DEPARTMENT: Aviation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Russell J. Handy
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
On-Call Environmental Consulting Agreements for the San Antonio Airport System
SUMMARY:
This Ordinance authorizes three on-call professional services agreements with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. (AECOM), Freese and Nichols, Inc. (Freese and Nichols) and RS&H, Inc. (RS&H) to provide on-call environmental consulting services for the San Antonio Airport System. The initial term for each agreement is three years with the option to extend for two additional one-year periods. Each agreement has a value up to $1,000,000.00 for the five-year period.
These contracts will provide the San Antonio Airport System with consultants with the technical expertise for projects as fuel and other spills and asbestos assessments as well the design work for projects with potential environmental components such as the replacement of fuel tanks and repair to storm water outfalls.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The San Antonio Airport System requires on-call environmental consulting and engineering services to comply with regulations set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Texas Commission for Environmental Quality regarding the management of environmental projects. On-call delivery agreements provide an efficient means of obtaining standard services needed repetitively and have been used successfully by the Aviation and other city departments.
The anticipated work under these contracts include environmental assessments, subsurface investigations, asbestos sampling, air monitoring and engineering design to support construction projects and property acquisitions in the San Antonio Airport System.
Using these contracts, the Airport System has developed the noise exposure map and noise compatibility plan required by the Federal Aviation Administration. These contracts have also been used to perform National Environmental Policy Act studies on airport-owned property as well as soil baseline studies and a baseline emissions inventory which are required under federal law for projects utilizing federal funds. Over the next five years, we anticipate these contracts being used for environmental assessments for potential runway projects and property development as well as baseline soil studies for airfield projects and noise studies.
Solicitation
A Request For Qualifications was released on December 6, 2017 and advertised on the City’s website, TVSA and the San Antonio Express-News. Ten responses were received on January 10, 2018. The evaluation committee was comprised of representatives from the Aviation Department and the Director of Sustainability from the University of Texas at San Antonio. The committee evaluated, scored and ranked the submissions based on the published evaluation criteria, which included the evaluation of Experience, Background and Qualifications; Proposed Plan; and, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program. The committee recommended three firms: AECOM, Freese and Nichols and RS&H.
As the contract value for each agreement was $1,000,000.00, this solicitation was defined as high profile and presented to the Audit and Accountability Council Committee in December 2017 and June 2018.
Disadvantaged Business Enterprises
The Aviation Department’s Small Business Section has reviewed and approved the Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) Good Faith Effort Plan submitted by the three firms. The DBE goal for this contract was set at 13.77% which two firms met or exceeded. The third firm did not meet the goal, however, the city will work with the third firm to increase their DBE participation.
ISSUE:
This Ordinance authorizes three professional service agreements for the San Antonio International Airport. This action continues the City Council’s policy of enhancing safety at both the San Antonio International and Stinson Municipal airports as well as complying with federal, state and local environmental regulations and best practices.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could direct staff to issue another solicitation for these services. However, the re-issue would delay the delivery of the specialized and technical expertise while a new solicitation is developed and released.
FISCAL IMPACT:
When projects are identified, funds for these professional services agreements will be identified from potential funding sources which may include but are not limited to: Airport Operating and Maintenance Funds; Airport Capital Improvement Funds; Passenger Facility Charge Funds; General Aviation Revenue Bonds; Stinson Revolving Funds; or, Federal Aviation Administration grants
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the authorization of the three on-call professional services agreements with AECOM, Freese and Nichols and RS&H to provide on-call environmental consulting services for the San Antonio Airport System.