HOUSTON, July 15, 2004 (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 2 p.m. on Monday, July 19, 2004 in the 4th floor board room at 111 East Loop North (exit 29 off Loop 610). Chairman Jim Edmonds will preside over the meeting to be attended by 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 G6) The commission will consider a recommendation to award a $1.2 million contract to Paradigm Consultants, Inc. for concrete testing at Phase 1A of the Bayport Container and Cruise Terminal. If approved, Paradigm would be required to establish an on-site testing laboratory and perform all concrete materials testing and pavement surface evaluations for all Phase1A construction projects.
(Agenda item G11) The commission's agenda includes a recommendation to authorize PHA to amend Gee & Jenson's professional engineering services contract in the estimated amount not to exceed $3.6 million for Terminal 7 -- Phase 1 at the Barbours Cut Container Terminal and for the permanent cruise terminal at Bayport. Last month, the commission authorized Gee & Jenson to perform master planning for the proposed three-berth cruise facility at Bayport. If the proposed amendment is approved, the consultant would be authorized to design the initial cruise facility at Bayport, utilizing some design work first begun in 1998. The scope of the services would be expected to include an assessment of new security requirements, design of the expanded terminal building, and design of a lengthened dock, parking and support areas, and gangway.
(Agenda item G12) The commission will consider a recommendation to amend the contract with Geotest Engineering, Inc. by an estimated amount of $99,632 for geotechnical services related to the dredging and wharf and bulkhead design for Phase 1A of the Bayport container terminal. If approved, Geotest would be expected to provide required expert consultation on short notice for issues regarding acceptance of shafts and the interpretation of changed conditions related to the foundation construction of the Bayport wharf.
(Agenda item G13) The commission will consider a recommendation to amend the contract with Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. by an estimated amount of $250,000 for the third year of Phase 1A program management services for the Bayport terminal complex. In its original contract, LAN's third-year scope of services for the future cruise terminal was limited to a revision of the cruise master plan. If the proposed amendment is approved, however, LAN would now be expected to provide management of design services for the initial cruise terminal in the third year of its contract.
(Agenda item L3) The commission will consider a recommendation to evaluate and rank qualifications and authorize PHA to negotiate a contract for one company to provide design/build services for the Bayport mitigation project on the Memorial tract. The request for qualifications for the project was advertised in the Houston Chronicle and on the port's website. Additionally, 332 companies were notified directly through PHA's Vendor Information System. PHA's Engineering Department received, reviewed, and evaluated five RFQ responses and identified three companies -- AB Engineering, LLC, Arcadis G&M, Inc., and Conesta-Rover & Associates, Inc. -- as the most qualified to provide the required services.
(Agenda item L4) The commission will consider a recommendation to evaluate and rank qualifications and authorize PHA to negotiate a contract for one company to provide inspection services for the construction of dockside electric container cranes and other components for the Bayport container terminal. The request for qualifications for the project was advertised in the Houston Chronicle and on the port's website. Additionally, 39 companies were notified directly through PHA's Vendor Information System. PHA's Engineering Department received, reviewed, and evaluated four RFQ responses and identified two companies -- ABSG Consulting, Inc. and Gottlieb, Barnett & Bridges, LLC -- as the most qualified to provide the required services.
SECURITY MATTERS
(Agenda item M3) The commission will consider a recommendation to authorize PHA to enter into a memorandum of agreement with the U.S. Coast Guard to exchange and share resources in order to enhance maritime safety and security. If approved, PHA and the USCG would be expected to continue taking steps to improve their communications, services and working relationships; address the common goals of safety and security through the exchange and sharing of resources; pursue joint development of maritime information processes that advance both agencies' mutual goals; and facilitate periodic meetings between the agencies to identify and pursue ways to assist each other in accomplishing these goals.
CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT MATTERS
(Agenda item G14) The commission will consider a recommendation to authorize PHA to execute a $14,187 change order to State Construction, L.P. for the renovation of the administration building and construction of a 24-hour access gate at Barbours Cut Terminal 3. In the contract awarded earlier this year, the scope of work retained the existing plaster soffits on the administration building because of their acceptable external appearance. During construction, however, the soffit on the far west bay has sagged. Further inspection revealed evidence of rust and corrosion. If the change order is approved, State Construction is expected to remove the existing soffits and furnish and place new framing and soffits.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS MATTERS
(Agenda items K9, K10, K11, K12) The commission will consider recommendations to authorize PHA to advertise and receive competitive sealed proposals from qualified vendors interested in being considered for potential 24-month contracts for professional photography services, graphic design and creative support services, printing services, and mail house and fulfillment services. Each contract service is related to the production and delivery of various PHA marketing collateral materials. If approved, CSPs submitted for consideration are expected to include estimated total costs ranging from $75,000 to $100,000 for photography services, from $500,000 to $1 million for graphic design and creative support services, from $350,000 to $700,000 for printing services, and from $150,000 to $200,000 for mail house and fulfillment services.
(Agenda item M4) The commission will consider a recommendation to authorize PHA to sponsor the Promote Houston -- IAPH 2007 organization for activities related to planning the 2007 International Association of Ports and Harbors conference in Houston. Promote Houston -- IAPH 2007 is the 501(c)(4) non-profit organization that has been established for the express purpose of planning the Houston conference, which is scheduled to be held April 27 through May 4, 2007. If approved, PHA would be expected to sponsor the organization in the total amount of $1.5 million over a three-year period in incremental $500,000 payments by September 1 of fiscal years 2004, 2005 and 2006.
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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