COMMISSION 
AGENDA MEMORANDUM                        Item No.          10c 
ACTION ITEM                            Date of Meeting    September 28, 2021 

DATE :     September 17, 2021 
TO:        Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director 
FROM:    Laurel Dunphy, Director Airport Operations 
Krista Sadler, Director Technology Delivery 
SUBJECT:  Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Checkpoint Virtual Queues (CIP#C801272) 
Amount of this request:               $1,200,000 
Total estimated project cost:           $1,200,000 
Estimated 5-year contract fee:         $1,500,000 
ACTION REQUESTED 
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to 1) proceed with the Checkpoint
Virtual Queue project  at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport; 2) execute contract(s) for
equipment, vendor implementation services, and up to five years of software license, service,
and maintenance fees; and 3) advertise and execute small works contracts and utilize Port crews
to perform construction work for self-service gate installation. The amount requested for project
implementation is $1,200,000 and the estimated five-year software, service, and maintenance 
fee is $1,500,000. Fees for the five-year software license, service, and maintenance contract will
be budgeted in the Aviation Operations annual expense budget. 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
This project will expand the current pilot program for Virtual Queuing at the Seattle-Tacoma
International Airport (SEA) security checkpoints to include all checkpoints where feasible, all
airlines, automated flight information and checkpoint wait time interfaces, gates, and SEA mobile
application integration. 
The SEA Virtual Queue program, branded SEA Spot Saver, was implemented to respond to
impacts of physical facility capacity constraints by reducing security queue lines and wait times
during peak hours as well as enhance the passenger experience by providing a predictable travel
journey. The program includes advanced registration and on-demand options to schedule a
specific time to go through the SEA security checkpoint providing opportunities for SEA to
balance checkpoint loads and the passenger to avoid long waits in a crowded queue. The service
is free to all travelers, providing an equitable option to Transportation Security Administration
(TSA) Pre-Check and Clear. 

Template revised January 10, 2019.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. 10c                                  Page 2 of 5 
Meeting Date: September 28, 2021 
This technology was not widely available for an airport environment, so in late 2020 a competitive
procurement was initiated to select two vendors for a pilot Virtual Queue implementation
through August 2021, after which one vendor would be selected for a five-year contract. The goal
of this pilot phase was to determine, both, product and operational ability to meet the goals of
the program. Survey results from passengers were over 90% positive for questions related to 
ease of use, time savings, and overall experience, and while the pilot implementation was limited,
SEA Airport Operations believes the program can help balance queues during peak loads. Both
Delta Airlines and Alaska Airlines participated in the pilot and are supportive of the long-term
implementation of the Spot Saver program. 
Information and Communication Technology, the Aviation Division, and Port Construction
Services will partner to complete this project with the selected vendor. The capital project was
not included in the 2021-2025 capital budget and plan of finance, therefore the amount of 
$1,200,000 will be transferred from Aeronautical Reserve.  Recurring costs estimated at
$1,500,000 over five years will be budgeted in the Aviation Operations annual expense budget
beginning in 2022. Aviation Operations will also utilize their current queue management service
contract to support the Spot Saver program. 
JUSTIFICATION 
The full implementation of the Spot Saver Virtual Queue system has several customer service,
health and safety, and operational benefits. 
Survey results from passengers participating in the Spot Saver program were over 90%
positive for questions on ease of use, time savings, and overall experience. This is
exceptional feedback for a program during a pilot phase without all planned features for
a full implemented product. 
Reservations filled capacity from the very first day of the pilot program, proving strong
traveler desire for this type of program. 
Those participating in the Spot Saver program can wait at any location pre-security until
their reservation time minimizing the time spent in queues in close contact with other
passengers. 
The SEA security checkpoints  queues  are severely space constrained. Without a
reservation function, it is impossible to predict when passengers will arrive at the airport
for screening. Utilizing a reservation system, will help the Airport forecast and balance
peak periods at the five checkpoints for a more efficient customer experience.
Diversity in Contracting 
Project staff will work with the Diversity in Contracting Department to determine if a direct
women-and-minority-owned business enterprise (WMBE) aspirational goal should be assigned
for the construction component of the project. The procurement for the technology solution has
already been completed but included encouragement for diverse participation. 

