CHICAGO – Today, the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) released a Request for Proposal (RFP) inviting qualified operators to submit proposals to lease, develop and operate 10 concession locations at O’Hare International Airport. Seven of the locations are in International Terminal 5, where the terminal expansion and improvements are underway, including the construction and modification of 10 gates. The others are located in Terminal 3.

“This is a huge undertaking as the Chicago Department of Aviation continues to move forward with the transformation of O’Hare,” said Chicago Mayor Lori M. Lightfoot.  “This RFP offers more diversity to small and minority business owners who will be ready to offer their goods and services to passengers as safe travel practices increase.”

This RFP, the largest in more than 10 years for O’Hare, is part of the $8.5 billion O’Hare 21 project. which is designed to modernize facilities and deliver more gates, offer new passenger amenities and more economic opportunity for the City of Chicago while keeping travelers worldwide connected to the City. More information

about the O’Hare 21 project is here.

“We are very pleased and excited to extend this opportunity to small and local entrepreneurs to do business at one of Chicago’s world-class airports,” said CDA Commissioner Jamie L. Rhee. “This RFP will keep O’Hare 21 moving ahead and provide our guests with diverse offerings for food, beverages and retail options as the air travel industry recovers.”

The intent of the RFP is to provide:

• First-class service and a broad variety of quality concessions to all guests.
• Enhanced quality and value through concessions offerings, including innovative food, beverage and retail concepts with broad customer appeal.
• Business opportunities for local small, minority and women-owned businesses, including airport concessions disadvantaged business enterprises (“ACDBE”).
• Promotion of store concepts, themes and products associated with Chicago.

The 10 concessions locations will comprise more than 10,000-square-feet of available space and will increase the airport’s ability to better serve increasing passenger traffic in Terminal 5. With Delta Airlines’ relocation within the airport and Southwest Airlines’ first-ever routes now operating in Terminal 5, growth is expected to continue as tourism rebounds and as O’Hare expands to meet future transportation needs.

The RFP is an open process and qualified business owners and entrepreneurs are invited to pursue the opportunity to operate their businesses at the airport.

The proposal process, requirements and deadlines are outlined in the RFP data room located  here.

For more information about ACDBE certification, click here.