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KTPA

Vendor requirements at Tampa International Airport

Tampa, FL. TPA. Sponsor: Hillsborough County Aviation Authority

On the general aviation side at TPA, any operator doing paid aeronautical work needs either its own agreement with the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority or a subagreement with an FBO that the Authority has accepted in writing; a non-based specialized operator with a short-term need can ask for a special use permit. Insurance types and limits are set by the Authority for each operator rather than published, and the certificate must follow Standard Procedure S250.06 (Authority as additional insured, waiver of subrogation, insurer A- VII or better). Badges cost $60 new or renewal through the Badging Office.

Partly published Checked against the published sources Last reviewed

Permit to operate

Agreement with the Authority, or an Authority-accepted subagreement with an FBO (special use permit for non-based SASOs with a temporary need), issued by Hillsborough County Aviation Authority.

Fee: Not published in the minimum standards. Rent, fees and charges follow the Authority's Rates by Resolution and the operator's agreement.

Minimum standards R331 apply to Tampa International Airport General Aviation, Peter O. Knight, Plant City and Tampa Executive. Every operator must post payment security equal to three months of estimated rent, fees and charges, kept in place at all times and replenished within 15 days after any draw (Section 4.2.A). SASOs need an Agreement or an FBO subagreement approved in writing (Section 6.1.A); a non-based SASO with a temporary need may operate under a special use permit (Section 6.1.B.4). The standards do not name mobile cleaning, catering or mobile maintenance as separate categories.

Insurance minimums

CoverageMinimumApplies to
All required coveragesR331 Section 4.2.C says the operator carries "insurance of the types and in the minimum limits determined by the Authority." No limits table is published in the standards. Set by the Authority for each operator All operators under the minimum standards
Certificate formCertificates must be signed by an authorized representative of the insurer. S250.06 refers to workers compensation, general liability, and professional or railroad protective coverage where the contract requires it, with limits set in the contract. Per Standard Procedure S250.06 All operators and contractors

Endorsements and policy terms

  • Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, members of its governing body, and its officers, volunteers and employees named as additional insureds on all policies except workers compensation and professional liability
  • Insurers waive subrogation against the Authority on all required policies, shown on the certificate
  • 30 days written notice of cancellation, non-renewal or adverse change (10 days for nonpayment of premium)
  • Insurers rated AM Best A- or better, financial size category VII or better
  • Certificate holder: Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, Attn.: Chief Executive Officer, Tampa International Airport, P.O. Box 22287, Tampa, FL 33622

Badging and security

  • Badging Office: Level 3 Main Terminal, between the Blue (Armstrong) elevators and the Airside F shuttle. Monday to Friday 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM, closed 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Phone (813) 870-8753. Appointments at tpabadging.timetap.com.
  • Applications are completed electronically, printed single-sided, and signed by both the applicant and the employer's Authorized Signatory.
  • Fees: $60 new or renewal badge. Lost badge $100 ($300 for construction and concessions). Companies without a billing agreement pay by credit card only.
  • Rules and Regulations Section 3.3 limits AOA and restricted area access to people assigned duties under the Airport Security Program; escorted access follows the security program.

Vehicles and ramp driving

  • Driving on the AOA needs permission from the CEO or designee based on operational need; the movement area needs special authorization and training (R340 Section 7.5(a)).
  • Vehicles parked on the AOA must be identified under the Airport Security Program (Section 7.5(c)).
  • AOA driving violations carry points. A Class 3 violation brings a suspension and the Non-Movement Area Driving Training Program, and re-training badging fees are billed to the employer (Section 7.5.1).
  • Fuel vehicles need a current TPA quarterly placard ($500 fine without one) and may not use taxiways or runways without permission. Fuel tenders need a written agreement before working airside terminal ramps (Sections 5.2(e), 5.2(f), Attachment 1).

Training

  • Movement area driving requires special authorization and training. Drivers suspended for a Class 3 violation must complete the Non-Movement Area Driving Training Program.
  • No other vendor-specific training requirement was found.

Washing and environmental rules

  • Aircraft may be cleaned, washed, polished or painted only in areas and in the manner the Authority designates (R340 Section 6.1(i)).
  • De-icing needs prior written permission from the Authority and an Airport approved plan (Section 6.1(j)).
  • No liquids into storm drains or sanitary sewer where they cause damage or pollution. Spills are cleaned up by the responsible party and reported to the Authority immediately (Sections 3.4(c) and 3.4(d)).

Fees

  • Payment security of three months of estimated rent, fees and charges (R331 Section 4.2.A).
  • Fees otherwise follow the Authority's Rates by Resolution and the operator's agreement. No percentage of gross was published in the minimum standards.
  • Fueling: dispensing fuel requires a self-fueling permit or verified approved vendor status (R340 Section 5.4(a)). Fuel discrepancy fines up to $750 (Class 1) and $250 (Class 2).

Working under an FBO or tenant

R331 Section 4.2 lets an operator work under a subagreement with an FBO instead of its own Authority agreement, but the Authority must accept the subagreement in writing. Fuel sales, into-plane fueling and fuel farm operation are FBO core services that the FBO must perform with its own employees; other services can be passed to another operator under an Authority-approved written subagreement.

What we could not confirm

  • No insurance limits for any vendor category were found. Ask the Authority (or the sponsoring FBO) what limits apply before quoting.
  • R331 is dated 2017-09-07 even though it is hosted in a 2024-05 folder. Policy P331 calls for review at least every three years; no later revision was found.
  • The R340 Rules and Regulations cover says August 2026 but interior page footers read 12/2025 and 06/2017. Confirm the current edition.
  • Badge fees and office details were read from the Badging page; fingerprint, STA and training steps were not listed there (they sit in the Badge Identification Requirements Guide, not read).
  • Rules for car services serving the GA side were not reviewed. Policy P310 covers ground transportation (December 2020) but was not read.
  • Whether TPA uses a separate gate or ramp permit for vendor vehicles on the GA side was not found.

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