HOUSTON, May 22, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Port Commission of The Port of Houston Authority approved several professional services contracts and contract amendments associated with the project at its May 22 public meeting. Chairman Jim Edmonds presided over the meeting with Commissioner Steve Phelps, Commissioner Jim Fonteno, Commissioner Kase Lawal, Commissioner Jimmy Burke, Commissioner Janiece Longoria and Commissioner Elyse Lanier.
SECURITY ITEMS
(Agenda items G1, G2) The commission awarded a $388,900 professional services contract to BEI Engineers for design of access control devices for the North Turning Basin restricted truck entrance/exit areas and approved a $747,000 contract to Service Applications International Corporation for the design of a comprehensive security system comprised of guard houses, gates, access control, cameras, communications, constant power supply, lights and fencing for the Manchester, Care and Southside terminals.
(Agenda item K9) Commissioners also authorized the advertising and receipt of proposals for an intelligent video surveillance system for an estimated $1.52 million to $1.75 million. The system is designed to provide perimeter intrusion detection, directional trip-wire; tailgating and detection of objects left behind or removed from a specific area.
All three items are a part of the PHA's federal security grant initiatives. To date, the PHA has received $31.5 million in security grants from the federal government.
BAYPORT ITEMS
(Agenda item G13) The commission approved a lease agreement not to exceed $502,926 with M Space Holdings LLC for the use of temporary buildings for operations while the permanent Bayport administration and maintenance buildings are under construction. Costs include design of port-directed floor plans, transportation of the buildings to and from Bayport, as well as the installation and securing of the buildings to the concrete pavement.
(Agenda items G14, G15, G17, G18, and G19) The commission approved amending the contracts for five engineering companies to extend the term of their construction phase support through completion of the initial projects, for a total of $1,685,464, with up to 70 percent of those fees reimbursable by the federal government and existing contracts. Services will include materials testing, construction management, and engineering services during construction.
(Agenda items G23, G24, G26, and G27) The commission also approved $1,108,781 in construction contract change orders for the Port Road, container yard, and two wharf contracts. Up to $900,000 of those costs may be reimbursable.
Since June 2004, PHA has awarded $248.5 million in Bayport Phase 1A wharf and dredging construction contracts. Should the commission approve amendments on this agenda, the total net dollar amount of contract amendments for construction field changes at Bayport over the two-year period will be about 0.5 percent of total construction costs.
(Agenda item K4) The commission authorized solicitation and receipt of competitive bid proposals for construction of the Phase 1 container yard, at an estimated cost of $27.1 million to $35 million. The project includes 50 acres of roller-compacted concrete, extensive construction of underground utilities, and high mast lighting.
(Agenda item K11) Commissioners authorized a request for qualifications to provide professional engineering services for the verification testing of construction materials for proposed construction projects at Bayport and Barbours Cut Terminal.
(Agenda item M4) The commissioners gave approval for PHA staff to spend up to $150,000, using state of Texas contract prices, on computer network communications equipment for the Bayport Container Terminal.
ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP
(Agenda item M6) The commission approved an 18-month subscription service agreement between PHA and the Bay Area Economic Partnership for $37,500. The agreement will help promote the development and enhancement of port facilities and activities in the Clear Lake area.
The information found in this news release is not, nor is it intended to be construed as, the official minutes of the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority meetings.
To view the complete agenda, please visit: http://portofhouston.com/publicrelations/meetings.html
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
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