COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
ACTION ITEM

Item No.
Date of Meeting

8c
February 11, 2025

DATE :

January 17, 2025

TO:

Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director

FROM:

Jason Johnson, Assistant Director, Airlines Affairs & Aviation Properties
Hien Mac, Aviation Facilities Discipline Manager

SUBJECT: DAS License Extension and RFP for selection of DAS Licensees
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to (1) conduct a Request for
Proposal (RFP) and (2) execute a License Agreement with selected proposer for the installation,
operation, and maintenance of a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) for cellular coverage at SeaTac Int'l Airport.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The current airport DAS (telecom infrastructure that provides in-airport signal for voice wireless/
cellular carriers such as AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile) is under license with New Cingular Wireless
PCS, LLC (aka AT&T, agreement AIR000545) as a neutral host provider that started in 2004 and
expires on July 31, 2025, and has up to three 6-month extension options available. The RFP is to
select a new licensee and execute a new contract to continue these critical services. The system
is outdated and likely an entirely new system will need to be built. The goal of the RFP is to ensure
a robust, competitive, and thorough solicitation of a new neutral host provider; and, ensure
greater control of system infrastructure and customer experience.
JUSTIFICATION
The current DAS was installed in 2004 at a time when in-building cellular antenna network
technology was in its early stages. The RFP is for replacement of the current license and system
with one that reflects current technology and industry standards. With the new license, the
airport can maintain and improve voice wireless performance and the SEA customer experience.
Port procurement standards prevent further extension of the current license other than for the
purpose of issuance of an RFP to ensure a competitive process for licensee selection.
Diversity in Contracting
Diversity in Contracting will be included in the review of proposals.

Template revised January 10, 2019.

COMMISSION AGENDA - Action Item No. 8c
Meeting Date: February 11, 2025

Page 2 of 2

DETAILS
We are looking for a neutral host service provider able to provide voice/cellular service coverage
for the entire Airport campus area including but not limited to all public facing indoor areas, the
rental car facility, parking garages, back of the house areas used by Airport Operations and
Security, and adjacent exterior areas to the building including passenger boarding bridges, ramp
operations and as far out as possible to the taxiways.
The ideal DAS will be architected to be as robust as possible accommodating the current traffic
load of 126,000 passengers per day, in addition to the operational needs of the Airport, its
customers and employees with ability to easily extend service level up to two times the current
traffic load without a major overhaul of the network and provide adequate room for growth and
technology change over the lifetime of the DAS. The DAS must also, at a minimum, support the
needs of the three major carriers providing cellular services for both voice and data.
The proposed new license is for a 10-year term with one 5-year option. Revenue and investment
will depend on responses to proposals that we receive.
General Schedule:
Publish RFP - end of February 2025
Proposals Due - end of April 2025
Select Proposer - end of June 2025
Lease Execution - end of September 2025
Scope of Work
Conduct a RFP and execute a License Agreement with selected proposer for the installation,
operation, and maintenance of a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) for cellular coverage at SeaTac Int'l Airport.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
None.
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
AT&T Extension and Voice Cellular DAS RFP Solicitation July 23, 2024, Item 8d.

Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).