COMMISSION 
AGENDA MEMORANDUM                        Item No.          8c 
ACTION ITEM                            Date of Meeting      March 26, 2024 

DATE:     March 19, 2024 
TO:        Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director 
FROM:    Mike Tasker, Director, Aviation Maintenance 
Eileen Francisco, Director, Aviation Project Management 
SUBJECT:  Public Safety Distributed Antenna System (DAS) Upgrade (CIP #C801238)-Design &
Construction Authorization 
Amount of this request:              $10,976,000 
Total estimated project cost:         $11,226,000 
ACTION REQUESTED 
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to (1) authorize design and
preparation of construction bid documents for the Public Safety Distributed Antenna System
Upgrade project, (2) advertise, bid, and execute a major works construction contract, execute
related project change orders, amendments, work authorizations, purchases, contracts, and take
other actions necessary to support and deliver the Distributed Antenna System project within
the approved budget, (3) authorize use of Port of Seattle crews to support the design and
construction activities, (4) increase the project authorization by $10,976,000 for a total project
cost estimated at $11,226,000. 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Distributed Antenna System (DAS) supplies in-building public safety and critical radio
coverage to first responders and mission/business-critical responders operating at the SeaTac
International Airport at locations where the outdoor radio signals cannot penetrate dense belowground
structures. It contains 12 Bi-Directional Amplifiers (BDAs) that augment coverage to areas
throughout SeaTac International Airport, including all terminals, FAA tower, Rental Car Facility,
and underground pathways connecting these locations. The DAS legacy equipment has reached
end of useful life, and its infrastructure needs to be upgraded to mitigate potential loss of public
safety and critical communication due to equipment failure. 
JUSTIFICATION
During the notebook and planning phase of this project, a comprehensive study was prepared to
survey the scope of work, coordinate with the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), permitting
officials,  stakeholders,  and  system  experts  to  prepare  scoping  narrative  and  design

Template revised January 10, 2019.

            COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8c                                  Page 2 of 5
Meeting Date: March 26, 2024
recommendation reports. This study found many additions to the scope of work required to be
compliant with the new fire codes NFPA-72 & 1225 and Rules of Airport Construction (RAC). The
project is also required to conduct wireless coverage testing to determine current system
deficiencies. This represents a substantial increase in the project scope and budget compared to 
the original preliminary estimated budget of $5.6M. The original Status 2 document was
preliminary in nature and the project scope was not based on the field investigation or system
condition. Increase in the project scope of work, cost escalation, and inflation have resulted in an
increase to the budget estimate which is now $11.2M. Airport leadership approved the additional
scope of work and budget in Q4, 2023. 
The project will replace aging infrastructure and provide 15+ years of useful life for the associated
active hardware, and 25+ years useful life for the associated passive infrastructure. Failure of any
equipment can result in loss of radio coverage impacting life-safety and emergency
communication. The DAS will be upgraded to a digital and modular design which will carry
multiple range of frequencies such as Port public safety and mission critical 700/800 MHz
spectrum, Very High Frequency (VHF) spectrum used by Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), support Long Term Evolution (LTE) and nationwide
public safety broadband FirstNet Band 14. 
Diversity in Contracting 
Women & Minority Business Enterprises (WMBE) aspirational goal for the design service directive
is 10%. WMBE construction aspirational goal will be established, post design efforts.
DETAILS 
The tables below provide a breakdown of the requested increase in budget. 
Description                       Original Budget  New Budget      Total Change 
(Status 2) 
Design                            $2,360,000        $4,270,000        $1,910,000 
Construction                                    $3,240,000        $6,956,000        $3,716,000 
Total Estimated Cost             $5,600,000       $11,226,000      $5,626,000 

Scope of Work
The project occurs throughout the SeaTac International Airport, including all terminals, FAA
tower, Rental Car Facility, and underground pathways connecting these locations. 
The key elements of project’s scope of work include, but are not limited to, the following:
(1) Replacement of existing 12 BDAs and associated components with digital and modern
equipment. 
(2) 2-hr fire rated home run fiber optic cabling for each BDA. 

