HOUSTON, Sept. 29, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Port of Houston Authority (PHA) commission approved several recommendations involving contract awards, bids and proposals, professional services and general administrative and operational matters during its public meeting on Thursday, September 29, 2005. Chairman Jim Edmonds presided 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 G2) The commission authorized the PHA to award an estimated $446,000 contract to Trailboss Trailers, Inc. for the purchase of 20 terminal chassis for the Bayport Container Terminal.
(Agenda item G3) The commission awarded an estimated $579,214 contract to Briggs Equipment Trust (dba Briggs Equipment) for two empty container handling machines for Bayport.
(Agenda item G7) The commission also awarded two contracts for the purchase of 23 vehicles for Bayport. Philpott Motor Company received a $198,596 contract for 16 vehicles, and Classic Chevrolet Beaumont received a $91,417 contract for seven vehicles.
(Agenda item G12) The commission awarded a $300,000 professional services contract to Professional Service Industries, Inc. for materials testing verification services for Bayport. The firm is expected to perform quality assurance testing for concrete, soils, asphalt and other materials incorporated into the first phase of Port Road, marine terminal gate and cruise terminal construction projects.
(Agenda item G13) The commission also awarded an estimated $14.87 million contract to McCarthy Building Companies for the first phase of Port Road at Bayport.
(Agenda item G19) The commission amended JWD Group's professional service contract by an estimated $50,000. JWD is expected to accommodate the PHA's requested changes in the design of the electrical conduit, grounding and telecommunication infrastructure for the Phase 1 marine terminal gate in order to enhance security and improve operations.
(Agenda item G20) The commission executed a $95,362 change order on Zachry Construction Corporation's contract for Bayport's Phase 1A container yard. Zachry is expected to provide additional fill material at the high mast light pole bases and electrical conduit located outside of the container yard.
(Agenda item K9) The commission evaluated and ranked competitive sealed proposals (CSPs) and authorized PHA to negotiate a potential construction contract ranging from $20 million to $22 million for the first phase of the Bayport cruise terminal building. Morganti Texas, Inc. received the commission's top ranking following be, Stewart -- Matl, Ltd.
(Agenda item K10) The commissioners evaluated and ranked CSPs and authorized PHA to negotiate a potential construction contract ranging from $10 million to $11.2 million for site and utilities at the first phase of the Bayport cruise terminal complex. Zachry Construction Corporation received the commission's top ranking followed by McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.
(Agenda item K11) The commission evaluated and ranked CSPs and authorized the PHA to negotiate a potential construction contract ranging from $25 million to $27.5 million for wharf and dredging at the first phase of Bayport's cruise terminal. Orion Construction, LP received the commission's top ranking followed by McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.
(Agenda item K12) The commission evaluated and ranked CSPs and authorized the PHA to negotiate a potential construction contract for the first phase of the Bayport marine terminal gate at an estimated cost of $23 million to $25 million. McCarthy received the commission's top ranking followed by Zachry.
(Agenda item K13) The commission authorized the PHA to advertise and receive CSPs for the potential purchase of three 10,000-lb. capacity forklift machines for Bayport at an estimated cost of $110,000.
(Agenda item K14) The commission also authorized the PHA to advertise and receive CSPs for the potential purchase of a 135-ft. telescopic boom manlift for Bayport at an estimated cost of $200,000.
(Agenda item K17) The commission also authorized the PHA to advertise and receive qualifications for professional services to provide air quality consulting and particulate sampler monitoring and maintenance at Bayport at a cost ranging between $180,000 and $220,000.
(Agenda item K18) The commission authorized the PHA to negotiate an estimated $450,000 to $600,000 contract with L.A. King Company for installation of a gate control system at Bayport. The company is expected to provide uniform software integration for the coordinated and efficient operational performance of both the Bayport and Barbours Cut terminal gate control systems.
(Agenda item L2) The commission evaluated and ranked qualifications for the negotiation of a potential contract for materials testing at Bayport's cruise terminal. Terracon Consultant, Inc. received the commission's top ranking followed by Alliance Laboratories, Inc.
SECURITY MATTERS
(Agenda item K16) The commission authorized the PHA to advertise and receive proposals for unarmed, uniformed security gate officer services at PHA facilities. The PHA will initiate a new contract on March 1, 2006 to continue the services.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT MATTERS
(Agenda item K6) The commission evaluated and ranked CSPs and authorized the PHA to negotiate a potential construction contract in the estimated range of $1.2 million to $1.5 million for the repair of slope failure at Manchester Terminal. Orion received the commission's top ranking followed by MB Western.
(Agenda item G18) The commission amended the PHA's contract with Scientech Engineers in an estimated amount not to exceed $25,393 for the replacement of a transit shed at the Turning Basin Terminal. Scientech is expected to revise the drawings and specifications to provide for the demolition of the existing shed, modify the support for the existing concrete canopy over the rail tracks, and provide drainage for the open wharf.
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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