PORT OF SEATTLE 
MEMORANDUM 
COMMISSION AGENDA               Item No.       6a 
ACTION ITEM             Date of Meeting    May 28, 2013 

DATE:    May 20, 2013 
TO:      Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer 
FROM:   David Soike, Director, Aviation Facilities and Capital Programs 
Colleen Wilson, Chief of Police 
Peter Garlock, Chief Information Officer 
SUBJECT:  Radio System Upgrade (CIP #C800586) 
Amount of This Request:  $6,750,000  Source of Funds: 85% Airport Development Fund 
11% Seaport General Fund 
4% Tax Levy 
Est. State and Local Taxes: $243,000   Est. Jobs Created: unknown 
Est. Total Project Cost:    $6,750,000 
ACTION REQUESTED: 
Request Commission authorization for the Chief Executive Officer to (1) proceed with the Radio
System Upgrade project; (2) authorize the procurement of required hardware, software, and
vendor services; and (3) authorize the use of Port staff for implementation, for a total project cost
not to exceed $6,750,000. 
SYNOPSIS: 
The Port of Seattle operates its own mixed-mode radio network supporting approximately 1800
radios and dispatch consoles for Port organizations such as Police, Fire, Emergency
Preparedness, Airport Operations, Aviation Maintenance (AVM) and Marine Maintenance. It is
also the critical communication link for mutual aid responders within adjacent jurisdictions 
including King County, City of Seattle, Pierce County, Snohomish County, and Valley
Communications Center, who rely on the Port's radio coverage when providing assistance during
emergencies. 
The Port's radio system was last updated in 2004 and compatible dispatch consoles are no longer
available making expansion impossible and replacement parts difficult to acquire. In addition,
the vendor certified operating system for our existing dispatch consoles will no longer be
supported after April 2014. 
The purpose of this project is to upgrade our radio system core hardware and software and
dispatch consoles with a current version that meets national compatibility standards. The
Motorola equipment, software, and services will be procured with a sole-source competition
waiver. AVM, Police, Fire, Marine Maintenance, and Information and Communication

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer 
May 20, 2013 
Page 2 of 5 
Technology (ICT) resources will collaborate to complete the project. Total project costs are
estimated to be $6,750,000. This project was included in the Aviation Division's 2013-2017
capital budget and plan of finance funded 100% with the Airport Development Fund. Since this
is an enterprise system, the CIP will be transferred to Corporate, and the funding sources will
include the General Fund and the tax levy. Recurring hardware license and maintenance costs
will be budgeted within the AVM department budget. 
Although the King County Regional Communications Board plans to propose a ballot measure in
2014 to fund improvements to the King County Emergency Radio Communications System, the
outcome of such a measure is uncertain. As key features of critical infrastructure, the Airport
and Seaport factor heavily in response to local or regional emergencies. Postponing upgrade or
replacement on an indefinite timeline in conjunction with a 2014 ballot measure could put the
Port's radio communications at increasing risk for several years. Investing in an upgrade now
mitigates current risks and leaves open the option for consolidation with the King County
Emergency Radio Communication System in the future. 
BACKGROUND: 
The Port of Seattle radio system is comprised of core hardware and software, dispatch consoles,
microwave-radio backhaul, repeater towers, and radios. It is a critical system for Portwide
emergency response and operations but also reaches well beyond Port of Seattle properties as a
vital link for mutual aid responders within adjacent jurisdictions. In cases of regional
emergencies, such as an earthquake or aircraft incidents, mutual aid responsers will utilize the
Port's radio coverage area when providing assistance. 
In 1989, public safety agencies and related users across the country created the Project 25 (P25)
standards for digital radio communications to enable efficient, reliable intra-agency and interagency
communications. The Port and Puget Sound Tri-County regional agencies are all moving
towards compliance with this industry standard to develop seamless regional roaming. 
Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, government agencies have been
cooperating nationwide to improve the flow of information to all emergency responders during
crisis situations. As a result, the Port actively participates in King County's emergency
preparedness drills, working with the county to be fully prepared to respond in readiness for
large-scale incidents. In addition, every three years the Airport hosts a region-wide aircraft
disaster drill in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration as mandated by federal
regulations. In all these, inter-agency communication and regional roaming capability is a crucial 
component to a successful response. 
PROJECT JUSTIFICATION: 
The Port's radio system, comprised of aging equipment and obsolete technology, was last
updated almost 10 years ago. Compatible dispatch consoles are no longer available making
expansion impossible and replacement parts difficult to acquire. Failure of this equipment or an
inability to meet new requirements will reduce the effectiveness of the system and could disrupt
communication during an emergency response.

