Active SLED Opportunity · FLORIDA · SANFORD AIRPORT AUTHORITY

    Airport-Wide Paging and Communications System Modernization

    Issued by Sanford Airport Authority
    localRFISanford Airport AuthoritySol. 270510
    Open · 16d remaining
    DAYS TO CLOSE
    16
    due Jul 9, 2026
    PUBLISHED
    Jun 3, 2026
    Posting date
    JURISDICTION
    Sanford Airport
    local
    NAICS CODE
    517919
    AI-classified industry

    AI Summary

    Sanford Airport Authority seeks information from vendors for modernizing its airport-wide public address and communications system. The RFI focuses on system upgrades or replacement to improve reliability, emergency communication, integration, and accessibility features. Responses will inform future procurement planning; no contract is guaranteed.

    Opportunity details

    Solicitation No.
    270510
    Type / RFx
    RFI
    Status
    open
    Level
    local
    Published Date
    June 3, 2026
    Due Date
    July 9, 2026
    NAICS Code
    517919AI guide
    State
    Florida
    Agency
    Sanford Airport Authority

    Description

    The Sanford Airport Authority (Authority) is seeking information from qualified vendors regarding the upgrade and/or replacement of the existing Public Address (PA) system serving its Small Hub commercial service airport terminal and associated facilities. The current system is approaching the end of its useful life and requires evaluation for improved reliability, intelligibility, maintainability, and operational functionality.

    The objective of this project is to identify modern PA system solutions that support routine passenger announcements, emergency communications, and future airport growth. The Airport is interested in solutions that provide enhanced audio coverage, system redundancy, centralized management, integration capabilities with existing airport systems, and compliance with applicable aviation and life-safety requirements.

    Information received through this RFI will assist the Authority in evaluating available technologies, understanding industry best practices, and developing procurement requirements for a potential future PA system upgrade/replacement project. This RFI is for information-gathering purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. The Sanford Airport Authority does not guarantee that a Request for Proposals (RFP), Invitation to Bid (ITB), or any other procurement process will result from this RFI, nor does it guarantee the award of any contract.

    Project Details

    • Reference ID: 2026-024-RFI
    • Department: Procurement
    • Department Head: Roberta Stanton (Director of Procurement)

    Important Dates

    • Questions Due: 2026-06-24T21:00:00.000Z

    Addenda

    • Official Notice #1: Sanford Airport Authority - 2026-024-RFI - Non-Mandatory Site Visit - Airport Wide Paging & Communications System Modernization (released 2026-06-04T16:54:49.870Z) —

      A non-mandatory site visit will be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Participants should park in the Hourly Parking Lot (parking vouchers will be provided). The group will meet at Baggage Claim 3, which is located inside the main terminal next to the elevator adjacent to the sidewalk from the Hourly Parking Lot.

    Evaluation Criteria

    • Nature of Solicitation/No Obligation

      This Request for Information (RFI) is issued solely for planning and information-gathering purposes and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP), Invitation to Bid (ITB), or commitment to procure goods or services. The Authority is under no obligation to review, consider, or respond to any submission received and reserves the right to modify, postpone, or cancel this RFI or any future solicitation at any time without liability.

    • Information Requested

      Respondents are requested to provide the following information:

      PROVIDE RESPONSES TO THE BELOW IN THE RESPONDENT QUESTIONNAIRE

      A. Company Information (2 pages maximum)

        • Brief company overview.
        • Summary of experience with airport, transportation, or similar public facility public address systems.
        • Primary point of contact.

      B. Solution Overview (7 pages maximum)

      • Description of available PA system solutions and key capabilities.
      • General approach to system upgrades versus complete replacements.
      • IP-based architecture, redundancy, and resiliency features.
      • Ability to integrate with existing airport infrastructure and systems.

      C. Infrastructure Reuse (5 pages maximum)

      • General recommendations regarding the potential reuse of existing PA system infrastructure.
      • Key considerations, limitations, or risks associated with infrastructure reuse.

      D. Implementation Considerations (5 pages maximum)

      • Typical implementation approach for an active airport environment.
      • Considerations for maintaining operations during installation and cutover.
      • Typical project schedules for comparable facilities.

      E. Maintenance and Support (3 pages maximum)

      • Available maintenance, warranty, and support offerings.
      • General lifecycle and system sustainability considerations.

      F. Budgetary Information (3 pages maximum)

      Provide planning-level budgetary information or rough order-of-magnitude (ROM) cost ranges for:

      • Upgrades utilizing portions of existing infrastructure.
      • Complete system replacement.
      • Optional enhancements, such as visual paging, assistive listening systems, or other accessibility features.

      Budgetary information is requested solely for planning purposes and will not be considered binding.

      G. Supplemental Information (5 pages maximum)

      Respondents may provide additional information, documentation, or materials that they believe would enhance the organization's understanding of the marketplace, available solutions, industry best practices, emerging technologies, implementation considerations, or other matters relevant to the subject of this RFI.

