DEPARTMENT: Aviation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Russell J. Handy
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Airport Development and Strategic Plan at the San Antonio International Airport
SUMMARY:
Consideration of the following ordinances related to the Airport Development and Strategic Plan at the San Antonio International Airport (Airport or SAT):
A. This ordinance authorizes an agreement with WSP USA Inc. (WSP) for airport development and strategic planning services for SAT in the amount of $3,604,712.79. WSP will oversee the development of the federally-mandated Master Plan which will include long-term recommendations for SAT and be performed in two phases. This agreement includes Phase I which generally consists of evaluating existing conditions, developing aviation demand forecasts, and generating facility requirements. This ordinance will amend the FY 2018 Aviation Capital Budget.
B. This ordinance authorizes the submission of a grant application and the acceptance of funds for a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant in an amount up to $2,550,000.00 with the City's share of $850,000.00 and totally $3,400,000.00 for the development of the Airport Master Plan. This ordinance will amend the FY 2018 Aviation Capital Budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
An Airport Master Plan comprises of a series of reports and plans developed to support the modernization or expansion of an existing airport or the creation of a new airport. The FAA requires airports to maintain a current Airport Master Plan that includes the Airport Layout Plan (ALP) which must be maintained per FAA grant assurances and U.S. Code. The FAA contributes 75% of eligible project costs to this effort as part of the AIP program. The most recent update to the Master Plan for SAT was completed in 2010, parts of which have been incorporated into SA Tomorrow.
Serving as a blueprint for future development of the SAT, the Master Plan will describe the most appropriate development options regarding land use, facilities and services required for the Airport to accommodate the expected projected growth of the population and economy of the San Antonio region. The focus of the Master Plan will be on the next 20 years, but it is anticipated that the Master Plan will provide recommendations for an extended period to reflect the Airport’s Ultimate Development.
The objectives of the airport development and strategic planning services agreement include:
1. Evaluate regional economic development forecasts and strategy
2. Engage all airport stakeholders
3. Advance airfield safety and efficiency
4. Encourage efficient support and ground transportation facilities
5. Identify airport system opportunities and strengths
6. Enhance airport customer/user experiences
7. Leverage regional surface transportation
8. Promote effective land use planning and development
9. Substantiate capital projects and financial feasibility
10. Facilitate plan implementation flexibility and usability
11. Support Next Generation National Airspace System
12. Update the Drainage Master Plan
13. Incorporate advanced planning and environmental processing services
14. Facilitate safety and security risk assessments and management processes
This process will incorporate community-driven input from the Airport System Development Committee, other key stakeholders and the public.
Item A: Contract Agreement with WSP
On May 31, 2017, Aviation Department staff briefed the item to the Audit Council Committee as a pre-solicitation individual item. The Request for Qualifications was released on June 9, 2017 in accordance to the City’s Procurement Policies and advertised in the Express-News and on the COSA Bidding Opportunities, FAA DBE Connect, American Association of Airport Executives and Airports Council International websites. On August 1, 2017, five Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) were received.
An evaluation committee comprised of representatives from the City Manager’s Office, Aviation Department, Economic Development Foundation, Airport Advisory Commission and Southwest Airlines. Each SOQ was scored based on a total of one hundred points: 45 points for experience, background, qualifications, 30 points for proposed plan, five points for team’s experience with San Antonio Region issues and 20 points for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises. Following interviews with the short-listed respondents, the evaluation committee selected WSP.
Disadvantaged Business Enterprises
As a requirement of the FAA AIP grant program, this solicitation was released under the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program. The goal of 8.28% was determined for this contract. WSP has committed to exceeding this goal.
The contract amount of $3,604,712.79 is for Phase I of the Master Plan Development. The specific scope of work for this phase includes: stakeholder engagement, existing conditions, aviation demand forecasts, facility requirements and an update to the 2012 Economic Impact Study. The evaluation of existing conditions, aviation forecasts and facility requirements will be reviewed by the Airport System Development Committee and Air Service Task Force among other stakeholder groups to help direct Phase II, which includes the development of airport alternatives, facilities implementation plan, capital improvement plan and financial feasibility. Phase II will also include the update to the noise exposure map and Airport Layout Plan. The Aviation Department will bring an amendment to this agreement with WSP to City Council when Phase II is ready for initiation.
Item B: FAA AIP Grant Submittal and Acceptance
The City regularly partners with the FAA for continued AIP funding for eligible projects at the Airport. AIP funding is based on the Airport’s preliminary submittal of its annual Airport Capital Improvement Plan (ACIP) to the FAA. Through the ACIP, the Airport identifies priority projects to be funded. With this grant program, the Airport System is able to share costs with the FAA on large and critical airfield projects at the San Antonio International Airport. The update to the Airport Master is eligible for FAA AIP Funding as it serves as the planning document for airfield and airport projects.
The City will fund the total cost of the Phase I contract from the Aviation Capital Improvement Fund and Operating and Maintenance Fund as the FAA generally notifies airports in September of how much the FAA will provide in funding. When the City is notified of the total amount it will receive, those funds will be used to reimburse the Aviation Capital Budget. Next year’s FAA grant will reimburse Phase II contract amendment and any residuals of Phase I contract not covered this year.
ISSUE:
These actions are consistent with the City Council's policy of improving facilities, improving land uses and enhancing safety at San Antonio International Airport. It also supports the City Council’s policy of utilizing federal funds in those efforts.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could choose to not approve these items. However, the development and strategic planning services are required in the preparation of an Airport Master Plan and Airport Layout Plan which are required by the FAA and supports future funding requests. The agreement follows the City’s and federal procurement policies and the FAA’s DBE Program. Failure to accept the grant could potentially affect the City's ability to receive future FAA grant funding for additional safety, development, and expansion projects.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Item A: Contract with WSP
The contract value is in the amount of $3,604,712.79. The City will fund the entire contract in the amount of $3,492,700.00 from the Aviation Capital Improvement Funds and $129,054.49 from the Aviation Operating and Maintenance Fund. Funding from the FY 2018 FAA AIP, expected in September 2018, will be used to reimburse the Aviation Capital Budget for 75% of the eligible project costs. Next year’s FAA grant will reimburse the Phase II contract amendment and any residuals of Phase I contract not covered this fiscal year.
Item B: Grant Submittal and Acceptance
The ordinance provides for the acceptance and execution of a FAA grant, appropriates funds and authorizes execution of all related grant and contract documents for the project at the Airport. The grant application is in the amount of up to $3,400,000.00 which includes $2,550,000.00 from the FAA and $850,000.00 from the City.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends awarding the contract to WSP and approval of the submittal of an application in compliance with the FAA regulations for a FAA AIP grant and its acceptance upon offer.