COMMISSION 
AGENDA MEMORANDUM                        Item No.          8g 
ACTION ITEM                            Date of Meeting      October 12, 2021 
DATE:    September 28, 2021 
TO:      Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director 
FROM:   Laurel Dunphy, Director Airport Operations 
SUBJECT: Airfield Raptor Strike Management and Control Services 
Amount of this request:                 $355,000 
Total estimated project cost:            $355,000 
ACTION REQUESTED 
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to (1) increase the value of the
current Raptor Strike Avoidance Program (RSAP) Contract at SEA by $25,000 to increase raptor
strike mitigation services through Year end 2021; (2) execute a new 2-year contract (commencing
on     or     about     January     1,     2022,     and     continuing     through 
December 31, 2023) for a base year and an additional 1-year option for an estimated amount of
$355,000. 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
Raptors (birds of prey) are one of the most hazardous wildlife groups managed by the Seattle-
Tacoma International Airport's Wildlife Hazard Management Program (2021 Port Wildlife Safety
Risk Assessment). Raptors are locally abundant and pose a significant risk of causing aircraft
damage and operational impacts.  In 2001 the Wildlife Program created the Raptor Strike
Avoidance Program to mitigate raptor hazards through intensive raptor monitoring, nest
interventions (removing and raising young off-site), and relocating raptors to suitable habitat
away from the airport. To date, RSAP has relocated over 1,400 raptors, effectively eliminating
the risk of strikes with these birds because only a low percentage of them return to the Airport. 
The airport has experienced a record number of damaging and adverse-effect raptor strikes in
2021. The Raptor Program has already relocated near its annual average of 70 birds per year.
The existing RSAP Contract is insufficient for addressing current raptor strike hazards.  By
authorizing this request, raptor trapping and relocation efforts will double for the duration of
2021 to improve mitigation and decrease the likelihood of raptor strikes.


Template revised January 10, 2019.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. 8g                                   Page 2 of 4 
Meeting Date: October 12, 2021 
JUSTIFICATION 
Raptors pose a significant risk of damaging wildlife strikes and operational impacts at the
airport. 
In 2021, following the reduction of raptor trapping contracts and trap effort, the airport
has had a record number of damaging and adverse effect strikes with raptors 
In 2021, airline partners estimate they have incurred $5 million in aircraft damages caused
by raptor strikes 
Raptor trapping and relocation is a successful long-term solution for reducing raptor-
aircraft strikes 
Diversity in Contracting 
The current service provider is a small business, sole proprietorship, making it an ideal
opportunity for similarly suited operators, but with little to no sub-contracting opportunities.
Furthermore, this is a unique, limited knitch, service industry requiring substantial experience
and certifications which may limit the number of qualified providers. Qualified DBE/WMBE firms
will be encouraged to apply and bid on this contract. 
DETAILS 
This proposal will provide additional level of effort necessary to increase the effectiveness and
intervention actions necessary to mitigate this increasing threat. This proposal will double the
level of effort and direct intervention services, including additional raptor trapping, relocation,
banding and husbandry requirements. Furthermore, with a long-term approach, interventions
can be initiated in a consistent and sustainable manner to proactively address trends. 
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED 
Alternative 1  Approve current contract value increase but do not approve a procurement for a
new contract to start January 2022. 
Cost Implications: $25,000 
Pros: 
(1) Increased current raptor trapping and mitigation efforts will reduce immediate raptor
strike hazards. By increasing the current level of effort, the Port demonstrates an
immediate commitment to aviation safety by allocating resources to mitigate current
wildlife hazards. FAR 139.337 requirements are secure in 2021. 
Cons: 
(1) If the procurement of a new contract to commence January 2022 is not approved, the
Port will fail to secure program continuity which will result in a gap in coverage leading to
more raptor strikes and more losses by airline stakeholders. The Port will be at risk for
not alleviating immediate hazardous wildlife threats to aviation safety and in meeting FAA
requirements. 

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

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. 8g                                   Page 3 of 4 
Meeting Date: October 12, 2021 
This is not the recommended alternative. 
Alternative 2  Approve the procurement for a new contract to start January 2022 but do not
approve a value increase for current 2021 contract. 
Cost Implications: $330,000 
Pros: 
(1)   Increased future raptor trapping and mitigation efforts will reduce raptor strike hazards
while securing program continuity.  By increasing the future level of effort, the Port
demonstrates an ongoing commitment to aviation safety by allocating resources to
mitigate future wildlife hazards. FAR 139.337 requirements will be met 2022 through
2026. 
Cons: 
(1)   Current wildlife hazards will not be sufficiently mitigated and will result in more raptor
strikes and losses for airline stakeholders. The Port does not demonstrate an immediate
commitment to aviation safety by addressing immediate hazardous wildlife threats. FAR
139.337 requirements may not be met. 
This is not the recommended alternative. 
Alternative 3  Approve $25,000 value increase for current 2021 contract and procurement of a
2-year contract to commence January 2022. 
Cost Implications: $355,000 
Pros: 
(1)   Increased  current  and  future  raptor  trapping  and  mitigation  efforts  will  reduce
immediate and future raptor strike hazards while securing program continuity.  By
increasing the current and future level of effort the Port demonstrates an immediate
and ongoing commitment to aviation safety by allocating resources to mitigate known
current and future wildlife hazards. FAR 139.337 requirements are met. 
Cons: 
(1)   Monetary investment to fund ongoing Raptor Program management priorities. 
This is the recommended alternative. 
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 
$25,000 to fund contract increase in 2021 allowing existing contract amount to extend beyond
$300K funding limit; $165,000 per year for 2-years to fund new contract to commence January
2022 ($355,000 Total). 
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND 
None 


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

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. 8g                                   Page 4 of 4 
Meeting Date: October 12, 2021 
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST 
None 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS 
None 
















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