COMMISSION 
AGENDA MEMORANDUM                        Item No.          8i 
ACTION ITEM                            Date of Meeting     November 9, 2021 

DATE:     October 19, 2021 
TO:        Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director 
FROM:    Brendalynn Taulelei, Senior Maintenance Manager, Asset Management & Logistics 
Valarie Johnson, Planning & Small Works Manager, Aviation Maintenance 
SUBJECT:  Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Ramp Snow Removal Contract 
Amount of this request:               $1,200,000 
Total estimated project cost:          $4,000,000 
ACTION REQUESTED 
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to increase the contract value for
two existing snow removal contracts by $1,200,000 to a new contract value of $4,000,000. These
contracts provide snow removal services for the Aircraft Movement Area (AMA) at SEA. 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to increase the contract value for
two existing snow removal contracts by $1,200,000 to a new contract value of $4,000,000. These
contracts provide snow removal services for the Aircraft Movement Area (AMA) at the Airport. 
JUSTIFICATION 
Snow removal is required at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to sustain commercial airline
operations, passenger movements, and air cargo operations during snow and ice conditions. We
do not have the internal resources and equipment to accomplish all snow removal requirements
during extreme winter snow and ice storms. 
The ability to remove snow from the North and South ramp operation areas is crucial to the
operation of the Airport; it is important that the Aviation Division has adequate snow removal
contract authority in place before the next snow season. We have completed three years in our
current contracts which were structured as one-year base agreements with four one-year
renewal options to be determined by the Port. 
Forecasting for snow events can be volatile, in 2019 we spent $1.23M for contractor snow
removal, in 2020 $275k, and 2021 $878k. With an increase in the intensity of storms in recent
years, as well as increased demand for these supplemental snow removal services during an

Template revised January 10, 2019.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. __8i__                               Page 2 of 5 
Meeting Date: November 9, 2021 
event, the utilization of these resources has proven to be more intensive than originally
forecasted. For example, we may plan for 20 pieces of contractor equipment to be onsite during
a snow event, but in extreme snow conditions and extended snow operational periods like the
one we had in February 2021, the required number of contractor equipment needed for snow
removal can easily double. It is not uncommon to handle large piles of snow several times during
an extended snow operational period. Future authorization requests for ramp snow removal will
be based on the increased level of need. 









Diversity in Contracting 
No opportunity available at this time, requesting additional funds for two existing contracts. 
DETAILS 
Our snow removal contractors provide heavy construction equipment and equipment operators
to manage snow removal during peak snow conditions and ice accumulations. Ceccanti Inc.
maintains the north side of the Aircraft Movement Area, Gary Merlino Construction maintains
the south side of the Aircraft Movement Area. The equipment on these contracts currently
includes dump trucks, front loaders, graders, and other support vehicles. 
Scope of Work 
The scope of work is to replenish funding of the current contracts, this would allow us to continue
providing the services necessary for snow removal and transfer within the Aircraft Movement

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

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. __8i__                               Page 3 of 5 
Meeting Date: November 9, 2021 
Area ramp area as well as the support of Aviation Maintenance airfield staff as needed for
clearing snow. 
Schedule 
Activity 
Commission authorization                   2021 Quarter 4 
Cost Breakdown                                     This Request           Total Project 
Total                                                         $1,200,000              $4,000,000 
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED 
Alternative 1  Do not authorize $1,200,000 for the two current snow removal contracts and
increase Port FTE staff, hire seasonal staff, and purchase additional snow removal equipment to
meet peak snow and ice conditions. 
Cost Implications:  $7 million. The cost estimate includes the purchase of snow removal
equipment, the hiring of one mechanic to maintain the equipment, and the hiring of 13 seasonal
staff to operate the equipment over the course of five years. 
Pros: 
(1)   Hiring additional Port staff, seasonal staff, and purchasing new equipment increases the
Port's available resource pool for extended shift rotations during lengthy snow events. 
(2)   The additional staff can be deployed to support other Airport operational areas in the
event of extreme snow and ice conditions. 
Cons: 
(1)   The additional FTE adds to the Port's total staffing levels and will require compensation
and benefits which will result in increased costs to the Port. 
(2)   Purchasing  new  equipment  to  add  to  the  Port's  snow  removal fleet  is  a  costly
investment. 
(3)   The Port runs the risk of investing purchasing heavy equipment that does not get used
due to lack of snow and ice. 
This is not the recommended alternative. 
Alternative 2  Do not authorize additional $1,200,000 for the two current snow removal
contracts and request authorization to go back out to bid two new contracts. 
Cost Implications: $1,200,000 for two new snow removal contracts for the North and South sides
of the Aircraft Movement Area (AMA). 
Pros: 
(1)    Requesting new authorization ensures the most competitive unit pricing for snow
removal services.

