Airport Commission

Our Goals

The Commission is committed to increasing opportunities for diverse companies by including participation goals in all contractual relationships. Our current goals are as follows:

  • Federally funded projects: 12% participation goal for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) for the 2024-2026 cycle. (Click here for details)
  • Concession Contracts: 21% participation goal for Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (ACDBE) for 2022-2024 cycle. (Click here for details)
  • Locally funded capital projects & professional services: 18%participation goal for Diverse Companies. (Click here for details)

Business Diversity Program

The Little Rock Municipal Airport Commission, which governs Clinton National Airport, has long advocated for Small and Diverse Business inclusion within the local economy and has set firm goals to ensure it remains a leader in the region's economic development.

The Commission achieves these goals by implementing two key concepts: Creating an environment that welcomes new ideas, builds partnerships, and cultivates innovation from our partners. By leveling the playing field in accessing business opportunities for all who have the capability and desire to participate. This program focuses on offering opportunities that may not be given otherwise to disadvantaged and diverse businesses. The Commission strives to ensure that companies who do business with and on our behalf understand the importance of the Business Diversity Program.

Current Programs

There are three major components to the Airport Business Diversity Program. Each is tied to a separate funding source and has its own participation goal, as listed above. The goals are based on anticipated projects, the available pool of qualified Diverse Companies, and the prior period’s Diverse Business participation performance.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program

DBE Program

The DBE Program applies to our federally funded construction projects. The program is funded by the United States Department of Transportation and administered by the Arkansas Department of Transportation per Code of Federal Regulation 49, Part 26. It seeks to eliminate discrimination in awarding federally assisted contracts and helping develop businesses that can compete in the marketplace outside of the DBE program.

Only certified DBE companies may participate in this program.

To qualify for this program, the business owner(s) must meet the Federal standards for a socially and economically disadvantaged person (Section A, Paragraph 1) and own at least 51% of the company. The owner’s personal net worth cannot exceed $1.32 million. Furthermore, the company must meet the Small Business Administration (SBA) size standards or annual gross income requirement as based on NAICS Code. The company must be independent of any other company.

Airport Concessionaire Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) Program

ACDBE Program

The ACDBE Program applies to the food & beverages, retail, and advertising sold inside the airport as well as any other goods and services sold to the traveling public, following the Code of Federal Regulation 49, Part 23 for the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Only certified ACDBE/DBE companies may participate in this program.

The qualification requirements for this program are similar to the DBE program except that the gross income does not have to meet SBA Size. The company’s owner(s) must meet the federal standards for a socially and economically disadvantaged person and own at least 51% of the company. The owner(s) individual personal net worth cannot exceed $1.32 million. The company must meet the SBA size standards, with annual gross income not to exceed $56.4 million. The company must be independent of any other company.

Locally Funded Capital Projects and Professional Services

The Commission funds these projects with self-generated monies. Consequently, we can accept a broader range of certifications. While this category is not federally mandated, the Commission strives to reach this goal.

All Certified Diverse Companies, as defined by the Commission, can participate in this program.

This category includes projects typically funded by our capital budget, and any professional services contract solicitations the Commission may outsource offer these services for federally funded capital projects. Some examples of these services include but are not limited to legal services, website administration, marketing, waste removal, janitorial services, construction management, engineering, architectural services, auditing, lobbying, vending machines, security services, curbside service, valet parking, etc. This program accepts DBE, ACDBE, and any other certification approved by the Commission.



What is a Diverse Company?

Generally speaking, certification as a diverse company means that the majority owner(s) (51% or greater ownership and a decision-maker) of the business are of a specific socioeconomic background, gender, race, ethnicity, or disability, depending on the certification. Several organizations certify diverse firms, and some are listed on this page. While many Diverse Businesses do meet the qualifications for a Small Business certification, not all small businesses will qualify as a Diverse Company. The Commission will consider requests for inclusion at its sole discretion.

The Commission defines a Diverse Company or business as any Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Airport Concession Disadvantage Business Enterprise (ACDBE), Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE), or Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) that is certified through the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT), Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC), Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), or an airport approved certification agency. This definition also includes the Small Business Administration (SBA)’s HUBZone, 8(a), WOSB, VSOB, and SDVOSB programs.

The Commission recognizes current participation in the following certification programs:

Certification Agencies

The Commission is not a certifying agency, nor does it have the authority to dispute or override certification decisions. Click on the links below to learn more about the certifying agencies and certification requirements.

Good Faith Efforts

While the Commission seeks diverse companies to contract directly partner with, we also encourage companies who do business with us to seek Diverse Companies to partner with. During formal solicitations, the Airport requires companies to complete a Good Faith Efforts (GFE) form to disclose their diversity status or document the measures taken to meet our standard of Diverse Business inclusion. We are available to assist companies in their search for diverse partners and discuss possible inclusion methods.

Note: The Commission cannot act as a “matchmaker” and will only provide guidance and schedule events that allow companies to build working relationships.

