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From the Director, Department of Transportation and Public Works, and the Airport Director, requesting authorization to amend the Professional Services Agreement with Synergy Consultants, Inc., by extending the term to March 31, 2012, and increasing the contract by $20,093, for a total contract amount of $119,644.
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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, Congress established a voluntary program in 2003 to reduce such emissions at commercial service airports located in the regions that do not meet or maintain EPA ambient air quality standards. To administer this program, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) created the Voluntary Airport Low Emissions (VALE) Program in 2004.
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 reduces noise and emissions. Electrification of the International Arrivals Building gates, Concourses D and E 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 the 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.
General Mitchell International Airport (GMIA) entered into an agreement with Synergy Consultants, Inc. on February 22, 2010 to perform professional services related to 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.
Therefore, due to the specialized nature of the application, it has taken the FAA longer than expected to review the application. An extension to the Professional Services Contract is needed to allow completion of the VALE application process, and additional professional services are necessary to complete the grant application process.
The Milwaukee County Office of Community Development Business Partners has approved a disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) goal of 10% for this professional service contract.
RECOMMENDATION
Airport Staff recommends amending the Professional Service Agreement with Synergy Consultants, Inc. to extend the completion date from December 31, 2010 to March 31, 2012 and to increase the contract amount by $20,093, for a total contract of $119,644. The original contract amount was $99,551.00.
FISCAL NOTE
Approval of the Agreement extension 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 $20,093.
Prepared by: Kim M. Berry, Airport Noise Program Manager
Approved by:
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Jack H. Takerian, Director C Barry Bateman
Transportation & Public Works Airport Director
H:\Private\Clerk Typist\Aa01\TPW&T 11\May 2011\REPORT - Synergy Agreement Amendment.doc