COMMISSION 
AGENDA MEMORANDUM                        Item No.          8g 
ACTION ITEM                            Date of Meeting     December 15, 2020 
DATE:     November 17, 2020 
TO:        Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director 
FROM:    Luis Navarro, Director, Workforce Development 
SUBJECT:  South Seattle College Aviation Pathway Competition Waiver 
Amount of this request:                      $200,000 
Total estimated project cost:                  $200,000 
ACTION REQUESTED 
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to (1) enter into service agreement with the South Seattle College
(Consultant) to provide eleven weeks of onsite expert instruction for an airport maintenance technician (AMT) introductory on-ramp
course that will be taught by Consultant faculty to airport workers and individuals from near-airport communities. The course will be
offered, in particular, to people of color, women, immigrants and refugees, and displaced workers who wish to enroll in the two-year
Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) college certification program for an estimated amount not-to-exceed $200,000 during a contract
period not-to-exceed two (2) years; and (2) that the Commission exercise its authority under RCW 53.19.020(5) to determine a
competitive solicitation process is not appropriate or cost effective. 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
The Port of Seattle seeks to continue to build on the success of the first cohort that participated in the eleven-week on-ramp
introductory program offered at SEA Airport in early 2020, which was also taught by Consultant faculty. As proposed in the Workforce
Development Strategic Plan, the AMT on-ramp program aims at expanding career options for airport workers and community
members into the aviation maintenance technician pathway. Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) is a highly regarded program and an indemand
career. 

Template revised January 10, 2019.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. __8g__                              Page 2 of 5 
Meeting Date: December 15, 2020 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified program trains future mechanics for work on both the powerplant and the airframe
of aircraft. The program prepares students to take the licensing exam for FAA certification. The A&P certificate is also recognized in
many other fields other than aviation such as elevator repair, appliance repair, and power companies and other public utility districts. 
JUSTIFICATION 
Staff is recommending the Commission determine that a competitive solicitation process is not appropriate or cost effective in
accordance with RCW 53.19.020(5) for this service to enter into agreement with South Seattle College. Besides South Seattle College,
the Port identified only two other institutions with the FAA accreditation, capacity, and capability to offer the required training
programs for the Winter 2021 Quarter. 
Efforts were made to establish interest by contacting the deans and stakeholders that would engage their faculty to propose and
potentially perform the training program. None of the contacted institutions were able to participate in the process. After performing
due diligence and conducting the appropriate level of market research, it has become apparent that finding another institution within
a reasonable distance and possessing the capability and creditability, is not possible. South Seattle College is the only responsive
institution with the required FAA accreditation, capability, and capacity to support this program. 
DETAILS 
The Port, in partnership with the Consultant, will offer an AMT introductory on-ramp onsite instruction at SEA Airport for employees
and near-airport community members interested in enrolling in this program. The seven-credit course will be taught by Consultant
faculty in a team- teaching model - Basic and Transitional Studies (BTS) faculty and Aviation faculty - that will increase basic English
and math skills contextualized to aviation and introduce terminology, concepts, and tools that are key to the program. The course
scheduling will be flexible and negotiated to determine the time and dates that meet the greatest number of students within the
availability of faculty. 
Scope of Work 
This proposal aims to increase the number of airport workers and individuals from near-airport communities, in particular people of
color, women, immigrant and refugees, who enroll in the Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) program through the following efforts: 
Increased access and preparation for the Aviation Airframe and Powerplant Maintenance Technician (AMT) program. 

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

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. __8g__                              Page 3 of 5 
Meeting Date: December 15, 2020 
The Consultant will follow the previously created Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST) curriculum for the AMT
program. This model uses a team-teaching approach where students work with two teachers in the classroom: one provides
technical skills training and the other teaches basic skills in reading, math or English language. 
Incorporating embedded classroom math support into first quarter AMT 111. The math skills required to be successful in the
AMT program are embedded in the AMT 111 curriculum. Students needing additional math support typically attend college
tutoring centers or after classroom hours. As outside class time is not always accessible to students due to family and work
obligations, the integration of math support into the classroom delivered by a classroom aide during the lessons associated
with the critical math skills (i.e. measurements, angles) will assist students in learning and understanding of these concepts
and practical application in real-time. 
The Consultant will work with the outreach contractor to provide outcomes and targets including; p articipant demographic
information, the number of individuals trained, recruited, placed in jobs, and retained in the AMT program. The Consultant will
participate in any aviation maintenance technician pathway program evaluations commissioned by the Port of Seattle and will
provide wraparound supports approved by the Port. 
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED 
Alternative 1  The Port issues a competitive process RFP for faculty instruction at SEA Airport. 
Cost Implications: Not-to-exceed $200,000. 
Pros: 
(1) The Port may find other Consultants who can provide the services thus avoiding a second contract with the same provider. 
Cons: 
(1) South Seattle College is the only near-airport accredited college with the faculty and know-how to support the on-ramp onsite
course. 
(2) Time and effort have already been expended by the Central Procurement Office (CPO) to reach out to various colleges with no
response. 
(3) Delay in launching the Spring 2021 course further impacting educational access to communities impacted by COVID-19 
This is not the recommended alternative. 

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

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. __8g__                              Page 4 of 5 
Meeting Date: December 15, 2020 
Alternative 2  The Port does not proceed with a contract for the AMT introduction course. 
Cost Implications: No cost implications. 
Pros: 
(1) No cost implications for the Port of Seattle 
Cons: 
(1) The Port does not advance its workforce development strategic plan in an in-demand career. 
This is not the recommended alternative. 
Alternative 3  The Commission exempts this agreement with the South Seattle College, exercising its authority under RCW
53.19.020(5), and determines a competitive selection process is not appropriate or cost-effective. 
Cost Implications: Not-to-exceed $200,000. 
Pros: 
(1) The South Seattle College provided instruction at SEA Airport for the first cohort and is familiar with the airport environment. 
(2) Students who graduate from this introductory course will be accepted into the multi-year college program approved by the FAA
and will receive support from partners like Alaska Airlines and the college for their college registration. 
(3) South Seattle College is the near-airport education state college accredited by the FAA to provide this curriculum. 
Cons: 
(1) The Port will not provide opportunity for other colleges to participate in a solicitation. 
This is the recommended alternative. 
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 
The total estimated services will not exceed $200,000, for up to two-years of services. Deliverables includes instruction by college
faculty, and student supports for books, tuition, supplies, and case management services. These expenses are included in the
workforce development department budget.
Annual Budget Status and Source of Funds 
Workforce Development Department 

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

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. __8g__                              Page 5 of 5 
Meeting Date: December 15, 2020 

ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST 
(1) Spring 2020 Cohort Evaluation 
(2) Presentation Slides 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS 
July 14, 2020  The Commission was briefed by Workforce Development Director, Luis Navarro, on the 2020-2023 Strategic Plan, which
included the Aviation Pathways investments. 









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