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer 
May 20, 2013 
Page 3 of 5 
The upgrade of the radio system core to a version that meets P25 standards will provide several
improvements such as spectral efficiency, increased capacity, over-the-air programming, and
Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking as well as lay the foundation for inter-agency
seamless roaming. 
Project Objectives: 
Upgrade the Port's radio system core and dispatch consoles to the most current versions
that are fully supported by the vendor. 
Improve inter-agency communication capability by moving towards full P25 compliance. 
PROJECT SCOPE OF WORK AND SCHEDULE: 
Scope of Work: 
Procure and install the Motorola Core hardware and software with Inter-Radio Frequency 
Subsystem Interface (ISSI) connectivity. 
Procure and install approximately 24 dispatch consoles. 
Upgrade the Port's audio recording equipment to support P25 digital audio. 
Establish an ISSI connection with King County Radio Network. 
Schedule: 
Commission Approval                May 2013 
System Design Complete              July 2013 
Procurement Complete                October 2013 
Installation Complete                   April 2014 
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: 
Budget/Authorization Summary:               Capital  Expense  Total Project 
Original Budget                         $8,200,000      $0    $8,200,000 
Budget reduction                       -$1,450,000          -$1,450,000 
Revised budget                         $6,750,000           $6,750,000 
Previous Authorizations                         $0      $0         $0 
Current request for authorization               $6,750,000       $0    $6,750,000 
Total Authorizations, including this request        $6,750,000       $0    $6,750,000 
Remaining budget to be authorized                 $0      $0         $0 
Total Estimated Project Cost                $6,750,000      $0    $6,750,000 
Project Cost Breakdown:                   This Request       Total Project 
Hardware/Software                       $2,582,000        $2,582,000 
Vendor Services                          $2,300,000        $2,300,000 
Port of Seattle Labor or Contractors                 $480,000          $480,000 
State & Local Taxes (estimated)                  $243,000          $243,000 
Contingency ~20%                      $1,145,000        $1,145,000 
Total                                    $6,750,000         $6,750,000

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer 
May 20, 2013 
Page 4 of 5 
Budget Status and Source of Funds: 
This project was included in the Airport 2013-2017 capital budget and plan of finance as a
business plan prospective project with a budget of $8,200,000 within CIP #C800586, Radio
System Upgrade. The budget savings of $1,450,000 will be transferred to the Aeronatuical
Allowance CIP, C800404. CIP #C800586 is currently funded 100% with the Airport
Development Fund. Since a primary driver for the upgrade is to maintain compatibility with
regional safety and emergency response agencies, staff recommends a transfer of the CIP to
Corporate and a funding split that mirrors Police and Fire allocations. The recommended source
of funds is 85% Airport Development Fund, 11% Seaport General Fund, and 4% Tax Levy.
Estimated training costs of $40,000 will be funded from the Aviation Maintenance Operating
Budget. 
Financial Analysis and Summary: 
CIP Category             Renewal/Enhancement 
Project Type              Technology 
Risk adjusted discount rate     N/A 
Key risk factors             N/A 
Project cost for analysis        $6,750,000 
Business Unit (BU)          Allocated to all business units within Aviation, Seaport
and Real Estate divisions. 
Effect on business performance  Will reduce NOI after depreciation. 
IRR/NPV             N/A 
CPE Impact             $.03 in 2015, but no change to business plan forecast as
this project was included. 
Lifecycle Cost and Savings: 
An additional $100,000 in annual recurring cost is estimated to cover a hardware maintenance
agreement for the new equipment. This will be budgeted within the Aviation Maintenance
Operating Budget. Port recurring labor costs to maintain the system are not expected to change. 
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES: 
This project supports the Century Agenda strategy to advance this region as a leading tourism
destination and business getaway. This project ensures the availability of communication
infrastructure vital for public safety, emergency response, and operations. 
BUSINESS PLAN OBJECTIVES: 
This proposed solution will support the Airport's strategy of operating a world class international
airport by ensuring safe and secure operations. Specifically, it will support the Port's Police and
Fire plan for regional inter-agency communication capabilities and expanded regional roaming.

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer 
May 20, 2013 
Page 5 of 5 
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS: 
1.  Move to current King County Radio System Core: This alternative will require the
reprogramming of all 1800 Port of Seattle radios as well as 18,000 radios for all King County
regional agencies. This effort is estimated to take two to three years and will require
extensive mitigation to reduce the risk of inter-agency communication outages. This is not
the recommended solution. 
2.  Delay upgrade until completion of proposed King County Radio project vendor selection:
The King County Regional Communications Board is planning a 2014 ballot measure to fund
improvements to the King County Emergency Radio Communications System. Because of
the uncertainty of the ballot measure outcome and the unknown timeline for an upgrade or
replacement, the Port's radio communications could be at increasing risk for several years.
An investment today will mitigate current risks and leave open options for consolidation in
the future. This is not the recommended solution. 
3.  Upgrade the Port's Core Hardware and Software and replace Dispatch Consoles: Upgrade
and replacement of the Port's Radio System Core and dispatch consoles will significantly
reduce risk of critical system outages, provide capacity for potential growth, and meet
regional standards that will support inter-agency communication. Consolidation with the
King County Emergency Radio Communication System will remain a viable option in the
future. This is the recommended solution. 
OTHER DOCUMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS REQUEST: 
None. 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS: 
On October 9, 2012, the Port Commission received a briefing on the status of the Port Radio
System.