Template revised January 10, 2019.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No. 8c
ACTION ITEM Date of Meeting May 13, 2025
DATE : May 6, 2025
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Mike Tasker, Director, Aviation Maintenance
Rob Lane, Manager, Aviation Maintenance
SUBJECT: Contract for On-Site Technical Services Support for Satellite Transit System
Amount of this request: $5,200,000
Total estimated project cost:
$5,200,000
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to execute a Sole Source Contract
with Alstom Transport USA Inc. for on-site technical services support for the Satellite Transit
System (STS) at the Seattle-Tacoma International (Sea-Tac) Airport, for a base contract of five
years’ duration with five one-year optional extensions, for a not-to-exceed amount of
$5,200,000.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The on-site technical services support provides a full-time system expert from Alstom Transport
USA Inc. that has full knowledge of the transit system, equipment, and access to the proprietary
operating program codes developed by Alstom for the transit system at Sea-Tac Airport. The
Alstom system expert will provide required program updates and be available to provide
technical details to STS maintenance teams during system outage and recoveries.
This is continuing technical support by the manufacturer to replace an expiring contract. This
type of service is common for automated computer driven underground transit systems to assure
smooth operations and provide immediate access to proprietary operating software and
knowledge. Sea-Tac Airport has used this service since 1976 to assure safety and customer
service.
JUSTIFICATION
In an effort to remain a world-class operating airport, the on-site Alstom system expert is
instrumental in supporting the Aviation Maintenance team who are responsible for the 24/7/365
train operations that deliver reliable train service, carrying our passengers and business partners
to and from the North and South Satellites on a daily basis. The proprietary code and operating
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8c Page 2 of 5
Meeting Date: May 13, 2025
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
program that controls the STS is only accessible through Alstom’s technical experts for updates
that are required to be performed on site. The STS maintenance team does not have direct access
to the proprietary operating program at any time. As such, a Sole Source Personal Service
Contract is necessary to support this system. A competition waiver CPO-6 2025-003 was
approved by CPO in February 2025.
Diversity in Contracting
This is a sole source contract through Alstom Transport for a single technical expert that will
reside full-time in the STS Maintenance team. There will be no option for Alstom to subcontract
outside businesses to perform this work due to the technical knowledge required along with
proprietary operating program information for the Satellite Transit System, that would not be
shared with any outside entity.
DETAILS
The cost for each year of the contract is budgeted within the annual Aviation Division operating
budget. The estimated value of this contract is $5,200,000 over a five-year period with options
to extend for five periods of one year. Aviation Maintenance is proposing a term total of 10 years
because the Satellite Transit System will be at the end of useful life within 10 years and the system
is scheduled for a complete replacement of the cars, power/propulsion system, and any retrofit
of the wayside systems that are required.
Scope of Work
Previous contracts for this scope of work were executed with Bombardier Transportation. Alstom
Transport USA Inc. acquired Bombardier Transportation in January, 2021.
The scope of work for this procurement is for Alstom, as the original manufacturer, to provide an
on-site Technical Support Representative to provide services which enable the Port to operate,
perform inspections, and complete preventive maintenance and repairs on the Satellite Transit
System (STS). Alstom will also provide urgent and necessary services to assist the Port, so that it
may restore the STS system to operational status during significant system failures, regardless of
the time of day. The essence of this service provided by Alstom under this agreement is vendor
support to aid the Port in minimizing operational cost, improving performance and efficiency,
and maintaining safety of the STS.
The following services provided will be dependent upon the Port's direction and the immediate
goals of the overall operations and maintenance program. These services should include but are
not limited to:
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8c Page 3 of 5
Meeting Date: May 13, 2025
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
Vendor Support/Technical Assistance:
(1) Provide technical assistance for the Port's operation and preventive maintenance
program for the STS system. This program will include monitoring results, reviewing
processes, and updating of the program documentation.
(2) Provide technical assistance for service restoration after a failure and the repair,
adjustment and/or recalibration of defective equipment which is not in service or was
removed from service as a result of a failure.
(3) Provide technical assistance for the Failure Monitoring System (FMS). This service
includes data correlation, analysis, and reporting. Review data analysis for any indication
of unsafe operating conditions and provide the necessary feedback to keep the operating
and preventive maintenance program current. This feedback will result in updates of the
formalized preventive maintenance routines and recommended changes in operating
procedures.
