HOUSTON, Feb. 20, 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 meeting beginning at 2 p.m. on Monday, February 23, 2004. Chairman Jim Edmonds will preside over the public meeting in the 4th floor board room at 111 East Loop North (exit 29 off Loop 610).
Bayport Matters
The commission will consider a recommendation to amend the contract with Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. involving program management for Phase 1 of the Bayport Container and Cruise Terminal Complex. If approved, LAN would be expected to manage the completion of designs for Port Road and an entry gate at the Bayport facility, which includes management of master planning and additional technical studies, at an estimated cost of $1.3 million.
Security Matters
The commission will consider a recommendation to authorize the reallocation of funds to Black & Veatch Special Projects Corp. for additional construction phase services for building renovation work on PHA's Emergency Command Center. The funds are available for reallocation because the scope of work for computer and communication system integration at the facility has been reduced. If approved, the reallocation of funds is not expected to affect the overall $390,208 cost of the Black & Veatch contract.
Environmental Matters
The commission will consider a recommendation to award a five-year, estimated $750,000 contract to Cleanup Oversight Partners for environmental and professional engineering services related to project oversight of remediation activities along Haden Road. If approved, Cleanup Oversight Partners is expected to monitor remediation activities that are expected to include excavation, disposal, capping, dredging, construction of a confined disposal area, and installation and operation of a groundwater remediation system. Cleanup Oversight Partners is a joint venture of Gahagan & Bryant Associates, Inc. and Shaw Environmental, Inc.
In a related matter, the commission will consider a recommendation to accept the highest and best bid to purchase approximately 114 acres of land that PHA has declared as surplus. The land is located in PHA's Wah Chang, Haden Road Railroad, and Greens Bayou disposal area properties near Greens Bayou and the Houston Ship Channel.
Capital Improvement Matters
The commission will consider a recommendation to evaluate and rank competitive sealed proposals and authorize negotiation of a construction contract for C1-C4 Return Road and the Barbours Cut Container Terminal. After the project was advertised in the Houston Chronicle, on the port's website, and through the PHA's Vendor Information System, seven companies submitted CSPs. PHA's Engineering Department has selected Forde Construction Co., Inc., Infrastructure Services, Inc., and Texas Sterling Construction Co., L.L.P. as the top three contenders for the contract, which is expected to range between $2.3 million and $2.9 million.
In a separate matter, the commission will also consider a recommendation to authorize PHA to advertise and receive CSPs for installation of a sound wall for Phase 1 development of the entry/exit pre-check and inspection facilities at Barbours Cut. If approved, PHA will receive and review CSPs from all qualified vendors interested in being considered for a contract award ranging between $900,000 and $1.4 million for the installation of a wall that will help reduce noise impacts on the neighborhood located south of the new facility.
Administrative Matters
The commission will consider a recommendation to award a contract to West Gulf Maritime Association for payroll services, safety training and other related services for International Longshoremen's Association workers at PHA. If approved, WGMA is expected to provide payroll processing services at an estimated cost of $3,000 per month based on charges of 25 cents per line item plus the PHA's pro-rata share of other payroll associated costs. For an additional flat monthly fee of $8,500, WGMA is also expected to handle ILA workers' unemployment compensation claims, time-off data, accident data and reports; provide direct access to safety, health, and training programs; and facilitate PHA's participation in the general industry workers compensation system, high visibility vest program, and hardhat, rainsuit and safety shoe systems. The PHA will also receive immediate access to hazardous materials information and more than $1.5 million in training programs, equipment, and training aids through WGMA's licensed and bonded professional safety staff.
WGMA is a non-profit corporation with a separate payroll division that currently processes all payrolls for direct employers of ILA workers at PHA. The association also handles all MIS functions for the ILA's pension, vacation, and welfare plans.
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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