8f. Memo

Bucket Truck Authorization

COMMISSION 
AGENDA MEMORANDUM                        Item No.          8F 
ACTION ITEM                            Date of Meeting     January 24th, 2023 

DATE:     January 10, 2023 
TO:        Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director 
FROM:    Mike Tasker, AVM Director 
Ryan Pazaruski, AVM Senior Manager 
Daniel Alter, AVM Manager 
SUBJECT:  Authorization for Procurement of Bucket Truck CIP C801228 

Amount of this request:                 $800,000 
Total estimated project cost:            $800,000 
ACTION REQUESTED 
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to execute a contract to procure
one bucket truck. The estimated value of the contract is $800,000. 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
Ensuring safe and secure operations is key to the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s mission.
One key component to safety and security on the airfield is ensuring proper lighting. The current
lift truck would be over 30 years old by the time it is replaced, is beyond useful life, and unreliable. 
New lighting from construction has increased lighting heights and or made lighting more
challenging to reach. Currently the existing bucket truck is unable to reach required lighting in
areas around the airport, including the below areas. 
• Air cargo 2 
• C Gates 
• A Gates 
• East end of pedestrian walkway 
Airfield lighting around the cargo areas and on the airport, concourses can be up to 80 ft high, 
with certain areas requiring the truck to reach over portions of the building that have been
extended past the lighting poles. The bucket truck would be utilized for airfield lighting, visual
sign work, and pole replacement. 

Template revised January 10, 2019.

             COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8f                                   Page 2 of 5 
Meeting Date: January 24, 2023 

JUSTIFICATION 
Bucket trucks that reach 100 FT or more are highly specialized and there is generally a couple
month waiting period to rent a truck that can meet needs. Procuring this vehicle will ensure staff
are able to respond quickly to emergent issues when they arise. 
Currently we rent a truck at $15,000/month to perform required work. Many times, there is a
couple month waiting period before a rental bucket truck becomes available, as these are not
common in rental fleets. Generally, there is a relocation fee associated to the rental that covers
the cost of transporting the truck from the area of the country it was into SeaTac. 
A lift truck with more reach and height is necessary to support multiple high locations within air
cargo, C gates, and A gates. Procuring this vehicle will ensure that staff is able to respond quickly
to emergent issues should they arise. 
The bucket truck will run on renewable diesel which follows the Fleet Sustainability guidelines
and aligns the port to meet Century Agenda goals related to emissions standards while
minimizing total cost of ownership. 
Diversity in Contracting 
We have worked with Diversity and Contracting regarding this procurement and subcontracting
for this product is not feasible. When we are in the process of procuring, we will notify firms that
may be able to provide the product, but due to the limited opportunities and available firms, we
don't recommend establishing a WMBE goal on this contract. 

Schedule 
Activity 
Commission authorization                      2023 Quarter 1 
Procurement                                 2023 Quarter 2 
Equipment Arrives                             2024 Quarter 2 
In-use date                                       2024 Quarter 3 
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED 

Alternative 1 – No change, utilize existing 85’ bucket truck and rent when needed. 
Cost Implications: $15,000+ month in charges. Estimated need of 5 months/year. 
Pros: 
1.  Ability to respond to some needs. 

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

             COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8f                                   Page 3 of 5 
Meeting Date: January 24, 2023 
Cons: 
(1) Not a long-term solution. Current bucket truck is model year 1994, is nearly 30 years old, 
and is beyond useful life. Current bucket truck is not reliable and is not supported well by 
the manufacture due to age. Parts are becoming obsolete, and the truck will not always
be repairable. 
(2) Rental strategy can take time. 100’+ buckets are not always available and can take 3 to 4 
months for rental to arrive. 
(3) $15,000+/monthly charges. 
(4) Limited to what is available in rental market. 
(5) Not always able to respond quickly, postpones critical work by months and it leaves
critical work undone. 
(6) Waiting until an unrepairable failure occurs, would make us rent until procurement and
new unit is arrives which can take over 24 months. 
This is not the recommended alternative. 
Alternative 2 – Sell current bucket truck and rent bucket truck when needed. 
Cost Implications: $15,000+ month in charges. Estimated need of 7 months/year. 
Pros: 
(1) No capital expenditure. 
(2) No maintenance. 
(3) No long-term storage required. 
(4) Disposes of current bucket truck which is beyond useful life. 
Cons: 
(1) Rental strategy can take time. 100’+ buckets are not always available and can take 3 to 4
months for rental to arrive. 
(2) $15,000+/monthly charges. 
(3) Limited to what is available in rental market. 
(4) Not always able to respond quickly, postpones critical work by months and it leaves
critical work undone. 
(5) Projected to cost $768,348 more over 20 years as compared to buying. 
This is not the recommended alternative. 
Alternative 3 – Procure new lift truck. 
Cost Implications: Port would fund purchase through use of revenue bonds estimated at
$800,000. 
Pros: 
(1) Ability to respond quickly and safely to maintenance needs. 

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

             COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8f                                   Page 4 of 5 
Meeting Date: January 24, 2023 
(2) Removes reliance on rentals that are not always available. 
(3) Meets need of the airport for high work. 
(4) Provides flexibility for a range of heights. 
(5) Allows to reach over bump outs on buildings. 
(6) Projected savings of $768,348 over 20 years as compared to renting. 
(7) Disposes of current bucket truck which is beyond useful life. 
Cons: 
(1) Requires capital expenditure. 
(2) Space required to store truck. 
This is the recommended alternative. 
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 
Cost Estimate/Authorization Summary              Capital        Expense           Total 
COST ESTIMATE 
Original estimate                                   $800,000               $0        $800,000 
AUTHORIZATION 
Previous authorizations                                    0                0                0 
Current request for authorization                  $800,000                0        $800,000 
Total authorizations, including this request         $800,000                0        $800,000 
Remaining amount to be authorized                    $0             $0             $0 
Annual Budget Status and Source of Funds 
This project, CIP C801228, was included in the 2023-2027 capital budget and plan of finance with
a budget of $800,000. The funding source would be Airport Development Fund. 

Financial Analysis and Summary 
Project cost for analysis              $800,000 
Business Unit (BU)                  Airfield Apron 
Effect on business performance    NOI after depreciation will not change as costs will be
(NOI after depreciation)             fully recovered in airline rate base. 
IRR/NPV (if relevant)                N/A 
CPE Impact                       $0.01 in 2023 


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

             COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8f                                   Page 5 of 5 
Meeting Date: January 24, 2023 
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST 
NA 

















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



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