Airport commission approves RFQ process tweaks, adopts North‑end development plan as working tool

The Air Force Airport Commission on Aug. 18 approved revised scoring for a request for qualifications for its next airport consultant and adopted a consultant‑prepared North‑end development plan as a working planning tool.

The changes to the RFQ scoring and the adoption of the North‑end plan aim to prepare the airport for a period of development tied to the MTSU relocation, a potential Federal Contract Tower program and other anticipated projects, airport staff member Chad said. “5 years is about up on our consultant contract,” he said, and the revised RFQ reflects items the commission wants emphasized over the next five years.

The commission’s adoption of the North‑end plan was presented as a planning and budgeting tool rather than a binding layout plan. Chad described the document as “a living document” to be updated as priorities and funding change. He said the plan breaks the North end into manageable phases and provides preliminary cost estimates that staff will update periodically; he said much of the plan’s work will later feed into an official airport layout plan in 2028.

Commission discussion focused on the RFQ scoring weights and the makeup of the selection committee. Commissioners proposed increasing the weight of three scoring categories (items 7–9 in the FAA template) and taking points from other categories to make the math work; commissioners agreed that quality, schedule and budget performance should receive substantial weight. The commission also agreed that a city purchasing process would handle reference checks.

The commission approved the RFQ changes, the scoring adjustments, and the proposed selection process in a recorded roll call vote: Shelby (aye), Cannon (aye), Paul (aye), Bill (aye), Drew (aye) and Velasquez (aye). The commission directed staff to advertise the RFQ and to circulate finalist materials to commissioners; interviews of top firms are expected to occur at an October meeting, with a recommendation to be forwarded to city council after presentations.

Chad said the packet includes background information, a projects list (including runway/taxiway/ramp assistance, federal contract tower, land and building acquisition and grant support) and an emphasis that firms should demonstrate capacity to support the airport during the next five to six critical years. Duncan Bauer of Barge, the current consultant who assisted in preparing the materials, attended to answer technical questions.

The commission’s action does not itself award a consulting contract; it approves the RFQ and selection procedure and authorizes the selection committee process that will lead to a recommendation to city council.