DFW Airport Presents Conference On Procurement Opportunities For Facilities Maintenance Service Providers

DFW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Texas (October 3, 2003) — DFW International Airport is hosting a series of conferences beginning October 9 designed to educate small, minority and women-owned businesses about how to compete for upcoming contracts for outsourcing facilities maintenance services. The Airport plans to issue solicitations to outsource various facilities maintenance services for the terminals and administrative facilities, and the October 9 conference is the first of seven that will be held in the next 14 months. The Airport's Energy & Asset Management Department, in partnership with the Small & Emerging Business and Procurement Department, will host the initial “Facilities Maintenance Services Opportunities Conference” at the DFW International Airport Energy Plaza. The conference begins at 1:00 p.m.

"As an integral part of DFW Airport's on-going initiative to run itself more like a business we are embracing the concept of selectively outsourcing projects,” says John Wesley White, vice president of Procurement. “This will be done where it makes good business sense, so we can better focus our personnel on the core aspects of running a major international airport."

The October 9 conference will be split into two concurrent sessions: one on janitorial services; and one on mechanical, electrical and plumbing services. The Airport will conduct actual bid openings and formal pre-bid meetings at each of the subsequent conferences. Airport staff will have technical information available on facilities, such as blue prints and operations manuals.

“This is an innovative approach,” says Don O’Bannon, vice president of DFW’s Small & Emerging Business Department. “We believe it is important to let our local communities know in advance of contracting opportunities to facilitate their involvement.”

At the second conference scheduled for early December, bids will be opened and participants will learn about the next group of facilities contracts available for bid.

“We’re very excited and highly motivated,” O’Bannon continues, “This process will be good for local jobs and good for the Airport. The opportunities are significant both in dollar value and magnitude of work.”

Information pertaining to contracting, payment and bonding procedures, technical requirements and the Airport’s M/WBE Program will be discussed during the October 9 conference. The Airport will also provide a bus tour of Airport facilities.

Owners of small, women and minority-owned businesses in the DFW Metroplex are invited to attend and are encouraged to explore teaming/joint venture opportunities to bid for these work packages. Due to space constraints, each firm is limited to one representative for each of the meeting sessions.

The following Airport departments will be represented at the conference: Small & Emerging Business, Procurement & Materials Management, Risk Management, Department of Public Safety, and Energy & Asset Management.

The conference will be held at the DFW International Airport Energy Plaza, 2332 North International Parkway, DFW Airport. For directions to the conference please call 972 574 6715 or check the Airport maps at http://www.dfwairport.com/procurement.

Editor's Notes: This release, and past news releases issued by DFW International Airport, are available online at www.dfwairport.com in the "MediaSite" section.

For the latest news, real-time flight information, parking availability or further details regarding the many services provided at DFW International Airport, log on to www.dfwairport.com. To arrange interviews contact DFW Public Affairs at 972 574 NEWS (6397) or Ken Capps, APR, Vice President Public Affairs, kcapps@dfwairport.com.