DEPARTMENT: Aviation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Jesus H. Saenz, Jr., IAP
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Annual Federal Aviation Administration Airport Improvement Program Grant Application
SUMMARY:
Consideration of two ordinances related to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP) at the San Antonio International Airport:
A. An Ordinance approving the submission of a grant application and the acceptance of funds to the FAA AIP for the Airfield Improvements, Package 7 project in the amount of $14,396,190.00.
B. An Ordinance approving the submission of a grant application and the acceptance of funds to the FAA AIP for the design, engineering and environmental work for the Runway 13R-31L Safety Area Improvements project in the amount of $6,900,000.00. If the project receives a grant offer from the FAA, this action will establish a project budget and appropriate funds in the amount of the grant offer.
Due to the American Rescue Plan Act, this year’s grant applications to the FAA AIP can be for up to 100% for eligible project costs. These actions will appropriate funds and amend the FY 2021 - FY 2026 Capital Improvement Program.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City regularly partners with the FAA for continued AIP grant 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 can share costs with the FAA on large and critical airfield projects at the San Antonio International Airport. Projects can receive grant funding of up to 75% of eligible project costs with the City providing the remaining matching share. This year’s grant applications are due to the FAA by May 3, 2021. Due to the American Rescue Plan Act, this year’s grant applications to the FAA AIP can be for up to 100% for eligible project costs.
Airfield Improvements - Package 7
The multi-phased Runway 13R Rehabilitation project includes: design and reconstruct two localized pavement areas on each end of the runway; rehabilitate Runway 13R/31L’s electrical systems including replacement of the emergency generator; construct a temporary Bypass Taxiway (TW) RC between TW R and TW RC; remove two in-ground taxiway bridges and subsurface materials; and reconstruct portions of TW R.
Previous grants have funded the previous phases of the project. Last year’s grant application was for the last phase of construction, Package 7, for work that included a base bid for the demolition of the TW R connector bridge; excavation, removal and disposal of buried Municipal Solid Waste; and the backfill and sodding of the excavation as well as five additive alternates. In September 2020, the FAA moved funding for the additive alternates to this fiscal year. In December 2020 through Ordinance 2020-12-03-0846, City Council authorized a construction contract with SpawGlass Civil Construction for the base bid of Package 7.
This year the City’s grant application is for the additive alternatives that were part of the Package 7 project but not funded in last year’s grant application for the Runway 13R Rehabilitation project and includes:
1. construction of full-strength concrete taxiway pavement;
2. construction of asphalt shoulders along taxiway;
3. demolition of a portion of the temporary taxiway bypass for conversion to a vehicle service road;
4. new asphalt roadway connections; and,
5. mill and overlay of Runway 13L-31R.
Once the grant offer by the FAA is received by the City, the Aviation Department will bring a change order to construction contract with SpawGlass Civil Construction as well as an amendment to the design consultant contract for construction administration work to City Council for consideration later this year.
Runway 13R-31L Safety Area Improvements
The FAA has initiated a multi-year Runway Incursion Management (RIM) program to identify, prioritize and develop strategies to address airfield locations where risk factors may contribute to a runway incursion. The Strategic Development Plan has identified the Runway 13R-31L Safety Area Improvements project to address a location at the intersection of Runway 13R-31L and Runway 04-22 at the San Antonio International Airport. Specific enabling projects must be completed to address the Runway 13R-31L RIM location, including the reconstruction of a portion of Taxiway N north of Taxiway D, including the intersection with Taxiway D, and the reconstruction of the entire keel section and rehabilitation of the remainder of Runway 13R-31L and selected connecting taxiways within the Runway Safety Area. This work is required to maintain a safe operating environment at the airport and limit the impact on daily operations throughout the construction period.
The Runway 13R-31L Safety Area Improvements project, identified in the Strategic Development Plan, is included in the proposed FY 2022-FY 2028 Capital Budget for a future fiscal year. If a grant offer is not received this year, the project will be included in a future year’s FAA AIP grant application. This year’s grant application seeks full AIP funding for the preliminary engineering, design and environmental work associated with this project. If a grant offer is received, the FY 2021 Capital Budget will be amended, and a new project and project budget will be established. Atkins Global, a general engineering consultant for the San Antonio International Airport, will provide the design work associated with the first phase of the project, the reconstruction of a portion of Taxiway N north of Taxiway D, with the rest of the work to be solicited this year.
ISSUE:
These ordinances will approve the submittal of grant applications and the acceptance of funds to the FAA AIP for the Airfield Improvements, Package 7 and the Runway 13R-31L Safety Area Improvements projects at the San Antonio International Airport in the amount of $21,296,190.00. This action will amend the FY 2021 - FY 2026 Capital Improvement Program, appropriate funds, and establish the project budget for the Runway 13R-31L p Safety Area Improvements project.
The ordinance will authorize the City to submit grant applications and accept grant offers related to the FAA AIP program to support the runway, taxiway and airside vehicle service road improvements at the San Antonio International Airport. This action is consistent with the City Council's policy of improving facilities, improving land uses, and enhancing safety at San Antonio International Airport and maximizing utilization of federal funds.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could choose to not approve this item. However, this action would result in the City funding more than $21,000,000.00 of eligible project costs that the FAA has identified it would fund which would allow the Airport System to use the funding for other projects or priorities. Additionally, the failure to accept could potentially affect the City's ability to receive future FAA grant funding for additional safety, development, and expansion projects.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Consideration of two ordinances related to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP) at the San Antonio International Airport:
A. An Ordinance approving the submission of a grant application and the acceptance of funds to the FAA AIP for the Airfield Improvements, Package 7 project in the amount of $14,396,190.00.
B. An Ordinance approving the submission of a grant application and the acceptance of funds to the FAA AIP for the design, engineering and environmental work for the Runway 13R-31L Safety Area Improvements project in the amount of $6,900,000.00. If the project receives a grant offer from the FAA, this action will establish a project budget and appropriate funds in the amount of the grant offer.
Due to the American Rescue Plan Act, this year’s grant applications to the FAA AIP can be for up to 100% for eligible project costs. These actions will appropriate funds and amend the FY 2021 - FY 2026 Capital Improvement Program.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the submittal of the grant application and the acceptance of funding upon offer for Airfield Improvements, Package 7 and the Runway 13R-31L Safety Area Improvements projects at the San Antonio International Airport.