Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) Replacement

The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority is seeking a qualified Design-Builder to replace the aging Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) at Tampa International Airport with a new blast-resistant facility located at Site 18C, an adjusted position approximately 40 feet west of the originally approved Site 18A, currently under FAA review. The project, funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, has a total budget of $150 million, covering design, permitting, construction, testing, and commissioning of the tower and associated base building, but explicitly excludes the FAA’s electronic and operational equipment, which the FAA will independently procure and install. The structure must conform to FAA Air Traffic Organization Terminal Facility Design Standards, be mission-focused rather than architecturally distinctive, and comply with all applicable federal and state regulations including ADA, FAA Advisory Circulars, TSA Security Directives, and Florida Department of Transportation standards. Construction is expected to align with the broader airport modernization effort, aiming for completion and crane removal by March 1, 2029, in advance of Airside D’s May 2029 opening. The solicitation operates under a cost-of-work basis with a not-to-exceed limit and requires submission of a Guaranteed Maximum Price after the design phase. The contractor must adhere to stringent procurement regulations including Buy American Act provisions for construction materials and steel, Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements, E-Verify employment verification, and compliance with anti-human trafficking and non-discrimination statutes. The Design-Builder must meet DBE participation goals and provide detailed documentation including team structure, key personnel resumes, project references, and DBE letters of intent. Quality control is mandatory, with the A/E firm held solely responsible for the accuracy and coordination of all design elements, subject to FAA oversight and potential independent constructability reviews. All invoices for basic services must include specific, non-vague descriptions, and reimbursable expenses require supporting documentation submitted in Excel format via a prescribed tracking form. Contract administration includes public records exposure, audit rights, and a term extending through construction warranty periods and claim resolutions. Proposals must be submitted electronically through the Authority’s procurement portal by July 29, 2026, and evaluated based on organizational structure, key personnel qualifications, cost control methodology, and prior project volume with the Authority, using a comparative scoring approach.