PORT OF SEATTLE 
MEMORANDUM 
COMMISSION AGENDA               Item No.      6d 
ACTION ITEM 
Date of Meeting     April 14, 2015 
DATE:    March 5, 2015 
TO:      Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
FROM:   Mark Thomas, Deputy Chief of Police, POSPD 
Russ Read, Seaport Security Program Manager 
Anne Purcell, Sr. Port Counsel 
SUBJECT:  Resolution No. 3706, First Reading  Property Surplus of Backscatter Vans and
Trailers. 

Value:           Unknown 
Original Price:      $2,326.506.00                Source of Funds: TSA Security 
Grant Program 
ACTION REQUESTED 
Request First Reading of Resolution No. 3706: A Resolution of the Port Commission of the Port
of Seattle declaring certain personal property, Backscatter X-Ray vans and trailers, surplus and
no longer needed for port district purposes and authorizing its disposal. 
SYNOPSIS 
In 2002 the Port of Seattle received two Backscatter X-Ray vans and trailers through a Federal
Seaport Security grant. The vans are manufactured for cargo, vessel stores and vehicle screening
and create an x-ray photo-like image that can reveal threats such as explosives and drugs and
contraband such as alcohol and cigarettes. 
BACKGROUND 
In 2002/2003 the Port of Seattle contracted with Scientific Applications International
Corporation ("SAIC") through a Federal Seaport Security grant to perform a vulnerability
assessment for the Ports of Seattle, Tacoma and Everett. This document became known as the
"STEPS" report. The STEPS report identified the vulnerability of dangerous substances and
devices being brought into cruise terminal operations through either passenger baggage or the
stores delivered to the cruise ships typically loaded into large panel vans or semi-tractor trailers.
The STEPS document recommended that the vessel stores be screened prior to being brought
into the U.S. Coast Guard regulated portions of the cruise facilities under Title 33, Code of
Federal Regulations, Part 105. 
The Port of Seattle applied for and received federal grant funds through, at that time, the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Security Grant Program. These port security

Template revised May 30, 2013.



COMMISSION AGENDA 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
March 5, 2015 
Page 2 of 3 
grants are now administered by FEMA. The TSA grant provided full funding for the stores
screening program without a funds matching requirement. If the Port is able to sell the vans any
funds received from the sale of the vans would be returned to FEMA per their equipment
disposition parameters. 
The Port of Seattle contracted with consulting firm Parsons Brinckerhoff to design non-intrusive
inspection systems for cruise vessel stores that could facilitate the volume of throughput with
minimal disruption to other cruise vessel activities. The design firm, Parsons Brinckerhoff, was
unable to provide a cost effective system that would not significantly and adversely impact the
cruise vessel operations. 
Port of Seattle Seaport Security staff identified alternative methods of screening vehicles
carrying stores prior to the vehicles entering the U.S. Coast Guard regulated cruise facilities.
The Backscatter X-Ray vans were identified as meeting the screening requirements for vessel
stores and were at that time the only available technology and equipment capable of performing
the non-intrusive inspections of vessel stores for cruise ships. The Port of Seattle worked closely
with TSA and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to allow the Port of Seattle to
purchase the two Backscatter X-Ray vans and accompanying equipment off of the GSA
schedule, allowing the procurement to be made well under budget. 
When the Backscatter X-Ray vans were delivered, training was provided for the Port of Seattle
Security staff as well as Cruise Terminals of America staff. The Port of Seattle Security Staff and
Cruise Terminals of America Staff also received "Train the Trainer" training on the operation of
the equipment. The vans were used for screening as intended. Not long after the delivery of the
vans, Cruise Terminals of America began to object to their use and eventually decided not to use
the vans. The vans were used by Seaport Security to conduct random inspections of vehicles
entering into U.S. Coast Guard regulated facilities to fulfill the requirements of Title 33, Code of
Federal Regulations, Part 105 that requires screening for dangerous substances and devices. 
In July 2009 the Backscatter X-Ray vans were transferred to the Port of Seattle Police
Department to be used by the Bomb Disposal Unit. From July 2009 through 2012 the POSPD
utilized the vans approximately 6-8 times at the request of Seattle Police Department and/or the
Drug Enforcement Agency. The vans were also used 2-3 times in conjunction with the TSA at
the Airport. The vans have not been used since 2012. 
The vans required maintenance costing approximately $15,000 per vehicle per year. The vans
ultimately were not suited for POSPD work. POSPD put approximately $7,100 into one of the
vans and received a quote in 2011 of $66,100 for repairs on the second van. The technology on
the vans is now outdated and it would be expensive to bring them back to operational readiness. 
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 
None to the Port of Seattle.

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
March 5, 2015 
Page 3 of 3 
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED 
Alternative 1)   Spend in excess of $60,000 per van to bring the vans back to complete
operational readiness; spend at least $15,000 per van per year for general
maintenance. 
Alternative 2)   Dispose of the assets in accordance with the Federal Regulations regarding
disposal of federal grant funded equipment. This is the recommended
alternative. 
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST 
Resolution No. 3706 

PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS 
August 12, 2003  The Commission was briefed on the Securing Passenger Terminals
(Stores) project, which included the purchase of the Backscatter X-Ray vans and
trailers now requested to be declared surplus.