Allegations Of Price-Fixing And Other Improprieties Lodged

A dispute over a multi-million-dollar contract for the operation of private aircraft terminals at John Wayne Airport in southern California has resulted in allegations of price-fixing, improper bidding, and other improprieties.

The Orange County Board of Supervisors was set to select two operators for that contract Tuesday; one old and one new, according to a report from the McClatchy news service.

But insiders familiar with the dispute say that a long-time contractor ... Signature Flight Services based in Orlando, FL, could be the big loser in the process. Signature was the top-ranked bidder in the recent bidding process, which has been characterized as being "bungled."

But Signature is challenging its expected loss of the contract. the company alleges that the county violated federal and local laws in its bidding process, and has filed complaints with the FAA and the DOT. The company has also accused county supervisors of being predisposed to award the contract to California-based ACI Jet. That company was ranked second to last in the bidding matrix.

The contract was on the agenda for the Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday.

FMI: http://www.ocgov.com/gov/bos/