COMMISSION 
AGENDA MEMORANDUM                        Item No.          8b 
ACTION ITEM                            Date of Meeting     February 23, 2021 
DATE:     February 12, 2021 
TO:        Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director 
FROM:    Dave Wilson, Director AV Innovation 
Wayne Grotheer, Director Aviation Project Management 
SUBJECT:  Wi-Fi Improvements Project (C800585) 
Amount of this request:                        $           4,000,000 
Total estimated project cost:                    $           16,441,000 
ACTION REQUESTED 
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to (1) construct the Wi-Fi
Improvements project Passenger Loading Bridge installations for the entire Seattle-Tacoma
International Airport, except for the North Satellite; (2) design the Wi-Fi scope for the Passenger
Loading Bridges at the North Satellite; (3) increase the project's overall budget by $6,000,000, for
a total amount of $16,441,000 to complete the project. This request is in the amount of 
$4,000,000. 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
Since 2014, the Wi-Fi Improvements project at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Airport) has
provided significantly enhanced Wi-Fi coverage. In 2016, the first phase of this project included
improvements to the Airport ramp and gate areas  and the second phase,  completed
enhancements to the Main Terminal. These improvements have a substantial impact on the
speed of wireless access customers and tenants experience at the Airport. This is reflected in
positive social media posts and through improved Airport Service Quality (ASQ) scores. 
This final phase of the Wi-Fi Improvements project will complete Wi-Fi additions to all the
Airport's Passenger Loading Bridges (PLBs). PLBs are the articulating walkways that connect
aircraft to the airport terminals. These Wi-Fi additions will extend Wi-Fi coverage to the
remaining portions of the ramp and aircraft parking areas not covered by earlier phases of the
project. 
JUSTIFICATION 
Throughout the Wi-Fi project, there are interior and exterior high-speed devices being targeted.
The interior high-speed wireless access points provide much improved Internet access for
passenger and tenants in public areas of the Airport. The exterior devices will support airport,
airline, and tenant operations outside the facility on the ramp level at passenger loading bridges. 

Template revised January 10, 2019.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. _8b___                              Page 2 of 6 
Meeting Date: February 23, 2021 
The overall Wi-Fi Improvements project will provide up to a 200% increase in the coverage and
number of access points on concourse levels, up to tenfold increase in bandwidth, with support
for newer devices by supporting today's technology on wireless protocols. Surveys conducted
with enplaning passengers clearly demonstrate the desire for high performance and free Wi-Fi in
the terminal. 
Diversity in Contracting 
This project will utilize a Job Order Contract (JOC) to construct this project's scope of work. The
overall JOC contract has a 16% Women and Minority Business Enterprise (WMBE) goal. Each work
order within the JOC contract strives to obtain the WMBE participation goal; however, it is
dependent on the available trades at the time of the proposal. 
DETAILS 
The budget increase in the amount of $6,000,000, is due to two primary factors. The first is the
complexity of the PLB installation. As the project team began the design of this phase it became
apparent that virtually every PLB required a unique solution to route the necessary cabling
through the articulated telescoping structure. As a result, this requires a variety of solutions much
larger than originally conceived when the project began  and  therefore,  necessitates  the 
additional amount of $3,400,000. 
The second is the addition of the North Satellite PLBs. Originally, the Wi-Fi project did not include
any work at the North Satellite, as that work would be completed by the NorthSTAR (NSAT)
project. 
The subject scope is a component of the full Wi-Fi scope included in the NSAT contract and was
transferred from the NSAT project to this one. This scope transfer was accepted for the following
reasons: 
(1)   This  project  is  better  positioned  to  address  NSAT  PLB  Wi-Fi  improvements.  In
comparison to the NSAT project, the Wi-Fi project can incorporate design revisions that
ensure consistent specification and detailing across all PLB installations as well as obtain
a competitively solicited vendor/contractor to complete the work. 
(2)   Bundling NSAT PLB Wi-Fi scope with this project is a project lesson learned. Cost and
quality can be improved, by having a consistent team performing all the work and
standardizing the installation process. 
(3)   Wi-Fi installations at PLBs are complicated. The PLB Wi-Fi scope programmed for NSAT
assumed standard detailing across all PLBs. That assumption, as proven at NSAT is
challenging to accomplish.  To ensure  high quality and coverage standards  are
maintained for PLB Wi-Fi coverage, each PLB must be addressed separately with

Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. _8b___                              Page 3 of 6 
Meeting Date: February 23, 2021 
consideration of elements like PLB movement patterns, physical adjacencies, and cable
travel limitations. 
The NSAT PLB scope transfer was approved by the Aviation Project Review Board in addition to 
Aviation Investment Committee in the amount of $2,600,000. The total additional budget
amount, of $6,000,000, will increase the estimated project budget to $16,441,000. 
In order to complete this work, staff will complete the following efforts: 
(1)   The  project  design  consultant  contract  will  need  additional  budget  to  support
construction of the work that is designed. The contract will be amended by an additional
$55,000. 
(2)   A new consultant procurement will be used to hire the designer for the NSAT scope
addition. 
Scope of Work 
This last phase of the project will install Wi-Fi Access Points on the PLBs at Concourses A, B, C, D,
SSAT and NSAT. This work will require installation of network cabling within each PLB. 
Schedule 
Activity 
Design start (NSAT)                                            2021 Quarter 2 
Construction start (All except NSAT)                            2021 Quarter 2 
Commission construction authorization (NSAT)               2021 Quarter 4 
Construction start (NSAT)                                      2021 Quarter 4 
Substantial Completion (All except NSAT)                      2022 Quarter 4 
Substantial Completion (NSAT)                               2022 Quarter 4 
Cost Breakdown                                     This Request           Total Project 
Design                                                    $600,000             $2,697,000 
Construction                                             $3,400,000            $13,744,000 
Total                                                         $4,000,000             $16,441,000 
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED 
Alternative 1  Do not proceed with construction of remaining PLB Wi-Fi scope 
Cost Implications: $0 further cost (the cost of design would be expensed, $337,000) 
Pros: 
(1)   Many ramp areas have Wi-Fi coverage but that does not cover the entire ramp. 
(2)   Airlines have installed proprietary Wi-Fi systems on the ramp as well. 

Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. _8b___                              Page 4 of 6 
Meeting Date: February 23, 2021 
Cons: 
(1)   Costs have already been incurred for design. 
(2)   There will be areas that do not benefit from upgraded Wi-Fi thus encouraging tenants
to further implement their own systems. This will create multiple different Wi-Fi
networks across the airport. 
(3)   The passenger and tenant experience will continue to suffer. 
This is not the recommended alternative. 
Alternative 2  Proceed with construction of PLB Wi-Fi at the airport 
Cost Implications: $6,000,000 
Pros: 
(1) The originally proposed level of service will be achieved for ramp Wi-Fi. 
(2) The airport will have a single, continuous, high speed Wi-Fi network across most of the
Airport Terminal area. 
Cons: 
(1)   Airlines with proprietary systems would need to dismantle them after converting to the
Port's Wi-Fi network as agreed. 
(2)   Proceeding will cost more than not proceeding. 

This is the recommended alternative. 
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 
Cost Estimate/Authorization Summary              Capital        Expense           Total 
COST ESTIMATE 
Original estimate                                $10,296,000        $145,000     $10,441,000 
Current change                                 $6,000,000              $0      $6,000,000 
Revised estimate                               $16,296,000              $0     $16,441,000 
AUTHORIZATION 
Previous authorizations                         $10,296,000        $145,000     $10,441,000 
Current request for authorization                $4,000,000               $0      $4,000,000 
Total authorizations, including this request      $14,296,000        $145,000     $14,441,000 
Remaining amount to be authorized            $2,000,000             $0     $2,000,000 
Annual Budget Status and Source of Funds 
The Wi-Fi Enhancements Phase 2 project (C800585) was included in the 2021-2025 capital budget
and plan of finance with a budget of $10,296,000. The capital budget increase of $6,000,000 was

Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. _8b___                              Page 5 of 6 
Meeting Date: February 23, 2021 
transferred from the Aeronautical Allowance (C800753). The funding source will be existing
revenue bonds. 
Financial Analysis and Summary 
Project cost for analysis              $16,441,000 
Business Unit (BU)                  Airfield Apron, Terminal Building and PLB 
Effect on business performance     NOI after depreciation will increase due to inclusion of
(NOI after depreciation)             capital (and operating) costs in airline rate base. 
IRR/NPV (if relevant)                N/A 
CPE Impact                       $.12 in 2023 
Future Revenues and Expenses (Total cost of ownership) 
Although the enhanced Wi-Fi system provides significant performance improvements and better
coverage, renewal and replacement of some network components will be required in the threeto-five-year
time frame to keep pace with innovation in the wireless industry and compliance
with potentially upgraded Port network standards. 
A software license and maintenance fee estimated increase of $20,000 will be budgeted in ICT
Operating Budget. Recurring labor costs to maintain the system are not expected to change as a
result of this project. 
This project will have no impact on Aviation Maintenance Operating & Maintenance costs as this
is budgeted through the ICT department. 
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND 
The Airport has multiple projects that work together to provide industry leading high-speed
wireless Internet across the Airport terminal building. Previously, the 'Fiber to Backstands'
project provided Wi-Fi to the interior of Concourses A and B. This enhancement project provides 
high speed Wi-Fi to the interior of Concourses C and D, South Satellite, Central Terminal, TSA
Checkpoints, Gina Marie Lindsey Hall, Ticketing and Baggage Claim. It will also install exterior Wi-
Fi on the ramps of Concourses A, B, C, D, South Satellite and North Satellite. The International
Arrivals Facility (IAF) project will provide Wi-Fi within the new IAF facility. 
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST 
(1)   Presentation slides 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS 
March 13, 2018  The Commission authorized award and execution of a major public works
construction contract for the second phase of the Wi-Fi Improvements project. No
additional funding was requested. 

Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. _8b___                              Page 6 of 6 
Meeting Date: February 23, 2021 
August 8, 2017  The Commission authorized the (1) advertisement and execution of
contracts for the second phase of the Wi-Fi Improvements project, (2) amendment of the
Infrastructure Design Services for Wi-Fi and Video Surveillance System Enhancements
Projects service agreement and (3) use of port crews and small works contracts in
conjunction with major works contracts. 
May 24, 2016  The Commission authorized the (1) advertisement and execution of contracts
for the first phase of construction of the Wi-Fi Improvements project and (2) increase of
the project's overall budget for additional scope. 
August 5, 2014  The Commission authorized the preparation of design and construction bid
documents for the Wi-Fi Improvements project. 














Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).