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Maryland Delays Key Vote on $100 Million Airport Concessions Deal Amid Controversy

Uncertainty Looms Over Future of BWI Concessions Contract as Board of Public Works Postpones Vote

The state’s Board of Public Works (BPW) threw a wrench in the long-awaited process of finalizing a multi-million-dollar contract to manage concessions at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), pulling the vote at the last minute after years of delays. The contract, worth hundreds of millions of dollars over the next two decades, was initially set to go to Fraport Baltimore Partnership LLC, the incumbent operator, but its approval now faces more hurdles.

The vote, which was expected to seal the deal for Fraport, was postponed just before the meeting began, leaving the future of the airport’s retail and dining services hanging in the balance. This decision has extended the uncertainty that has surrounded the contract for nearly three years, causing frustration among stakeholders and raising questions about the procurement process.

The Contract and Its Controversies

The BWI concessions contract has been a point of contention since it first went up for bid in 2022. Fraport, which has held the contract for the last two decades under various corporate names, seemed poised to retain the deal after a competitive process. However, the process has been far from straightforward, with multiple attempts by state officials to steer the contract to other bidders.

Board of Public Works vote Maryland airport

Despite the long-standing relationship between Fraport and the airport, the state has made efforts to diversify the concessionaire landscape, a push that began in the fall of 2022. For the last few months, MDOT (Maryland Department of Transportation) officials have worked to evaluate bids from multiple companies, including BWI Experience Partners, a group composed of several Black entrepreneurs and national airport concessions company Vantage Airport Group. BWI Experience Partners has made no secret of its belief that its proposal is not only superior but better aligned with Governor Wes Moore’s vision of boosting local equity and prioritizing Maryland-based businesses and workers.

Greg Reaves, CEO of Mosaic Development Partners and a partner in BWI Experience Partners, argued that the MDOT’s recommendation to award the contract to Fraport does not meet these objectives. He claims that BWI Experience Partners’ bid exceeds federal guidelines for minority business participation and is far more committed to ensuring local Maryland companies and workers are prioritized. “Governor Moore has put forward a clear vision for building wealth for Maryland residents and local companies,” said Reaves, directly criticizing MDOT’s scoring process.

A High-Stakes Procurement

The Board of Public Works, which consists of Governor Moore, State Treasurer Dereck Davis, and State Comptroller Brooke Lierman, typically votes on proposals that are expected to pass with little controversy. However, the removal of this vote from the agenda signals that the board may have concerns, or at least be willing to reconsider the deal after public pushback.

A spokesperson for MDOT, David Broughton, emphasized that the department is working closely with all involved stakeholders to ensure that all questions about the contract are addressed. He confirmed that the matter would likely be revisited at the next BPW meeting on February 12th, though he could not confirm whether the contract would come back up for a vote then.

This postponement is the latest chapter in a saga that has already seen multiple twists. The lengthy delays have prompted both frustration and confusion from businesses, workers, and government officials alike, all of whom are eager to see the contract finalized.

The Role of Fraport and Other Competitors

For years, Fraport has been the dominant force at BWI, overseeing the airport’s concessions operations. Their involvement has generally been viewed positively, but the proposal to extend their control has sparked a variety of concerns. These range from questions about how much local economic benefit Fraport’s presence brings to Maryland to whether their business model truly serves the diverse communities that utilize the airport.

On the other hand, BWI Experience Partners has made a compelling case for their bid, offering promises of robust minority business participation and a stronger focus on local hiring and supplier diversity. Their team includes prominent local figures, including Gregory “Steve” Proctor Jr., a noted lobbyist, and Alexandra M. Hughes, a former chief of staff for the Maryland House of Delegates, lending weight to their claim of being deeply connected to the local economy.

Yet, even as these new proposals push for a more localized vision, the debate about whether to stick with the incumbent or bring in new blood remains unresolved.

What’s Next?

With the vote postponed, all eyes are now on the February 12th BPW meeting, where the future of BWI’s concessions could be decided. As Maryland’s government works to balance the need for efficient airport operations with the goal of fostering local economic growth, stakeholders on all sides are bracing for what could be a high-stakes decision.

In the meantime, the tension surrounding this decision continues to build. Whether Fraport will maintain its hold on the contract or if BWI Experience Partners will make a breakthrough remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: the state’s airport concessions contract has become much more than just a business deal – it’s now a battleground for broader economic and political goals.

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