The following list of good faith efforts (and benefits of those efforts) is intended to assist non-diverse companies in finding a diverse partner. It is important to have documentation for each step. These are recommendations and should not be considered an exhaustive list:

Companies are expected to send notifications to diverse firms at least 14 days (about 2 weeks) in advance via electronic mail or written notification. This allows the diverse company time to receive, review and respond to the request. Many diverse companies are small firms and cannot be expected to respond instantly: this creates a barrier to participation.

Companies cannot mandate that diverse companies only participate in their solicitation. In some cases, the number of Diverse Companies that perform a particular scope of work may be limited. If a company restricts participation to its solicitation only, this limits the diverse companies’ opportunities.

Diverse Companies can submit responses to a solicitation as prime and subcontractor.

Companies are expected to assist diverse firms with insurance, bonding, etc. if obtaining those is a barrier for them to participate in the solicitation.

Companies are expected to provide proof of outreach in diverse publications, attend meetings of organizations that cater their membership to Diverse Companies, or perform similar outreach. Many trade organizations focus on Diverse Business owners and specialize in providing resources as well as opportunities for them. Reaching out to these organizations would allow companies to cast a larger net during the recruitment of Diverse Companies

Note: While completing the Good Faith Efforts form is a requirement and emphasis is placed on business inclusion, the lack of a diverse partner may not deem the solicitation non-responsive. The Good Faith Efforts form allows companies a place to document the measures taken to obtain a Diverse partner as well as offer a detailed explanation as to why the diversity goal was not attained.



Assistance with Finding Certified Diverse Firms

The Commission has partnered with various organizations to streamline access for those seeking certified firms as partners in upcoming projects. Below are links to directories of certified diverse firms:

Business Diversity Program documents are available for review during the Commission’s normal business hours.  Comments regarding the program may be directed to:

Little Rock Municipal Airport Commission

Attn: DBE and Contract Compliance

One Airport Road, Little Rock, AR 72202

Email or Phone: (501) 372-3439

All comments will be reviewed and taken into consideration for the future growth of the program.



Sole Source List & Upcoming Solicitations

Thank you for your interest in doing business with the Airport. Here you’ll find our Sole Source list and upcoming solicitations and contracts. Please check back frequently for updates.

 

2023 Approved Sole Source List

 

2022 Approved Sole Source List

 

Upcoming Solicitations and Purchases

This information is being provided for the purpose of assisting Companies in preparing for potential procurements. This information is subject to change or updates without notice.

Upcoming Solicitations and Purchases List (Updated October 2023)

FY2024-2026 DBE Goal and FY2024-2026 Local Goal

Click here to learn more about our Business Diversity Program

Standard Terms & Conditions and Appendices

Standard Terms & Conditions and Appendices

To view the Little Rock Municipal Airport Commission Procurement Standard Terms & Conditions and solicitation appendices, please click on the appropriate link below. 




 

Bid Protest Policy

LITTLE ROCK MUNICIPAL AIRPORT COMMISSION BID PROTEST POLICY AND PROCEDURE SOLICITATION OF GOODS AND SERVICES: PROTESTS

PURPOSE: To establish a policy for the handling of protests regarding the selection of the successful bidder made by any unsuccessful bidder (“respondent”) in any competitive selection process utilized for selection of a person or entity to construct improvements or to provide supplies, materials or services at the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (“Airport”). Specifications for competitive bidding are made available through Bid Documents or Requests for Proposal (RFPs), Requests for Qualifications (RFQs), Invitation for Bid (IFBs), or any other competitive selection process. The type of specification used depends upon the type of commodity or service being procured.

PROCEDURE: Any respondent desiring to protest the selection of the successful bidder must file a written protest with the Executive Director within three (3) business days of the earlier of: (i) the event giving rise to the protest or (ii) award being made by the Commission. The formal written protest must include:

  • The name and address of the proposed recipient of the bid or proposal (the affected party).
  • The name and address of the protestor, and the title or position of the person submitting the bid protest.
  • A statement of all reasons that you believe the selection was not consistent with the procedures outlined in the documents giving rise to the selection process.
  • A statement indicating the relief to which the protestor deems they are entitled.
  • A concise statement of all relevant facts and any applicable legal authority which
    you contend entitles you to the requested relief.
  • All other information of the protest that is material to the issue.
    The written protest filed in compliance with this policy will be reviewed and submitted for a formal hearing with a four member panel consisting of the Chair of the Lease Committee, the Executive Director, the Deputy Executive Director, and the Manager- Purchasing. During said hearing, the protestor will be afforded an opportunity to address the panel and present their position. Following the hearing, the panel will review the protest and the Executive Director, or his designee, will make a recommendation to the Commission within seven (7) days of the formal hearing.
    The Commission may act upon the recommendation at the next regularly scheduled Commission meeting and the action of the Commission shall be final.