Template revised January 10, 2019.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No.
8e
ACTION ITEM
Date of Meeting
March 8, 2022
DATE : February 28, 2022
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Laurel Dunphy, Director Aviation Operations
Krista Sadler, Director Technology Delivery
SUBJECT: Airport Resource Management System Upgrade (CIP #C801233)
Amount of this project request:
$1,300,000
Total estimated project cost:
$1,300,000
Ten-year maintenance contract:
$3,000,000
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to 1) proceed with the Airport
Resource Management system upgrade project and 2) execute contract(s) for software,
equipment, vendor services, and ten years of software license and maintenance fees. The
amount requested for project implementation is $1,300,000 and the estimated ten-year
software license and maintenance/enhancement fee is $3,000,000 ($300,000 Annually).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This project will upgrade the Resource Management System, Inform Groundstar, used by Seattle-
Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to manage airport gates, flight information display systems
(FIDS), baggage claim carousel assignments, ticket counters, and the airfield passenger busing
operation for the airport and carriers. This system is a hub of operational information that
interfaces with multiple airline and internal Port of Seattle systems and drives flight information
provided to travelers through our Port of Seattle website and SEA mobile app.
This system was originally implemented in 2013 after a competitive procurement process and
while enhancements have been made to data interfaces, the core hardware and software has
not been updated. An upgrade of this system will ensure that security updates, system patches,
and support are available for this critical airport system.
This authorization also includes a ten-year contract for recurring license and maintenance
estimated at $2,600,000 and an estimated $400,000 for vendor services to support
enhancements and integration with other systems that will likely be requested over the next ten
years. For example, since implementation, additional services have been requested to support
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8e Page 2 of 4
Meeting Date: March 8, 2022
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
flight information interfaces for the SEA app, Port website, Safedock, and Surface Area
Management. Annual license and maintenance fees will be budgeted in the Aviation
Maintenance annual operating budget. Future enhancements will be funded through expense or
other capital projects.
ICT, Aviation Operations, and Aviation Maintenance will partner to complete this project with
Inform. The capital project was included in the 2022-2026 capital budget and plan of finance in
the amount of $1,300,000.
Fees for the software license and maintenance will be budgeted in the Aviation Maintenance
operating budget or small capital projects as new requirements are identified.
JUSTIFICATION
The management of airport resources is a complex and critical process for Airport Operations
and our airline partners and there is increasing levels of dependence on the information provided
through interfaces to other customer service systems and planning processes. This upgrade will
address three critical issues and opportunities.
(1) Due to the age of the system, it is increasingly difficult to maintain and integrate with
other systems that rely on the flight-related information. This includes internal systems
and airline carrier systems that feed schedule and real-time schedule changes.
(2) Computer hardware is at end-of-life and replacement parts are difficult to find.
(3) New features will be available to better manage aircraft parking, evaluate optimization
strategies, and improve advanced planning capabilities.
A robust and reliable resource management system is essential for Airport and airline operations.
Diversity in Contracting
A competition waiver has been approved to work with Inform as they are the only firm that can
provide the upgrade services for their equipment and software. We don’t anticipate any
subcontracting opportunities given the specialized scope and will not include a WMBE goal on
this project.
DETAILS
Scope of Work
(1) Upgrade of the Inform Groundstar system to the latest version
(2) Server and database infrastructure upgrades
(3) Implementation of the Groundstar Gannt Chart module
(4) Interface upgrades as needed
(5) Migration of data to the new system
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8e Page 3 of 4
Meeting Date: March 8, 2022
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
Schedule
Commission Authorization
Implementation Start
In-use Date
Cost Breakdown
This Request
Total Project
Vendor Implementation Services
$750,000
$750,000
Hardware and Software
$150,000
$150,000
Port Labor for Implementation
$400,000
$400,000
Total
$1,300,000
$1,300,000
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
Alternative 1 – Procure and implement a new replacement solution for SEA resource
management
Cost Implications: $3,750,000-$5,000,000 Capital Increase
Pros:
(1) Provides opportunity to re-evaluate offerings on the overall market
Cons:
(1) This option is significantly more expensive and will increase schedule by an estimated 2
years.
(2) Significant resources will be required not only to implement new system but also to
negotiate with airlines to build and implement new interfaces.
(3) The current system meets Port feature requirements and performance specifications.
A new system may not provide the same level of functionality or stability.
This is not the recommended alternative.
Alternative 2 – Upgrade Inform Groundstar and infrastructure to current versions
Cost Implications: $1,300,000 Capital
Pros:
(1) Least cost alternative to a stable system that meets requirements and performance
specifications.
(2) Port and airline resources required for the upgrade are minimized compared to a
replacement project.
(3) A robust resource management system on stable, fault-tolerant infrastructure will
support critical airport and airline operations.
Cons:
(1) Capital dollars not available for other efforts.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8e Page 4 of 4
Meeting Date: March 8, 2022
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
This is the recommended alternative.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Cost Estimate/Authorization Summary
Capital
Expense
Total
COST ESTIMATE
Original estimate
$1,300,000
$0
$1,300,000
AUTHORIZATION
Previous authorizations
$0
$0
$0
Current request for authorization
$1,300,000
$0
$1,300,000
Total authorizations, including this request
$1,300,000
$0
$1,300,000
Remaining amount to be authorized
$0
$0
$0
Annual Budget Status and Source of Funds
This project was included in the 2022-2026 capital budget and plan of finance at an amount of
$1,300,000. The project will be funded from the Airport Development Fund.
Financial Analysis and Summary
Project cost for analysis
$1,300,000
Business Unit (BU)
Airport Operations
Effect on business performance
(NOI after depreciation)
NOI after depreciation will decrease.
IRR/NPV (if relevant)
N/A
CPE Impact
$.01 beginning in 2023
Future Revenues and Expenses (Total cost of ownership)
Ten-year recurring license and maintenance fees and support estimated at $2,600,000 (average
$260,000 annual) will be budgeted in the Aviation Maintenance annual operating budget. An
additional $400,000 of contract capacity will be included for future small enhancements funded
by expense or other capital projects as identified over the next ten years.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
None