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

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. __8i__                               Page 4 of 5 
Meeting Date: November 9, 2021 
(2)    Purchasing new snow removal equipment is not necessary, therefore saving the Port an
investment of $3.9 million, and not having to add it to our existing fleet to be operated
and maintained. 
Cons: 
(1)    After working two significant snow events over the past three years our current
contractors are experienced and well trained in safe snow removal operations and have
met all operational requirements. 
(2)   It would be difficult to execute new contracts prior to the 2021/2022 snow season. 
(3)   Based on past experience, it has been difficult to get contractors to bid on our snow
removal contracts. 
This is not the recommended alternative. 
Alternative 3  Authorization to approve a total of $1,200,000 for two current contracts for snow
removal services at the Airport. 
Cost Implications: $1,200,000 for two snow removal contracts for the North and South sides of
the Aircraft Movement Area (AMA). 
Pros: 
(1)   This is the current state and has met the operational needs of the Airport. 
(2)   With contracted snow removal services in place, existing Port staff can focus on deicing
and snow clearing efforts on the Airport Operations Area (AOA) during peak snow
events to ensure continuity of operations. 
(3)   Contractors  are  responsible  for  hiring  of  operators  and  for  securing  the  heavy
construction equipment required for snow removal. 
(4)   Purchasing new snow removal equipment is not necessary, therefore saving the Port an
investment of $3.97 million, and not having to add it to our existing fleet to be operated
and maintained. 
Cons: 
(1)   Total estimated cost is $1,200,000. 
(2)   At this time, it does not give an opportunity for other contractors to go through a
competitive process to bid on Port of Seattle snow removal services. 
This is the recommended alternative. 
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 
Cost Estimate/Authorization Summary              Capital        Expense           Total 
COST ESTIMATE 
Original estimate                                          $0      $1,600,000      $1,600,000 
Previous changes  net                                    0      $1,200,000      $2,800,000 
AUTHORIZATION 
Previous authorizations                                    0      $2,800,000      $2,800,000 

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

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. __8i__                               Page 5 of 5 
Meeting Date: November 9, 2021 
Current request for authorization                          0      $1,200,000      $4,000,000 
Total authorizations, including this request                  0                0                0 
Remaining amount to be authorized                    $0             $0             $0 
Annual Budget Status and Source of Funds 
While the airport is always prepared to deal with a snow event, the airport has not budgeted for
snow event costs for many years due to the variability. Over the past five years, the annual cost
of snow events (contracted services, de-icing chemicals, staff overtime, etc.) has averaged $1.7
million, with a high of $3.6 million in 2019 and a low of $113 thousand in 2018. So far, the airport
has been able to absorb snow event costs within the approved budget. Excluding these costs
from the budget has been part of a strategy to tighten the budget by eliminating contingency
funds. Most snow event costs are included in the airline rate bases, and any excess costs are
recovered through the annual settlement. Given the desire to manage airline costs through the
recovery period, staff does not recommend adding snow event costs to the 2022 budget. Still,
given the recent history of more regular snow events, staff will revisit the budget strategy for the
2023 budget, and may recommend inclusion of some amount. The funding source will be the
Airport Development Fund. 
Future Revenues and Expenses (Total cost of ownership) 
Future authorization requests for ramp snow removal will be based on the increased level of
need. 
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST 
None 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS 
June 26, 2018  The Commission authorized $1,600,000 for two new snow removal contracts
with a duration of up to five years. 
November 12, 2019  The Commission approved an increased contract value for two existing
snow removal contracts by $1,2000,000, to a new contract value of $2,800,000. 





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