Template revised April 12, 2018.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No.
6l
ACTION ITEM
Date of Meeting
October 22, 2019
DATE: October 22, 2019
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Wendy Reiter, Aviation Public Safety, Security and Emergency Preparedness
Mark Leutwiler, Aviation Security, Sr. Manager Security Strategies and Intelligence
SUBJECT: Aviation Security Services IDIQ Competition Exemption
Total contract amount: $400,000
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Commission authorization (1) for the Executive Director to execute one contract with
Ross & Baruzzini to support and implement airport security and emergency preparedness
recommendations as needed for an amount not to exceed $400,000 during a contract ordering
period not to exceed three years and (2) that Commission exercise its authority under RCW
53.19.020(5) to waive the competitive solicitation process for a personal services agreement on
the basis that it is not appropriate or cost-effective. No funding request is associated with this
request.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On December 11, 2018, Ross & Baruzzini presented to the Port Commission preliminary findings
of the Horizon Air After-Action Report (AAR), which included a multitude of recommended items
to improve security and emergency preparedness at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. As the
scope of the original Ross & Baruzzini contract approved by the Commission on September 11,
2018, is nearing completion, port staff has determined that additional scope is required to
implement AAR recommendations as well as additional recommendations contained in the
Aviation Public Space Assessment Report dated March 2018. Staff does not have the expertise or
resources to implement targeted security and emergency preparedness enhancements at the
airport based on the findings.
In accordance with RCW 53.19.020(5), it is in the port’s best interest to contract with the same
firm used to develop the Horizon Air AAR and the Aviation Public Space Assessment Report.
Collaborating with the same consultant on this major effort will result in the continuity of critical
services with highly qualified industry experts resulting in a more cost-effective approach to
implementing recommendations.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. _6l_ Page 2 of 5
October 22, 2019
Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.
Staff has determined that an estimated not-to-exceed amount of $400,000 over the course of
three years is adequate support to develop programs and concepts outlined in the recommended
items in the Horizon Air AAR and the Aviation Public Space Assessment Report. No work is
guaranteed to the consultants and the port is not obligated to compensate the consultant until
work is authorized and services delivered. Industry stakeholder engagement is needed to further
develop mitigation measures to reduce threats both internally and externally. Unified and
Incident Command training, mental health, and Safety Act Certification are some of the general
topics that may be addressed under this contract.
JUSTIFICATION
Staff is recommending that Commission determine that a competitive solicitation process for this
service is not appropriate or cost effective in accordance with RCW 53.19.020(5) and to execute
a contract with Ross & Baruzzini for a not-to-exceed value of $400,000 during a three year period
to assist in addressing general principals to improve security, emergency preparedness and after-
action items stemming from the Horizon Air AAR and the Aviation Public Space Assessment
Report.
Staff has determined continuity of services with Ross & Baruzzini is reasonable as listed below:
1. Ross & Baruzzini conducted the original Horizon Air AAR and the Aviation Public Space
Assessment Report and developed recommendations to the port to improve airport security
and emergency preparedness capabilities for the protection of airport passengers,
employees, and critical infrastructure. Ross & Baruzzini is exceptionally familiar with the
port’s operating structure, its employees, and airport stakeholders. Contracting with a
different firm would be unreasonable and hinder current progress in moving our security and
emergency preparedness measures forward due to unfamiliarity with existing conditions,
processes and procedures. It would also not be cost-effective as a new consultant would
require more time and resources to achieve the same level knowledge Ross & Baruzzini has
acquired with the port and our stakeholders. Several recommendations have already been
implemented by internal staff.
2. Ross & Baruzzini team members are aviation industry experts in developing after-action
reports and in developing mitigation measures and programs consistent with local, state, and
federal regulations and industry best practices. Quickly making an accurate assessment and
mitigation measures is critical after an incident and the path port assumed.
3. Ross & Baruzzini’s collaborative approach has fostered trusted and established relationships
with airport stakeholders to include port staff, airlines representatives, and Transportation
Security Administration (TSA) officials. These relationships have proven to be critical in Ross
& Baruzzini’s efficient and effective implementation of work under the original Horizon Air
AAR contract. Initiating this contract with Ross & Baruzzini provides continuity with previous
projects and capitalizes on existing relationships to continue collective efforts in security and
emergency preparedness improvements.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. _6l_ Page 3 of 5
October 22, 2019
Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.
4. Ross & Baruzzini’s experience and skillset will help the POS develop new and enhanced
security and emergency preparedness measures and training programs faster and more
efficiently than if the port sought to perform these functions internally.
