PHA Commission Delivers Bayport, Security, Environmental Matters


HOUSTON, Sept. 20, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Port of Houston Authority (PHA) commission on Monday approved several recommendations involving contract awards, bids and proposals, professional services and general administrative and operational matters during its public meeting. 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 G1) The commission awarded a contract in the estimated amount of $943,001 to HTS, Inc. for soils testing at the Bayport Container Terminal Phase 1A. HTS will establish an on-site laboratory and perform all testing of soil materials and asphalt for Phase 1A construction projects.

(Agenda item G9) The commission authorized PHA to execute a change order in the estimated amount of $3.6 million to Zachry Construction Corporation for the Bayport Phase 1A wharf and dredging contract. Zachry's dredging sub-contractor will perform advanced cruise terminal dredging and permanent drainage construction for the initial cruise ship berth at Bayport in a manner that would comply with emissions restrictions.

(Agenda item G10) The commission amended the contract with CH2MHILL, Inc. in an estimated amount not to exceed $50,000 for Bayport Phase 1A program management. CH2MHILL will provide additional construction management of the Bayport cruise terminal area site preparation and dredging.

SECURITY MATTERS

(Agenda item G8) The commission evaluated and ranked qualifications and authorized negotiations for a $3 million design/build contract for the second phase of PHA security infrastructure enhancements. BAE Systems Integrated Defense Solutions, Inc. received the commission's top ranking followed by Black & Veatch Special Projects Corp. and Adesta, LLC, respectively.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

(Agenda item G11) The commission amended a contract with Saitas and Arenson (formerly Saitas and Seales) for environmental projects related to the Bayport terminal development, air quality assistance, and other issues. In 2003, the firm was awarded a $125,000 contract to provide services through May 31, 2004. To date, however, only $55,000 of the contract value has been utilized. The Saitas and Arenson contract will be extended for an additional one-year term.

(Agenda item K6) The commission approved a recommendation to advertise and receive qualifications from vendors interested in being considered as providers of professional environmental consulting services pertaining to port operations and the maritime industry. Prospective vendors will submit qualifications to provide assistance with regulatory reviews, site remediation for soil and groundwater, and field study inspections.

HOUSTON SHIP CHANNEL NAVIGATIONAL MATTERS

(Agenda item M1) The commission authorized an estimated $230,000 in fiscal year 2005 funding for the Physical Oceanographic Real Time System (PORTS). The National Oceanographic Service will provide maintenance and oversight of the computerized navigational data system that collects and disseminates oceanographic and meteorological data to masters, pilots and other navigators of the Houston Ship Channel.

The next meeting of the PHA Commission is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Monday, October 25, 2004 in the 4th floor board room of the PHA Executive Office Building, located at 111 East Loop North in Houston.

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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