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

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. 10c                                  Page 3 of 5 
Meeting Date: September 28, 2021 
DETAILS 
Scope of Work 
The project includes the following scope: 
(1)   Configuration and implementation of the Virtual Queue system for all airlines and
checkpoints 
(2)   Automated interfaces for flight information and checkpoint wait time data required to
balance checkpoint queues 
(3)   Interfaces for statistics and survey results to measure Spot Saver program 
(4)   SEA Mobile App integration 
(5)   Installation of the Self-Service Gates at Security Checkpoints 
Schedule 
Commission authorization                      2021 Quarter 3 
Interface and SEA Mobile App Completion       2022 Quarter 3 
Gate Installation                                   2022 Quarter 3 
Project Completion                             2022 Quarter 4 
Cost Breakdown                                     This Request           Total Project 
Vendor Equipment and Services                           $520,000              $520,000 
Design and Construction for Gate Installation                $335,000               $335,000 
Port Labor for Non-Construction Activities                   $345,000               $345,000 
Total                                                         $1,200,000              $1,200,000 
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED 
Alternative 1  Virtual Queue Implementation without Self-Service Gate Installation.
Cost Implications: $715,000 Capital; $1,400,000 Recurring Software Maintenance and Service
Fee; $2,000,000 - $4,100,000 estimated cost range over 5 years for security queue management
customer support. Costs vary depending on future Spot Saver hours of operation. 
Pros: 
(1)   Customer service improvements reduce stress on travelers by offering an opportunity
to move through security queue lines at a pre-determined time with lower wait times. 
(2)   The ability to balance checkpoint loads with throughput rates during peak times will
help reduce long lines 
(3)   Fully staffed Spot Saver queue lanes will provide a high level of customer service for
infrequent travelers with reservations. 
Cons: 
(1)   Significantly higher program costs than the recommended solution. 
This is not the recommended alternative. 

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

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. 10c                                  Page 4 of 5 
Meeting Date: September 28, 2021 

Alternative 2  Virtual Queue Implementation with Gate Installation 
Cost Implications: $1,200,000 Capital; $1,500,000 Recurring Software Maintenance and Service
Fee; $900,000 - $1,800,000 estimated cost range over 5 years for security queue management
customer support. Costs vary depending on future Spot Saver hours of operation. 
Pros: 
(1)   Customer service improvements reduce stress on travelers by offering an opportunity
to move through security queue lines at a pre-determined time with lower wait times. 
(2)   The ability to balance checkpoint loads with throughput rates during peak times will
help reduce long lines. 
(3)   The installation of self-service gates will reduce the number of service contract labor
required for program support and there is more flexibility to increase the Spot Saver
program hours without significant cost increases. During the pilot, Spot Saver hours of
operation were 4:00 am to Noon, leaving ample opportunity for program expansion. 
Cons: 
(1)   Funding is not available for other efforts. 
(2)   Security checkpoint queues are often moved to address facility needs, projects, or TSA
requests. Moving installed gates would require additional funding for power or
communication changes. 
(3)   Automated gates with less support staff may cause confusion for some customers. 
This is the recommended alternative. 
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 
Cost Estimate/Authorization Summary              Capital        Expense           Total 
COST ESTIMATE 
Original estimate                                 $1,200,000               $0      $1,200,000 
AUTHORIZATION 
Previous authorizations                                   $0               $0               $0 
Current request for authorization                $1,200,000               $0      $1,200,000 
Total authorizations, including this request       $1,200,000               $0      $1,200,000 
Remaining amount to be authorized                    $0             $0             $0 
Annual Budget Status and Source of Funds 
This project was not included in the 2021-2025 capital budget and plan of finance. A budget of
$1,200,000 will be transferred from the Aeronautical Reserve CIP (C800753) resulting in zero net
change to the Aviation capital budget. The project will be funded with the Airport Development
Fund. 


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

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. 10c                                  Page 5 of 5 
Meeting Date: September 28, 2021 
Financial Analysis and Summary 
Project cost for analysis              $1,200,000 
Business Unit (BU)                  Terminal 
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)                NA 
CPE Impact                       $.02 in 2023 
Future Revenues and Expenses (Total cost of ownership) 
Annual recurring service, license, and maintenance fees estimated at $1,500,000 over five years
will be budgeted in the Aviation Operations annual operating budgets beginning in 2022.
Aviation Maintenance and ICT labor for system support will be budgeted in their own operating
budgets. 
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST 
None 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS 
None 










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