DETAILS
Under contract P-00319535 Horizon Aircraft Incident After Action Report, Ross & Baruzzini
conducted a federally regulated full AAR for the abduction of the Horizon Air aircraft from the
airport. As a result of the Horizon Air AAR, several key and critical programs were recommended.
Continuity of services to develop collaborative security and emergency preparedness concepts
stemming from the Horizon Air AAR and the Aviation Public Space Assessment Report and in
further developing mitigation measures to reduce both external and internal threats.
Commission previously authorized a competition exemption valued at $325,000. The actual
amount spent was XXX-XX; leaving a remaining amount of XXX-XX for the implementation phase.
Services anticipated under this IDIQ contract may include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Development and administer airport site-specific training on Unified Command and the
Incident Command System for port staff and stakeholders. To include relevant training
programs to promote emergency response and preparedness.
2. Explore practical methods and programs of mental health and employee assistance
services for the Port’s broader population of airport workers. Identify barriers to
implementation (e.g., financial, legal, logistics, and regulatory) and engage regulatory
agencies and elected officials to provide input in finalizing a mental health framework for
the aviation sector. Assist in removing barriers to implementation, up to and including
legislation.
3. Assist the port in pursuing and maintain a SAFETY Act Certification from the Department
of Homeland Security.
4. Provide expertise and consultation on action items stemming from the Horizon Air AAR
and the Aviation Public Space Assessment Report.
5. Contractor may be requested to consult on an as-needed basis in the role of Subject
Matter Expert (SME) on tasks relating to additional specialized security and emergency
management matters. In the role of SME, the consultant would be working on behalf of
the airport in providing expert security or emergency management guidance based on
vendor-agnostic technical expertise and best practices.
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
Alternative 1 – Complete targeted work associated with the Horizon Air AAR and the Aviation
Public Space Security Assessment through a competitive solicitation process per RCW 53.19.
This process is estimated to take four months to complete, thereby delaying critical work and
momentum gained.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. _6l_ Page 4 of 5
October 22, 2019
Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.
Cost Implications:
Pros:
(1) Opportunity to evaluate multiple proposals and approaches to the Horizon Air AAR and
the Aviation Public Space Security Assessment follow-on work.
(2) Potentially lower costs.
Cons:
(1) Delays in developing security and emergency preparedness measures and programs by
going through the competitive bid process.
(2) Different approach in addressing Horizon Air AAR recommendations, potentially leading
to rework and conflicting opinions.
(3) Additional costs and time to onboard a new consultant. Learning POS process,
procedures, and its stakeholders is a long process that requires extensive internal and
external resources.
(4) Risk of not meeting Department of Homeland Security or other federal requirements.
This is not the recommended alternative.
Alternative 2 – Do not follow-on with all the critical recommendations or methods to improve
security and emergency preparedness at STIA. Only complete easier, less time-consuming
recommendations with internal staff.
Cost Implications:
Pros:
(1) Cost savings for not hiring external support.
Cons:
(1) Not implementing several critical airport security and emergency preparedness
recommendations, resulting in possible increased risk to the public.
(2) Fewer program enhancements to help avoid a similar incident in the future.
(3) Lack of collaborative partnership with stakeholders affected from related incidents.
(4) Appearance of not doing our due diligence from the public’s perspective.
This is not the recommended alternative.
Alternative 3 – Execute a non-competitive IDIQ contract with Ross & Baruzzini.
Cost Implications:
This is the recommended alternative.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. _6l_ Page 5 of 5
October 22, 2019
Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.
Pros:
(1) Fast and effective approach to utilize the same highly-qualified firm to continue
developing and implementing security and emergency preparedness strategies.
(2) POS staff and stakeholders familiar with consultants from Ross & Baruzzini, resulting in
more efficient and collaborative work.
(3) Continuity of services for programs and security and emergency preparedness measures
development.
Cons:
(1) Other firms are not provided the opportunity to compete for the work.
This is the recommended alternative.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
The total estimated services will not exceed $400,000. No work is guaranteed to the consultants
and the port is not obligated to compensate the consultant until a service directive is executed
and services delivered. After receiving authorization for each project in accordance with POS
policy, the actual work will be fully defined, and the port will issue individual project-specific
service directives. The cost of services under this contract will be included in the annual Aviation
Division operating budget.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
None
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
• March 2018 - Aviation Public Space Security Assessment Report issued to POS executive staff
• September 11, 2018 – The Commission authorized a non-competitive contract for a total of
$325,000 for the Horizon Aircraft Incident After Action Report with Ross & Baruzzini
• December 10, 2018 – Ross & Baruzzini presented to the POS Commission the findings of the
Horizon Air AAR
