To: Board of Supervisors
From: Aviation
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
title
Bid Authorization for the Rehabilitation of Runway 14/32 and Electrical System Improvement at the California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Receive and approve the plans and specifications for the rehabilitation of Runway 14/32 and Electrical System Improvement; and
2. Authorize the Clerk of the Board to advertise the above referenced project, pursuant to Section 22037 of the California Public Contract Code, with bids to be opened on March 31, 2022.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Aviation Enterprise Fund (3530)
DISCUSSION:
On November 16, 2021, Humboldt County, Department of Aviation entered into a professional services agreement with Armstrong Consultants for Runway 14/32 Rehabilitation and Electrical System Improvement Design. The signed agreement engaged Armstrong to produce final engineering design, prepare documents, and manage the bidding process for the Runway 14/32 runway and electrical system rehabilitation construction project at ACV.
To meet FAA requirements, the public bidding process must be conducted, prior to receiving a grant from the FAA for the construction of the project. After bids are opened on March 31st, the winning bidder will be identified, and a separate item brought back before the Board of Supervisors to recommend entering into a contract with the winning bidder. Additionally, an item will be brought before the Board of Supervisors seeking approval for accepting the grant offer from the FAA which is anticipated in July-August 2022. The contract will be deemed null and void, should the FAA grant funding not be available to the County of Humboldt.
This project would be for rehabilitation of the primary runway, Runway (Rwy) 14/32, at ACV, and for upgrading the electrical infrastructure tied to that Rwy. The last major rehabilitation work completed on the Primary Rwy was done in 1994. This Rehabilitation Project would allow for a minimum of 10 years of useful life added to the current Rwy, with proper maintenance. The Primary Rwy electrical systems that would be replaced, and modernized, are the Touchdown Zone Lights (TDZs), Centerline Lights (CLLs), and Rwy Edge Lights (if funding is available). Much of the TDZ, and CLL, systems are approximately 50-70 years in age and can no longer be maintained to FAA standards. As such, the FAA has required Humboldt County to turn these systems off in recent years until they can be properly replaced, and upgraded, with modern infrastructure.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The total cost for the Runway Rehabilitation and Electrical System Improvements is estimated between $12-15 million dollars. The Department of Aviation has been working with the Federal Aviation Administration to complete planning steps which will allow Humboldt County to apply for, and be in contention to receive, reimbursement for 90.34% of the project costs.
Additionally, progress on addressing compliance matters brought forth by the FAA in 2018 has ensured the County of Humboldt’s eligibility for FAA funding for major infrastructure projects such as this project today, and eligible projects in the future. If the County does not address these compliance issues, and continue to do so moving forward, the County may not be eligible for these FAA funds. With FAA funds reimbursing the County for 90.34% of eligible project costs, the County will be responsible for $1.2-$1.5 million (remaining 9.66%) needed to complete the project (dependent on winning bid amount). The Department of Aviation plans to utilize future Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) revenues to cover the local Humboldt County share of the project costs ($1.2-$1.5 million). Therefore, there is no anticipated impact to the General Fund for this project.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports your Board’s Strategic Framework by providing for and maintaining infrastructure seeking outside funding sources to benefit Humboldt County needs
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to approve the recommendations to approve the plans and specifications and authorization to bid. However, Runway 14/32 and the electrical systems need to be rehabilitated and upgraded to continue serving airline traffic, general aviation, the US Coast Guard-Sector Humboldt Bay, medical flights, and all other users of the ACV Airport. If we do not pursue FAA funding to assist with this project, the entire cost of the project (estimated at $12-$15 million) would need to be borne by the County of Humboldt.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. ACV Construction Set Draft
2. ACV Specifications
3. ACV REHAB RW 14-32- Estimate
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: D-1
Meeting of: 11/16/2021
File No.: 21-1690