      Examples may include white papers, research reports, product literature, case studies, lessons learned, or recommendations not specifically requested elsewhere in this RFI.

      Any supplemental information provided is optional and will be considered for informational and planning purposes only. Submission of supplemental materials will not be used to evaluate respondents for contract award. Information received through this RFI is intended solely to support market research, planning, and requirements development.

      Respondents are encouraged to provide only information that is directly relevant to the subject of this RFI. 

    • Submission Format

      Respondents may provide information covering the following general areas:

      • Company overview and relevant capabilities (optional)
      • General solution approach for airport PA systems
      • High-level system architecture and integration capabilities (fire alarm, telephone, visual paging, emergency systems)
      • ADA and accessibility-related capabilities (general overview)
      • Considerations for reuse of existing infrastructure
      • General implementation approach in airport environments
      • Overview of maintenance and support offerings
      • Planning-level ROM budgetary information (non-binding)
      • Optional industry input or recommendations
    • Project Overview

      The Authority is evaluating potential options for:

      • Upgrading portions of the existing PA infrastructure;
      • Replacing the existing airport-wide PA system;
      • Implementing an IP-based paging and communications system;
      • Improving system resiliency and redundancy;
      • Enhancing ADA accessibility and passenger communications;
      • Supporting future operational and terminal needs.

      The Authority is interested in solutions that provide reliable, intelligible, scalable, and resilient communications throughout terminal and associated airport facilities.

    • Current System Inventory

      The Authority’s current system includes:

      • 18 microphones;
      • 10 four-zone amplifiers;
      • 2 controllers/servers;
      • Equipment located in 7 communications rooms; across Authority network VLAN
      • Existing 70-volt speaker infrastructure.

      Respondents are requested to provide general information regarding:

      • Potential reuse of existing speaker infrastructure;
      • Upgrade feasibility of existing equipment;
      • Hybrid upgrade/replacement approaches;
      • Considerations associated with full replacement options.
    • Costs of Preparation and Submission

      All costs associated with preparing and submitting a response to this RFI are the sole responsibility of the Respondent. The Authority will not reimburse any costs incurred in connection with this RFI.

    • Rights of Authority

      The Authority reserves the right to:

      • Accept or reject any or all responses, in whole or in part
      • Waive informalities or irregularities in submissions
      • Request clarifications or conduct follow-up discussions
      • Discontinue discussions with any Respondent at any time
      • Use, reproduce, and summarize information submitted for planning, budgeting, and development of future procurement documents

      Participation in this RFI shall not confer any advantage, preference, or special consideration in any future procurement.

    • General System Capabilities of Interest

      The Authority is interested in information regarding systems capable of supporting:

      • Clear paging and emergency communications;
      • Redundant server architecture and failover capabilities;
      • IP-based system management;
      • Zoned and all-call paging;
      • Automated messaging;
      • Visual paging integration;
      • Emergency notification functionality;
      • Future scalability and expansion;
      • Integration with airport operational and life safety systems.
    • System Interfaces of Interest

      The Authority is interested in solutions capable of interfacing with or supporting:

      • Fire alarm systems;
      • Visual paging or digital messaging systems;
      • Existing Avaya telephone systems;
      • Automated message playback systems;
      • Existing or replacement microphones;
      • Existing 70-volt speaker infrastructure, where feasible;
      • Network-based audio distribution;
      • Multi-zone paging functionality.
      • Phone - Avaya (CM)

      Respondents are encouraged to identify:

      • General integration capabilities;
      • Third-party integration considerations;
      • General network or infrastructure considerations;
      • General cybersecurity considerations.
    • Confidentiality and Public Records

      Respondents are advised that all submissions in response to this RFI are subject to the Florida Public Records Act, Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, and may be disclosed upon request unless a specific statutory exemption applies. Respondents should clearly identify any information they believe to be exempt from disclosure and cite the applicable statutory basis. Marking a document or portion thereof as “confidential,” “proprietary,” or similar designation is not binding on the Authority and does not, by itself, create an exemption under Florida law. The Authority will independently evaluate all asserted exemptions and will withhold records only to the extent required by applicable law. The Authority makes no assurances of confidentiality beyond those provided under Florida Statutes.

    • ADA and Accessibility Initiatives

      The Authority places significant emphasis on accessibility and inclusive passenger communications.

      Respondents are encouraged to provide information regarding:

      • Visual paging capabilities;
      • Assistive listening/hearing loop compatibility;
      • ADA-related communication features;
      • Multilingual messaging capabilities;
      • Speech intelligibility enhancements;
      • Accessibility features for emergency communications;
      • Integration with visual emergency notification systems.

