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From the Acting Director, Department of Transportation, and the Airport Director, requesting authorization to amend the Professional Services Contract with Synergy Consultants, Inc., by extending the term of the contract to March 31, 2013, and increasing the contract amount by $31,171, for a total contract of $150,815.
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POLICY
County Board approval is required to amend certain Professional Service Contracts.
BACKGROUND
Over the past several decades, as communities around airports grew and air travel expanded, aircraft noise surfaced as a community concern. Much has been accomplished by Milwaukee County over the last two decades to address the effect of aircraft noise on residents living near General Mitchell International Airport (GMIA). Preserving and improving the neighborhoods near the Airport continues to be an objective for Milwaukee County and GMIA.
To provide financial assistance for airports seeking to reduce airport ground emissions, the U.S. Congress established a voluntary program in 2003 to reduce such emissions at commercial service airports located in regions that do not meet or maintain EPA ambient air quality standards. To administer this program, in 2004 the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) created the Voluntary Airport Low Emissions (VALE) Program.
Projects that are envisioned for VALE funding are included in GMIA's approved FAR Part 150 Noise Study Update. The projects include electrification of various terminal gates/aprons to reduce use of aircraft auxiliary power units (APUs), which reduce noise and emissions. Electrification of the International Arrivals Building gates, Concourses D and E gates of the Passenger Terminal, the Signature ramp and the West ramp is recommended to reduce the need for APU use. Pre-conditioned air would also need to be provided at terminal gates. The FAA has indicated that these projects may not be funded under the noise program grant program, but would be eligible for VALE funding.
GMIA entered into an agreement with Synergy Consultants, Inc. on February 22, 2010 to perform professional services related to the preparation of an application for VALE project funding. The VALE application process and related inventory requirement are new to the FAA Airport District Office (ADO) in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The GMIA VALE application is the first to be submitted by an airport in the FAA's Minneapolis District and, due to the specialized nature of the application, the FAA required additional time for the review process.
To allow for the completion of the VALE application process, an extension to the Professional Service Contract was needed. Therefore, at its May 26, 2011 meeting, the County Board approved Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Service Contract with Synergy Consultants extending the original completion date from December 31, 2010 to March 31, 2012 and increasing the original contract amount by $20,093, for a total contract of $119,644 (File No. 09-233(a)(a)/11-229). The original contract amount was $99,551.00.
In October 2011, the County received confirmation that FAA funding became available to proceed with the installation of the project components. Completion of the project requires construction administration, interpretation of design documents and specifications, final acceptance of the VALE components, and project record drawings. Therefore, Amendment No. 2 is now necessary to extend the completion date of this project from March 31, 2012 to March 31, 2013 and to increase the contract amount by $31,171, for a total contract amount of $150,815 ($119,644 + $31,171).
The Milwaukee County Office of Community Development Business Partners has approved a disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) goal of 10% for this contract.
RECOMMENDATION
Airport Staff recommends approval of a second amendment to the Professional Service Contract with Synergy Consultants, Inc., extending the project completion date by one year to March 31, 2013. Airport staff also recommends approval of increasing the contract amount by $31,171, for a total contract amount of $150,815.
FISCAL NOTE
Approval of Amendment No. 2 to the Professional Services Contract with Synergy Consultants, Inc., will have no fiscal effect on the tax levy of Milwaukee County. Funding is available from the Airport's 5041-6149 A174 account. The contract amount would increase by $31,171.
Prepared by: Kim M. Berry, Airport Noise Program Manager
Approved by:
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Frank Busalacchi, Acting Director C Barry Bateman
Transportation Department Airport Director