(4) Facilitate and interface with the Alstom system engineers on any recommended changes
because of safety implications or anticipated significant improvements in reliability.
(5) Provide the Port with monthly and yearly maintenance and operating reports, with the
format to be determined by the Port.
(6) Present cost and time estimates for projects outside of the agreement.
Vendor Support with Manufacture/Bombardier:
(1) Interface with Alstom's Engineering and Technical Support Services at the company
headquarters to advise the Port of changes in operation and maintenance procedures,
parts issues, primary and subsystem enhancements, and upgrade opportunities.
(2) Facilitate and interface with the Alstom system engineers for the design, fabrication,
testing, and application of special test equipment for the long-term maintenance of the
system.
(3) Facilitate and provide interfacing between the Alstom system engineers and the Port.
Through this communication link, the Port can access Alstom's system engineers,
technical compliance department, and configuration control group. This link will provide
current improvements and problems which have been disclosed on other Alstom-
operated automated people mover systems. Technical assistance services are also
provided to adapt these improvements to the Port system.
(4) Facilitate and interface between the Alstom system engineers and the Port for the review
and approval of STS-defined safety and reliability improvements. Alstom will review all
documentation pertaining to improvements that have been generated by the Port and
maintain documentation of those improvements.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8c Page 4 of 5
Meeting Date: May 13, 2025
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
Employee Training and Spare Parts Inventory Tracking:
(1) Alstom will provide the Port with regular inputs on the level of proficiency of the Port's
existing maintenance and operations groups. Recommendations will be made to the Port,
with Alstom to provide assistance with on-the-job training to upgrade competencies
where required.
(2) Assist the Port in screening, selection, and training of new personnel and support on-the-
job training programs for all present and future maintenance and operations staff.
(3) Maintain a library of inventory requirements for the STS. Liaison with Alstom and other
sites utilizing Alstom systems for cost reduction on parts.
This Personal Service Contract will provide Sea-Tac Airport with technical vendor support services
that will provide continued and reliable direct access to an on-site Alstom system expert for
solutions to STS service issues when they arise.
Schedule
The goal of this procurement will be to enter into a new Personal Services Contract for on-site
Technical Services Contract by June 30, 2025.
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
Alternative 1 – Do not execute a service contract.
Cost Implications: $0.00 contract value.
Potential incident response costs unknown. If the STS were to encounter a failure related to
Alstom’s operating program and proprietary codes, our in-house maintenance team does not
have authority to access, troubleshoot, and re-program the proprietary operating program. If an
extended outage related to the proprietary operating program were to occur, the cost
implications to our airlines for delayed and canceled flights could reach into the millions per day
in addition to a loss of customer confidence and service.
Pros:
(1) The annual cost of this contract is avoided.
Cons:
(1) The Satellite Transit System is critical to the safe and efficient operation of the airport.
Unavailability of the system due to a lack of technical service availability presents a
significant risk.
(2) There would be no way for our in-house maintenance team to be trained on the
proprietary operating program and provide updates as needed.
This is not the recommended alternative.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8c Page 5 of 5
Meeting Date: May 13, 2025
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
Alternative 2 – Execute a Sole Source Personal Services Contract with Alstom Transport USA Inc.
for an on-site Technical System Expert at Sea-Tac Airport over a ten-year period.
Cost Implications: Estimated $5,200,000 over 10 years.
Pros:
(1) This allows Aviation Maintenance staff to continue to have a Alstom Technical System
Expert on-site to provide system expertise, direct access to the proprietary operating
program, and appropriate updates to the operating program in support of our in-house
Maintenance team.
Cons:
(1) This process requires executing a Sole Source Personal Services for an on-site Technical
System Expert from Bombardier. This does not allow for a competitive process.
This is the recommended alternative.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Annual Budget Status and Source of Funds
The cost for this Personal Service Contract will be included the annual Aviation Maintenance
expense budget.
Future Revenues and Expenses (Total cost of ownership)
The expected annual costs are $520,000 per year of the contract. Over 75% of the costs are
recovered from airlines through terminal rents.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
None
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
November 12, 2019 – Commission authorized the execution of a five-year, seven-month
contract with Bombardier Transportation Inc. for technical services.
