Template revised January 10, 2019.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No.
8c
ACTION ITEM
Date of Meeting
March 26, 2024
DATE: March 19, 2024
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Mike Tasker, Director, Aviation Maintenance
Eileen Francisco, Director, Aviation Project Management
SUBJECT: Public Safety Distributed Antenna System (DAS) Upgrade (CIP #C801238)-Design &
Construction Authorization
Amount of this request:
$10,976,000
Total estimated project cost:
$11,226,000
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to (1) authorize design and
preparation of construction bid documents for the Public Safety Distributed Antenna System
Upgrade project, (2) advertise, bid, and execute a major works construction contract, execute
related project change orders, amendments, work authorizations, purchases, contracts, and take
other actions necessary to support and deliver the Distributed Antenna System project within
the approved budget, (3) authorize use of Port of Seattle crews to support the design and
construction activities, (4) increase the project authorization by $10,976,000 for a total project
cost estimated at $11,226,000.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Distributed Antenna System (DAS) supplies in-building public safety and critical radio
coverage to first responders and mission/business-critical responders operating at the SeaTac
International Airport at locations where the outdoor radio signals cannot penetrate dense below-
ground structures. It contains 12 Bi-Directional Amplifiers (BDAs) that augment coverage to areas
throughout SeaTac International Airport, including all terminals, FAA tower, Rental Car Facility,
and underground pathways connecting these locations. The DAS legacy equipment has reached
end of useful life, and its infrastructure needs to be upgraded to mitigate potential loss of public
safety and critical communication due to equipment failure.
JUSTIFICATION
During the notebook and planning phase of this project, a comprehensive study was prepared to
survey the scope of work, coordinate with the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), permitting
officials, stakeholders, and system experts to prepare scoping narrative and design
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8c Page 2 of 5
Meeting Date: March 26, 2024
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
recommendation reports. This study found many additions to the scope of work required to be
compliant with the new fire codes NFPA-72 & 1225 and Rules of Airport Construction (RAC). The
project is also required to conduct wireless coverage testing to determine current system
deficiencies. This represents a substantial increase in the project scope and budget compared to
the original preliminary estimated budget of $5.6M. The original Status 2 document was
preliminary in nature and the project scope was not based on the field investigation or system
condition. Increase in the project scope of work, cost escalation, and inflation have resulted in an
increase to the budget estimate which is now $11.2M. Airport leadership approved the additional
scope of work and budget in Q4, 2023.
The project will replace aging infrastructure and provide 15+ years of useful life for the associated
active hardware, and 25+ years useful life for the associated passive infrastructure. Failure of any
equipment can result in loss of radio coverage impacting life-safety and emergency
communication. The DAS will be upgraded to a digital and modular design which will carry
multiple range of frequencies such as Port public safety and mission critical 700/800 MHz
spectrum, Very High Frequency (VHF) spectrum used by Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), support Long Term Evolution (LTE) and nationwide
public safety broadband FirstNet Band 14.
Diversity in Contracting
Women & Minority Business Enterprises (WMBE) aspirational goal for the design service directive
is 10%. WMBE construction aspirational goal will be established, post design efforts.
DETAILS
The tables below provide a breakdown of the requested increase in budget.
Description
Original Budget
(Status 2)
New Budget
Total Change
Design
$2,360,000
$4,270,000
$1,910,000
Construction
$3,240,000
$6,956,000
$3,716,000
Total Estimated Cost
$5,600,000
$11,226,000
$5,626,000
Scope of Work
The project occurs throughout the SeaTac International Airport, including all terminals, FAA
tower, Rental Car Facility, and underground pathways connecting these locations.
The key elements of project’s scope of work include, but are not limited to, the following:
(1) Replacement of existing 12 BDAs and associated components with digital and modern
equipment.
(2) 2-hr fire rated home run fiber optic cabling for each BDA.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8c Page 3 of 5
Meeting Date: March 26, 2024
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
(3) Coverage testing to evaluate wireless coverage.
