6h Building Controls Upgrade Memo

COMMISSION 
AGENDA MEMORANDUM                        Item No.          6h 
ACTION ITEM                            Date of Meeting     December 10, 2019 
DATE:     November 25, 2019 
TO:        Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director 
FROM:    Jeffrey Brown, Director Aviation Facilities and Capital Programs 
Wayne Grotheer, Director, Aviation Project Management 
SUBJECT:  Building Controls Upgrade (CIP #C800944)  Design 
Amount of this request:               $2,950,000 
Total estimated project cost:         $10,000,000 
ACTION REQUESTED 
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director  to (1) prepare design and
construction bid documents for the Building Controls Upgrade Project at Seattle-Tacoma
International Airport; and (2) use port crews for preconstruction activities. The amount of this
request is $2,950,000 of an estimated total project cost of $10,000,000. 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
The  building  control  system  regulates  and  controls  critical  airport  terminal  building
environmental features such as temperature, humidity, and air exchanges. This project will
replace approximately 100 obsolete building control panels that are installed throughout
concourses B, C, and D. This project will also improve communications and data throughput
allowing for improved system performance and future system expansion.
The estimated cost to complete this project has increased significantly from the estimate
included in the 2020-2024 capital budget and plan of finance due to cost increases on the
original scope and additional scope to double the number of control panels and to replace
communications copper cable backbone with fiber optic cable. 
JUSTIFICATION 
The panels that will be replaced as part of this project are integral components in the Direct
Digital Control (DDC) system throughout the airport. The DDC system was installed circa 1990s
and is responsible for monitoring and controlling mechanical equipment at the airport. The 
equipment includes the Heating, Ventilation, and Cooling (HVAC), chilled water, hot water,
preconditioned air, and natural gas distribution. 


Template revised January 10, 2019.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. __6h__                              Page 2 of 5 
Meeting Date: December 10, 2019 
The existing control panels have reached obsolescence; the components are experiencing
intermittent failures and replacement parts are difficult to obtain as they are no longer
manufactured. Any operational loss of the control panels has a direct effect on the operation of
the airport and a negative impact to customer experience. Since the installation of the DDC
system, there have been significant improvements in control panel technologies that increase
the reliability, reduce the size of equipment, and improve the processing capacity. This project
will take advantage of the latest technology and give the port the opportunity to rebalance the
panels to provide space for planned future projects. The control panels will be purchased under
the sole-source agreement with Siemens 2015-013. 
The DDC system is connected and controlled on an independent copper cable backbone that 
keeps it isolated from any outside connections. This network has reached its performance
limitations. D uring heavy demand periods, the system has increased latency, resulting in slow
adjustment to the system needs. At times, if the data transfer requirement exceeds the
network  capacity,  data  can  be  lost,  resulting  in  disruptions  of  service.  This  existing
communications backbone cabling will be upgraded to fiber optic cable allowing for higher data
throughput, increased reliability, and future expansion. 
Diversity in Contracting 
The project staff, in coordination with the Diversity in Contracting department, have set a seven
percent woman- and minority-owned business enterprise (WMBE) aspirational goal for this
design contract. 
DETAILS 
This  project  will  replace  100  obsolete  control  panels  that  are  distributed  throughout
Concourses B, C, and D. The existing equipment and field control points will remain in place and
be migrated to the new panel hardware. As panels are being updated, the whole panel load and
spacing will be reviewed, and configured where possible to add capacity for future expansions. 
A fiber backbone will be installed in parallel with the existing copper backbone. Planned
shutdowns will transition the network off the copper and onto the new fiber backbone. The
obsolete copper backbone will be removed. This fiber network will connect the existing fiber on
Concourse A and Main Terminal, with Concourses B, C, and D. Both the north and south
satellites already have fiber runs in place that connect to the DDC system. 
Scope of Work 
The scope of work for this project includes: 
(1)   Replacing 100 obsolete control panels. 
(2)   Connecting the new control panels to the DDC system. 
(3)   Provide  wiring,  testing,  commissioning,  and  associated  equipment  for  a  fully
functional system. 

