HOUSTON, Jan. 21, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Port of Houston Authority (PHA) commission will consider several recommendations involving contract awards, bids and proposals, professional services and general administrative and operational matters during its public meeting at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, January 24, 2005 at the PHA Executive Office Building, located at 111 East Loop North (Exit 29 off Loop 610). Chairman Jim Edmonds will preside over the meeting with Vice Chairman Kase Lawal, Commissioner Steve Phelps, Commissioner Jim Fonteno, Commissioner Jimmy Burke, Commissioner Cheryl Thompson-Draper, and Commissioner Janiece Longoria.
BAYPORT MATTERS
(Agenda item G7) The commission will consider a recommendation to award a contract to HFP Acoustical Consulting for consulting, purchasing, installing and monitoring the system for the Bayport Container and Cruise Terminal. If approved, HFP would be expected to provide the services to assist the PHA in complying with the requirements of the permit granted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 2004.
(Agenda items K2 - K4) The commission also will consider three recommendations to authorize the PHA to advertise and receive competitive sealed proposals (CSPs) for the following Bayport Phase 1A facilities:
-- Amenities building (estimated cost range: $800,000 to $1 million)
-- Elevated water storage tank (estimated cost range: $1.4 million
to $1.61 million)
-- Marine terminal gate (estimated cost range: $18 million to
$20 million)
(Agenda item K5) The commission's agenda also includes a recommendation to authorize the PHA to advertise and receive CSPs for the relocation and reconstruction of Port Road. If approved, this initial phase of construction will involve relocating a portion of Port Road and its connectors to Todville Road and strengthening an additional portion of the road to support expected truck traffic following the opening of the Bayport terminal complex (estimated cost range: $8 million to $9.9 million).
(Agenda item G13) Another recommendation the commission will consider involves authorizing the PHA to issue a purchase order to CenterPoint Energy for construction of a 138kv transmission line for the Bayport Phase 1A sub-station. If approved, CenterPoint would be expected to complete the project at a cost not to exceed $1.385 million.
(Agenda item G14) The commission also will consider a recommendation to authorize the PHA to execute a change order to Zachry Construction Corporation. If approved, Zachry would be expected to provide additional reinforcement in areas of the Bayport wharf deck and a pre-cast slab connecting to the container yard to improve durability, as recommended by the wharf designer DMJM+Harris, Inc. (estimated cost: $28,111.12).
SECURITY MATTERS
(Agenda item G1) The commission will consider a recommendation to award a contract to Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) for a mobile coordination center.
If approved, SAIC would be expected to provide the equipment, the trailer unit to house and transport the equipment, and a truck for towing the unit by no later than July 29, 2005 at a cost not to exceed $1.2 million.
In August 2004, the commission authorized PHA to advertise and receive proposals from vendors interested in and capable of providing a mobile security unit to enhance security at PHA facilities following the awarding of a $1.136 million grant from the Transportation Security Administration's Office of Domestic Preparedness. The federal grant expires on July 31, 2005.
(Agenda item G11) The commission also will consider a recommendation to evaluate and rank qualifications for a potential $1.5 million contract to install access controls, fencing and lighting on the south side of the Turning Basin. A $978,793 federal grant for the project expires on February 23, 2006.
The request for qualifications for the project was advertised in the Houston Chronicle and on the port's website. Additionally, 657 companies were notified directly through PHA's Vendor Information System. PHA's Engineering Department received, reviewed, and evaluated six RFQ responses and identified three companies - Adesta, LLC, Black & Veatch, and NetVersant-Texas, Inc. - as the most qualified for consideration to provide the required services.
(Agenda item M6) In another matter related to security, the commission will consider a recommendation to authorize the PHA to amend Tariffs No. 8 and No. 14 to implement port security fees. If approved:
-- All vessels (including barges) would be assessed five percent
of total dockage per port call.
-- Break-bulk cargo would be assessed at 10 cents per ton.
-- Bulk cargo (dry or liquid) would be assessed at 2 cents per ton.
-- Containers would be assessed at $2 per ton.
-- Vehicles would be assessed at $1 per ton.
-- Passengers would be assessed at $1 per ton.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT MATTERS
(Agenda items K6 and K7) The commission will consider two recommendations to authorize the PHA to advertise and receive CSPs for two projects at the Barbours Cut Container Terminal:
-- Maintenance dredging at berthing areas
(estimated cost range: $750,000 to $950,000)
-- Pavement replacement
(estimated cost range: $800,000 to $1.1 million)
(Agenda item G12) The commission also will consider a recommendation to authorize the PHA to reject all bids previously for consideration of a potential contract award for maintenance dredging at the Turning Basin wharves, and award a contract to T.W. LaQuay Dredging, Inc. If approved, T.W. LaQuay would be expected to complete the project at an estimated cost of $1.2 million.
RAIL MATTERS
(Agenda item M1) The commission will consider a recommendation to authorize the PHA to execute an inter-local agreement with Harris County and the City of Houston to cover a portion of the cost of the second phase of the Freight Rail conflict Elimination Study. If approved, the PHA would be expected to contribute $60,000 from its current fund toward the total $225,000 cost of the study's second phase, which would include:
-- Evaluating feasible alternatives for relocating and consolidating
freight rail traffic into corridors;
-- Evaluating alternatives for relocating existing railroad yards;
and
-- Developing a feasible conceptual freight rail corridor plan that
satisfies the requirements of railroads, public agencies, and
local governments.
SERVICE AGREEMENTS
(Agenda items M2 and M4) The commission will consider two recommendations to authorize the PHA to renew one-year service agreements with two organizations. If approved:
-- Economic Alliance Houston Port Region would be expected to
promote the development and enhancement of port facilities and
activities in southeast Harris County.
(Effective February 1, 2005. Cost: $40,000.)
-- Houston Area Urban League would be expected to promote the
development and enhancement of port facilities and activities.
(Effective March 1, 2005. Cost: $25,000.)
CULTURAL RESOURCE MATTERS
(Agenda item G8) The commission will consider a recommendation to award a contract to PBS&J to assist in complying with the cultural resource regulations at the Beltway 8 Dredge Placement Area. If approved, PBS&J would be expected to provide professional archaeological services to assist PHA in conducting a complete phased investigation involving an on-site cemetery, coordinating permits, authorizations, and approvals with the Texas Historical Commission, preparing a report of technical findings, and overseeing grave relocation at a cost not to exceed $155,353.
The Port of Houston Authority owns and operates the public facilities located along the Port of Houston, the 25-mile long complex of diversified public and private facilities designed for handling general cargo, containers, grain and other dry bulk materials, project and heavy lift cargo, and other types of cargo. Each year, more than 6,600 vessels call at the port, which ranks first in the U.S. in foreign waterborne tonnage, second in overall total tonnage, and sixth largest in the world. The Port Authority plays a vital role in ensuring navigational safety along the Houston Ship Channel, which has been instrumental in Houston's development as a center of international trade. The Barbours Cut Container Terminal and Central Maintenance Facility are the first of any U.S. port facilities to develop and implement an innovative Environmental Management System that meets the rigorous standards of ISO 14001. Additionally, the port is an approved delivery point for Coffee "C" futures contracts traded on the New York Board of Trade's Coffee, Sugar & Cocoa Exchange. For more information, please visit www.portofhouston.com