For the past 15 years, the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority has ensured that local and small companies, including all women- and minority-owned and disabled-veteran businesses in San Diego County, have every opportunity to do business with the airport.
They have played key roles in capital projects including the Green Build Terminal 2 expansion – the largest improvement project in the airport’s history – and the consolidated Rental Car Center.
The Airport Authority awarded $415 million in Green Build contracts to local businesses (90 percent of the contracts) and $118 million to small businesses.
For the Rental Car Center, local businesses received more than $186.2 million in construction contracts, amounting to nearly 60 percent of the total project cost. Of the contracts that went to local businesses, $70.4 million – or 38 percent – went to small businesses. Also noteworthy is that $70.4 million represented nearly the entire amount ($73 million) that was available for small businesses.
Our small business strategy begins with this philosophy: “There’s room at the inn for everybody.”
Ever since the Airport Authority began operating the airport in 2003, the goal has been to create a level playing field that attracts businesses of all sizes; and that provides opportunities for workers of all genders and ethnicities.
That philosophy has grown into a firm commitment from the Board and a passionate belief by staff that everyone can benefit from being a part of the work we provide.
Across the country, airports look to San Diego International Airport as a model for engaging small and local businesses. The Airport Authority works closely with contractors to split projects into small packages, when possible, to allow small businesses the opportunity to bid on them.
The Airport Authority also holds small business outreach events on an ongoing basis to help local companies get involved in projects at the airport. As a result of this commitment, the Airport Authority has established a strong track record of inclusiveness.
Most recently, the Small Business Development program:
- Committed $30 million in contracts with small businesses to work on the Terminal 2 Parking Plaza (total budget $127.8 million), due to open in May.
- Committed $24.3 million in contracts with small businesses to work on the international arrivals facility (total budget $229.5 million), due to open in June or July.
- Graduated over 100 students in 2017 from the airport’s Turner School of Construction Management, which trains small businesses on the ins and outs of obtaining DBE certifications and navigating the bureaucracy inherent in big public projects.
The Airport Authority Commitment to the Region
The Airport Authority is committed to the growth of the San Diego region. Small Business Development was established to ensure that Local, Small, Historically Underutilized, Service-Disabled Veteran and Emerging Businesses have every o
pportunity to do business with the Airport Authority. The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority is an avenue of support to San Diego County’s small business community, conducting outreach and providing business development services for contracting, professional services and procurement opportunities at San Diego International Airport. Small Business Development acts as a resource for all the departments within the San Diego International Airport to foster opportunities for small businesses.
Our Mission is to build relationships between the Airport and the small business community by providing valuable resources that exceed expectations and increase diversity.