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Small Business Element Concession Program
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (Alaska DOT&PF) has adopted the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Final Rule to promote small business participation by implementing the Small Business Element Concession (SBEC) Program. The goal of the SBEC Program is to create equitable opportunities for small businesses in the airport concession market. By recognizing and supporting the capabilities of these businesses, the program aims to foster a diverse and competitive concession landscape. Through proactive strategies and adherence to established requirements, Alaska primary airports can enhance small business participation and contribute to a thriving economic environment.
Authority:
- 49 CFR Part 23.26: Fostering Small Business Participation
Required Form:
Submitted SBEC Program Plans:
SBEC Program Flyer:
Commitment to Small Business Participation:
The Alaska primary airports are dedicated to ensuring that small businesses are given equitable opportunities to participate in the airport concession program's contracting and procurement processes. The SBEC Program Plans for these airports, are applicable to airport concessions as defined by 49 CFR Part 23.
Importantly, the SBEC Program does not replace or serve as a substitute for the ACDBE Program; rather, it functions as a race- and gender-neutral tool that supports small businesses, including ACDBEs, in fully engaging with these airport's concession opportunities.
Program Objectives and Strategies:
- Facilitating Competition: The program ensures that concession opportunities are structured to encourage competition among small businesses. This involves proactively addressing any unnecessary bundling of contracts that could limit participation.
- Inclusive Concession Opportunities: The program emphasizes the importance of offering a variety of concession opportunities, ensuring that small businesses have access to various types of contracts suitable for their capabilities.
- Subleasing and Alternative Contracting: For opportunities without ACDBE goals, the program encourages subleasing opportunities at a scale that small businesses can realistically manage. Additionally, alternative contracting approaches will be explored to further enhance small business participation.
- Monitoring and Verification: The SBEC Program will include a verification process and monitoring plan to track participation and effectiveness. This will help ensure compliance and accountability while fostering small business growth.
- Annual Reporting: An annual report on small business participation and outcomes will be submitted to the FAA, maintaining transparency and accountability for the program's success.
Active Implementation:
The active implementation of these program elements is essential and constitutes a good faith effort under the ACDBE program. The primary airports will engage with stakeholders, provide resources, and promote awareness of the SBEC Program to ensure its effectiveness.
Benefits of the SBEC Program:
Under 23.26 of the CFR, fostering small business participation in the ACDBE program offers several benefits to small businesses by providing opportunities to compete more effectively in the concession market. Here's how small businesses, including ACDBEs, can benefit:
- Elimination of Barriers to Participation: The program includes structuring concession opportunities in ways that remove unnecessary barriers, such as unjustified bundling of contracts that might otherwise exclude small businesses. This means small businesses will have greater access to opportunities that are more aligned with their capacity.
- Subleasing Opportunities: For contracts that don't include ACDBE goals, the program encourages concession models to offer subleasing opportunities that are of a size small businesses can reasonably operate. This can create pathways for small businesses to participate in larger opportunities without taking on too much risk.
- Direct Leasing Opportunities: The program identifies and facilitates alternative contracting approaches that allow small businesses, to compete for and obtain direct leasing opportunities. This can give them more autonomy and control over their operations.
- Clear Eligibility and Monitoring: The program ensures that businesses meeting specific size criteria are eligible to participate, which helps small businesses avoid unnecessary exclusions based on location or other irrelevant factors. The eligibility criteria, along with a clear monitoring plan, help create transparency and fairness.
- No Geographic Preferences: There are no geographic preferences or limitations imposed on concession opportunities. This opens doors for small businesses regardless of their location, giving them a broader scope to compete.
Current SBEC Program Participants:
- Fairbanks International Airport
- Quick CBD, LLC
- Two locations: Pre & Post Security
- Joined Program in 2024
- Agreement Expries 10/31/2019
Do you have a small business and want to work at the airport?
Fill out this form and your submission will be forwarded to the appropriate airport.