COMMISSION 
AGENDA MEMORANDUM                        Item No.          8e 
ACTION ITEM                            Date of Meeting      August 10, 2021 

DATE:     August 3, 2021 
TO:        Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director 
FROM:    Eileen Francisco, Acting Director, Aviation Facilities and Capital Programs 
Wayne Grotheer, Director, Aviation Project Management 
SUBJECT:  Building Controls Upgrade (CIP# C800944) - Construction 
Amount of this request:               $6,901,000 
Total estimated project cost:          $9,901,000 
ACTION REQUESTED 
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to (1) advertise, award, and
execute a major works construction contract for the Building Controls Upgrade Project at Seattle-
Tacoma International Airport, and (2) use Port of Seattle crews for construction activities. The
amount of this request is $6,901,000 of an estimated total project cost of $9,901,000. 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
The  building  control  system  regulates  and  controls  critical  airport  terminal  building
environmental features such as temperature, humidity, and air exchanges. In addition, the
building control system performs smoke control functions and provides utility metering for water
and natural gas use. This project will replace 107 obsolete building control panels that are
installed throughout the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Airport). The project will also
replace the copper data infrastructure with a fiber network expansion to handle the updated
panels and system measurements. 
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 Air Conditioning (HVAC), chilled water, hot
water, and preconditioned air systems and metering of water and natural gas distribution. 
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

Template revised January 10, 2019.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. _8e__                               Page 2 of 5 
Meeting Date: August 10, 2021 
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 backbone that keeps it isolated
from any outside connections. The copper cable sections of the network have reached its
performance limitations. During 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
copper 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 ten
(10) percent woman- and minority-owned business enterprise (WMBE) aspirational goal for this
construction contract. 
DETAILS 
This project will replace 107 obsolete control panels that are distributed throughout the Airport.
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 on Concourses B, C and D 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 expansion 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 107 obsolete control panels. 
(2)   Connecting new control panels to the DDC System. 
(3)   Updating the DDC graphics to match the new panels and data points. 
(4)   Provide wiring, testing, commissioning, and associated equipment for a fully functional
system. 
(5)   Install a fiber backbone expansion to connect the new and previously upgraded control
panels to the DDC network. 

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

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. _8e__                               Page 3 of 5 
Meeting Date: August 10, 2021 
(6)   Provide  fiber  optic  wiring,  terminations,  testing,  commissioning,  and  associated
equipment for a fully functional system. 
Schedule 
Activity 
Construction start                                2022 Quarter 1 
In-use date                                       2023 Quarter 1 
Cost Breakdown                                     This Request           Total Project 
Design                                                           $0             $3,000,000 
Construction                                             $6,901,000             $6,901,000 
Total                                                         $6,901,000              $9,901,000 
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED 
This project is installing the required upgrades and improving the backbone for the system to be
ready for future expansions such as increased capacity, smoke control, and greater data
collection. 
Alternative 1  Do not proceed with this project 
Cost Implications: Approximately $525,000 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. 
Alternative 2  Replace obsolete control panels and install fiber backbone (as designed) 
Cost Implications: $9,901,000 
Pros: 
(1)   Replaces obsolete equipment and failing control panels. 

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

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. _8e__                               Page 4 of 5 
Meeting Date: August 10, 2021 
(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 
Previous changes  net                          $4,903,000         ($7,000)      $4,896,000 
Art (Transfer to art CIP)                               ($99,000)                          ($99,000) 
Revised estimate                                $9,780,000       $121,000     $9,901,000 
AUTHORIZATION 
Previous authorizations                          $2,879,000        $121,000      $3,000,000 
Current request for authorization                $6,901,000                0      $6,901,000 
Total authorizations, including this request       $9,780,000        $121,000      $9,901,000 
Remaining amount to be authorized                    $0             $0             $0 
Annual Budget Status and Source of Funds 
This project, CIP C800944, was included in the 2021-2025 capital budget and plan of finance with
a budget of $9,879,000. The funding source will be the Airport Development Fund and 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. 

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

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. _8e__                               Page 5 of 5 
Meeting Date: August 10, 2021 
IRR/NPV (if relevant)                N/A 
CPE Impact                       $.03 in 2024 

ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST 
(1)   Presentation slides 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS 
May 15, 2020  The Commission authorized execution of a project specific design contract 
December 10, 2019  The Commission authorized design 














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