Concessionaires at Denver International Airport are in a holding pattern as they wait for direction on how the airport’s disadvantaged business enterprise program will work.
DIA is working to comply with new Federal Aviation Administration rules for the program, but the new system is still in the works.
“We’re on hold until we can understand the FAA rules,” said Denver City Councilman Michael Hancock.
About 70 concessionaires run about 135 concessions at DIA. For those whose contracts are reaching the end of their terms, DIA is considering extending leases, possibly on a month- to-month basis.
“If we wait until we have (the new system) in place, then the rules are known to all,” said DIA co-manager Vicki Braunagel.
But that uncertainty has some small businesses concerned about their future at the airport.
“As long as we’re allowed the ability to compete, that’s fine,” said Rod Tafoya, president of Mission Yogurt Inc. “But if it doesn’t allow us to do that, there’s a problem.”
FSH Communications sued the city in September after losing a contract for pay-phone service at DIA, claiming the selection process was flawed.
The city said it denied the FSH proposal because it didn’t adequately address disadvantaged business enterprise requirements.
FSH alleged that the head of the city’s small-business opportunity office, Tamela Lee, favored contract-winner RMES because she knew its owner.
Staff writer Kelly Yamanouchi can be reached at 303-820-1488 or kyamanouchi@denverpost.com.
