HOUSTON, May 13, 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 12 p.m. on Monday, May 16, 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 nearly $1.86 million construction contract to CB&I Constructors, Inc. for an elevated water storage tank at Bayport Terminal Complex Phase 1A.
(Agenda item K6) The commission will consider a recommendation to authorize the PHA to advertise and receive competitive sealed proposals (CSPs) for the potential purchase of a radio data terminal (RDT) computer system for Bayport. If approved, the PHA will seek CSPs from qualified vendors that are interested in being considered to provide the hardware required to implement the RDTs as part of the gate operation for processing trucks in and out of the Bayport facility. The estimated cost is not expected to exceed $250,000.
SECURITY MATTERS
(Agenda item K11) The commission will consider a recommendation to authorize the PHA to advertise and receive CSPs for the installation of fencing and lighting at the Woodhouse Terminal. If approved, the PHA will seek CSPs from qualified vendors that are interested in providing the installation of approximately 1,000 feet of fencing and approximately two light poles. The estimated cost is expected to range between $570,000 and $690,000.
(Agenda item K12) The commission will consider a recommendation to authorize the PHA to advertise and receive CSPs for CCTV system support services for the cruise terminal at Barbours Cut. If approved, the PHA will seek CSPs from qualified vendors that are interested in providing server hardware troubleshooting, problem diagnosis and repairs, and replacement of parts for cameras, switches, transmitters, receivers and data video recorders. The estimated cost is not expected to exceed $35,000.
(Agenda item M3) The commission will consider a recommendation to authorize the PHA to enter into an inter-governmental agreement with the City of Morgan's Point for security services at the Barbours Cut Terminal. If approved, the city would provide security services at the terminal for one year beginning on June 1 at an annual cost of $24,000 payable in monthly installments of $2,000.
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
(Agenda item G10) The commission will consider a recommendation to award a $33,745 professional services contract to DNV Certifications, Inc. for performing an ISO 14001:2004 audit of the PHA's environmental management system (EMS). If approved, DNV is expected to conduct certification and periodic re-surveillance audits for three years, evaluate ISO 14001 conformance of additional EMS facilities, and document audit findings.
FACILITY EXPANSION AND MAINTENANCE MATTERS
(Agenda item G6) The commission will consider a recommendation to award a $112,054 construction contract to Four Seasons Development Company, Inc. for the expansion of the cruise ship terminal at Barbours Cut.
(Agenda item L1) The commission will consider a recommendation to evaluate and rank qualifications and authorize the PHA to negotiate a professional services contract for a secured truck entrance at the Turning Basin Terminal. The request for qualifications (RFQ) was advertised in the Houston Chronicle and on the port's website. Additionally, 242 companies were notified directly through PHA's Vendor Information System. The PHA received, reviewed, and evaluated 17 responses and identified Pate Engineers, Inc., TSC Engineering Company, and Turner Collie & Braden, Inc. as the most qualified for consideration to provide the required services.
TRANSPORTATION MATTERS
(Agenda item M2) The commission will consider a recommendation to approve a new resolution to increase the PHA's share of funding for the Fairmont Parkway Overpass Project. If approved, the PHA's share for the project would increase to an estimated amount not to exceed $4.6 million from the original $3.3 million that was approved in 2003.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT MATTERS
(Agenda item M1) The commission will consider a recommendation to approve a resolution in recognition of former port commissioner Robert Gillette's 89th birthday.
(Agenda item M7) The commission will consider a recommendation to enter into a memorandum agreement with Buffalo Bayou Partnership, Inc. to help purchase a trash skimmer boat to remove debris from the Houston Ship Channel. If approved, the PHA would contribute $150,000 toward the total $300,000 cost of purchasing the vessel.
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
The PHA has a website photo gallery featuring images of port commissioners, executives, facilities, business activities, community outreach events and activities, environmental projects, and logos. Users can download the gallery's high-resolution images at no charge after registering as a member. The port website's simple online member registration procedure requires users to submit their name, company, telephone number, and e-mail address, personal password, and description of the intended use of the downloaded images.
To access the photo gallery, please visit http://www.portofhouston.com/publicrelations/publicrelations.html and click the link for PHA Photo Gallery.