Template revised January 10, 2019.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No.
8e
ACTION ITEM
Date of Meeting
August 11, 2026
DATE : June 10, 2026
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Jim Dawson, Director ICT Infrastructure Services
SUBJECT: OpsLAN Network Infrastructure Refresh (CIP #C802154)
Amount of this request:
$7,000,000
Total estimated project cost:
$7,000,000
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to 1) proceed with the OpsLAN
Network Infrastructure Refresh project; 2) execute contract(s) for the software, hardware and
vendor implementation services and 3) use Port staff for implementation. The amount requested
for project implementation under this authorization is $7,000,000.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this authorization is to upgrade and modernize end of life (EOL) network
infrastructure used throughout the SEA Operations Local Area Network (OpsLAN) with modern
infrastructure to enhance performance, reliability and security. The OpsLAN network is critical to
SEA operations, providing data connectivity to common use systems such as flight information,
ticket counters, kiosks, WiFi services and the direct interface to several airlines. It is also used in
support of the Baggage Handling System, security cameras and access control. The OpsLAN
network plays a vital role in the day-to-day airport and airline operations and customer services.
The current iteration of the OpsLAN network was last refreshed 10 years ago, designed using
technology and bandwidth needs from that time, and has reached the end of its useful life. Most
network infrastructure has reached EOL status by the vendor, with no support options available
in the event of an outage. Security patches are no longer delivered to the EOL infrastructure,
further exposing the airport to considerable cybersecurity and loss of operations risks.
Refreshed core, distribution, and access layer network infrastructure will resolve the current
challenges and introduce added layers of redundancy on top of enhanced security and
performance specifications, which will ensure SEA Airport’s operations remain highly available,
secure, and robust.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8e Page 2 of 4
Meeting Date: August 11, 2026
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
Information & Communication Technology (ICT) and Central Procurement Office (CPO) will be
involved in this project estimated at $7,000,000. Recurring maintenance costs of $150,000 are
funded by ICT and not expected to increase because of this project.
JUSTIFICATION
This project provides important benefits for SEA operations. Specifically:
(1) Refreshes EOL network core, distribution and access layers with more reliable, highly
available, vendor-supported hardware.
(2) Reduces operational disruption risks due to failing or failed hardware.
(3) Improves cybersecurity with regularly updated software.
Diversity in Contracting
Project staff will work with the Diversity in Contracting Department to determine if a women-
and-minority-owned business enterprise (WMBE) aspirational goal should be assigned.
DETAILS
Scope of Work
(1) Refresh the SEA Airport OpsLAN network in its entirety, using a phased approach to
replace the Core, Distribution, and Access networking infrastructure.
(2) Deploy a network monitoring and management solution.
Schedule
Commission authorization
2026 Quarter 3
Project planning
2026 Quarter 4
Procurement
2027 Quarter 1
In-use date
2028 Quarter 4
Cost Breakdown
This Request
Total Project
Hardware, software, and vendor services
$6,750,000
$6,750,000
Port labor
$250,000
$250,000
Total
$7,000,000
$7,000,000
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8e Page 3 of 4
Meeting Date: August 11, 2026
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
Alternative 1 – Refresh Core and Distribution layers or Access layer only.
Cost Implications: ~$3,000,000
Pros:
(1) Reduces overall cost, making funds available to other projects.
(2) Some EOL components of the OpsLAN network are replaced with modern, supported
hardware.
Cons:
(1) EOL components not refreshed still expose the airport to elevated risk of network
failure, extended downtime of critical systems, and unpatched cybersecurity
vulnerabilities.
(2) Components not refreshed may be incompatible with newer infrastructure, resulting in
additional expense and resources to mitigate, or operate at extremely degraded
performance, negatively impacting airport operations.
This is not the recommended alternative.
Alternative 2 – Replace individual components as they fail.
Cost Implications: $0
Pros:
(1) Financial resources and ICT staff are available for other projects.
Cons:
(1) The airport will remain vulnerable to operational impacts from EOL/EOS hardware, and
the elevated risk of failure due to age.
(2) Cybersecurity risk elevated due to hardware running outdated and unsupported
firmware and software. Airport operations will be severely impacted, should unpatched
vulnerabilities be exploited by threat actors looking to cause harm to the airport.
This is not the recommended alternative.
Alternative 3 – Refresh Core, Distribution, and Access layer network infrastructure making up
the OpsLAN network at SEA and deploy a network monitoring/management platform.
Cost Implications: $7,000,000
Pros:
(1) Refreshes EOL network infrastructure with more reliable, highly available, secure,
vendor-supported hardware.
(2) Reduces operational disruption risks due to failing or failed hardware.
Cons:
(1) Funds and ICT staff committed to this project are not available for other projects.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8e Page 4 of 4
Meeting Date: August 11, 2026
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
This is the recommended alternative.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Cost Estimate/Authorization Summary
Capital
Expense
Total
COST ESTIMATE
Original estimate
$7,000,000
$0
$7,000,000
AUTHORIZATION
Previous authorizations
$0
$0
$0
Current request for authorization
$7,000,000
$0
$7,000,000
Total authorizations, including this request
$7,000,000
$0
$7,000,000
Remaining amount to be authorized
$0
$0
$0
Annual Budget Status and Source of Funds
The OpsLAN Network Infrastructure Refresh (C802154) is not included in the 2026-2030 Capital
Budget and Plan of Finance with an allocated budget of $7,000,000. The budget of $7,000,000
was transferred from the Aeronautical Allowance CIP C800753 resulting in no net change to the
Airport capital budget. The funding source is the Airport Development fund. The annual
maintenance costs estimated at $150,000 will be budgeted in the ICT operating budget.
Financial Analysis and Summary
Project cost for analysis
$7,000,000
Business Unit (BU)
Aviation wide
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 2029
Future Revenues and Expenses (Total cost of ownership)
Annual maintenance costs estimated at $150,000 are budgeted in the ICT operating budget.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
None
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
None
