DEPARTMENT: Finance
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Troy Elliott
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Re-Texturing of Airport Runway for the Aviation Department
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes a contract with Humble Equipment Co., Inc. to provide the Aviation Department and the San Antonio International Airport (SAT) with the Re-Texturing of Airport Runway 13R/31L for a total cost of $315,000.00. Funding is available from the Airport Operating and Maintenance Fund.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
A re-texturing process to the surface of Runway 13R/31L at SAT is needed for the continued safety of pilots, passengers and flight crew of commercial airlines and private aviation. Runway 13R/31L is one of two aircraft runways and is the main air carrier runway at SAT. The runway surface is in constant use (over 90,000 aircraft movements per annum) and this retexturing process is required to bring the wet coefficient of friction back up a higher level.
Runway 13R/31L is a grooved portland cement concrete runway that serves many different types of aircraft. This runway is critical to the continued prosperity and commerce enjoyed by the City of San Antonio. The re-texturing process is intended to restore the surface of the runway to a higher friction number (0.70 Mu or better during wet surface conditions as measured by Continuous Friction Measuring Equipment), remove all surface contaminants, leave a runway surface condition that will result in less tire wear, and subsequently reduce the frequency of rubber deposit removal without causing damage to the surface of the runway.
Humble Equipment Co., Inc., a Louisiana-based company, is the only firm with specialized high production rate equipment able to retexture the runway in six foot swathes. As a result, the work can be completed faster enabling SAT to keep its runways in operation and maintain its Federal Aviation Administration Part 139 Certification. The firm’s proximity to Texas also reduced equipment deployment and travel costs. Finally, Humble’s availability to schedule the work in Spring of 2018 met the desired timeframe for completion.
The City of San Antonio, Aviation Department solicited an offer from Humble Equipment Co., Inc. for the services of re-texturing the surface of Runway 13R/31L at SAT based on a public health or safety exemption.
ISSUE:
Due to constant tire scuffing and biennial rubber removal, the surface of this runway is currently “polished” or worn smooth. Friction characteristics between aircraft tires and worn pavement surfaces deteriorate significantly whenever water is present. The re-texturing process is intended to bring the wet coefficient of friction back up a higher level.
These services are being procured outside of the competitive solicitation process utilizing a public health or safety exemption according to the provisions of Texas Statutes Local Government Code 252.022.07.
The Small Business Economic Development Advocacy (SBEDA) Ordinance requirements were waived due to the lack of small, minority, and/or women businesses available to provide these goods and services.
This contract is an exception to the Local Preference Program.
The Veteran-Owned Small Business Preference Program does not apply to goods/supplies contracts, so no preference was applied to this contract.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should this contract not be approved, the Aviation Department would operate an airport runway with a surface that is in need of re-texturing. As a result, the airport’s FAA Part 139 Certification may be compromised. If FAA finds that an airport is not meeting its obligations, it often imposes an administrative action. It can also impose a financial penalty for each day the airport continues to violate a Part 139 requirement. In extreme cases, FAA might revoke the airport's certificate or limit the areas of an airport where air carriers can land or takeoff.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total cost for Re-Texturing of Airport Runway 13R/31L is $315,000.00 and will be funded from the Airport Operating and Maintenance Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the approval of this contract with Humble Equipment Co., Inc. for a total cost of $315,000.00.
This contract is procured by means of a public health or safety exemption and a Contract Disclosure Form is not required.