Template revised January 10, 2019.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No.
8e
ACTION ITEM
Date of Meeting
December 12, 2023
DATE : December 1, 2023
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Mike Tasker, Aviation Maintenance Director
Krista Sadler, Technology Delivery Director
SUBJECT: Airport Networks Refresh (CIP #C801321)
Amount of this request:
$3,400,000
Total estimated project cost:
$3,400,000
Seven-year maintenance cost:
$1,400,000
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to 1) proceed with the Airport
Networks and Storage Refresh project; 2) execute contract(s) for software, equipment, vendor
implementation services, and seven years of support and license fees and 3) use Port staff for
implementation. The amount requested for project implementation under this authorization is
$3,400,000. The estimated seven-year support and license agreement is $1,400,000.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This project will refresh aging network switch and storage equipment and upgrade network
management software for three critical Aviation networks that support hundreds of security
cameras throughout the airport, flight information systems, common-use check-in kiosks,
boarding pass printers and readers at airline gates, the baggage messaging system, and the Port
free Wi-Fi system that provides internet access to the traveling public. Network equipment was
last updated in 2016 and is at end-of-life.
The Aviation Maintenance (AVM) organization supports the Access Control System (ACS),
Industrial Control System (ICS) and Terminal Wide Voice Paging System (TWVPS) networks. These
networks provide the communications backbone for Security, Video Management System,
Terminal Wide Voice Paging, Conveyor System and many other key systems at SEA. Without the
switching backbone, none of these mission critical systems would be able to function. The
network core, distribution and some edge switches are reaching end of support and need to be
replaced. Requirements for these networks are increasing and additional capacity at the core and
distribution layers is needed. In addition, the network storage system is also nearing end of
support. Storage and storage network devices are closely coupled with the network core and
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8e Page 2 of 5
Meeting Date: December 12, 2023
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
distribution systems, so there’s labor efficiency to refresh the storage systems at the same time.
New network devices are required to maintain support, accommodate system and data growth
and to continue to receive critical security patches.
AVM, Information & Communications Technology (ICT) and Port Construction Services (PCS) will
be involved in this project estimated at $3,400,000. Annual recurring maintenance and support
costs are estimated at $1,400,000 for the seven-year term and are budgeted within the AVM
department budget.
JUSTIFICATION
This Airport Networks Refresh project provides the following benefits:
(1) Ensures continued support of critical security and operational systems at SEA.
(2) Continued vendor support and security updates of critical network switching equipment
and storage systems.
(3) Frees up substantial fiber infrastructure between equipment rooms, distribution rooms
and data centers that is becoming over utilized.
Diversity in Contracting
Project staff will work with the Diversity in Contracting Department to determine if a direct
women-and-minority-owned business enterprise (WMBE) aspirational goal should be assigned.
DETAILS
Scope of Work
(1) Replace all core, distribution and legacy edge switches in ACS, ICS and TWVPS networks
reaching end of support in 2025 or sooner.
(2) Upgrade network storage array and switching elements that support the ACS network
hosting the video management and physical access control systems.
(3) Provide power, conduits and circuitry to core and distribution switches and network
storage components in main and communications equipment rooms.
(4) Firewall upgrades at main and communications equipment rooms.
(5) Utilize vendor services for system configuration and deployment assistance.
Schedule
Activity
Commission authorization
2023 Quarter 4
Procurement begins
2024 Quarter 1
Planning complete
2024 Quarter 2
In-use date
2026 Quarter 2
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8e Page 3 of 5
Meeting Date: December 12, 2023
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
Cost Breakdown
This Request
Total Project
Hardware, software and vendor services
$2,700,000
$2,700,000
Port labor
$700,000
$700,000
Total
$3,400,000
$3,400,000
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
Alternative 1 – Upgrade all ACS, ICS and TWVPS network switches reaching end of support
through 2026.
Cost Implications: ~$6,000,000
Pros:
(1) Brings all core and distribution elements to latest releases to allow for 10-year service
life.
(2) Replaces all access layer switches with end of support of 2026 or earlier.
Cons:
(1) Replaces access layer switches with up to 3 years of support remaining sooner than
needed, increasing project and recurring costs.
(2) Increases size and complexity of project.
(3) Highest cost option.
This is not the recommended alternative.
Alternative 2 – Replace equipment as it fails.
Cost Implications: $0
Pros:
(1) Capital funds are available for other projects.
Cons:
(1) Allowing network systems to deteriorate puts mission critical systems at risk as
components become unavailable.
(2) Security updates will not be able to be applied to legacy equipment.
This is not the recommended alternative.
Alternative 3 – Upgrade all ACS, ICS and TWVPS network core, distribution and legacy edge
switches with end of support in 2025 or sooner and refresh network storage array and switching
elements.
Cost Implications: $3,400,000
Pros:
(1) Continues vendor support for network switch and storage components.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8e Page 4 of 5
Meeting Date: December 12, 2023
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
(2) Frees up substantial fiber infrastructure between equipment rooms, distribution rooms
and data centers.
(3) Improves distribution of network routing loads.
Cons:
(1) Requires Port staff support in an already project rich environment at the airport.
This is the recommended alternative.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Cost Estimate/Authorization Summary
Capital
Expense
Total
COST ESTIMATE
Original estimate
$2,600,000
$2,600,000
Budget increase
$800,000
$800,000
Revised estimate
$3,400,000
$3,400,000
AUTHORIZATION
Previous authorizations
$0
$0
Current request for authorization
$3,400,000
$3,400,000
Total authorizations, including this request
$3,400,000
$3,400,000
Remaining amount to be authorized
$0
$0
Annual Budget Status and Source of Funds
This project was included in the 2023 – 2027 capital budget and plan of finance with a budget of
$2,600,000. The capital budget increase of $800,000 was transferred from the Aeronautical
Allowance CIP C800753 resulting in no net change to the Airport capital budget. The funding
source is Airport Development Fund.
Financial Analysis and Summary
Project cost for analysis
$3,400,000
Business Unit (BU)
Terminal Building
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
$0.01 in 2027
Future Revenues and Expenses (Total cost of ownership)
Annual maintenance and support costs estimated at $1,400,000 for the seven-year term will be
budgeted in the Aviation Maintenance’s operating expense budget.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8e Page 5 of 5
Meeting Date: December 12, 2023
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
None
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
None
