Template revised January 10, 2019.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No.
8p
ACTION ITEM
Date of Meeting
March 8, 2022
DATE: December 17, 2021
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Daniel Alter, AVM Manager
Louis Ekler, AVM Assistant Fleet Manager
SUBJECT: Airfield Snow Equipment Replacement CIP 801227
Amount of this request:
$8,620,000.00
Total estimated project cost:
$8,620,000.00
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to execute one or more
procurements to replace Airfield snow removal equipment. The total value of the procurement
is estimated at $8,620,000.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Effective snow removal on the SEA airfield is critical for the safe and successful operation of the
Airport. To execute snow removal effectively, appropriate snow removal equipment is
essential. The equipment provided through this procurement process will replace existing
equipment that is over 30 years old as well as additional equipment to expand our ramp and
cargo area snow fleet. The new equipment will be specified to better meet SEA’s operational
requirement to keep the ramp movement and cargo areas clear. In the past, we have sourced
the ramp removal teams with aging equipment that has been repurposed from the airfield
removal teams.
JUSTIFICATION
During a snow event the primary focus is maintaining a safe and functional surface within the
control area, which includes the runways and taxiways. Snow removal in control areas is critical
to maintaining the airport’s flight acceptance rate (Number of aircraft that can land). In normal
snow removal operations, the Aviation Maintenance Team uses two airfield snow removal
teams and a single snow removal team for the ramp area (non-control area).
Snow events have shown that a single ramp team is not sufficient, and increased ramp snow
removal capacity would lead to increased operational efficiency during a snow event. The
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8p Page 2 of 5
Meeting Date: March 8, 2022
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
additional equipment will allow the ramp snow removal team to respond quickly when needed
increasing the airports ramp acceptance rate (Number of aircraft that make it to gate or park).
When the airport’s acceptance rate exceeds the ability to accommodate flights at gates (Ramp
acceptance rate), holds for gates occur and aircraft that have landed park and wait for a gate.
This condition degrades the efficiency of the airport as hold times for gates compound
throughout a day.
As SEA grows both domestically and internationally, widebody aircraft flights will increase.
Widebody aircraft have limited possible gate accommodations due to their size. Along with
aircraft size comes high passenger counts. These factors further support the need to remove
snow as rapidly as possible.
The ability to maintain airport flight operations is critically dependent on the acceptance rate of
flights, for both the control and non-control areas of the airport. The ability to remove snow at
a rate that maintains the accommodation of aircraft arrivals on gates supports the procurement
of this snow equipment.
These combination systems will serve the AOA area from Cargo 1 to Cargo 7 including ramps
and nonmovement areas. This style of equipment will more effectively utilize operators
allowing for a second team with minimal snow staffing increases.
Diversity in Contracting
We have worked with Diversity and Contracting regarding this procurement and subcontracting
for this product is not feasible. When we are in the process of procuring, we will notify a broad
range of firms that may be able to provide the product.
DETAILS
This procurement includes eleven (11) items of ramp and airfield snow equipment. It will
provide eight (8) systems for the ramp snow removal team. This will allow the snow removal
team to deploy two ramp snow removal teams as opposed to the single team currently utilized.
Displacing aging equipment with more compact plow and broom combination systems that are
purpose built for the mission will enhance snow removal performance on the ramp.
This project will replace three (3) aging snow blowers that are a part of the airfield removal
team with two (2) new high speed snow blower systems. The three 30-year-old snow blower
systems are difficult to maintain due to their age and cannot keep pace with the removal
teams.
The final element in this procurement will be to replace a 30-year-old 4,000-gallon airfield
deicer truck with a new 4,000-gallon system. The current truck and system are aged and have
become more challenging to keep in service. Our airfield deicer trucks get the most use of any
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8p Page 3 of 5
Meeting Date: March 8, 2022
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
of our systems. The deicer trucks are the first and last systems used during winter operations
and are critical assets.
All this equipment will run on renewable diesel, follows the Fleet Sustainability guidelines and
aligns the port to meet Century Agenda goals related to emissions standards while minimizing
total cost of ownership.
Schedule
Activity
Commission authorization
Procurement
Equipment Arrives
In-use date
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
Alternative 1 – Alternative Replacement Strategy
Procure four (4) compact plow and broom systems, two (2) high speed blowers, and one airfield
deicer truck.
Currently we have 12 pieces of ramp snow removal equipment that are obsolete. This would
refresh half of the obsolete equipment but would not increase operational ability. Initial cost
would be less as less equipment is being procured.
Cost Implications: $5,420,000
Pros:
(1) Lower initial cost
(2) Replaces current ramp team setup with compact plow and brooms reducing needed
operators
(3) Replaces equipment that is past useful life
Cons:
(1) No increase to ramp team capacity that currently is not adequate
(2) Does not add capacity for cargo areas
This is not the recommended alternative.
Alternative 2 – Alternative Replacement Strategy #2
Procure the 11 request items of ramp and airfield snow equipment over two years.
Cost Implications: Year One: $3,560,000 Year Two: $5,060,000
Pros:
(1) Spread’s cost of equipment over multiple years
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8p Page 4 of 5
Meeting Date: March 8, 2022
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
(2) Replaces equipment that is past useful life
(3) Allows for two ramp teams to address ramp removal issues
Cons:
(1) This would extend snow equipment replacement through mid-year 2024 stretching
current equipment beyond useful life
(2) Additional capacity not available until after 2024
(3) Reallocation of staff from AVM and Operations to support two ramp teams
(4) Equipment cost may increase from inflation and create a need for a future budget
request by (5-10%)
This is not the recommended alternative.
Alternative 3 – Purchase the 11 items of ramp and airfield snow equipment at one time in the
same budget year.
Procuring (8) compact plow and broom, (2) blowers, and one airfield deicer truck.
Cost Implications: $8,620,000
Pros:
(1) Equipment beyond useful life would be replaced in 2023
(2) Allows for two ramp teams to address ramp removal issues
(3) Gaining capacity to handle cargo areas
(4) Combo units will allow for more efficient use of operators
Cons:
(1) Cost of equipment
(2) Reallocation of staff from AVM and Operations to support two ramp teams
This is the recommended alternative.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Cost Estimate/Authorization Summary
Capital
Expense
Total
COST ESTIMATE
Original estimate
$8,620,000
$0
$8,620,000
AUTHORIZATION
Previous authorizations
0
0
0
Current request for authorization
$8,620,000
0
$8,620,000
Total authorizations, including this request
$8,620,000
0
$8,620,000
Remaining amount to be authorized
$0
$0
$0
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8p Page 5 of 5
Meeting Date: March 8, 2022
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
Annual Budget Status and Source of Funds
This project, CIP 801227, was included in the 2022-2026 capital budget and plan of finance with
a budget of $8,620,000. The funding source will include existing revenue bonds.
Aviation Maintenance does not anticipate any significant increase in operating expense as a
result of this procurement. The total number of pieces of equipment will be similar to the
existing fleet.
Financial Analysis and Summary
Project cost for analysis
$8,620,000
Business Unit (BU)
Airfield Movement Area
Effect on business performance
(NOI after depreciation)
NOI after depreciation will increase due to inclusion of
capital (and operating) costs in airline rate base.
IRR/NPV (if relevant)
N/A
CPE Impact
$.05 in 2023
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
1) Presentation