(4) Replacement of distribution equipment and cabling.
(5) Additional redundant cabling and hardware to improve reliability.
(6) Modularity and expandability for future additions.
(7) Compliance with applicable codes, standards, and AHJ requirements.
(8) Integration with the fire alarm system, a separate monitoring system, and dispatch
system.
(9) Possible improvements to spaces where equipment is deployed to ensure appropriate
fire rating and protection of those spaces.
Schedule
Activity
Design start
2024 Quarter 4
Construction start
2026 Quarter 2
In-use date
2027 Quarter 4
Cost Breakdown
This Request
Total Project
Design
$4,020,000
$4,270,000
Construction
$6,956,000
$6,956,000
Total
$10,976,000
$11,226,000
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
Alternative 1 – Status Quo. Do not proceed with the project.
Cost Implications: Expenses incurred for project notebook development and planning - $200,000
will need to be expensed.
Pros:
(1) Capital investment won’t be required.
Cons:
(1) Increases the risk of failure of any equipment which can result in loss of radio coverage
impacting life-safety and emergency communications.
(2) The DAS will not be compliant with the new fire codes NFPA-72 & 1225 and RAC.
(3) The DAS will not have redundant cabling and equipment and will rely on a single feeder.
This is not the recommended alternative.
Alternative 2 – Proceed with the additional scope of work and budget.
Cost Implications: Capital investment of $11,226,000.
Pros:
(1) The DAS will be compliant with the new fire codes NFPA-72 & 1225 and RAC.
(2) Wireless testing will be performed to analyze and improve the reliability of the system.
(3) The DAS will be redundant in cabling and hardware.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8c Page 4 of 5
Meeting Date: March 26, 2024
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
(4) The DAS will be continuously monitored after integration to the monitoring and
dispatch system.
(5) The DAS equipment will be replaced to a modular and digital design along with the
ability to carry multiple range of frequencies.
Cons:
(1) High capital cost.
This is the recommended alternative.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Cost Estimate/Authorization Summary
Capital
Expense
Total
COST ESTIMATE
Original estimate (Status 2)
$5,600,000
$0
$5,600,000
Current change
$5,626,000
0
$5,626,000
Revised estimate
$11,226,000
0
$11,226,000
AUTHORIZATION
Previous authorizations
$250,000
0
$250,000
Current request for authorization
$10,976,000
0
$10,976,000
Total authorizations, including this request
$11,226,000
0
$11,226,000
Remaining amount to be authorized
$0
$0
$0
Annual Budget Status and Source of Funds
Public Safety Distributed Antenna System (DAS) Upgrade CIP #C801238 is included in the 2024-
2028 capital budget and plan of finance with a budget of $5,600,000. The capital budget increase
of $5,626,000 will be transferred from the Aeronautical Allowance CIP #C800753 resulting in no
net change to the Airport capital budget. The funding sources will be the Airport Development
Fund and future revenue bonds.
Financial Analysis and Summary
Project cost for analysis
$11,226,000
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
$0.03 in 2028
Future Revenues and Expenses (Total cost of ownership)
The scope of the project is to replace existing equipment which is beyond useful life and not to
introduce any additional assets. Replacement of the equipment will require a similar level of
maintenance; therefore, Aviation Maintenance anticipates a negligible or no impact on future
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8c Page 5 of 5
Meeting Date: March 26, 2024
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
operating and maintenance costs for the electronic technicians group as the equipment will be
pre-programmed. Any potential impact will be absorbed by radio-trained technicians. Utilizing
new electronic equipment will result in energy efficiency as compared to old analog amplifiers.
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND
A Concourse Extension for Delta Lounges project is expected to expand the public safety DAS
system in the A concourse by installing new DAS equipment similar to this DAS Upgrade project.
The DAS Upgrade project should coordinate with A Concourse Extension for Delta Lounges
project for system & network architecture and integration.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
(1) Presentation slides
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
N/A
