HOUSTON, June 24, 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 2 p.m. on Monday, June 27, 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 G1) The commission will consider a recommendation to award a nearly $17.9 million contract to KCI Special Cranes Corporation for 12 diesel electric container yard cranes for the Bayport Container and Cruise Terminal.
(Agenda item K1) The commission also will consider a recommendation to evaluate and rank competitive sealed proposals (CSPs) for a potential contract to build a lift station and force main at Bayport Phase 1A at an estimated cost range of $1.4 million to $1.6 million. The request for CSPs for the project was advertised in a local newspaper and on the port's website. Additionally, 520 companies were notified directly through PHA's Vendor Information System. The PHA's Engineering Department received, reviewed, and evaluated proposals from BRH-Garver Construction, L.P. and Jimerson Underground, Inc.
(Agenda item K7) The commission will consider a recommendation to authorize the PHA to advertise and receive CSPs for the potential purchase of 20 terminal chassis for Bayport. If approved, the PHA will seek CSPs from qualified vendors that are interested in and capable of providing equipment that will be used to move various cargoes as well as conduct mandatory examinations, inspections and transfers. The estimated cost is $430,000.
(Agenda item K8) The commission will consider a recommendation to authorize the PHA to advertise and receive CSPs for the potential purchase of six yard tractors for Bayport. If approved, the PHA will seek CSPs from qualified vendors that are interested in and capable of providing yard tractors to haul containers on chassis throughout the terminal as well as conduct equipment that will be used to move various cargoes as well as conduct mandatory examinations, inspections and transfers. The estimated cost is $420,000.
(Agenda item K11) The commission also will consider a recommendation to authorize the PHA to advertise and receive CSPs for the potential wharf construction and dredging of the first phase of the Bayport Cruise Terminal. If approved, the PHA will seek CSPs from qualified vendors that are interested in and capable of providing construction services according to the plans and specifications developed by Gee & Jenson, pending the review and approval of the PHA Engineering Department and the Phase 1 Program Manager Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam. The estimated cost is expected to range between $25 million and $27.5 million.
(Agenda item K12) The commission also will consider a recommendation to authorize the PHA to advertise and receive CSPs for the potential development of the site and installation of the utilities at the Bayport Cruise Terminal. If approved, the PHA will seek CSPs from qualified vendors that are interested in and capable of providing construction services according to the plans and specifications developed by Gee & Jenson, pending the review and approval of the PHA Engineering Department and the Phase 1 Program Manager Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam. The estimated cost is expected to range between $10 million and $11.2 million.
(Agenda item K14) The commission will consider a recommendation to authorize the PHA to advertise and receive CSPs for the potential purchase of two empty container handling machines with the option for one additional machine for Bayport. If approved, the PHA will seek CSPs from qualified vendors that are interested in and capable of initially providing two machines that can be used to stack and load empty containers. A decision about a third machine may be deferred until later this year. The estimated cost is $750,000.
(Agenda item L2) The commission also will consider a recommendation to evaluate and rank qualifications and authorize the PHA to negotiate a potential professional engineering services contract for materials testing related to the construction of the marine terminal gate and Port Road for the first phase of Bayport. The request for qualifications (RFQ) was advertised in a local newspaper and on the port's website. Additionally, 97 companies were notified directly through PHA's Vendor Information System. The PHA's Engineering Department received, reviewed, and evaluated 11 responses and identified Fugro Consultants, L.P., Paradigm Consultants, Inc., and Terra-Mar/US Laboratories as the most qualified to provide the required services.
(Agenda item K17) Another recommendation the commission will consider is a recommendation to authorize the PHA to issue a RFQ for materials testing services at the first phase of Bayport. If approved, the PHA will seek qualifications from firms that are interested in and capable of providing materials sampling, testing, analysis, and other quality inspections to meet the requirements of a federal government code.
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
(Agenda item K13) The commission will consider a recommendation to authorize the PHA to advertise and receive CSPs for the potential construction of interpretive canoe trails in the Atkinson Island demonstration marsh. If approved, the PHA will seek CSPs from qualified vendors that are interested in and capable of excavating additional channels and ponds to allow further access to the demonstration marsh by local recreational canoe and kayak operators. The trail design plans and specifications have been developed in coordination with the Beneficial Uses Groups. The estimated cost of the project is not expected to exceed $89,000, which would include a $53,400 matching fund grant from the Texas General Land Office's Coastal Management Program.
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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