COMMISSION 
AGENDA MEMORANDUM                        Item No.          8k 
ACTION ITEM                            Date of Meeting       March 8, 2022 
DATE:     February 28, 2022 
TO:        Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director 
FROM:    Krista Sadler, Director Technology Delivery 
SUBJECT:  Airfield Foreign Object Debris Detection System Maintenance Agreement 
Contract Value:                       $2,000,000 
ACTION REQUESTED 
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to execute a contract with Varec
for foreign object debris (FOD) detection system maintenance and license fees for a period not
to exceed five years in an amount not to exceed $2,000,000 over the five-year period. There is
no funding associated with this authorization. 
SUMMARY 
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) competitively procured and deployed  a FOD
detection system as part of the center runway reconstruction project in 2015. This system
automated the detection of FOD and wildlife on the runway using radar and camera integrated
equipment installed with the runway lighting. When FOD is detected, an alert is sent to Airport
Operations along with a picture and the exact location for evaluation and quick resolution.
Continuous scanning for FOD improves the risk of significant aircraft engine damage during the
most critical phases of flight, arrivals and departures. Without the system, SEA relies on multiple,
manual daily inspections or pilot reports. 
This authorization is to extend a contract for annual maintenance and license fees with our FOD
detection system vendor, Varec, for a five-year period. The estimated five-year contract amount
is $2,000,000 and the annual base amount as well as annual increases will be budgeted in the
Information and Communication Technology operating budget. 
There are no attachments to this memo. 



Template revised April 12, 2018.