TITLE
Recommendation to adopt Plans and Specifications No. R-6719 for the installation of the Interim Explosive Detection System (EDS) Baggage Screening System at the Long Beach Airport; authorize City Manager to execute a contract with Quatrotec, Inc., the lowest responsible bidder, in an estimated amount of $1,212,834, plus a 25 percent contingency amount of $303,209, if necessary; and increase appropriation to $1,500,000 in the Airport Enterprise Fund (320) and the Department of Public Works (PW). (District 5)
DISCUSSION
When the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) began checked bag screening at Long Beach Airport in December 2002, they installed a baggage screening system using 16 Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) machines. These machines are labor intensive and have resulted in a high TSA employee injury rate and difficulty processing bags during peak hours. These problems have been compounded since the limitation on liquids was imposed last August 2006. At Long Beach Airport this has resulted in an increase in checked bags of over 30 percent, further exacerbating peak hour processing shortfalls, and TSA and airline employee work injury issues.
The TSA has approached the City indicating that they will assign up to four EDS units to the Long Beach Airport. These units would increase the baggage screening processing rates to address current peak hour needs and would also address employee injury issues by reducing the amount of baggage handling required. Installation of EDS equipment would require the City to provide support infrastructure including concrete pads, conditioned air, baggage conveyors, rollers and additional coverings. Much of this infrastructure can be relocated and reused as needed.
This project would also relocate the existing exterior baggage screening from the south canopy area, which currently has drainage issues, to the north canopy area where drainage is less of an issue.
City Council adoption of the plans and specifications and award of the contract are being recommended concurrently to expedite implementation of this project. The project was advertised for bids on February 16, 2007, and bids were opened on March 14,2007. Information regarding the bid and Quatrotec, Inc., is provided on the attached contract awards document.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Lori A. Conway on March 6, 2007, and by Performance and Budget Bureau Manager David Wodynski on March 14, 2007.
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act, Categorical Exemption No.
CE- 45-07 has been issued for this project.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested on March 20, 2007, in order to authorize commencement of this Public Works project. Construction is anticipated to begin in May 2007 with an anticipated completion in August 2007.
FISCAL IMPACT
The contract award is for an estimated amount of $1,212,834. A 25 percent contingency amount of $303,209 is being recommended, due to the poor condition of existing baggage screening, to be utilized for any unforeseen circumstances. The funding source is Airport revenue. An appropriation increase to $1,500,000 is required in the Airport Enterprise Fund (EF320) in the Department of Public Works (PW).
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
CHRISTINE F. ANDERSEN
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
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APPROVED: |
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GERALD R. MILLER |
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CITY MANAGER |