Template revised January 10, 2019.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No. 8g
ACTION ITEM Date of Meeting March 11, 2025
DATE: February 27, 2025
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Keri Stephens, Director AV Facilities & Capital Programs
Eileen Francisco, Director Aviation Project Management
SUBJECT: C801316 – Generator Controls Building Engineering Systems (BES) Design &
Construction
Amount of this request: $8,450,000
Total estimated project cost:
$9,400,000
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to take all steps necessary,
including the execution of all contracts, including Public Works, Alternative Public Work
procedures in accordance with RCW.10, Good and Services, Personal Services, Professional
Services, other consulting service and any other types of contracts or agreements to deliver the
Generator Controls project. The amount of this request is $8,450,000 for an estimated total
project cost not to exceed $9,400,000.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This is a renewal and replacement project. The A Concourse and Combined Communications and
Control Center (C4) generators provides back-up power to life safety items such as egress lighting,
fire alarms, radio systems, evacuation elevators, exit doors, fire pumps, and the ACC, ECC, and
911 dispatch in the C4. The generators were initially installed during the South Terminal
Expansion Project (STEP) in 2004 with controls provided by GE Fanuc Programmable Logic
Controller (PLC). GE no longer produces or supports the Fanuc PLC therefore software upgrades
and hardware are difficult to obtain. The Port has recently standardized using Allen Bradley PLCs.
This project would replace the obsolete PLCs with the new standard.
JUSTIFICATION
The project is a regulatory requirement. Emergency power generation is required by the National
Electrical Code (NEC) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for all life-safety
systems. Replacing the generator controls mitigates the risk of an unexpected control failure and
subsequent loss of emergency power.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8g Page 2 of 4
Meeting Date: March 11, 2025
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
Diversity in Contracting
The project staff, in coordination with the Diversity in Contracting Department, evaluated the
WMBE goals for the BES contract and determined a WMBE aspirational goal of 12% is
appropriate.
DETAILS
The work detailed in this memo is to remove and replace the PLCs for the A Concourse and C4
generators.
Scope of Work
The Generator Controls Project will consist of:
(1) Replacing all end-of-life GE Fanuc PLCs with new Allen Bradley PLCs
(2) Integrate generator operation status and support systems into the Direct Digital Control
(DDC) system for remote monitoring during disruptions.
(3) Correct NFPA non-compliant issues in the generator rooms, including:
a. labeling, backup lighting, & service-rated panel for radiators fans and pumps
Schedule
Activity
Commission design authorization 2025 Quarter 1
Design start 2025 Quarter 3
Commission construction authorization 2025 Quarter 1
Construction start 2026 Quarter 2
In-use date 2027 Quarter 3
Cost Breakdown This Request
Total Project
Design & Honorarium $257,000
$1,207,000
Construction $8,193,000
$8,193,000
Total $8,450,000
$9,400,000
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
Alternative 1 – Defer project to a later date or cancel project
Cost Implications: Approximately $200,000 would need to be expensed for previous work on the
notebook development and basis of design.
Pros:
(1) No further capital investment at this time.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8g Page 3 of 4
Meeting Date: March 11, 2025
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
Cons:
(1) Increase risk that a generator control could fail over time resulting in the loss of
emergency power and a large capital expense to replace.
(2) Potential for increased costs of materials and labor if deferred to a later date.
This is not the recommended alternative.
Alternative 2 – Replace the controls for the two generators as separate projects.
Cost Implications: Capital project investment of an estimated $12 to $14M for if executed as
separate projects.
Pros:
(1) Simplify projects to potentially increase the number of contract bidders.
(2) Apply lessons learned from first project into the second project.
(3) Correct NFPA noncompliance issues within the generator rooms
(4) Achieve NEC compliance for both generators
Cons:
(1) Increase project schedule
(2) Increase capital investment
(3) Mobilizing and demobilizing temporary emergency generator twice potentially impact
other projects due to its location on the A Concourse apron.
This is not the recommended alternative.
Alternative 3 – Replace both generators’ PLCs during one capital project
Cost Implications: Capital project investment of an estimated $9,400,000.
Pros:
(1) Mobilizing and demobilizing temporary emergency generator once, reducing the impact
on other projects
(2) Combined projects allow for greater efficiencies during design and construction.
(3) Commissioning and construction activities overlap.
(4) Correct NFPA noncompliance issues within the generator rooms
(5) Achieve NEC compliance for both generators
Cons:
(1) Requires capital investment
This is the recommended alternative.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8g Page 4 of 4
Meeting Date: March 11, 2025
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Cost Estimate
/Authorization Summary Capital
Expense
Total
COST ESTIMATE
Original estimate $10,535,000
$0
$10,535,000
Current change ($1,260,000)
$125,000
($1,135,000)
Revised estimate $9,275,000
$125,000
$9,400,000
AUTHORIZATION
Previous authorizations $950,000
$0
$950,000
Current request for authorization $8,325,000
$125,000
$8,450,000
Total authorizations, including this request $9,275,000
$125,000
$9,400,000
Remaining amount to be authorized $0
$0
$0
Annual Budget Status and Source of Funds
This project (C801316) was included in the 2025-2029 capital budget and plan of finance with a
budget of $10,535,000. A budget decrease of $1,260,000 was transferred to the Aeronautical
Allowance
1
CIP C800753 resulting in zero net change to the Aviation capital budget. The funding
sources will be the Airport Development Fund (ADF) and revenue bonds.
Financial Analysis and Summary
Project cost for analysis $9,400,000
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 $0.02 in 2028
Future Revenues and Expenses (Total cost of ownership)
This project will likely have no impact on Aviation Maintenance operating & maintenance costs.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
(1) Presentation
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
None
1
The Aeronautical Allowance is included in the Capital Improvement Plan to ensure funding capacity for
unspecified projects, cost increases for existing projects, new initiatives, and unforeseen needs. This ensures funding
capacity for unanticipated spending within the dollar amount of the Allowance CIP.