      Respondents may also identify:

      • Applicable accessibility standards addressed;
      • Recommended accessibility enhancements for airport environments.
    • Non-Collusion

      By submitting a response, respondents certify that their submission is made without prior understanding, agreement, or connection with any corporation, firm, or person submitting a response for the same materials, products, or services.

    • No Preference or Advantage

      Participation in this RFI will not confer any advantage, preference, or special consideration in any subsequent procurement process.

    • Compliance with Applicable Laws

      Respondents shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, codes, and ordinances related to the proposed services and equipment.

    • No Contractual Rights Created

      This RFI does not create any contractual rights or obligations between the Authority and any Respondent.

    • Use of Submitted Information

      Information submitted in response to this RFI may be used by the Authority in developing future procurement documents, specifications, project requirements, and planning activities.

    • Respondent Responsibility

      Respondents are responsible for verifying all assumptions, conditions, and technical information used in preparing their responses.

    • Additional Information & Return of Submitted Material

      The Authority may request clarification of information submitted in response to this RFI and may conduct follow-up discussions with respondents as needed. Information received may be used to support planning activities and the development of any future procurement documents. However, the Authority is not obligated to seek clarification or return submitted materials.

    • RFI Opening

      Responses are due no later than the date and time listed in the Timeline Section.

    • Question and Clarifications

      All questions and clarifications regarding the Solicitation must be submitted in the OpenGov Question/Answer section by the Question Deadline in the Timeline.

    • Disclaimer

      This RFI is issued solely for information gathering and planning purposes. The Authority is not obligated to issue an RFP or award any contract as a result of this RFI.

      Responses to this RFI will be used to assist the Authority in refining project requirements, budget estimates, procurement strategies, and technical specifications for a future solicitation.

    • Submission Requirements and Page Limits

      Total submissions, including all attachments and supplemental materials, shall not exceed thirty (30) pages, excluding cover page and table of contents. Respondents are encouraged to focus on relevant, substantive information rather than marketing materials.

    Submission Requirements

    • Respondent Information

      Responses are to be submitted in the Authority's eProcurement portal prior to the Response Deadline. The submittal of the Response to the Authority prior to the Response Deadline is solely and strictly the responsibility of the Respondent. Only online submittals will be accepted.

    • Company Information (2 pages maximum) (required)
      • Brief company overview.
      • Summary of experience with airport, transportation, or similar public facility public address systems.
      • Primary point of contact.
    • Solution Overview (7 pages maximum) (required)
      • Description of available PA system solutions and key capabilities.
      • General approach to system upgrades versus complete replacements.
      • IP-based architecture, redundancy, and resiliency features.
      • Ability to integrate with existing airport infrastructure and systems.
    • Infrastructure Reuse (5 pages maximum) (required)
      • General recommendations regarding the potential reuse of existing PA system infrastructure.
      • Key considerations, limitations, or risks associated with infrastructure reuse.
    • Implementation Considerations (5 pages maximum) (required)
      • Typical implementation approach for an active airport environment.
      • Considerations for maintaining operations during installation and cutover.
      • Typical project schedules for comparable facilities.
    • Maintenance and Support (3 pages maximum) (required)
      • Available maintenance, warranty, and support offerings.
      • General lifecycle and system sustainability considerations.
    • Budgetary Information (3 pages maximum) (required)

      Provide planning-level budgetary information or rough order-of-magnitude (ROM) cost ranges for:

      • Upgrades utilizing portions of existing infrastructure.
      • Complete system replacement.
      • Optional enhancements, such as visual paging, assistive listening systems, or other accessibility features.

      Budgetary information is requested solely for planning purposes and will not be considered binding.

    • Supplemental Information (5 pages maximum)

      Respondents may provide additional information, documentation, or materials that they believe would enhance the organization's understanding of the marketplace, available solutions, industry best practices, emerging technologies, implementation considerations, or other matters relevant to the subject of this RFI.

      Examples may include white papers, research reports, product literature, case studies, lessons learned, or recommendations not specifically requested elsewhere in this RFI.

      Any supplemental information provided is optional and will be considered for informational and planning purposes only. Submission of supplemental materials will not be used to evaluate respondents for contract award. Information received through this RFI is intended solely to support market research, planning, and requirements development.

      Respondents are encouraged to provide only information that is directly relevant to the subject of this RFI. 

    Questions & Answers

    Q (Site Walk): We would like to send a team to conduct a site walk - when would this be possible?

    A: A non-mandatory site visit will be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Participants should park in the Hourly Parking Lot (parking vouchers will be provided). The group will meet at Baggage Claim 3, which is located inside the main terminal next to the elevator adjacent to the sidewalk from the Hourly Parking Lot.


    Key dates

    1. June 3, 2026Published
    2. July 9, 2026Responses Due

    AI classification tags

    Frequently asked questions

    SLED stands for State, Local, and Education. These are solicitations issued by state governments, counties, cities, school districts, utilities, and higher education institutions — as opposed to federal agencies.

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