Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Mark Gale
Department: Aviation Division: Business
Information
Requested Action
title
A. MOTION TO APPROVE Sole Source designation of Smarte Carte, Inc. to operate a self-service baggage cart concession at Broward County’s Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
B. MOTION TO APPROVE Self-Service Baggage Cart Concession Agreement between Broward County and Smarte Carte, Inc., for the non-exclusive right to operate a self-service baggage cart concession at Broward County’s Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport for a five-year term with five additional one-year extension terms.
body
Why Action is Necessary
Motion A. In accordance with the Broward County Procurement Code, Section 21.25, Sole Source Procurement, Broward County Board of County Commissioners (“Board”) approval is required for awards exceeding the Director of Purchasing’s authority.
Motion B. Award of the Self-Service Baggage Cart Concession Agreement must be approved by the Board.
What Action Accomplishes
Motion A. Approves the sole source designation of Smarte Carte, Inc. to operate a self-service baggage cart concession at Broward County’s Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
Motion B. Allows Smarte Carte to operate a self-service baggage cart concession at Broward County’s Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☐County Commission
☐Go Green
☐MAP Broward
Previous Action Taken
None.
Summary Explanation/Background
THE AVIATION DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTIONS.
Motion A: Approval of the sole source designation allows Smarte Carte to operate a self-service baggage cart concession at Broward County’s Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (“FLL”).
On May 8, 2026, the Purchasing Division issued a Request for Information to designate sole source to ascertain whether there were any other entities authorized to operate a self-service baggage cart concession. Based on the findings, the Director of Purchasing recommends approval of this sole source designation.
Motion B: This action will approve the Agreement with Smarte Carte to operate the self-service baggage cart concession at various locations in the terminals, parking garages, and Rental Car Center (“RCC”) at FLL.
The Office of Economic and Small Business Development has determined that no Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (“ACDBE”) participation goal applies to this Self-Service Baggage Cart Concession Agreement (“Agreement”) due to a change in the federal regulations governing the ACDBE program. Through an Interim Final Rule, which became effective on October 3, 2025, the United States Department of Transportation eliminated race-and sex-based presumptions of social and economic disadvantage. Existing ACDBE firms must be reevaluated based on these new criteria before any specific goals can be assigned. Smarte Carte plans to continue to utilize the small business under the existing agreement, which is set to expire on May 31, 2026.
The proposed Agreement allows Smarte Carte to provide a non-exclusive, self-service baggage cart concession at FLL for a five-year term, effective June 1, 2026, and terminating on May 31, 2031, with five additional one-year extension terms, under the following terms and conditions:
• Smarte Carte will charge passengers in all locations a $7 per cart rental for years one and two, $8 for years three through five, and $9 beyond year five.
• Smarte Carte will pay to Broward County (“County”) 5% of gross revenues from cart rentals.
• Smarte Carte will provide a minimum of 650 brand new luggage carts, and new Cart Management Units (“CMUs”) in the Federal Inspection Station, domestic departure curbs, and domestic arrivals areas, and will refurbish select existing CMUs for placement in the parking garages and RCC.
Smarte Carte will spend approximately $900,000 to replace all existing equipment at no cost to the County. Smarte Carte has a security deposit in the amount of $50,000 and provided insurance certificates as required by the Agreement.
The Agreement has been reviewed and approved as to form by the Office of the County Attorney.
Source of Additional Information
Mark E. Gale, A.A.E., CEO/Director, Aviation Department, 954-359-6199
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
Smarte Carte will pay to the County monthly a Privilege Fee equal to 5% of the gross revenues, as established in the Agreement. Additionally, Smarte Carte will pay to the County 50% of all advertising gross revenues from any advertising space sold on its carts and CMUs.