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

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. __6h__                              Page 3 of 5 
Meeting Date: December 10, 2019 
(4)   Salvage components from the obsolete control panels and add these parts to the
port's spare parts inventory. 
(5)   Install a new fiber backbone to connect the new and previously upgraded control
panels to the DDC network. 
(6)   Provide  fiber  optic  wiring,  terminations,  testing,  commissioning,  and  associated
equipment for a fully functional system. 
Schedule 
Activity 
Design start                                       2020 Quarter 3 
Commission construction authorization          2021 Quarter 2 
Construction start                                2021 Quarter 3 
In-use date                                       2022 Quarter 3 
Cost Breakdown                                      This Request           Total Project 
Planning and Design Phase                               $2,950,000             $3,000,000 
Construction and Closeout Phase                                 $0             $7,000,000 
Total                                                          $2,950,000             $10,000,000 
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED 
Alternative 1  Do not proceed with the replacement project. 
Cost Implications: $22,000 would need to be expensed 
Pros: 
(1)   No capital investment required at this time. 
Cons: 
(1)   Panel failure will have a negative effect on the passenger and tenant experience at the
airport. 
(2)   Future projects will be limited on expansion capabilities until the panels and fiber
network are replaced. 
(3)   Future projects will be required to replace panels, adding time, complexity, and cost to
the scope. 
(4)   Replacing panels on a project-by-project basis will increase the unit cost of the panel
replacement. 
(5)   The fiber network will not be extended into Concourses B, C, and D. 
(6)   The issue of intermittent data loss will not be addressed. 
This is not the recommended alternative. 


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

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. __6h__                              Page 4 of 5 
Meeting Date: December 10, 2019 
Alternative 2  Replace the obsolete control panels only. 
Cost Implications: $6,500,000 
Pros: 
(1)   Lower capital investment. 
(2)   Replaces the obsolete equipment and failing control panels. 
Cons: 
(1)   The existing copper backbone will limit the expansion capabilities of the control panels 
and the ability to add additional panels required by future projects. 
(2)   The fiber network will not be extended into Concourses B, C, and D. 
(3)   The issue of intermittent data loss will not be addressed. 
(4)   Not extending the fiber network will limit the technological gains of the upgraded
control panels. 
This is not the recommended alternative. 
Alternative 3  Replace the obsolete control panels and install the fiber backbone. 
Cost Implications: $10,000,000 
Pros: 
(1)   Replaces obsolete equipment and failing control panels. 
(2)   Extends the fiber network into Concourses B, C, and D. 
(3)   Provides infrastructure for future projects with greater data requirements and future
panels. 
(4)   Mitigates existing data capacity issues on the copper backbone. 
Cons: 
(1)   This is the highest capital investment. 
This is the recommended alternative. 
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 
Cost Estimate/Authorization Summary               Capital        Expense           Total 
COST ESTIMATE 
Original estimate                                 $4,976,000       $128,000     $5,104,000 
Current change                                $4,903,000        ($7,000)      $4,896,000 
Revised estimate                                $9,879,000       $121,000    $10,000,000 
AUTHORIZATION 
Previous authorizations                             $50,000               0         $50,000 
Current request for authorization                 $2,829,000       $121,000     $2,950,000 
Total authorizations, including this request       $2,879,000       $121,000      $3,000,000 
Remaining amount to be authorized            $7,000,000             $0     $7,000,000 

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

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. __6h__                              Page 5 of 5 
Meeting Date: December 10, 2019 
Annual Budget Status and Source of Funds 
This project, CIP C800944, was included in the 2020-2024 capital budget and plan of finance
with a budget of $4,976,000. A budget increase of $4,903,000 was transferred from the
Aeronautical Reserve CIP (C800753) resulting in zero net change to the Aviation capital budget.
The funding source will be the Airport Development Fund and future revenue bonds. 
The original project request submitted in 2016 only included 49 panels that had reached
obsolescence. From that initial request an additional 50 panels have been identified as needing
replacement. Additionally, the current copper backbone has now reached its data limitations.
The project cost increase is due to the delay in executing the original 2016 project, the increase
of 50 additional obsolete panels, and the need for increased data on the backbone. 
Financial Analysis and Summary 
Project cost for analysis              $10,000,000 
Business Unit (BU)                  Terminal Building 
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                        $0.03 in 2024 

ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST 
(1)   Presentation slides 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS 
None 







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

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