Ottawa International Airport Authority is tendering its duty free business comprising two locations at Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport.

 

 

The airport authority has issued a request for proposals covering two areas in the post-security area of the Passenger Terminal Building, with a duty free ‘boutique’ store and another located in the Trans-Border holding room location, which will also incorporate a news and gift/travel essentials component.

 

 

The airport authority said in a statement: “The RFP is open to all parties who have prior experience owning and operating a duty free concession and a retail concession in one or more international airports, or broadly similar transportation or retail facilities.

 

 

“The Authority shall award the highest-scoring proponent (‘successful proponent’) the right to enter into lease negotiations with the Authority for the operation of the Duty-Free Concession. [The current incumbent duty free operator at Ottawa is Aer Rianta International North America-Ed].

 

 

 

The airport authority says that the successful bidder will be required to provide the following:

 

• The highest quality customer service, provided in both official languages of Canada as well as additional languages wherever possible;

 

• An attractive and innovative fit-up of the Leased Premises (as defined in the lease), which creatively conveys a sense of place; innovative merchandising and product range, highlighting local products, while simultaneously offering brands and products that are recognised and desirable on a global basis;

 

• Sales strategies and marketing techniques which are flexible enough to capture different shopper dynamics and demographics to generate the highest possible product awareness.

 

The authority adds that the winner will need to have ‘uncompromising operating standards’ and must be able to demonstrate the necessary experience, organisational structure and financial capability to operate in an airport environment.

 

The airport says it is proposing to hold a ‘mandatory’ pre-proposal meeting’ on December 9, although it adds that the exact time and place is yet to be determined. Bidders have until 1400 on February 4 2016 to submit their offers.

 

In the meantime, it adds that RFP packages can be obtained ‘exclusively’ on MERX with immediate effect, under the Agencies, Crown and Private Corporation Tab as reference #PR348685 at www.merx.com