplied drawing identifies approximately 1,506 square feet for the restaurant and 654 square feet for the commercial kitchen, for a combined area of approximately 2,160 square feet. The County intends to provide the public-facing dining/seating area and general public finishes.

Proposals may include alcohol service. The selected operator will be responsible for obtaining and maintaining all required licenses and permits and complying with applicable federal, state, and local laws, health codes, and insurance requirements.

The operator must coordinate catering deliveries and aircraft-side service with airport personnel and must not interfere with airport operations.

**Submission:** Responses (original plus 5 copies & Flash Drive) must be sealed and delivered to the Macon-Bibb County Procurement Department, 700 Poplar Street, Suite 308, Macon, Georgia 31201. **NO LATE RESPONSES WILL BE CONSIDERED.** Submissions may not be withdrawn for a period of one hundred and twenty (120) days after the deadline for closing.

**Questions** must be submitted by email to Lhardwick@maconbibb.us.

**Scoring** (total possible number of points = 100):

• Relevant Experience and Management qualifications: Maximum 10 Points
• Restaurant Concept and Affordable Lunch Menu: Maximum 20 Points
• Operating Plan and Service Reliability: Maximum 15 Points
• Corporate Catering Capability and Development Plan: Maximum 15 Points
• Financial Proposal and Overall Value to the County: Maximum 20 Points
• Financial capacity and Proposed Capital Investment: Maximum 10 Points
• Marketing and Customer Development: Maximum 5 Points
• Safety and Regulatory Compliance: Maximum 5 Points

Awards will be recommended to the respondent with the highest number of points. Macon-Bibb County reserves the right to award bids to County businesses and merchants whose bid is within 5% (five percent) of the highest overall scores.

**Insurance:** Macon-Bibb County shall be named as additional insured on the policy. Workers' Compensation: Statutory. Errors and Omission: **$1,000,000**. General Liability: **$1,000,000**.

The anticipated initial term is five (5) years, with renewal options to be specified in the final solicitation and agreement. The minimum base rent is currently set at **$2,520** monthly.