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

            COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8c                                  Page 3 of 5
Meeting Date: March 26, 2024
(3) Coverage testing to evaluate wireless coverage. 
(4) Replacement of distribution equipment and cabling. 
(5) Additional redundant cabling and hardware to improve reliability. 
(6) Modularity and expandability for future additions. 
(7) Compliance with applicable codes, standards, and AHJ requirements. 
(8) Integration with the fire alarm system, a separate monitoring system, and dispatch
system. 
(9) Possible improvements to spaces where equipment is deployed to ensure appropriate
fire rating and protection of those spaces. 
Schedule
Activity 
Design start                                       2024 Quarter 4 
Construction start                                2026 Quarter 2 
In-use date                                       2027 Quarter 4 
Cost Breakdown                                     This Request           Total Project 
Design                                                  $4,020,000             $4,270,000 
Construction                                             $6,956,000             $6,956,000 
Total                                                        $10,976,000             $11,226,000 
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED 
Alternative 1 – Status Quo. Do not proceed with the project. 
Cost Implications: Expenses incurred for project notebook development and planning - $200,000 
will need to be expensed.
Pros:
(1)   Capital investment won’t be required. 
Cons:
(1)   Increases the risk of failure of any equipment which can result in loss of radio coverage
impacting life-safety and emergency communications. 
(2)   The DAS will not be compliant with the new fire codes NFPA-72 & 1225 and RAC. 
(3)   The DAS will not have redundant cabling and equipment and will rely on a single feeder. 
This is not the recommended alternative. 
Alternative 2 – Proceed with the additional scope of work and budget. 
Cost Implications: Capital investment of $11,226,000. 
Pros:
(1)   The DAS will be compliant with the new fire codes NFPA-72 & 1225 and RAC. 
(2)   Wireless testing will be performed to analyze and improve the reliability of the system. 
(3)   The DAS will be redundant in cabling and hardware. 

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

            COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8c                                  Page 4 of 5
Meeting Date: March 26, 2024
(4)   The DAS will be continuously monitored after integration to the monitoring and
dispatch system. 
(5)   The DAS equipment will be replaced to a modular and digital design along with the
ability to carry multiple range of frequencies. 
Cons:
(1)   High capital cost. 
This is the recommended alternative. 
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 
Cost Estimate/Authorization Summary               Capital        Expense           Total 
COST ESTIMATE 
Original estimate (Status 2)                        $5,600,000               $0      $5,600,000 
Current change                                 $5,626,000               0      $5,626,000 
Revised estimate                               $11,226,000                0     $11,226,000 
AUTHORIZATION 
Previous authorizations                            $250,000                0        $250,000 
Current request for authorization               $10,976,000                0     $10,976,000 
Total authorizations, including this request      $11,226,000                0     $11,226,000 
Remaining amount to be authorized                    $0             $0             $0 
Annual Budget Status and Source of Funds 
Public Safety Distributed Antenna System (DAS) Upgrade CIP #C801238 is included in the 2024-
2028 capital budget and plan of finance with a budget of $5,600,000. The capital budget increase
of $5,626,000 will be transferred from the Aeronautical Allowance CIP #C800753 resulting in no
net change to the Airport capital budget. The funding sources will be the Airport Development
Fund and future revenue bonds. 
Financial Analysis and Summary 
Project cost for analysis              $11,226,000 
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 2028 
Future Revenues and Expenses (Total cost of ownership) 
The scope of the project is to replace existing equipment which is beyond useful life and not to
introduce any additional assets. Replacement of the equipment will require a similar level of
maintenance; therefore, Aviation Maintenance anticipates a negligible or no impact on future

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

            COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8c                                  Page 5 of 5
Meeting Date: March 26, 2024
operating and maintenance costs for the electronic technicians group as the equipment will be
pre-programmed. Any potential impact will be absorbed by radio-trained technicians. Utilizing
new electronic equipment will result in energy efficiency as compared to old analog amplifiers.
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND 
A Concourse Extension for Delta Lounges project is expected to expand the public safety DAS
system in the A concourse by installing new DAS equipment similar to this DAS Upgrade project. 
The DAS Upgrade project should coordinate with A Concourse Extension for Delta Lounges
project for system & network architecture and integration. 
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST 
(1)   Presentation slides 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS 
N/A 












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